Definition:
Focused input is comprehensible input that has been deliberately structured to densely expose learners to a specific grammatical form or lexical item. Unlike unfocused input (natural, unmodified exposure), focused input draws learner attention toward a target form while still prioritising meaning and comprehension.
Focused vs. Unfocused Input
| Input type | Target form | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Unfocused input | No specific target; naturally distributed | General acquisition through exposure |
| Focused input | A specific form densely represented | Acquisition of a specific structure through enhanced exposure |
Forms of Focused Input
Input flood: Texts that contain an unusually high frequency of the target form, without any explicit instruction. Learners encounter the form repeatedly in natural-seeming context.
Textual enhancement: The target form is typographically highlighted (bolded, underlined, capitalised) in a reading text, to direct visual attention without breaking the communicative purpose of the text.
Structured input (Processing Instruction): Learners process sentences specifically designed so that correct comprehension depends on attending to the target form. Developed by Bill VanPatten as part of Processing Instruction pedagogy.
Listening or reading tasks: Curated passages in which the target form appears frequently in meaningful context — learners listen/read for meaning, but encounter the form enough times to trigger acquisition.
Theoretical Basis
Focused input is grounded in Schmidt’s Noticing Hypothesis: learners acquire what they notice in the input. Focused input increases the probability that learners will notice the target form. Combined with comprehensible input that carries real meaning, it may facilitate movement from noticing to acquisition.
Comparison with Output-Based Instruction
Focused input contrasts with focused output tasks (e.g., dictogloss, reconstruction tasks) that require learners to produce target forms. Research suggests both can be effective; input-only approaches may be more suitable for beginners.