Learning English Is Not Easy

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Unit 2

• Learning English Is Not Easy
• ------Some Advice and Suggestions

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Main Points

• ?. Leading In
• ?. Text A
• ?. Text B
• ?Vocabulary Practice
• ?. Practical Writing

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Leading In

• Topics for Discussion
• 1. When did you start learning English?
• 2. How did you feel when you made mistakes in
  your English learning?
• 3. How can you improve your listening skills in
  English?
• 4. What do you think of the importance of
  learning English?

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Reference Material

• We all know that some students are better at
  learning a
• foreign language than others. Why is so? And what
  makes
• a good language learner? Here offers some
  strategies of
• good language learners. They will help you master
  some
• effective ways of learning English.
• The first is the ability to develop an active
  learning strategy. In other
• words, good language learners have the ability to
  set goals.
• Secondly, good language learner are able to see
  the language as a formal
• system, with its own rules and relationships
  between forms and meanings
• The third is to develop a social strategy for
  learning. This means that
• good learners know they will make mistakes.
  However, they will try to
• talk native speakers of the language and overcome
  difficulties in their
• language learning.Eventually, they become fluent
  in the language.

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• The final factor is emotional. All
  language learners will have emotional problems
  while they are learning. In spite of this, a good
  learner will cope effectively, and will cultivate
  positive attitudes towards themselves, toward
  language learning in general, and towards the
  target language, society and culture.

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Text A If you Dont Make Mistakes, You Wont
Learn!

• Isn't it frustrating it is always the same
  mistakes that prevent you from getting that
  better mark in your English tests. How can you
  unlearn those mistakes?
• Don't try too much at a time. Instead,
  concentrate on just one typical mistake. Go
  through the explanations and exercises in your
  grammar reference or textbook. When reading
  English texts, look out for that specific grammar
  aspect.

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Tips on Learning English Backlog Analysis
Unlearn typical English mistakes English
Grammar English Gap-filling exercises English
Grammar in texts Vocabulary Study English every
Day Learn English through Reading Learn English
through Films Learn English through Songs
Learning Strategies Targets Motivation is half
the work Don't overdo it! Treat yourself to
something good Study English with friends
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• 1.Learning a language means learning a skill, not
  acquiring knowledge. You test your command of a
  foreign language by your ability to perform in
  it, not by how much you know about it.
  Performance refers to your ability to understand,
  speak, read and write. Knowledge refers mainly to
  grammar rules and vocabulary.
• 2. Avoid reading anything that is too difficult
  for you. Reading should be a pleasure, so the
  texts should be within your range.
• 3. If you read enough, you will find that you
  will acquire a large vocabulary without needing
  to turn to the dictionary all the time.
• 4. If you are reading an argument, make notes on
  the points for and against. You will soon get
  into the habit of not only reading in English,
  but thinking in English as well. Thinking in a
  foreign language is an indispensable requirement
  of fluency.
•      5. You should read as widely as you can.
• 6.The best way to read an article is to read it.
• 7.Writing a summary of something you have read
  is excellent practice.

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8. Remember, there are two kinds of vocabulary
receptive and productive. Receptive vocabulary
refers to the words you can recognize and
understand but cant necessarily use. Productive
vocabulary refers to the words you know and can
use with confidence.9. Its totally pointless
learning grammar for its own sake.10. Sentence
structure is the way we show the relationship
between ideas and events.11. The most important
thing to do with a dictionary is really to use
it, above all when you are reading. Use it till
you know your way round it and enjoy what it
offers you.12. Reading a newspaper is the very
best thing you can do to improve your English.
13. Have to discount your native language. 14.
Listening comprehension is the key to the command
of any foreign language. 15. Any communicative
or practical use of English is better than study
in grammar for its own sake. ... Whatever you do,
dont study grammar isolation.??
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Language points for Text A

• 1.managev. succeed in taking , using, or doing
• They are not sure whether they can manage to
  control this situation.
• 2.turn into change in form or nature
  ??
• His bitter experience has turned him into a
  stronger person.
• 3.parking lot ???
• 4.ask for make a request for something
  ??
• The workers are asking for another increase in
  pay.
• 5.teach someone a lesson ?????
• His failure in the exam has taught him a
  lesson.
• 6.be afraid of ?????
• 7.dare to do something ?????
• 8.take a leaf out of someones book follow
  others example????
• Father asked his youngest son to take a leaf
  out of Marys book .

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• ? Difficult Sentences
• 1. If you dont make mistakes, you wont learn.
• It is impossible to learn the language well
  unless you make mistakes.
• 2. Within four years, though, she has managed to
  become so fluent in
• English that she doesnt even have a foreign
  accent!
• After four years of practice, she is now
  successful in speaking English
• in as easy and smooth a manner as a native
  English speakers.
• 3. She has won many awards, and has written a
  book about her
• experiences in learning English.
• She has obtained a lot of prizes and has also
  written a book about the
• difficulties that she had been through in
  learning English.
• 4. You think you are the only person feeling
  embarrassed when
• making mistakes, he said when we interviewed
  her.
• When we asked her questions in an interview,
  Kim said, When you
• make mistakes, you think only feel very
  anxious and uncomfortable.

