📌 Comprehensible Input & Icelandic Progress Update
Experiencing comprehensible input in Icelandic
Without intending to, I’ve focused more and more on Icelandic.
In my 2023 language goals, I mentioned that I’m mostly dabbling in Icelandic. This is still true but since finding more resources, I’ve realized that Icelandic may be more than just a dabble language.
💬 Comprehensible Input
Icelandic Online has been great for comprehensible input. I believe that since it is so comprehensible, I am learning and retaining much more than I would have if I had been using incomprehensible resources. For the majority of my Mandarin language learning journey, I have used incomprehensible materials. Even with comprehensible materials, the beginner stages of learning Mandarin are always a challenge due to how different it is from English.
Learning Icelandic is the first time I’m able to truly experience comprehensible input.
What is Comprehensible Input?
Comprehensible input is commonly spoken about in Japanese language learning communities. It originates from Dr. Krashen’s Input Hypothesis in his Theory of Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Krashen believes that a second language can be acquired when a learner/student understands most of the language.
Some people assume that media made for children like children’s books or T.V. shows are the most comprehensible. If you have actually read any children’s books in your target language, you’d know that just because it’s for children doesn’t mean it is comprehensible. In addition, your interest level may be low when using uninteresting material. This is where Krashen stresses the importance of compelling comprehensible input.
“Compelling input appears to eliminate the need for motivation, a conscious desire to improve. When you get compelling input, you acquire whether you are interested in improving or not.”1
I have found this to be true now that I am in the intermediate stage of Mandarin. Most books, videos, and podcasts are comprehensible to me and so I can acquire the language without having to put in too much effort.
Many of Krashen’s articles are open-source and available at sdkrashen.com. They can be a great way to learn more about SLA if you don’t have access to university library databases. I encourage you to check out the references listed at the end of the articles you read to continue expanding your knowledge!
🖊️ Icelandic Online
I dabbled in Icelandic for only a few hours (less than 10) in January and December 2022 by using the Memrise course. I’ve officially been learning Icelandic for about 2 months now since being consistent at the start of this year. Icelandic Online along with Ylhyra have been the resources that allow me to learn consistently.
Everything on Icelandic Online is in Icelandic. I almost hadn’t noticed it at first since most of it was comprehensible. As of now, I have completed the Survival (Level 0) course.
The course has short videos with dialogue based on specific topics such as starting a new job or visiting a library. Along with this there are matching and fill in the blank exercises to learn new vocab and how verbs are conjugated.
The lack of explanation can be confusing but I have found it to be easy to follow due to the visuals. Since I take notes, I can always look back to review what I learned. What I enjoy most is the audio presented with the words and example sentences. The audio increases comprehensibility and will be a great help when I start speaking.
Even though Icelandic Online is mostly comprehensible, I do use an Icelandic dictonary to look up some words. This helps me spend more time with the language and strengthen what I’m learning. It seems to me that with comprehensible input, my level in Icelandic could surpass my other TLs without even trying.
I’d like to read more research studies and articles relating to linguistics and language acquisition/learning. Would you be interested in reading about what I learned in future newsletters?
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Krashen, S. (2013). The compelling (not just interesting) input hypothesis. http://www.sdkrashen.com/content/articles/the_compelling_input_hypothesis.pdf
I think the hardest part about comprehensible input is getting comfortable with not understanding everything. Once you are used to understanding 50-80% of what's being said, it's a goldmine of knowledge!! Also finding content at your exact level can be difficult