The Modified Stage Hypothesis

The modified stage hypothesis (Galloway and Krashen 1980) is one of several explanations put forth in response to the contradictory results of a wave of recent studies exploring patterns of cerebral lateralization for the two languages of bilingual subjects. The modified stage hypothesis, roughly paraphrased, predicts that the degree of right hemisphere involvement in the early stages of L2 acquisition is proportional to the amount of natural acquisition versus learning (in Krashen's sense) that is taking place. Conversely, formal learning of the L2 is predicted to be more dependent upon left hemisphere functions. Thus learners (as opposed to acquirers) are likely to exhibit greater left lateralization in their L2 than individuals for whom that language is the L1. Acquirers, on the other hand, should be less lateralized in their L2 than native speakers of that language.Findings in support of the modified stage hypothesis compel us to examine how learning and acquisition might differentially engage the two hemispheres in the acquisition process. This examination leads to the discovery of an apparent contradiction between conclusions drawn from the experimental findings in support of the modified stage hypothesis and Krashen's Monitor theory which underlies it

Cognitive psychology · Contradiction · Fossilization · Language acquisition · Lateralization of brain function · Linguistics · Mathematics education · Second-language acquisition · Categorization, perception, and language · Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Psychology

• Individual Differences and Universals in Language Learning Aptitude

  Bernard Saint-Jacques, Bernard Saint‐jacques et al.•Language•1985

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• Lateralization, Language Learning, and the Critical Period

  Open Access•Stephen D Krashen, Stephen Krashen•Language Learning•1973

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