The Research Behind TroveReader

TroveReader is not just an application; it's a tool built on a foundation of decades of research in Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Our core philosophy is that language is acquired most effectively through massive amounts of comprehensible input. Below is a curated, non-exhaustive list of the key researchers and works that have informed our approach.

Stephen D. Krashen

Often considered the father of the modern "input hypothesis," Krashen's work is fundamental to our understanding of language acquisition. He argues that fluency is not learned through conscious rule memorization but "acquired" subconsciously by understanding messages.

• Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Pergamon Press. This book lays out the five core hypotheses, including the crucial Input Hypothesis.
• Krashen, S. D. (2004). The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research. Heinemann. A compelling collection of studies demonstrating the profound impact of free voluntary reading on literacy and language skills.

I. S. P. (Paul) Nation

A world-renowned expert in vocabulary acquisition, Nation's research provides the "how" for learning words. His work emphasizes the importance of encountering words in different contexts and the "Four Strands" approach, where meaning-focused input (reading and listening) plays the largest role.

• Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press. The definitive guide on vocabulary acquisition, outlining the massive number of encounters needed to truly "know" a word.
• Nation, I. S. P., & Waring, R. (2019). Teaching Extensive Reading in Another Language. Routledge. This work provides practical guidance and a strong research basis for implementing extensive reading programs.

Beniko Mason

A student of Krashen's, Dr. Mason is a leading proponent and researcher of Extensive Reading. Her work has consistently demonstrated that learners who engage in high volumes of easy, enjoyable reading significantly outperform those in traditional grammar-focused classes.

• Mason, B. (2017). JALT2016 Plenary: In-session reading and its effect on the motivation of university students in Japan. This presentation showcases research on how even short periods of reading can boost motivation and acquisition.

This page serves as a starting point. The field of SLA is vast and ever-evolving, but the core principle remains: to learn a language, you must read and listen to a language. TroveReader is designed to make that process as frictionless and enjoyable as possible.