LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Task 1. Vocabulary Revision. Fill in the table with the italicized words.

Cheat/copy/use a crib sheet, hard-working, take an exam/sit an exam/do an exam, straight A (always gets top marks), pass with flying colours/pass with high marks, mediocre (not bad, average), learn by heart/memorise, scrape a pass (only just pass), test yourself, pass an exam (get a good enough mark to succeed), fail an exam (not pass), revise (go over everything you’ve studied), abysmal (terrible), get a good/high mark, swot up (revise), cram (try and force as much information into your head as possible), do well in the exam, get a bad/low mark, do badly in the exam, stellar (a star performer), plodder (works consistently, but isn’t particularly brilliant).

Exams __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________  
Before Exams __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________  
During the Exam __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________  
Types of Students __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________  

Task 2. a) For questions (1–10) choose the answer (A, B or C) to define your type of learning.

1 When I study, I like to________.

A use a highlighter to emphasize points

B use a chanting rhythm to memorize

C explain the information to someone else

2 I like to study________.

A alone in a quiet place

B in a group so I can listen to others

C with one other person using role playing games

3 I remember things best if I________.

A write things down and read them back

B record the information and listen

C make lists and write them over and over

4 I like to learn using________.

A photographs and diagrams

B rhymes and chants that I make up

C labs and demonstrations

5 Sometimes when nobody is around I will________.

A draw a picture showing a process I need to understand

B create songs with my homework information

C act out information

6 I remember things most when I________.

A read them

B hear them

C say them

7 I have trouble remembering information if I________.

A can’t take notes

B can’t discuss it in class

C read it and don’t talk about it in class

8 I remember________.

A faces

B names

C names and faces if I can shake hands

9 When I study for a test I like to________.

A make an outline

B read out loud

C trace pictures, diagrams, and charts with my finger

10 In class you prefer to sit________.

A closer to the teacher and the board to see everything well

B so that you could hear everything well

C so that the teacher could not see you and you could move freely

Answers: Mostly As — you are a visual learner; mostly Bs — you are an auditory learner; mostly Cs — you are a kinaesthetic learner.

b) Read about learning styles and tell if it is true about you.

Visual Learners learn through seeing...

These learners need to see the teacher’s body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people’s heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

Auditory Learners learn through listening...

They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

Kinaesthetic Learners learn through moving, doing and touching...

Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

Task 3. What learners are these strategies for?

1 _____________________________

· Begin new material with a brief explanation of what is coming. Conclude with a summary of what has been covered. This is the old adage of ‘tell them what they are going to lean, teach them, and tell them what they have learned.’

· Use the Socratic method of lecturing by questioning learners to draw as much information from them as possible and then fill in the gaps with you own expertise.

· Have the learners verbalize the questions.

· Develop an internal dialogue between yourself and the learners.

· Include auditory activities, such as brainstorming, buzz groups, or Jeopardy. Leave plenty of time to debrief activities.

2 _____________________________

· Use graphs, charts, illustrations, or other visual aids.

· Include outlines, concept maps, agendas, hand-outs, etc. for reading and taking notes.

· Leave white space in hand-outs for note-taking.

· Emphasize key points to cue when to takes notes.

· Supplement textual information with illustrations whenever possible.

· Have them draw pictures in the margins.

· Have the learners envision the topic or have them act out the subject matter.

3 _____________________________

· Use activities that get the learners up and moving.

· Play music, when appropriate, during activities.

· Use coloured markers to emphasize key points on flip charts or white boards.

· Give frequent stretch breaks (brain breaks).

· To highlight a point, provide gum, candy, scents, etc. which provides a cross link of scent (aroma) to the topic at hand (scent can be a powerful cue).

· Provide high lighters, coloured pens and/or pencils.

· Guide learners through a visualization of complex tasks.

Task 4. Fill in the table to compare three styles of learning. Use the ‘Key Language’.

Styles How People Learn? What Teachers Should Do?
Visual ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Auditory ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Kinaesthetic ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________

Key Language

Every style has its unique characteristics such as…

When a learner belongs to … he or she prefers…

For example…

However… / Though… / While… / Whereas…

The teacher has to take into consideration the styles of learners and…

Task 5. Read the text and say what type of language learner you are.

Meaning-Oriented Learners. You probably enjoy using the language to build relationships with people. You want to observe and analyze social situations. It is good for you to plan language learning activities around language functions and communication situations. You may be frustrated by a language learning programme based on a grammatical syllabus. You learn the language to be able to describe certain situations and communicate in them.

