Unit 8 Learning a foreign language
(Teachers’ paper)
Word study:
1.motivation n.动机，积极性
eg The stronger the motivation, the more quickly a person will learn a foreign language.
一个人学外语的内在要求越高, 那么他就学得越快。
motive n. 动机；目的 adj.起动的；发动的
eg His motive for working so hard is that he needs money.
他这么卖命干的目的在于他需要钱。
I have to warn you that his motives have lain hidden.
我不得不提醒你他的动机还不明。
The motive power of trains is usually steam or electricity.
火车的动力通常是蒸汽或电。
motivate vt. -vated, -vating 引起动机；促起；激发
eg to motivate the child to learn new words激励小孩子学习新词
Examinations can motivate a student to seek more knowledge.
考试能够促进学生寻求更多知识。
2.memorise 记住 （亦作： memorize）
eg He memorized the list of dates, but neglected the main facts.
他记住了日期，却忽略了主要事实。
memory n.-ries 记忆力,回忆
eg Grandmother has a good memory；she can remember things which happened many years ago.
I had happy memories of my school.
speak from memory ...根据记忆而讲述
eg This has been the hottest summer within my memory.
就我所记得的, 这是最热的一个夏天。
He has a bad memory for dates.他对日期的记忆很差。
It brought back to me memories of my schooldays（=It reminded me of my schooldays）.它使我回想起我的学生时代。
bear [have, keep] in memory 记着, 没有忘记
beyond [within] the memory of man [men] 在有史以前[来]
bring back [call] to memory 使想起
come to one's memory 想起, 清醒过来
in memory of 纪念...
memorial n.(=monument)纪念物； 纪念碑；纪念仪式;历史记载
adj.记忆的; 纪念的; 追悼的
memorials of a past age一个昔日的历史记录
The Monument(Memorial) to the People’s Heroes人民英雄纪念碑
3．stick n. 枯枝，棍，手杖 a walking stick 一根拐杖
条状物 a stick of chalk 一支粉笔
v. (stuck, stuck, sticking)
①（常与in, into, through连用）（把尖 物）插入，刺入，戳入
to stick a fork into a potato
用叉子叉上马铃薯
I stuck a needle into the cloth.
我把一根针扎进布里。
②（与in, into, on连用）粘住；贴住
I stuck a stamp on the letter.
我把一张邮票贴在信上。
③附着；固着
The wheels of the car stuck in the mud and we could not go on.
车轮陷入泥里，我们不能前进了。
④放，置
Stick the chair in the corner.
将椅子置于墙角。
⑤（与at连用）继续努力做
If you want to play an instrument well, you’ve got to stick at it.
如果你想练好一种乐器，你必须持之以恒。
此外还有：
伸出，突出 stick out one’s arm伸出手臂
stick out above the water突出水面
使停止，阻塞 be stuck in/by…被困…
容忍，忍受 I can’t stick it any more.我再也忍受不了了。
坚持，坚守 stick to stick to a post 坚守岗位
stick to one’s word 遵守诺言
4. acquire v. =to get as one’s own; to gain (usu., by one’s own efforts) 常指经过自己的努力而获得,得到
=form, learn 养成，学到
eg. After years of hard work, he acquired a lot of money.
经过几年的艰苦劳动，他赚了不少钱。
She has acquired a habit of using colorful words.
使用华丽辞藻已成了她的习惯。
an acquired taste养成的爱好
acquisition n. (知识、技能等的)获得，得到；购得物
acquisitive adj. 贪婪的，渴求获取财物的
5．instruct vt. =teach, give orders，inform 指示，命令,告知，通知
instruct sb in sth.
instruct sb.(wh-…) to do sth
instruct sb. that…/ sb. be instructed that…
eg. He instructs his pupils in mathematics.
他教学生数学。
You will be instructed where to go as soon as the plane is ready.
飞机一准备好就会通知你去何处。
instruction n.用法说明，指示， 命令，（计算机）指令
adj. an instruction book说明书
instructional adj. 教学的，教育的 ～ materials教材
instructive adj. 富有教益的，增长知识的
instructor n. 教练，导师
6. academic adj. 学院的, 理论的；学术的
eg academic year学年 academic rank学衔 academic degree 学位
academic research 学术研究
n.(C) 大学教师, 大学生; 学会会员; 学究式人物
academy n.(C) -mies学会
the Royal Academy皇家学会;学院；高等专科学校
an academy of music音乐学院
university n(C) （综合）大学 Oxford University牛津大学
college n(C) （综合大学中的）学院,独立的）学院,高等专科学校
a college of agriculture农学院
evening college夜大学
institute n(C)学院; (大专)学校;
7. adopt vt. =to accept and use a suggestion, habit, etc. of
sb. else 采纳，接受
=to take sb else’s child into your family and become its legal parent(s)收养，领养
eg. We are willing to adopt your plan.
