Write a short article to the university newspaper about the necessity of learning foreign languages for a future professional.

Project work

1. Sometimes inability to speak foreign languages can result not only in funny situations but also cause some problems. Watch the video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh5xu35bAxA which is called “FUNNY! SOS! MAYDAY! SINKING!” The German Coast Guard officer should obviously have studied English better!

Think of any other situations when serious problems can arise due to inability of some professionals to speak foreign languages. Some ideas for you:

- an air traffic controller;

- a waiter in a restaurant;

- a doctor in a clinic;

- a manager in a car-rental office;

- a policeman;

- your choice.

2. No matter what time you live in: prehistoric, Renaissance, or globalization, LOVE makes the world go round! Now you will have a splendid opportunity to learn how to say “I love you” to your sweetheart in many languages! So, enjoy it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AZ2P3jca20 !

Final Activity: a WebQuest

You should perform the webquest “Globalization and the English Language” following all the instructions. The link to this quest is http://questgarden.com/123/84/6/110410174505/  

Unit 3. Learning a Foreign Language

Lead-in

Ø European Commission presents new Rethinking Education strategy.

A new benchmark on foreign language learning: by 2020, at least 50% of 15 year olds should have knowledge of a first foreign language (up from 42% today) and at least 75% should study a second foreign language (61% today).

(http://ec.europa.eu/education/news/20121120_en.html)

Ø How do find the process of foreign language learning: interesting, exciting, difficult, and boring?

Ø Are you satisfied with the results of your study? Was the process effective? Did you achieve any progress? What do you find most difficult about learning English: understanding grammar, memorizing words, linking words together, etc.

Ø Do you know any strategies aimed at making the process of learning easy and productive?

It is interesting to know…

Tony Buzan, in his book 'Using your Memory', points out that just 100 words comprise 50% of all words used in conversation in a language. Learning these core 100 words gets you a long way towards being able to speak that language, though at a basic level. The 100 basic words used in conversation are shown below:

 

1. A,an	2. After	3. Again	4. All	5. Almost
6. Also	7. Always	8. And	9. Because	10. Before
11. Big	12. But	13. (I) can	14. (I) come	15. Either/or
16. (I) find	17. First	18. For	19. Friend	20. From
21. (I) go	22. Good	23. Good-bye	24. Happy	25. (I) have
26. He	27. Hello	28. Here	29. How	30. I
31. (I) am	32. If	33. In	34. (I) know	35. Last
36. (I) like	37. Little	38. (I) love	39. (I) make	40. Many
41. One	42. More	43. Most	44. Much	45. My
46. New	47. No	48. Not	49. Now	50. Of
51. Often	52. On	53. One	54. Only	55. Or
56. Other	57. Our	58. Out	59. Over	60. People
61. Place	62. Please	63. Same	64. (I) see	65. She
66. So	67. Some	68. Sometimes	69. Still	70. Such
71. (I) tell	72. Thank you	73. That	74. The	75. Their
76. Them	77. Then	78. There is	79. They	80. Thing
81. (I) think	82. This	83. Time	84. To	85. Under
86. Up	87. Us	88. (I) use	89. Very	90. We
91. What	92. When	93. Where	94. Which	95. Who
96. Why	97. With	98. Yes	99. You	100. Your

(Extract reproduced from Use Your Memory by Tony Buzan with the permission of BBC Worldwide Limited, © Tony Buzan)

 

 

Reading and Vocabulary

Read the text for general understanding. Think of the title to the text.

(A) There are certain things you need to know before beginning to learn a foreign language. Here are some useful and practical tips you can refer to.

So, you think you want to learn a foreign language quickly? Actually it can be compared to a roller-coaster. Learning another language is probably one of the top things that people begin and never finish. Why is that so? One of the main reasons is that most people don't realize what it takes to really learn another language and they are not prepared for the work it takes.

 

(B) So, what are some things you need to know before beginning to learn a new language? First of all, you need to know your true motivation for wanting to know another language. It is a natural fact of life that the more motivated you are to do something, the more likely you are to do it and complete it.

Some reasons people give for this are:

a) "I think it would be interesting or fun",

b) "I enjoy learning about other people, and learning their language is a good way to do that",

c) "Smart people know more than one language",

d) "I am going to be living in another country",

e) "I know people who speak another language and I want to be able to communicate with them", and

f) "my family speaks another language and I want to learn my mother tongue".

Obviously some of these reasons are much more serious than others. If you combine moving to another country with the desire to speak to the people around you, your chances of learning that language are higher than the person who just thinks it would be cool to speak another language. The motivation is higher and the need is much more present.

 

(C ) You also need to know your own personality.

If you do not learn well under pressure, but you know that you are going to be moving to another country, you might want to consider learning that foreign language while it is still just a good idea and not a necessity. Try to keep it fun. Begin with easy phrases that are used in everyday life so that you can see an immediate improvement. This will help give you the confidence you need to keep learning. Remember, you are not going to open your mouth and speak in sentences immediately. Do not add to your pressure by expecting unattainable goals for yourself.

 

(D) You need to know how you best learn:

1. Are you the type of person who learns by seeing and hearing? Then get out with the people. Find people who speak the language and ask them to use simple phrases with you so that you can pick up the ideas and meanings quickly. Don't worry about repeating everything they say; just listen and have fun. Also do not just pick up a textbook and study for a few days.

 

1. Are you someone who learns best by practical use? See if you can find someone to live with for a few days. Repeat what they say, paying close attention to pronunciation. Ask your friends to say short phrases and use them in a situation that requires you to use them. The more you use the language in context, no matter how simple the phrase, the faster you will learn. Remember to start simple and slowly add to the complexity of the sentence. For example, start with "I go," then the next day add "I go to the store."

 

1. Are you someone who just needs to see it in order to understand? Then you are the person who needs to start with a textbook for a few days. Find a good, pocket sized dictionary and carry it with you. Get to where you recognize the words when you see them and see if you can recognize them as people are speaking. Think of it as a verbal word find. Every day sit down with your dictionary or textbook and add about 5 words to your list. Don't skip speaking them though. After you are confident with seeing the words and recognizing their meanings, get someone to go over them verbally with you so you know for sure that you can recognize them when spoken.

 

(E) Most of all - don't expect too much of yourself, but keep going. If you need a break, take it. Have fun with the language. Find people you like to be around who speak that language. Keep in mind how you learned your own language, and that just like a child needs time to develop a good vocabulary, you will too.

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