What is Comprehensible Input (CI)?
Comprehensible Input (CI) is a cornerstone of effective language acquisition. It refers to providing learners with language they can understand, even if it includes some new elements beyond their current level. By making the input meaningful and engaging, learners naturally acquire the language, much like how children learn their first language.
The CI umbrella, a concept illustrated by Elizabeth Dentlinger, represents the diverse strategies that fall under CI. These include storytelling, TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), MovieTalk, PQA (Personalized Questions and Answers), and others. Together, these methods support language acquisition by focusing on understanding rather than rote memorization or grammar drills.
CI works because it taps into how our brains are wired to acquire language—through exposure to comprehensible, compelling, and context-rich input. It fosters engagement, builds confidence, and encourages spontaneous communication, making language learning an enjoyable and effective process.
Join the CI movement and experience the joy of acquisition-focused teaching and learning!