[00:05.38]READING
[00:06.19]LEARNING A FOREING LANGUAGE: TWICE AS HARD?
[00:08.65]Learning a language is obviously more than just memorising words, phrases and structures.
[00:12.30]When we learnt our mother tongue,
[00:13.87]we did not receive much formal instruction.
[00:15.41]Few parents give language lessons to their children!
[00:17.32]Instead we learnt or acquired our mother tongue by communication with the people around us.
[00:20.77]But how was it possible for us to learn all the sounds, words,grammar rules and structures through this communication?
[00:25.60]And, perhaps most puzzling of all,
[00:27.25]how were we able to make sense of what we heard and distinguish the mistakes and errors from “good” language?
[00:31.71]Language experts have different answers.
[00:33.57]Some believer that we are equipped with a special ability to learn language and that our brain adjusts itself to the language we hear around us.
[00:38.92]Others think that we learn language in the same way we learn other things,
[00:41.77]such as walking or solving problems,
[00:40.77]and that what we are born with is a general ability to learn and adapt,
[00:43.64]not a language-specific part of the brain.
[00:45.29]Regardless of their theories,
[00:46.83]these language experts do agree that life is a very successful language school:
[00:49.78]Virtually everyone learns to use a language and has mastered the basics by the age of five.
[00:53.49]Learning a foreign language is different from learning one’s mother tongue.
[00:56.36]The learning usually takes place in school and there are often few opportunities to communicate with other speakers of the language.
[01:01.67]As consequence, some students think that learning a foreign language is slow and difficult.
[01:05.14]However, we actually learn a foreign language much faster than we do our mother tongue.
[01:08.59]That many not seem true to you-think of all the hours of hard work you have spent learning English!
[01:12.40]But once you consider the situation further, you will realize that this is indeed the case.
[01:16.14]When you were learning your mother tongue, you spent all your waking hours communication with the people around you;
[01:20.08]in other words, you were studying the language all day long!
[01:22.54]You did this for five years, so that is an awful lot hours.
[01:25.33]We only spend a few hours a week and in a few years’ time we can speak a foreign language.
[01:28.99]We also have textbooks, teachers and classmates to instruct and assist us in the process,
[01:32.49]and we can learn more about study methods and skills.
[01:34.58]That means we can be much more efficient.
[01:36.62]Then why are some people better at learning a foreign language than others?
[01:39.57]Research has shown that successful language learners do share quite a few characteristics.
[01:43.20]The data suggests that what successful language learners have in common is,
[01:46.62]among other things, that they are interested in understanding their own thinking,
[01:49.52]curious about the world, willing to take chances and confident in their ability.
[01:52.53]Successful language learners also use different ways of learning and plan their studies in order to deal with academic challenges.
[01:57.83]Successful language students gain confidence and are able to relax and enjoy the learning because they plan and evaluate their learning.
[02:03.26]With greater control and a stronger sense of achievement,
[02:05.80]active learners are able to acquire new skills faster and put what they know to better use.
[02:09.40]As a result, they do better in areas such as reading comprehension,
[02:12.28]vocabulary learning, writing and speaking .
[02:14.18]The less anxious and more relaxed the learner,
[02:16.25]the better their language acquisition.
[02:17.45]Self-confident, secure students are more successful language learners.
[02:19.09]Self-confident, secure students are more successful language learners.
[02:20.45]They are more willing to take risks and to place themselves in new learning situations
[02:23.82]If they were not, they would not be ready to experiment with new forms and to make mistakes,
[02:27.06]both of which contribute to their increased ability to learn.
[02:29.39]The purpose of learning is important, too.
[02:31.37]Not all of us want to be translators or interpreters.
[02:33.72]Most simply want to learn English for everyday use.
[02:35.94]Some people probably have more interest and greater ability than other,
[02:38.84]but that does not mean that we cannot fine ways to improve.
[02:40.91]It takes patience to learn a language.
[02:42.55]If we want to become successful language learners,
[02:44.43]we should try to adopt some of the study habits and characteristics described above.
[02:47.41]If we develop our study skills,
[02:49.00]we may find that learning a foreign language does not have to be twice as hard as learning our mother tongue,
[02:52.71]but can in fact be twice as easy and a lot of fun.
[02:55.04]INTEGATING SKILLS
[02:57.83]Reading
[02:58.51]STUDYING ABROAD
[02:59.79]Many language learners think that the best way to learn a language is to spend time in a country where the language is spoken.
[03:04.34]In the past, studying abroad was a distant dream for most people.
[03:07.13]Nowadays, however, it has become easier to fine both opportunities and means.
[03:10.63]Many schools offer exchange programmes at various academic levels at the reasonable cost.
[03:14.08]There are programmes for junior and senior middle schools as well as colleges.
[03:17.27]Some programmes offer a “homestay” service,
[03:19.36]ie visting students will live with a host family.
[03:21.71]This is perhaps the best option for younger students,
[03:23.93]since it means that the best option for younger students,
[03:26.41]Living with a host family is also a wonderful way to learn about the culture in that country.
[03:29.65]Most exchange students say that they fell as if they were truly part of their host families and that they will always stay in touch.
[03:34.17]A year in a foreign country is not just about learning a language.
[03:36.78]It is true that exchange students usually become fluent in the new language,
[03:39.81]but most of them would probably tell you that they also learn many other things that are even more important.
[03:43.89]Being an exchange student helps you make friends with people from different backgrounds and understand another culture.
[03:48.12]One year is not enough to learn all about a country or a culture,of course
[03:51.07]but it is enough to broaden your horizons and improve your understanding of the world.
[03:53.89]What is perhaps the most valuable is what you learn about yourself and you own culture.
[03:57.37]When you are at home, you seldom stop to think what kind of person you are and what your culture is really like.
[04:01.68]As an exchange student,
[04:03.11]you have to learn to depend on yourself and you will often be asked to explain your country and culture to others.
[04:06.90]It many seem strange, but many returning exchange students say that their year abroad made them understand their own country and culture for the first time.
[04:17.89]Studying abroad may have its disadvantages as well.
[04:20.32]While exchange students can learn many useful things,
[04:22.41]it is also possible that some of them many fall behind in their studies.
[04:25.08]Since exchange students always experience language and culture problems in the beginning,
[04:28.55]they will not be able to take classes at the same level as at home.
[04:30.85]Many parents worry about the safety of their children and may also be concerned about the cost.
[04:34.48]If you are thinking of spending some time as a student in foreign country,
[04:34.56]you should begin by finding out as much as possible about different programmes.
[04:37.20]You will need to consider the cost and length of your stay.
[04:39.65]There are exchange student associations that can give you useful information.
[04:42.40]If you have never been abroad or traveled alone before,
[04:44.80]it is probably best to star with a shorter visit
[04:46.37]perhaps a summer course.
[04:47.39]When you have collected the basic information,
[04:49.19]your next step is to compare different programmes.
[04:48.19]It is very important that you find an appropriate course for you.
[04:50.62]Since it is a decision that affects the whole family,
[04:52.63]your parents should take an active part and help you find out what is best for you.
[04:55.58]You can also contact students who have been abroad to hear their experiences |