Opinion article

OPINION ARTICLE: LANGUAGE LEARNING

Few English people study foreign languages, in fact, not many of them speak anything other than English. However, the situation in Spain is quite different. We start learning English when we begin school and in secondary education we can choose to study French or, in some cases, other European languages like German. It is true that our level is not very good after many years of study but it is a good start.

I strongly believe that speaking foreign languages, especially English, is essential. Although Spanish is spoken by many people around the world, business and research are conducted mainly in English. On the Internet you will find a multitude of languages and knowing only one will restrict your vision of the world and your access to information, people and products. Being able to communicate with people from different countries is really important in this day and age.

Languages are necessary not only to get a good job but also for our own development as individuals as with a new language we learn about new cultures and tolerance.




Give your opinion about the article and compare to the situation in Spain.
(150-170 words)

STRUCTURE
Introduction: Compare to the situation in Spain (1 or 2 paragraphs)
Your opinion: Arguments and examples (careful with -ing subjects)
Conclusion: A general idea summarising your opinion

Useful expressions

Success mind map

Learn English in London

Watch the ad of International House in London and say if the following statements are correct or wrong. Correct the wrong ones.

1. 6000 students attend the school every month
2. There are over 200 nationalities
3. They offer 24 different levels
4. The courses are based on communication
5. You sometimes feel lazy or sleepy
6. There are 20 students per class
7. The student can choose the type of course he wants
8. There are specialized lessons
9. They prepare students for the Trinity exams
10. Some classrooms have a computer
11. Some of the teachers trained in the same school
12. They don’t usually use textbooks

Summarise: What are the main features of this school?

How I learnt English

Watch this video and take notes

Watch and do the tasks below

Write a summary of how she learnt English (0-3.33)
Write the list of tips she gives.

B2.1 - Learning languages

Listen to this man talking about the secrets of language learning. Decide if the following statements are true or false.


1. He says there are 6 secrets to learning a language
2. He learned 11 languages before he was 15
3. He is learning Korean
4. He spends 1h a day trying to learn a language
5. He spends this time reading, listening or speaking the new language
6. To improve your oral skills talk to a friend who speaks the language
7. Use a computer to improve your skills
8. In class people only learn grammar
9. If you dedicate 3 hours a day you can learn a language in 3 months

Answers written in white. Select this line to see them: 1F, 2F, 3T, 4T, 5T, 6T, 7F, 8F, 9F

Do you want to know the rest of the secrets? Click here and find out.


More about learning a foreign language


1. Many teachers don’t speak the language __________________
2. You should use a __________________ to practice on your own
3. Languages have a lot of different __________________
4. In Texas there were a lot of __________________
5. Your need and __________________ the time determines your experience with learning languages


6. English students want to __________________ in the English language
7. The __________________thing is that there are a lot of idioms
8. We are a __________________ nation and many countries learn our language
9. Americans don’t know _____________________ as other people around the world.

Answers written in white: 1. fluently, 2. taped system, 3. dialects, 4. Spanish speaking people, 5. willingness to spend, 6. immerse themselves, 7. unfortunate, 8. powerful, 9. as many languages

English Mania

Watch the video and answer the questions

1. What three other manias are mentiones? Beatle mania, sports mania, religious mania
2. How many people are learning English around the world? 2 billion
3. When do Chinese people start learning English? In third grade
4. Why is English so important? It means opportunity for a better life, a job, to be able to pay for school, or put better food on the table
5. What other universal languages are mentioned? Mathematics and music
6. What does English represent? Hope for the future

Answers written in white. Select the text above to see them.
Read the transcript or watch with subtitles here

Is Ana Botella's English B2?

The grammar is perfect, the vocabulary accurate and the structure solid. So, what's her problem?


Thank you, Ignacio (pause)

President Rogge, dear IOC members, ladies and gentlemen. (pause)

I’ve had the chance to speak to many of you in private conversations, and also in our presentations in St. Petersburg and in Lausanne.  (pause)

I must say, I’d like to continue our friendship, (smile and pause) and frankly, I don’t want this to be our last chance to speak to each other!  So let me tell you a little more about my beautiful hometown, Madrid. (smile)

Madrid is one of the most comfortable / charming  / and inviting cities in the world. Just like all of Spain, Madrid is an amazing mixture of traditions.  You can see, feel and taste the wonder of Spanish culture in Madrid’s parks, / its food / its art / and its architecture. (pause) Perhaps, those of you who have visited Madrid, share this feeling. We have been working hard for many years so our guests -  almost eight million each year -  feel at home.

And most importantly, Madrid is Fun.  The Olympic Games are not only a celebration of sport; they are also a celebration of life.  And I Assure you, no one celebrates life like the Spanish People do!

There is nothing quite like a relaxing cup of café con leche in Plaza Mayor (pause) or a quaint, romantic dinner in El Madrid de los Austrias (pause) the oldest part of Madrid. These experiences, and so much more are the heart and soul of Madrid.

So later today, when you are considering your choice for 2020, (smile) I hope you remember that in addition to the best-prepared plan, Madrid also offers you a city full of culture (pause) fun (pause) and welcoming people.

The magic of Madrid is real, and we want to share it with all of you.

http://www.teinteresa.es/deportes/Ultima-Discurso-Ana-Botella-Madrid_0_988701814.html

Pay attention to these words in her speech (select the text to see them): thank, members, dear, also, say, friendship, so, world, these, perhaps, have, you, comfortable, wonder, , working, years, our, are, there is, prepared, share it.

Languages - mindmap

REVISION. Translate

1. Me gustaría hablar inglés con fluidez
2. Mucha gente estudia inglés para su trabajo
3. Algunas personas piensan que aprender inglés es difícil y abandonan
4. En Londres puedes aprender vocabulario con tan solo oírlo
5. Me defiendo en inglés cuando viajo
6. Tengo dificultades con la pronunciación y la gramática inglesas
7. No había estudiado inglés antes
8. Cuando estudiaba en el instituto, no hablábamos en inglés en clase
9. La fluidez es tan importante como la corrección
10. Dominar una lengua completamente lleva tiempo