Learning a foreign language

By Berni | August 23, 2011

Before you read the article……… try this pre-reading exercise!

Exercise A

1 Do you think there is any point in listening to a foreign language when you cannot understand a word?
2 Do you believe that a foreign-language learner could grow new nerve structures in the brain during the process of acquiring a foreign language?
3 Do you think it is easier to absorb and remember a new word in your native tongue than in a foreign one?
4 Which is the key linguistic activity – grammar, speaking, listening, reading or writing?

Exercise B

Now click on this link to a recent piece of research and find out the answers! See if you agree with the findings of this research – and if not, why not.

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1. [Multiple choice]

There is no point listening to a foreign language you want to learn if it is completely incomprehensible.

(It helps people learning a foreign language just to listen to it even if they do not understand it.)

Answers for Quiz [1].

  • 1. True
  • 2. False (correct)

2. [Multiple choice]

When hearing new combinations of sounds your brain has to develop new neural structures.

Answers for Quiz [2].

  • 1. True (correct)
  • 2. False

3. [Multiple choice]

We absorb new words in our own language easily because we have pre-existing neural structures to build on which help us remember them.

Answers for Quiz [3].

  • 1. True (correct)
  • 2. False

4. [Multiple choice]

The high retention rate of students learning Russian proved Dr Paul Sulzberger’s theories about language-learning.

(Countless students dropped out of his Russian-language classes, and his theories arose from trying to analyse why this happened.
)

Answers for Quiz [4].

  • 1. True
  • 2. False (correct)

5. [Multiple choice]

He recommends speaking as the linguistic activity that promotes the growth of brain tissue.

(It is listening that seems to be the key activity in learning a foreign language.
)

Answers for Quiz [5].

  • 1. True
  • 2. False (correct)

6. [Multiple choice]

Dr Sulzberger is based at Victoria University in Australia.

(He is at Victoria University, New Zealand)

Answers for Quiz [6].

  • 1. True
  • 2. False (correct)

7. [Multiple choice]

If we say something is double Dutch it means it is incomprehensible.

Answers for Quiz [7].

  • 1. True (correct)
  • 2. False

8. [Multiple choice]

If we say something is ground-breaking it means it is very difficult.

(If something is ground-breaking it is innovative or pioneering.)

Answers for Quiz [8].

  • 1. True
  • 2. False (correct)
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