What is comprehensible input?
Comprehensible input is language input (speech or text) in a target language that learners can understand even if they don’t grasp everything (every word or grammatical feature).
It is crucial for language acquisition as it helps learners acquire languages naturally rather than through conscious learning.
How to use comprehensible input?
As children, our parents try to simplify their speech naturally to our level. They also add extra context - they point to things, illustrate with gestures and body language, use exaggerated emotional reactions etc. And they also let us explore the things we’re interested in on our own.
The same principles apply when trying to acquire a second language.
You need instructors, materials and apps that cater to your level (or slightly above it).
Reading and listening to input that is comprehensible is not enough though. It should also be compelling to increase motivation. Why read or listen to things that are either meaningless or uninteresting? The easiest way to make sure that the input is compelling, is to give free choice.
The goal of language acquisition (using comprehensible input) is not perfection from the start. The learner is trusted to not only make their own choices but also to correct their own mistakes over time. It doesn’t try to insult the intelligence of the learner.
The instructor should just provide encouragement and advice or feedback when asked for.
Which language learning apps provide comprehensible input?
Check out the comparison of language learning apps below to find the best fit:
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