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Vocabulary Practice
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• Ex. I. Fill in the blanks with the phrases and
  expressions given below and change the form if
  necessary.
• be afraid of as a result last but
  not least teach sb. a lesson in the
  end compare with manage to turn into
  style interview
• 1 If you ______ his way of learning English
  ______ yours, youll find out why you are not
  good at spoken English.
• 2.You can ______this small place _________ a
  beautiful garden.
• 3.He broke his leg. _________, he couldnt go to
  the party.
• 4.Mary, tell me, are you _______ being alone in
  the dark?
• 5.Dont worry. Everything will be all right
  _________.
• 6.They finally ________ get there in time.
• 7 Ill never forget the accident . It _____ me
  ____.
• 8.________, we must thank him for all his
  kindness.
• 9.Dont be late for your ______, or you wont get
  the job.
• 10. I like this authors books because her
  writing _____ is very simple and clear.

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• Ex. II. Complete each sentence with the correct
  form of the word given.
• 1. She found a good job after she (graduation)
  ________ from UCLA.
• 2.She explained the problem in (detailed)
  ________to the store manager.
• 3. The doctor (suggestion) _____ that she come
  another day.
• 4. We will do our best to help those
  (unfortunately) )______ people.
• 5.The (real) _______ is that you cant learn a
  foreign language well without hard work.
• 6.Be prepared to listen (careful) _____ because
  the presenters often speak very quickly.
• 7. Listening is an (important) ______ part of
  learning English.
• 8.Try to make your idea as clear as possible, or
  people will (understand ) _____ you.
• 9. As teachers, we need to take (responsible)
  ________for looking after our students health.
• 10. They had worked hard to earn more money in
  order to give their daughter a good
  (educate)._________

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Text BFamous English Radio Programs

• VOA The Voice of America has carried United
  States, regional, and world news to
  listeners around the globe for more than 60
  years. Historical highlights important dates in
  VOA's history.
• BBC Innovative, progressive and pioneering - the
  British Broadcasting Corporation has proved a
  powerful force in the 20th century - providing
  entertainment, education and information, and
  captivating millions of viewers and listeners at
  home and abroad.

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Some Programs of VOA

• Special English
• Public Insight Journalism
• American Mavericks
• American Radio Works
• Saint Paul Sunday
• A Prairie Home Companion
• Classical Music Initiative
• Composer Datebook
• Marketplace
• Minnesota Orchestra

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Some Programs of BBC

• Early Breakfast
• The Chris Moyles Show
• Jason and Lyare
• Through The Night
• World News
• The World Today

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Tips of Listening Skills

• Frequent the language lab. Read the exercises in
  your book first then listen and read together
  then listen without looking at the print. Say
  aloud/write what you hear.
• Participate silently in class when others are
  called on to speak. Focus on the task don't
  worry about how you'll do.
• If you feel nervous, relax yourself physically by
  taking a couple of slow, deep breaths. When
  called on, pause, relax, and give yourself time
  to respond.
• Listen while a friend dictates to you and write
  what you hear. Check for accuracy.
• Practice join language clubs, watch foreign TV,
  listen to foreign radio.

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• Accept the fact that you are not going to
  understand everything.
• Keep cool (idiomstay relaxed) when you do not
  understand - even if you continue to not
  understand for a long time.
• Do not translate into your native language
  (synonymmother tongue)
• Listen for the gist (noungeneral idea) of the
  conversation. Don't concentrate on detail until
  you have understood the main ideas.

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Reading Skills

• First, read the vocabulary list for the
  assignment. Next, read the questions about the
  reading. Then read all the way through a new
  passage two or three times, guessing at meaning
  from context. Avoid word-by-word translation. It
  is a waste of time!
• Isolate new vocabulary and study it separately.
  DON'T write between the lines! Make flash cards.
  Carry them with you and recite them several times
  during the day at odd moments. Over-learn them
  until they are automatic.
• Isolate new grammatical forms and study them
  separately. Write the pattern on a flash card and
  memorize it. Write out and label a model
  sentence. When you encounter the form while
  reading, pause and recite the pattern to
  recognize the form.

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Writing Skills

• Pay attention to detail notice accents, order of
  letters, etc. Compare letter-by-letter different
  forms (singular, plural, gender, etc.). Write out
  conjugations of verbs, declensions of pro-nouns,
  etc., and check your endings. Memorize irregular
  verbs.
• To master spelling, have a friend dictate 10
  words to you. Write them out and immediately have
  your friend spell them correctly aloud while you
  look carefully and point at each letter. Repeat
  until you get all the words right.
• Write (in your own simple foreign vocabulary
  words) a story you have just read.

