Ebook: Interactionist and Input Hypothesis Theories of Second Language Acquisition

Social interaction theory and the interaction hypothesis deal with the significance of interaction in a learning environment which contrasts with the nativists theories of acquisition like the input hypothesis espoused by Krashen. According to social interaction theorists such as Long and Vygotsky, environmental factors play a critical role in second language acquisition. Vygotsky's work on socio-cultural theory and zone of proximal development (ZPD) provided the foundation for the social interactionist approach to language acquisition. This paper examines claims made by both the
interaction hypothesis and input hypothesis as espoused by both Long and Krashen respectively. It will also consider each of the theories' main claims with respect to language acquisition and teaching.