Comprehensible Input

Comprehensible input is a key principle in supporting learners of English as an Additional Language (EAL). It refers to language that is just beyond what a learner can fully understand on their own, but still accessible with support. In other words, students can’t understand every word, but they can make sense of the overall meaning because the teacher provides the right context, scaffolds, and cues.

For EAL learners, comprehensible input is important because this is how language naturally develops: learners acquire new vocabulary, grammar, and structures when they hear or read meaningful language they can mostly follow. When input is too difficult, learners shut down; when it’s too simple, they don’t grow. The goal is to find the middle ground.

Teachers make input comprehensible through strategies such as:

• using visuals, gestures, and demonstrations
• connecting new ideas to background knowledge
• emphasizing key words and adjusting speech as needed
• using familiar sentence patterns
• pre‑teaching or reinforcing essential vocabulary
• chunking information into manageable parts
• modeling thinking through think‑alouds
• checking for understanding and adjusting in the moment

These supports allow learners to access grade‑level content while simultaneously developing English. Over time, as proficiency grows, the scaffolds are gradually reduced, helping students become independent language users and confident participants in classroom learning.