The Comprehensible Output Hypothesis and Self-directed Learning: A Learner's Perspective

Authors

  • Yu Liming

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18806/tesl.v8i1.575

Abstract

In the course of his diary study dealing with communication strategies, the writer of this paper has found that the way of acquiring a language is not merely as simple as "understanding the message" as Krashen's Input Hypothesis (1985) claims. Swain's Comprehensible Output Hypothesis (1985) maintains that the development of a learner's communicative competence does not merely depend on comprehensible input: the learner's output has an independent and indispensible role to play. Swain's thesis has proved to be of relevance to the writer's experience as a self-directed learner. This paper discusses in detail the significance to language acquisition of pushing for comprehensible output. Three issues are discussed: (I) comprehensible output and negative input; (2) comprehensible output and incomprehensible output; (3) comprehensible output and comprehensible input.

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Published

1990-10-26

How to Cite

Liming, Y. . . . . . . . . . . (1990). The Comprehensible Output Hypothesis and Self-directed Learning: A Learner’s Perspective. TESL Canada Journal, 8(1), 09–26. https://doi.org/10.18806/tesl.v8i1.575

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Section

Articles