Natural settings for language learning

 “If the learner is a child, in a school situation where 

other children are native speakers of the target language, 

the instruction is directed toward the native speakers 

by using only their language.”

                   Natural context should be understood as the learner is 
             exposed to a language in social interaction.

The characteristics of the natural acquisition settings are:

v  Error correction

   Learners are rarely corrected. If their interlocutors can understand what they are saying, they do not remark on the correctness of the speech

v  Language input

Language is not presented step by step. In communicative interactions, the learner will be exposed to a wide variety of vocabulary and structures.

v  Time available for learning

The learner is surrounded by the language for many hours each day.

v  Ratio of native speakers to learners

The learner usually encounters a number of different people who use the target language proficiently.

v  Variety of languages & discourse type

Learners observe or participate in many different types of language events at school or in the workplace.

v  Pressure to speak

Learners must be often use their limited second language ability to respond to questions or get information. In these situations, the emphasis is on getting meaning across clearly, and more proficient speakers tend to be tolerant of errors that do not interfere with meaning.

v  Access to modified input

Modified input is available in many one-to-one conversations. In situations where many native speakers are involved in the conversation, the learner often has difficulty getting access to language he or she can understand.