What does the "Affective Filter Hypothesis" suggest?

The "Affective Filter Hypothesis," proposed by Stephen Krashen, posits that emotional factors, such as anxiety, motivation, and self-confidence, play a significant role in language acquisition. This hypothesis suggests that a learner's emotional state can either facilitate or inhibit their ability to acquire a new language. When learners experience high levels of anxiety or low motivation, these emotional barriers create an "affective filter" that restricts the intake of language input, thus hindering learning. Conversely, when learners are motivated and feel confident, their affective filter is lowered, enabling them to absorb and acquire language more effectively. This underscores the importance of creating a supportive and positive learning environment to foster emotional well-being and enhance language acquisition.