Theory-Oriented Learners. You may be more interested in how the language works and the theoretical implications of the language to linguistic theory. You may be less interested in using the language as a medium for communication. Achieving communicative competence may be needed in order to achieve something you want to do. You may need to work at activities that will help you develop communication skills and to gain a theoretical understanding of the language. You probably have high standards for yourself, which can be good. Do not set unreachable standards or you may become discouraged. An approach to language learning you might enjoy is the Analytical approach, when peculiar attention is given to grammar and every language situation is analysed.

Solution-Oriented Learners. Your motivation for learning a language is probably to enable you to accomplish something useful or important. You are probably less interested in linguistic theory for its own sake. You probably like a structured and orderly presentation of materials with hands-on learning. You are likely conscientious and work hard. If you know the purpose of an activity that will help you be productive, you will be more motivated to do it. You will probably be less comfortable with open-ended activities, communicative activities and games. An approach to language learning you might enjoy is the Structured Approach, when all rules are put in tables and you can refer to them.

Activity-Oriented Learners. You probably are more interested in getting out and doing things with people who speak the language. You may be less interested in studying by yourself. You may enjoy classroom activities that involve action and cooperation, such as games. If you get out and participate in activities where people use the language, you will have fun and learn a lot. You likely relate well to people and enjoy getting to know them. Classroom activities that involve drills and theory may not appeal to you. One approach to language learning you might enjoy is the Energetic approach — using more movement and having more fun.

Task 6. Learning Pyramid. How do we remember best? Study the pyramid and tell about your best ways to remember.

Task 7. Read the text. For each of the empty space (1–8) choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D).

Why study abroad?
10 reasons why you should study in a foreign country

Have you considered studying abroad, but are not sure whether it’s worth your time? If you ask anybody who has studied abroad, he or she will most certainly tell you that it is a (1) _________ experience and one of the most rewarding things he or she has ever done. Perhaps you’re not certain what benefits you can reap from an extended stay in a foreign country. Here are 10 very excellent reasons why you should take the plunge:

1. Study abroad is the optimal way to learn a language. There is no better and more effective way to learn a language than to be immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are learning. You’re (2) _________ by the language on a daily basis and are seeing and hearing it in the proper cultural context. Language learning happens most quickly under these circumstances.

2. Study abroad provides the opportunity to travel.Weekends and academic breaks allow you to venture out and explore your surroundings — both your immediate and more distant surroundings. Since studying abroad often puts you on a completely different continent, you are much closer to places you might otherwise not have had the opportunity to visit. Some more structured study abroad programmes even have field (3) _________ planned in or around the curriculum.

3. Study abroad allows you get to know another culture first-hand. Cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and personal habits. A person’s culture reflects very deep (4) _________, beliefs, and values that influence his or her way of life and the way that s/he views the world. Students who experience cultural differences personally can come to truly understand where other cultures are coming from.

4. Study abroad will help you develop skills and give you experiences a classroom setting will never provide. Being (5) _________ in an entirely new cultural setting is scary at first, but it’s also exciting. It’s an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. You will encounter situations that are wholly unfamiliar to you and will learn to adapt and respond in effective ways.

5. Study abroad affords you the opportunity to make friends around the world. (6) _________ abroad, you will meet not only natives to the culture in which you are studying, but also other international students who are as far from home as yourself.

6. Study abroad helps you to learn about yourself. Students who study abroad return home with new ideas and perspectives about themselves and their own culture. The experience abroad often challenges them to reconsider their own beliefs and values. The experience may perhaps strengthen those values or it may (7) _________ students to alter or abandon them and embrace new concepts and perceptions. The encounter with other cultures enables students to see their own culture through new eyes.

7. Study abroad gives you the opportunity to break out of your academic routine. Study abroad is likely to be much unlike what you are used to doing as a student. You may become (8) _________ with an entirely new academic system and you will have the chance to take courses not offered on your home campus. It’s also a great opportunity to break out the monotony of the routine you follow semester after semester.

1 A life-threatening B life-changing C life-loving D life-killing

2 A surround B surrounding C surrounded D surrounds

3 A life B trips C travels D journeys

4 A perceptions B acceptations C accounts D activities

5 A raised B acquainted C involved D immersed

6 A while B if C as D so

7 A because B cause C of course D course

8 A accurate B accepted C perceptive D familiar

Task 10. Your friend has decided to improve his English to prepare for the External Independent Testing. On a separate sheet of paper write a letter to him explaining what the best methods for the preparation are and recommend a scheme of preparation.