A learner with a low affective filter is emotionally disposed to processing input. Which term describes this construct?

• A. Affective filter
• B. Input processing
• C. Processing speed
• D. Attention

Answer: (A)

Affective state is what this item is about: how emotions influence your ability to take in and process language input. When the affective filter is low, the learner feels comfortable, less anxious, more confident, and more motivated, so input is more readily noticed and processed. The construct described here is called the affective filter. It’s not about decoding the input itself (that would be input processing), how fast you do it (processing speed), or where you focus your attention (attention). In practice, creating a supportive, low-anxiety learning environment helps keep the affective filter low, allowing more language input to be acquired.