Second Language Acquisition: Naturalistic Approach

This assignment delves into the debate surrounding second language acquisition, focusing on the effectiveness of a naturalistic learning environment. Students are tasked with analyzing arguments from both sides, considering factors like communication skills, cultural shock, and the limitations of alternative learning programs. The analysis should be supported by research evidence and ultimately conclude whether a naturalistic setting is superior for language learning.

Running head: LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
Name of the Student:
Name of the University
Author Note:

1LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
Language Learning in Its Naturalistic Setting
HOOK:
Is there any importance to visit that country whose language people want to learn?
This essay discusses that learning procedure of a second language is best in that place from
where the language had been originated as well as widely spoken. Many researchers consider
that if an international student wants to learn English, he must visit its naturalistic settings
like UK or USA and learn the language from there. It will be the best place for the study of
the language.
BACKGROUND OR CONNECTING INFORMATION:
According to the scholars, this learning process will assist the students in getting
proper exposure in future. However, some of the scholars have argued with this notion. They
find it is unnecessary to waste of time and money to visit a country only for learning
language. According to Kim, the problem arises when the international students visit a
foreign land, little attention has been paid to their needs during this adaptation period (2011,
p. 281. This easy will discuss the importance of visiting a new land for study of second
language and Counterargument and Refutation of this notion in detail.
THESIS STATEMENT:
This idea of visiting a foreign country for acquiring knowledge about its language has
given birth to a great debate among the scholars.
Discussion
Topic sentence: In learning second language the setting is crucial as it offers easiest
way to learn that the student aims to. Nobody can disagree with the fact that language is a
primary concern of globalization. Every aspect of today’s life revels that learning native
language properly is important but learning a global language is necessary also.
Point 1:

2LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
Natural setting supports for communicative practices where the students are invited to
communicate.
Evidence 1:
According to Kim “as international graduate students struggled with English in the
classroom, they sought help from teachers and classmates.” (2011, p. 288).
Explanation 1:
In order to stay in the foreign land, they must communicate in that language what they
have come to learn. In such cases, the language is learnt through a random and sporadic
social interaction with large community without any educational aspect. This help in
understanding and react aptly in a situation as well as learn proper usage of the language.
Point 2:
The process of language earning becomes more easy when the students practice
instead of receiving only.
Evidence 2:
According to Kim, in the foreign countries, the educational settings can only allow to
receive the lessons orally or in writing therefore, it is a one-way process (2011, p. 280).
Explanation 2:
In natural settings, the students need to communicate with the teachers as well as their
peers and allowed their viewpoints to be shared. This both way process helps the foreign
students learn their target language more quickly. The students attending the second language
learning in the natural background, have their personal targets for regular interaction with the

3LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
environment. They can prepare themselves for the sounds or gesture associated in a relevant
situational context.
TOPIC SENTENCE
In this language learning process the students get the opportunity to share classes with
other students with same goal as well as course.
Point 1:
The study reveals that most of these students possess shyness and attitudes regarding
speaking foreign language and they have air of embarrassment in the classroom setting.
Example 1:
Naturalistic setting has been proved to be best for acquiring knowledge about their
second language as it does not interfere in sensitive feelings like embarrassment as well as
anxiety (Hartshorne & Baucom, 2007, p. 67).
Explanation 1:
On the contrary the research reveals that international students attending abroad study
programs develop new habits like embracing team spirit and planning social life with native
peers. They start to participate in class by being vocal about their thoughts and ideas during
lecture (Zhang, 2013, p.45).
TOPIC SENTENCE (MAIN IDEA SENTENCE):
The students learning a foreign language in his own country are less efficient than the student
learning the same language in its naturalistic setting because they do not have chance to come
across with the speaking styles of that language.
Point 1:

4LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
Evidence 1
According to Kim to achieve success in the classroom, all participants continued to
make efforts in their own ways. Hoping to improve their English skills, they often focused on
the American expressions used during the classes. When they noticed a new expression, they
would try it out in their speech. The process of trying new expressions during conversations
with Americans helped the international students to regain confidence and feel satisfied
(2011, p. 289).
Explanation 1
Every language has its own style of adumbration as well as features. In learning
language, the students also need to know its speaking style. The natural settings for learning
language has direct connection with the environment as well as society because there are
psychological aspects that assists the learner for learning the language effectively.
Evidence 2:
The students rarely have close relationship with American classmates since they put
themselves in the position of foreigners or strangers (Halic 2009).
Explanation 2:
In case the students consistently lose their confidence, it will be difficult to control him to
become full member of the community.
Counterargument
Some of the researchers argue that the counselling of the foreign students. It is not
necessary to visit a new country only to study a language.
Example 1:

5LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
There are various projects and programs across the world where the students can learn
desired language even in his own land. According to Hartshorne and Baucom (2007, p.78)
there are two basic external hindrances of the foreign students attending second language
learning.
Explanation 1:
First is the communication skills and second one is cultural shock. The research
reveals that foreign pupils cannot communicate easily in spite of having knowledge about the
language, features and context. Beside this, the cultural shock plays major role in
communication initially.
COUNTERARGUMENT 2:
According to Ranta and Meckelborg (2013, p. 15), there are various projects and
programs under which global students attend study for language in a naturalistic setting but
the research reveals that very little time is spent in oral interaction through second language.
COUNTERARGUMENT 3:
The students feel that listening native style of speaking then comprehending its
meaning was particularly challenging. Therefore, the chief idea for effective learning process
is hampered.
REFUTATION:
The problems that international or foreign students have are totally different from
those of the native or domestic students.
Point 1:

6LANGUAGE LEARNING IN ITS NATURALISTIC SETTING
Counselling for the international students’ needs to incorporate the students’ needs that native
students do not have. Despite the fact that most of the universities have counselling programs,
they do not fully understand the problems of the international students.
Evidence 1 for refutation point 1:
As Poyrazli (2015) who is Ph D. of The Pennsylvania State University, investigates,
“international students mostly experienced psychological symptoms and concerns related to
academics, career, and stress” (p. 4).
Explanation 1:
The problems related to depression and anxiety usually originate from the educational goals
for getting proper careers in the new cultural settings.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the above analysis, it can be concluded that the naturalistic setting
leads the learner to master the second language as an active user. Both groups of scholars
have discussed the benefits and disadvantages of this process of learning. From these
arguments it is clear that both the notions are concerned with the effectiveness of ultimate
learning outcome though there are various aspects that influence a student. The discussion
ultimately supports naturalistic setting for learning a language. By considering research
evidences, it can be stated that the naturalistic setting is better for the second language
learner.

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References
Hartshorne, R., & Baucom, J. (2007). Issues affecting cross-cultural adaptation of
international graduate students. Multicultural learning and teaching, 2(2).
Kim, H. Y. (2011). International graduate students' difficulties: Graduate classes as a
community of practices. Teaching in Higher Education, 16(3), 281-292.
Ranta, L., & Meckelborg, A. (2013). How much exposure to English do international
graduate students really get? Measuring language use in a naturalistic
setting. Canadian Modern Language Review, 69(1), 1-33.
Zhang, H. (2013). Academic adaptation and cross-cultural learning experiences of Chinese
students at American universities: A narrative inquiry (Doctoral dissertation,
Northeastern University).