When learning a new language, it’s not just about studying grammar or memorising vocabulary. So, what can stop us from learning English? The answer often lies in our emotions and mental barriers because they can play a big role in how well we learn. Sometimes, feelings like anxiety, fear of making mistakes, or lack of motivation can stop us from making progress. These emotions create a mental block, making it hard for students to concentrate, remember, and speak with confidence. Stephen Krashen, an American Linguist, recognised this challenge and introduced the Affective Filter Hypothesis to explain why emotions can stop us from learning effectively.
Understanding the Affective Filter Hypothesis by Krashen
The “affective filter” is like a mental barrier that goes up or down, depending on how we feel. When we feel relaxed, motivated, and confident, this barrier is low. This means our brain is more open to learning new things. We can remember new words better, understand grammar faster, and feel more comfortable speaking in the language.
However, if we feel nervous, stressed, or afraid of making mistakes, the affective filter goes up. This stops us from learning as much, even if we are in a good class. Our brain is too focused on fear or worry, making it harder to listen, speak, or remember things.
Why Emotions Are Important in Learning
Krashen’s theory shows that language learning is not just about books and lessons. It’s also about how we feel when we are learning. For example:
- Anxiety: If a student feels nervous, they might avoid speaking in class or trying new things. This makes learning slower.
- Motivation: When students are excited and motivated to learn, they put more effort into their studies. They are more open to learning new things, which keeps their affective filter low.
- Self-Confidence: If students believe in themselves, they are more likely to take risks and try speaking the language. This helps them improve faster.
Krashen’s theory is a reminder that a supportive and friendly learning environment is key to success. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to succeed. Emotional well-being and confidence are just as important as the lessons themselves. These emotional barriers in language learning are one of the biggest answers to what can stop us from learning English.
How English Therapy Uses the Affective Filter
At English Therapy, we fully understand how emotional barriers can affect learning so we designed our courses with this theory in mind. That’s why we include therapy sessions at the end of each class. These sessions help our students feel calm, reduce anxiety, and build confidence, lowering their affective filters. This makes it easier for them to learn and practice English.
Our therapy sessions are not just about language skills; they focus on improving students’ emotional well-being. When students feel calm and confident, they can learn faster and practice English with less fear. We believe that combining language learning with emotional support makes a big difference in our students’ progress.
If you’d like to learn more about how our courses work and how we can help you overcome these barriers, visit our Courses Page for more details!