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Speaking Skills

• Study out loud! Mimic the sounds of the language.
  Don't mumble. Although most people feel
  embarrassed making strange sounds, the language
  will soon feel more familiar to you.
• When called on in class, say something, even it
  it's wrong you'll learn from it. If you need a
  moment to think, repeat the question. If you
  don't know the answer, say in your foreign
  language, "I don't know" or "help!"
• Practice with a foreign student who wants your
  help to learn English or with another class
  member.

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Language Points for Text B

• 1.however adv. (1). In spite of this
  nevertheless ??,??
• Its raining hard. However, we still have to
  go.
• (2) to whatever degree
  ???????
• I must complete the task, however difficult it
  is.
• 2.call for need or deserve
• This trouble calls for quick action by the
  government.
• 3.as a result the result is.
• Tom walked in the rain for an hour. As a
  result, he was totally wet.
• 4.last but not least important, although coming
  at the end
• Lat nut not least, take good care of your
  teeth!
• 5.in one go in a single attempt
• My manager always wants to solve everything in
  one go.
• 6.information knowledge in the form of facts,
  news, etc.
• With new information, they soon discovered the
  truth.

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• 7. natural
• adj. belong to someone from birth not
  learned innate or having a skill or quality.
• He is a natural musician.
• adj. or being what exists, or happens
  ordinarily in the world.
• His voice didnt sound all that natural. He
  sounds very angry when I spoke to him on phone.
• 8. expect
• v. think or believe
• The teacher expected that most of his students
  would fail the exam.
• v. think or consider that is likely to come or
  happen
• I am expecting a package from my relative in
  America. It is my birthday present.
• 9. detailed characterized by abundant use or
  thoroughness of treatment
• The students handed in a detailed report of
  the experiment.

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?. Practical Writing
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• Format of Business Card
• Academic and medical degree abbreviations should
  follow names. To maintain a consistent appearance
  and to make maximum use of space, periods are not
  used in abbreviations after names. Include only
  the highest degree awarded (5) The second line is
  optional and lists the official name of a unit or
  division within the unit on the first line.
• The correct physical address for each unit is
  supplied by the UAB Print Plant and must follow
  this format Room Number and Building Name
  Street Number and Street Name Phone Number (in
  format 205.934.1234) Fax Number (designated by
  "Fax")
• Directly to the right of the address bar is space
  for optional e-mail and Web addresses.
• The mailing address follows U.S. Postal Service
  guidelines (for details, see addresses in the
  writing style standards section of this guide),
  which require uppercase letters and no
  punctuation. The UAB campus has been assigned
  three mailing addresses, and the UAB Print Plant
  will determine yours when you order business
  cards.

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(No Transcript)
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• Assignment
• Read this article and then make a
  summary for improving your learning skills.
• Learning another language is not easy,
  but most people can learn a second language IF
  they are willing to put in the necessary time.
• Here are some practical suggestions
  for studying effectively, overcoming anxiety, and
  learning the grammar and skills necessary for
  success in foreign language classes.
• STUDY EVERY DAY! A foreign language course is
  different from any other course you take.
  Language learning is cumulative you cannot put
  it off until the weekend. Study 1 or 2 hours for
  every class hour if you want an A or B.

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• 2. DISTRIBUTE YOUR STUDY TIME in 15- to 30-minute
  periods
• throughout the day. Focus on a different task
  each time
• vocabulary now, grammar next, etc. Get an
  overview during the
• first half hour spend 10 minutes reviewing
  dialog, 10 minutes
• learning new vocabulary, 10 minutes learning new
  grammarso
• you'll at least have looked at it all.
  Approximately 80 of your
• study time should be spent in recitation or
  practice, including
• practice in the Language lab.
• 3. ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN EVERY CLASS--even if
  you
• are not well prepared. Class time is your best
  opportunity to
• practice. Learn the grammar and vocabulary
  outside of class in
• order to make the most of class time. Spend a few
  minutes
• "warming up" before each class by speaking or
  reading language.
• 4. MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE IN THE CLASSROOM.
• Get to know your classmates, so you will feel you
  are among
• friends. Visit your instructor during office
  hours to get acquainted
• explain your goals and fears about the course to
  your instructor.

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• 5. LEARN GRAMMAR IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW IT.
  Grammar is the skeleton of a language, its basic
  structure you must learn it. Review a simplified
  English grammar text. Compare new grammatical
  structures in your foreign language to their
  English equivalents.
• 6. PRACTICE FOR TESTS by doing what you will
  have to do on the test. If the test will require
  you to write, then study by writing--including
  spelling and accents. If you will be asked to
  listen, then practice listening. Ask for practice
  questions make up your own test questions.
  Invent variations on patterns and forms.
  Over-learn study beyond the point of recognition
  to mastery.
• 7. DEVELOP A GOOD ATTITUDE. Have a clear
  personal reason for taking the class. Set
  personal goals for what you want to learn. Leave
  perfectionism at the door give yourself
  permission to make mistakes and learn from them.
• 8. GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT. Talk with your
  teacher. Form study groups among class members.
  Use tutoring services. Don't wait!

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• The End
• Good-bye