Learning Languages
Activity 1.
Listen to the file.
Activity 2.
Listening Comprehension. Answer the following questions.
1. From the content of the conversation, where does this interview take place? 2. According to Dr. Adams, what is one of the most important points in learning a foreign language? 3. Dr. Adams suggests that: 4. What kinds of activities would help Dr. Adams in his own study? 5. Which point was NOT mentioned in the interview?
A. at a public forum
B. in an auditorium
C. on TV
D. in a classroom
A. exposing oneself to the target culture
B. attending regularly a good language program
C. coming up with a study plan
D. developing good note-taking skills
A. a realistic goal for learners is to reach a certain level of language proficiency, not native fluency.
B. students can achieve native-like pronunciation through focused study.
C. learners should interact with native speakers to gain greater fluency.
D. teachers need to help students foster a good self-esteem and confidence.
A. listening to information and then discussing it with others
B. reading books and magazines for news
C. being involved in group or class projects
D. keeping a journal and exchanging with a friend
A. Many learners often favor a combination different learning styles.
B. Pronunciation practice is key to improved comprehensibility.
C. Setting reachable goals should be paramount in learning.
D. Learning is a step-by-step process.
Activity 3.
Listening to Details. Listen to the file for the last time and fill in the blanks with the correct answer.
Talk Show Host: Good evening and welcome to tonight's program. Our guest is the world-known Dr. Charles Adams, who has sparked a great deal of (1) over the past several years for his research in the area of language learning. His new book, Learning a Language over Eggs and Toast, has been on the best seller list for the past six weeks. Welcome to our program. Dr. Adams: Ah, it's a pleasure to be here. Talk Show Host: Now, Dr. Adams. Tell us about the (2) of your book, Learning a Language over Eggs and Toast. Dr. Adams: Well, one of the most important keys to learning another language is to establish a regular study program, like planning a few minutes every morning around breakfast time. Talk Show Host: Now, sorry for saying this, but your ideas may sound a little (3) to our viewers. I mean I took Spanish in high school for four years, and I didn't become a proficient speaker of the language. Dr. Adams: Well , I think there are many people that feel that way, and that's just it. I'm not implying that we can become fluent speakers in a matter of a few minutes here and there, but rather following a regular, consistent, and (4) course of study can help us on the way to the promised land of language mastery, and remember there is a difference between native fluency and proficiency in a language, and I am (5) the latter. Talk Show Host: So what are some of the basic keys you are suggesting in the book? Dr. Adams: Well, as I just mentioned, people need to plan out their study by setting realistic and attainable goals from the beginning. I mean, some people get caught up the craze of learning the language in 30 days, only to become disenchanted when they don't perform up to their (6). And small steps, little by little, are the key. For example, planning to learn five new vocabulary words a day and to learn to use them actively is far better than learning 30 and forgetting them the next day. Talk Show Host: Um-hum. Now you mentioned something about maximizing your learning potential by learning about your own individual learning styles. Can you (7) on that? Dr. Adams: Sure. People often have different ways of learning and approach learning tasks differently. Some people are visual learners who prefer to see models of the patterns they are expected to learn; others are (8) learners who favor hearing instructions, for example, over reading them. Now, our preferences are determined by many factors, for example, personality, culture, and past experience. Talk Show Host: Well, Dr. Adams. What is your learning style? Dr. Adams: Well, I'm a very tactile learner. Talk Show Host: You mean one who learns through hands-on experience? Dr. Adams: Exactly. Talk Show Host: So, how does knowing your learning style benefit you? Dr. Adams: Well, this might seem a little unusual, but moving around while trying to learn and memorize material helps me a great deal. While I cut up tomatoes and onions for my omelet in the morning, I might recite aloud vocabulary to the (9)of the knife. But it is important to remember that often our learning styles are not singular in (10), but are often very multidimensional, and we tend to learn differently in different situations. Talk Show Host: So what is my learning style?. Dr. Adams: Well, you're going to have to read my book to find that out. Talk Show Host: Okay. We have just found out from Dr. Charles Adams, author of the book, Learning Languages over Eggs and Toast. Thanks for joining us. Dr. Adams: My pleasure.
Activity 4
Vocabulary. Read and study the following words.
- His comments sparked a lot of controversy.
- The parents established a cancer fund in memory of their son who died.
- I'm not implying that you shouldn't take the job. Just think about it a little more before accepting the position.
- He became disenchanted with life overseas and soon returned to his country.
- Could you elaborate on your ideas on starting your company?
- He is a very tactile learning and always benefits from hands-on activities like building things.
Activity 5.
Discussion. Answer the following questions related to the conversation.
- What are some ways of learning a foreign language, and which way has helped you the most personally?