Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning
Abstract
This conceptual paper revisits Krashen’s acquisition–learning distinction and comprehensible input hypothesis within a lifelong, skills-oriented framework of language education. While Krashen’s model has strongly influenced classroom-based second language acquisition (SLA), its relevance to continuous language development beyond formal instruction remains underexamined. Drawing on research in SLA, lifelong learning, and digital education, the paper reconceptualizes acquisition as an enduring, implicit capacity enabling flexible language use across contexts, and learning as explicit scaffolding that supports accuracy and metacognitive awareness. Comprehensible input is reframed as a key driver of sustained language growth in multimodal, professional, and digitally mediated environments, facilitating the transfer of linguistic and cognitive skills across domains. The paper proposes a recursive model of lifelong language development—exposure, acquisition, transfer, and ongoing development—and discusses its implications for SLA theory, pedagogy, and language education policy. This reconceptualization extends Krashen’s framework to align with contemporary priorities in skills-based and lifelong learning.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Applied and Developmental Psychology (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 26, 2025
Submission Date
August 18, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 24, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 6 Number: 4
APA
Bouknify, M., & Mrani, M. (2025). Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, 6(4), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18052906
AMA
1.Bouknify M, Mrani M. Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning. PRESS. 2025;6(4):211-219. doi:10.5281/zenodo.18052906
Chicago
Bouknify, Mohammed, and Meryem Mrani. 2025. “Reconceptualizing Krashen’s Comprehensible Input Hypothesis for Lifelong and Skills-Oriented Language Learning”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences 6 (4): 211-19. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18052906.
EndNote
Bouknify M, Mrani M (December 1, 2025) Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences 6 4 211–219.
IEEE
[1]M. Bouknify and M. Mrani, “Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning”, PRESS, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 211–219, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.18052906.
ISNAD
Bouknify, Mohammed - Mrani, Meryem. “Reconceptualizing Krashen’s Comprehensible Input Hypothesis for Lifelong and Skills-Oriented Language Learning”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences 6/4 (December 1, 2025): 211-219. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18052906.
JAMA
1.Bouknify M, Mrani M. Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning. PRESS. 2025;6:211–219.
MLA
Bouknify, Mohammed, and Meryem Mrani. “Reconceptualizing Krashen’s Comprehensible Input Hypothesis for Lifelong and Skills-Oriented Language Learning”. Psychology Research on Education and Social Sciences, vol. 6, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 211-9, doi:10.5281/zenodo.18052906.
Vancouver
1.Mohammed Bouknify, Meryem Mrani. Reconceptualizing Krashen’s comprehensible input hypothesis for lifelong and skills-oriented language learning. PRESS. 2025 Dec. 1;6(4):211-9. doi:10.5281/zenodo.18052906