What is the purpose of the Monitor Hypothesis?

The Monitor Hypothesis, proposed by Stephen Krashen, serves to explain how individuals self-correct their language use through the application of learned grammatical rules and structures. This hypothesis posits that language learners can use their learned language knowledge to monitor or adjust their spoken or written output, especially in more formal contexts where accuracy is crucial. It highlights the distinction between the intuitive use of language and the conscious application of grammatical rules, emphasizing that while learners can communicate effectively, they rely on their acquired knowledge to fine-tune and improve linguistic performance.

The focus of this hypothesis is on the role of internalized language knowledge in self-correction, making it essential for understanding the process of language acquisition and proficiency. By being aware of the rules they have learned, language users can self-correct errors, leading to enhanced clarity and accuracy in communication.