Consciousness in SLA: Theoretical Postulation vs. Empirical Substantiation

Kamal Ouaddou

Article Details

Consciousness in SLA: Theoretical Postulation vs. Empirical Substantiation

Authors:

Kamal Ouaddou

Publisher:

Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université Cadi Ayyad

Journal:

Revue Etudes Langue et Littérature Vol.4 Issue 2, pp.5-43

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001848845

pISSN:

3085-5217

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The role of consciousness in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) is a central, long-standing debate. This systematic literature review critically evaluates the empirical foundations of influential SLA models, including Krashen’s Monitor Model, Schmidt’s Noticing Hypothesis, VanPatten’s Input Processing model, and Ellis’s CREED theory. It also touches upon the complexity of consciousness in SLA and related fields, considering the relevance of explicit and implicit learning and instruction, and scrutinizes the theoretical foundations of these influential models. Based on a PRISMA-guided analysis of 24 core studies (1986–2024), the article argues that claims regarding the necessity of consciousness in language learning often depend more on theoretical postulation than on robust empirical evidence. The findings reveal a significant gap between the theoretical importance placed on consciousness and the experimental support for this claim. Consequently, the article underscores the pressing need for further experimental research to empirically substantiate and isolate the precise role of consciousness in language processing and learning.

Article Details

Consciousness in SLA: Theoretical Postulation vs. Empirical Substantiation

Authors:

Kamal Ouaddou

Publisher:

Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université Cadi Ayyad

Journal:

Revue Etudes Langue et Littérature Vol.4 Issue 2, pp.5-43

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001848845

pISSN:

3085-5217

Second Language Acquisition

Consciousness

Noticing Hypothesis

Implicit and Explicit Learning

Grammar Acquisition

Systematic Review

Issues

Article Details

Consciousness in SLA: Theoretical Postulation vs. Empirical Substantiation

Authors: Kamal Ouaddou

Publisher: Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université Cadi Ayyad

Journal: Revue Etudes Langue et Littérature Vol.4 Issue 2, pp.5-43

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 12/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001848845

pISSN: 3085-5217

Second Language Acquisition

Consciousness

Noticing Hypothesis

Implicit and Explicit Learning

Grammar Acquisition

Systematic Review

Issues

Authors:

Kamal Ouaddou

Publisher:

Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université Cadi Ayyad

Journal:

Revue Etudes Langue et Littérature Vol.4 Issue 2, pp.5-43

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

12/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001848845

pISSN:

3085-5217