Common questions about language learning:
a. What are some strategies for language learning?
b. What is the best way to learn a language?
c. What should I do when I don’t understand something?
d. Can adults learn a foreign language?
e. Can I avoid making mistakes?
1………………………………………………?
It is commonly thought that children are the best language learners and that it is very difficult, if not impossible, for older people to learn a new language. In fact, that is not true. Research shows that there is no decline in the ability to learn as people get older. Except in the case of hearing or vision loss, the age of the adult learner is not a major factor in their ability to learn a new language. In some ways, adults are better at language than children. Adults have developed learning strategies and have more experience in learning. Children give the appearance of learning languages more easily because they are better at pronouncing them. Adults almost always have a foreign accent when they learn a new language, while children are not. The most important factor is not the teacher or the course. It is you, the learner, and your contribution to the process of learning. Your motivation, your reason for learning the language, your need to communicate, and your attitude are all important; we also expect a little from children. When they learn a little, we are pleased; adults, though, have high expectations of themselves and others as language learners and easily become discouraged if they do not learn rapidly.
2…………………………………………………..?
There is no “one and only” way that works for everybody. Learning a language is a highly individual process and consists of a combination of factors. It helps a lot if you try to find opportunities to practice the language, especially speaking and listening. Shyness and fear of using the new language can considerably slow your learning progress.
3……………………………………..;?
One of the biggest problems that language learners must solve is their hesitancy to make mistakes. You naturally want to express yourself well, but the truth is there is no way to learn a language without making plenty of mistakes. You must practice learning, and when you practice, you will make errors. But usually, people can still understand you even with some mistakes, and the more you speak, the better your foreign language becomes.
4……………………………………….?
Guessing is a very important part of foreign language learning. Even advanced learners depend on guessing. Therefore, do not get discouraged or frustrated when your guess is wrong. After some practice, you will find that it is not necessary to get the meaning of every single word or phrase in order to understand the message. Use the context and the speaker’s intention to guess right. If you do not understand, ask for clarification of
words or phrases which are not clear.
5…………………………………………………?
Many strategies are helpful in learning a foreign language. For example, in order to memorize new words, you repeat them aloud, or you associate them with images in your mind. Control your own learning, your teacher, your textbook, and cassettes are valuable aids, but the major responsibility rest with you and always remember the following:
- Learn a language by using it.
- Know your errors and mistakes.
- Encourage yourself and reward your efforts.
- Experiment with the new language.
I. COMPREHENSION
A. READ THE TEXT ABOVE AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
- Match the subtitles/questions above with the right paragraph.
- Are children better than adults at language learning? Why or why not?
- What is the writer’s attitude toward making mistakes when learning a foreign language?
B. ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY.
- The writer thinks that there is NO ONE BEST way to learn a foreign language.
- Using context is very helpful in guessing the meaning of words you don’t know.
- The writer gives no examples of what he calls learning strategies.
C. WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING WORDS REFER TO IN THE TEXT?
- It (paragraph 1): …………….
- They (paragraph 1): …………….
- Them (paragraph 5): …………
II. LANGUAGE
A. LINK THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS
- People could not reach Khenifra Mountains. It was snowing (because)
- I went to school early. I wanted to have a good seat ( in order to .. )
- She did not go to school. She was sick and tired ( consequently)
- You speak up. You keep quiet ( either …….or……….)
- She was driving carelessly. She had an accident and broke her arm (as a result….)
B. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE RIGHTS RELATIVE PRONOUN FROM THE LIST
Which – whose – what – where – who – where – when – why
- I would like you to meet the man …………………. saved my life.
- I want you to meet the man …………………. life I saved.
- I can’t hear …………………. you are saying. There is too much noise.
- Have you the picture …………………. my brother drew?
- Tomorrow is …………………. we agreed to meet, but we forgot to decide on the place …………………. the meeting was going to take place.
- He talks about himself all the time. This is the reason …………………. I don’t like him.
C. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES STARTING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN.
- I don’t know why people always go to war to solve problems.
- If only ……………………………………
- I saw the accidents on my way back home.
- I wish …………………………
D. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE PHRASAL VERBS. MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES.
Pass away – go off – give up – look after – go on
- Would you please ………………. .of my child while I go to the toilet
- Two bombs ……………….. yesterday in Baghdad, a lot of people …………..
- You should …………….. smoke; it is dangerous for your health. If you …….. Smoking may
suffer from cancer in the future.
III. WRITING
Write a paragraph for your class magazine about the importance of learning a foreign language like English. How is learning English going to help you in your future life?
Remember:
- Write a topic sentence and enough relevant and clear supporting details /or examples.
- Brainstorm, organize, then write.
Key Answers to English Test – Language Learning
I. COMPREHENSION
A. READ THE TEXT ABOVE AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
- d – 2. b – 3. e – 4. c – 5. a
- Not true. Adults can learn a new language. Motivation matters more than age.
- Mistakes are natural and vital for learning. Don’t get discouraged. Practice improves language skills.
B. ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE? JUSTIFY.
- True. “There is no “one and only” way that works for everybody.”
- True. “Use the context and the speaker’s intention to guess right.”
- False. “in order to memorize new words, you repeat them aloud.”
C. WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING WORDS REFER TO IN THE TEXT?
- (The most important) factor
- Adults
- (New) words.
II. LANGUAGE
A. LINK THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE WORDS BETWEEN BRACKETS.
- People could not reach Khenifra Mountains because it was snowing.
- I went to school early in order to have a good seat.
- She was sick and tired; consequently, she did not go to school.
- Either you speak up, or you keep quiet.
- She was driving carelessly, as a result, she had an accident and broke her arm.
B. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE RIGHT RELATIVE PRONOUN FROM THE LIST.
- I would like you to meet the man who saved my life.
- I want you to meet the man whose life I saved.
- I can’t hear what you are saying. There is too much noise.
- Have you the picture which my brother drew?
- Tomorrow is when we agreed to meet, but we forgot to decide on the place where the meeting was going to take place.
- He talks about himself all the time. This is the reason why I don’t like him.
C. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES STARTING WITH THE WORDS GIVEN.
- If only I knew why people always go to war to solve problems.
- I wish I hadn’t seen the accidents on my way back home.
D. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE PHRASAL VERBS. MAKE ANY NECESSARY CHANGES.
- Would you please look after my child while I go to the toilet?
- Two bombs went off yesterday in Baghdad, a lot of people passed away.
- You should give up smoke; it is dangerous for your health. If you go on smoking, you may suffer from cancer in the future.