Unit 1
Language Learning
Let’s break the ice
Find 5 things you have in common with a classmate
What should be done…
…to become truly bilingual ?
Discussion
It is best to start acquiring a certain level of
learning a foreign competence in a native
language before language before beginning to
the age of ten. learn a foreign language.
Opinion A Opinion B
to put tasks, problems, etc. in order of importance,
so that you can deal with the most important first
• Prioritize (V)
the organ inside the head that controls
movement, thought, memory, and feeling
• brain (n)
the ability of the brain to reorganize its
structure, functions, or connections
• plasticity (n)
A process of developing the ability to
communicate in the second/ foreign language
• language-learning (n)
a person’s intelligence
• grey matter (n)
a medical test in which a machine produces a
picture of the inside of a person’s body on a
computer screen
• scans (n)
to produce a change in somebody/something
• affect (v)
a period in which a particular skill or
characteristic is believed to be most acquired
• critical period (np)
a serious disease that prevents the brain
from functioning normally and causes loss of
memory and ability to speak clearly
• Alzheimer’s disease (n)
to become smaller, fewer, weaker, etc
• decline (v)
Piece 1
A study suggests that it is best to start learning a language before the age of ten. Researchers said the
ability to (1)…………….is present up until the age of 18. This is the limit of the "critical period" when
language-learning ability (2) …………….. A researcher said children quite easily become bilingual because,
"that's when (3) …………….learning languages". He said it's difficult to become (4) …………….later in life.
The research was based on (5) ……………. online grammar quizzes. The tests had grammar rules
designed to confuse (6) …………….. These helped to measure the (7) …………….of people who started
learning a language (8) …………….. One researcher suggested older people might be (9) ……………. to
learn a language because they leave home, go to university or start work. All of (10) ……………. language-
learning ability.
Piece 1
A study suggests that it is best to start learning a language before the age of ten. Researchers said the ability
to (1) learn grammar well is present up until the age of 18. This is the limit of the "critical period" when
language-learning ability (2) starts to decline. A researcher said children quite easily become bilingual
because, "that's when (3) you're best at learning languages". He said it's difficult to become (4) truly
bilingual later in life.
The research was based on (5) 670,000 online grammar quizzes. The tests had grammar rules designed to
confuse (6) non-native speakers. These helped to measure the (7) language ability of people who started
learning a language (8) at different ages. One researcher suggested older people might be (9) too busy to
learn a language because they leave home, go to university or start work. All of (10) these affect language-
learning ability.
Discussion Hello! Bonjour!
•What are the benefits of being
bilingual? Xin chào!
こんにちは
你好
Piece 2
Researchers say that people who speak two languages are better (1) ……………………….key information.
This helps you to prioritise tasks and manage (2) ………….at once. And there are (3) ……………………,
too. The onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms (4)………….by about four years in people who speak two
languages, (5) ………………...
Once you've chosen the language to study, make sure that (6) …………you use includes an audio
component. This is because pronunciation is (7) ……….…comfortable using a foreign language. Keep in
mind that you need to (8) ..............…your new language to get all the benefits – using two languages is
what works the brain.
So, to (9) ……….your grey matter, read books and watch foreign films in that language. If you’re (10)
………………., you might even take a trip to a country where the language is spoken.
Piece 2
Researchers say that people who speak two languages are better (1) able to focus on key information. This
helps you to prioritise tasks and manage (2) multiple projects at once. And there are (3) long-range benefits,
too. The onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms (4)can be delayed by about four years in people who speak
two languages, (5) research has found.
Once you've chosen the language to study, make sure that (6) whatever technique you use includes an audio
component. This is because pronunciation is (7) key to feeling comfortable using a foreign language. Keep in
mind that you need to (8) actively practise your new language to get all the benefits – using two languages is
what works the brain.
So, to (9) keep challenging your grey matter, read books and watch foreign films in that language. If you’re (10)
feeling adventurous, you might even take a trip to a country where the language is spoken.
Piece 3
......................
Researchers from University College London studied the (1) brains .of 105 people - 80 of whom were
..................................
bilingual. They found learning other languages (2) altered grey matter - the area of the brain which
processes information - in the same way exercise (3) builds…………………… muscles. People who learned a second
……………………
language at a younger age were (4) also more likely to have more advanced grey matter than those who
learned later, the team said.
……………
………………….
The team took scans of (5) 25 Britons who did not speak a second language, 25 people who had learned
…………………………… .
(6) another European language before the age of five,……………………………….
and (7) 33 bilinguals who had learned a second
language between 10 and 15 years old. The scans (8) revealed the density of the grey matter of the brain
…………………..
was greater in bilinguals than (9) those without a second language. The research demonstrates how the
………………………………
brain (10) changes its structure and how learning languages develops its plasticity.
Piece 3
Researchers from University College London studied the (1) brains of 105 people - 80 of whom were
bilingual. They found learning other languages (2) altered grey matter - the area of the brain which
processes information - in the same way exercise (3) builds muscles. People who learned a second
language at a younger age were (4) also more likely to have more advanced grey matter than those who
learned later, the team said.
The team took scans of (5) 25 Britons who did not speak a second language, 25 people who had learned
(6) another European language before the age of five, and (7) 33 bilinguals who had learned a second
language between 10 and 15 years old. The scans (8) revealed the density of the grey matter of the brain
was greater in bilinguals than (9) those without a second language. The research demonstrates how the
brain (10) changes its structure and how learning languages develops its plasticity.
Discussion
What are effective methods of language-learning?