Which statement about the affective filter is true?

Which statement about the affective filter is true?

• A. The affective filter has no impact on language learning.
• B. High anxiety improves L2 outcomes.
• C. Low anxiety facilitates language acquisition.
• D. Overt correction lowers the affective filter.

Answer: (C)

The affective filter is about how learners’ emotions affect their ability to notice and process language input. When anxiety is low, learners feel safe and confident to take risks, so the mental barrier is lowered and they can absorb new vocabulary and grammar more readily. This is why low anxiety facilitates language acquisition—the input can be noticed and internalized more effectively. In contrast, high anxiety tends to raise the filter, blocking comprehension and reducing uptake of new language. The idea that anxiety or emotional factors have no impact isn’t accurate, and overt correction is not reliably shown to lower the filter; supportive, non-threatening feedback is more likely to help by reducing threat and encouraging risk-taking.

The affective filter is about how learners’ emotions affect their ability to notice and process language input. When anxiety is low, learners feel safe and confident to take risks, so the mental barrier is lowered and they can absorb new vocabulary and grammar more readily. This is why low anxiety facilitates language acquisition—the input can be noticed and internalized more effectively.

In contrast, high anxiety tends to raise the filter, blocking comprehension and reducing uptake of new language. The idea that anxiety or emotional factors have no impact isn’t accurate, and overt correction is not reliably shown to lower the filter; supportive, non-threatening feedback is more likely to help by reducing threat and encouraging risk-taking.