Deep Processing of New Vocabulary

acquisition – learning distinction. Acquisition refers to the natural assimilation of language rules through using language for communication and language mastery commits unconscious process. Learning refers to the formal study of language rules and is a conscious process. Most of the activities in the classroom are spent on activities that foster acquisition. Learning exercises are important in certain cases. 2. The Natural Order Hypothesis Based on this hypothesis, the acquisition will take place naturally without emphasizing on error correction. Speech errors that do not interference with communication are not corrected. There is no expectation that the students will perform late acquired items correctly in early stages of second language acquisition. The students will perform the acquired items correctly only when they are ready. 3. The Monitor Model Hypothesis The Natural Method encourages appropriate and optimal monitor use. Students are expected to use the conscious grammar when they have time, when the focus is on form, and when they know the rule. They are not expected to apply the rules consciously in the oral communication activities in the classroom. In the case of children learning language, the monitor hypothesis is not emphasized since the activities are communicative activities. 4. The Input Hypothesis The classroom is the source of input for language students, a place where they can obtain comprehensible input necessary for language acquisition. Based on this hypothesis, comprehensible precedes production. The input should be slightly beyond the current level. Krashen and Terrel 1983 state “1+1” formula. The input given to the students increases from the “1” level to “1+1” level. Production is allowed to emerge in stages, which consists of response by nonverbal communication: by physical response, response with a single word: yes, no, house, combination of two or three words: He is Dimas, yellow book, and finally more complex discourse. 5. The affective Filter Hypothesis The Natural Method aims to bring down the affective filter as lower as possible by eliminating pressure and anxiety. In order to lower the affective filter, several ways can be done. The fact that there is no demand for early speech, that comprehension precedes production, that correction is not done for every error, and that the students decide when and what to speak reduce the pressure and anxiety in classroom activities. The requirement that the input and activities in the classroom be interesting to the students will contribute to a more relaxed classroom.

3.1. Vocabulary Mastery Acquired Through the Natural Method

The Natural Method principles are based on the five hypotheses presented above. However, the principles in the Natural Method include the three aspects in the vocabulary acquisition process which include input, memorization, and usage. The following discussion will talk about the three aspects in the Natural Method.