Who is known for developing the natural order hypothesis?

The natural order hypothesis is a key component of Stephen Krashen's theory of second language acquisition. This hypothesis posits that language learners acquire grammatical structures in a predictable sequence, which is independent of the instruction they receive. According to Krashen, there is a natural progression in the learning of these structures that aligns with cognitive development and is influenced by the learner's exposure to the language, rather than through direct teaching of grammar rules.

Krashen's work emphasizes the importance of comprehensible input, suggesting that learners acquire language more effectively when they understand messages that are slightly above their current proficiency level. The natural order hypothesis underlines the significance of allowing learners to progress through stages naturally instead of forcing them to engage with more complex structures prematurely. This theory has been influential in shaping modern language teaching approaches that respect the natural developmental processes of language acquisition.

In contrast, the other individuals mentioned contributed to different areas of psychology and education but did not specifically develop the natural order hypothesis in the context of language learning. Vygotsky focused on the social aspects of learning, Chomsky is known for his theories on universal grammar, and Skinner emphasized behaviorist principles in learning.