TEXT 2

“What really matters in language learning?”

Task 1. Read the text.
We are all wonderfully individual in all of our own little ways. We are not
the same size, nor quite the same shape. The colour of our hair, skin and eyes, even
the shape of our fingers not to mention our finger prints, and many other small
details vary from individual to individual, regardless of national group. We like
different clothes and have different personalities.
This shows up when you learn English. Some of you read well but feel you
have trouble understanding the spoken language, especially if it is spoken quickly.
Some of you understand all right but are not confident in your writing. Some of
you have good phrasing but poor pronunciation, or think you do. Some pronounce
well but make mistakes when speaking, or think you do.
Are there things that are common to all learners? Are there things that
everyone needs to work on? What really matters in language learning? I am
referring only to people who want to achieve fluency in a language, not to those
who only want to have a few phrases for their next vacation.
In my view there are a few things that really matter when we learn a new
language. First of all, there is vocabulary. We all need to learn words, many words.
We get to know new words gradually. Seeing a word once, or studying it on a list,
is not enough. We need to become familiar with new words, to know how they are
used with other words in phrases. We achieve this by coming across the words we
are learning in a variety of contexts. Gradually we start to feel comfortable with the
meaning of these words and start putting these new words together in phrases in
order to express ourselves.
Next we need to develop a sense for the language, without worrying about
the parts of speech or grammar explanations. This can only be achieved through a
lot of exposure to the language. A lot of listening and reading will give us a feeling
for the rhythm of the new language.
If we know a lot of words, and I mean really know them, and if we have a
sense for the rhythm of the language, then we will understand better and better
when we listen and when we read. And as we get better we will want to listen and
read more, because we enjoy doing so.
 If we enjoy the language, and continue listening and reading, we will
eventually be able to speak and write. At first we will be hesitant and timid. But
our confidence will continue to grow and we will learn to speak and write well.
If we speak well, our pronunciation will be all right. It will be as good as it
needs to be. I do not know anyone who speaks a foreign language well for whom
pronunciation is a problem. Some people pronounce a foreign language better than
others, but mostly it does not matter. Pronunciation is an area where we can all be a
little different, just like our personalities and the clothes we wear.
by Steve Kaufmann
Task 2. Study the Essential Vocabulary of the text and make sentences
of your own with underlined items.
to understand the spoken language
to have good phrasing
poor pronunciation
to acquire fluency in a language
to start putting these new words together in phrases
to express ourselves
to develop a sense for the language
a lot of exposure to the language
the rhythm of the new language