What Is the Affective Filter, and Why Is it Important in the Classroom?

Introduction

• Affective Filter originates from Stephen Krashen in linguistics.
• Describes affective variables important to second language acquisition.
• Affective: Relating to emotions, feelings (Merriam-Webster).
• Key variables: motivation, self-confidence, anxiety.
• Elevated emotions like anxiety impede language acquisition; low affective filter facilitates it.

Importance in the Classroom

• Simply teaching or making instruction comprehensible is insufficient.
• Elevated affective filters impede language acquisition.
• Intentional creation of a low-affective-filter environment boosts language development.

Classroom Scenarios

• Classroom 1:
  • Isolated seating, scripted lessons, independent work.
  • Student talk discouraged, focus on compliance.
• Classroom 2:
  • Student voice in instruction, group work, risk-taking encouraged.
  • Balanced talk, comfortable sharing environment.
• Second classroom lowers affective filter, facilitating better learning.

Lowering the Affective Filter

• Similar approach to making guests feel welcome at home: inviting, comfortable, friendly.
• Key Elements: Motivation, self-confidence, anxiety.

Motivation

• Influence rather than control student motivation.
• Use choice, voice, relevance to motivate.
• Engage students by aligning topics with their interests and allowing control over learning.

Self-confidence

• Create a welcoming environment that respects individuality.
• Pronounce names correctly, represent students in materials, know students personally.

Anxiety

• Safe environment: errors embraced as learning steps.
• Growth mindset encourages resilience.
• Non-verbal cues (e.g. smiling, open body language) reduce anxiety.

Factors That Raise Affective Filter

• Error correction, forced output, isolation.
• Embarrassment, lack of comprehensible input.
• Awareness of these factors helps manage the affective filter.

Conclusion

• Awareness and management of the affective filter is crucial for language acquisition.

Source: Krashen, S. D. (1986). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon Press.