Language learning

Language learning, on the other hand, is not communicative. It is the result of direct instruction in the rules of language. And it certainly is not an age-appropriate activity for your young learners.

In language learning, students have conscious knowledge of the new language and can talk about that knowledge. They can fill in the blanks on a grammar page.

Research has shown, however, that knowing grammar rules does not necessarily result in good speaking or writing.

instruction (n) 教学、讲授
age-appropriate (adj) 适龄的、与年龄相配的
result in… 导致

Language acquisition

Children acquire language through a subconscious process during which they are unaware of grammatical rules.

This is similar to the way they acquire their first language. They get a feel for what is and what isn’t correct.

In order to acquire language, the learner needs a source of natural communication. The emphasis is on the text of the communication and not on the form.

subconscious (adj) 潜意识的
feel (n) 天赋
emphasis (n) 重点、强调

It’s immediately accessible and convenient.

If you’re running late for class or work but you want to take a look at the news, you probably aren’t going to make a trip to the store to buy the newspaper when you can look at the online edition right away.

As an added bonus, online newspapers are very good at bringing the big news of the day to the focal point of the website, which means you don’t have to hunt for the things you want to read.

In this fast-paced world, people don’t want to spend time fumbling through a print newspaper to find an article when they can search for and find it online in a matter of seconds.

accessible (adj) 易得到的
added bonus 额外的好处
focal (adj) 重要的、中心的
fumble (v) 摸索、笨拙地处理
in a matter of… 大约、只不过在。。。之内

Pros for a Newspaper

Newspapers hold significance more for older generation than for those who are young.

Older generation has a liking for print editions as they find it more familiar.

Especially, elderly people, who were born before the technological inventions period, have to struggle with online news as that requires you to use an electronic device to access the internet.

have a liking for… 喜欢。。。
edition (n) （杂志或报纸的）一份

Who is an Extrovert?

An extrovert is an outgoing and overtly expressive person. Extroverts tend to be talkative, outgoing, assertive, unreserved and friendly.

They may have no problem communicating their thoughts and ideas to everyone. They enjoy being around other
people and become energized by social interactions.

Thus, extroverts take pleasure in participating in large social gatherings such as parties, public demonstrations, and community activities.

Extroverts are likely to enjoy spending time with other people and may find being alone boring. Therefore, they usually prefer teamwork, rather than solitary work.

overt (adj) 公开的
expressive (adj) 有表现力的
assertive (adj) 坚定自信的
energized (adj) 充满活力的
social gatherings 社交场合

Who is an Introvert?

An introvert is a shy and reserved person. An introvert may keep his thoughts to himself and rarely express his opinions and ideas.

He or she is also more concerned with his or her own thoughts and feelings rather than external things. So an introvert may display reserved and solitary behavior.

They would be interested in solitary activities such as reading, writing, using computers, fishing, and hiking.

reserved (adj)内敛的、保守的
external (adj)外在的
solitary (adj)独自的、孤僻的

Why is Game of Thrones so popular

1) Women like how women rise to power: So many women like Game of thrones because it shows how women rise to power in a manly world.

This is pretty much analogous to the difficulties women face in the modern world.

2) Frustration that never ends: Throughout the show people keep getting frustrated by seeing the bad ones do many bad things without getting caught or punished.

Because that frustration is hardly released, people keep watching the show hoping that the bad guys will get punished.

rise to power 掌权
analogous (adj) 相似的，可比的

Spring Festival

The Spring Festival is an annual event held in China and in Chinese communities around the world.

Equal to Christmas of the West in significance, the Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China. Two features distinguish it from the other festivals. One is seeing off the old year and greeting the new. The other is family reunion.


All people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from this festival.

community (n) 社区
equal to… 和。。。一样
feature (n) （有趣或重要的）特点

Why do we celebrate festivals?

A festival is a way for families and friends to get together and meet after ages. Even if they live in different parts of the world, people usually celebrate festivals together and see it as an excuse to see each other.

Festivals lend a chance for the older generation to teach the future generation the value of festivals and traditions. Celebrating festivals is a sure shot way of preserving the rich heritage and culture of a region.

People also celebrate festivals as an excuse for relaxing, unwinding and taking a much-needed break from the daily hectic work life.

ages (n) 很长的时间
lend (v) 提供、给予
region (n) （有习俗、特点或地理特色的）地区
unwind (v) 放松、解压

It leads to health problems.

Many forms of technology, from computers to televisions to automobiles, cause people to sit for a majority of their day.

This constant sitting could be just as dangerous to a person’s health as smoking could be.

Consistently using technology can lead to hand, wrist, and forearm pain, lead to social isolation, and may even be a contributing factor to the formation of depression-like symptoms.

automobile (n) 汽车
consistent (adj) 持续的
social isolation 与社会隔绝
contributing factor 成因
symptom (n) 症状