A learner with a low affective filter is emotionally disposed to processing input. Which term describes this construct?

A learner with a low affective filter is emotionally disposed to processing input. Which term describes this construct?

• A. Affective filter
• B. Input processing
• C. Processing speed
• D. Attention

Answer: (A)

Emotions influence how learners take in language input. When a learner has a low affective filter, they’re more comfortable, less anxious, and more willing to take risks, which makes it easier to process and internalize language input. The term that describes this construct is affective filter—the gate that Krashen proposed to explain how emotional factors can either hinder or facilitate language acquisition. A low filter means the gate is more open, allowing more input to be processed and learned. The other terms refer to cognitive processes: input processing is the mental decoding of language, processing speed is how quickly information is handled, and attention is the focus on stimuli. So the best fit for describing this emotional disposition is affective filter.

Emotions influence how learners take in language input. When a learner has a low affective filter, they’re more comfortable, less anxious, and more willing to take risks, which makes it easier to process and internalize language input. The term that describes this construct is affective filter—the gate that Krashen proposed to explain how emotional factors can either hinder or facilitate language acquisition. A low filter means the gate is more open, allowing more input to be processed and learned. The other terms refer to cognitive processes: input processing is the mental decoding of language, processing speed is how quickly information is handled, and attention is the focus on stimuli. So the best fit for describing this emotional disposition is affective filter.