我们愿意采纳你的计划。
Some people adopted a wait-and-see policy in this matter.
在这件事上有些人采取了观望(wait-and-see)的态度。
She was forced to have her baby adopted.
她被迫把婴儿给人领养。
The child was adopted into a wealthy family and received a good education.
这孩子被一个有钱人家收养，并受到了良好的教育。
adopted adj. 收养的, 移居的 their adopted son他们的养子
adoption n. 收养，领养； 采用；推选
put sb. up for adoption 提出让人收养某人
the adoption of new technology新技术的采用
adoptive adj. 收养的，有收养关系的
8. operation n 操作;【医】手术;运转
be in operation在运转中; 在行动中; 在实施中; 在生效中
come into operation开始工作[运转];生效
go into operation开始工作[运转];生效
perform an operation on sb. for a disease因某种病给某人动手术
9. broaden: vi. / vt. =(to cause to) become broad or broader 使扩大, 使宽阔
=to increase your knowledge, experience, etc 增长（知识、经验等）
eg. broaden one’s horizons 打开眼界，拓宽视野
Travel broadens the mind. 旅行使人开阔心胸(眼界)。
The river broadens (out) at this point. 这条河到这里开始变宽。
Her smile broadened. 她笑得更加灿烂了。
“adj./n. +en→v.”使变得…
类似词语： deepen, thicken, sweeten, straighten, quicken, brighten， darken, soften, harden, widen, shorten, sharpen, lengthen, strengthen
10．appropriate adj. =correct or suitable适当的， 合适的
常和for, to 连用。
Vt. =to set aside for some purpose拨出（款项）,盗用，挪用
eg. He made a speech appropriate to the occasion. 她作了个适宜该场合的演讲。
Jeans are not appropriate for a formal party. 正式聚会上穿牛仔裤是不合适的。
Now that the problem has been identified, appropriate action can be taken.
现在既已找出问题的症结，即可采取适当的行动。
inappropriate opp.不适合的
appropriateness n.
appropriately adv.
eg. Five million dollars has been appropriated for research into the disease.
已拨款五百万元用于这种疾病的研究。
He was accused of appropriating club funds.他被指控盗用俱乐部资金。
Reading: Learning a foreign language: twice as hard
Lead in: ① How are they learning English?
② Tick out the ways you learn English & tell reasons
1 ( )memorize the words.
2 ( )learn grammar rules
3 ( )talk with your classmate
4 ( )have a dictation
5 ( )listen to the tape
6 ( )learn English songs
7 ( )watch English films
8 ( )talk to foreigner
9 ( )reading stories
10( )practise writing English
③ What difficulties in learning English you face?
Fast reading: 1 How do we learn our native language?
2 How can we make sense of what we learn and distinguish the mistakes ?
3 What are the difference between mother tongue and foreign language?
4 What are the characteristics of a successful learner? How does he learn
foreign language?
5 What is important? Why?
Careful reading:
I. Say F or M on p68.
II. Tell the sentences true or false
1. Everyday activities and interactions with other people are important when children are learning their mother tongue.
2. If we want to become successful language learner, we should try to learn all by ourselves.
3. If we could spend all our waking hours communicating with native speakers we would make greater progress in English.
4. We learn our mother tongue much faster than we do a foreign language.
5. If we want to become successful language learners, we must first build our confidence and develop our study skills.
6. Although experts don’t agree each other, they all share a common opinion : Life is a very successful language school.
7. We study our mother tongue all day long for about 5 years before we master it. But we only spend a few hours a week and in a few years’ time we can speak a foreign language.
8. Successful language learners usually step away from the academic challenges.
9. The less anxious and more relaxed the learner, the worse their language acquisition.
II. Reading comprehension ：
1. Most children have mastered their mother tongue.
A. at the age of five
B. by the age of eight
C. before they are five
D. since they were five
2. The sentence “Life is a very successful language school” means .
A. we are equipped with a special ability to learn language
B. the key to learn the language well is to communicate with the people around us
C. parents can give children language lessons
D. people can learn the language by themselves
3. In fact, we learn English much faster than we may have thought because ________.
A. A lot of people are born with a special ability to learn a foreign language.
B. English learning always takes place in class.
C. Communicating with people often takes too much time.
D. We can get a lot of help and the learning is more efficient.
4. The text tells us that successful language learners______.
A. spend as many hours studying English as they do their mother tongue.
B. always have different plans for their learning
C. want very much to become translators and interpreters.
D. are usually very impatient in learning a language.
5. From the text we can see _______.
A. The stronger the motivation is, the more quickly a person will learn a foreign language.
B. Interest, curiosity, willingness and confidence are more important than anything else.
C. We’ll find it easier to learn English if we can learn something from successful language learners.
D. Both B and C.
6. Successful language learners do share the following characteristics except .
A. the ability to memorize the words
B. an interest in understanding their own thinking
C. willingness to take chances
D. confidence in their ability
7. What’s the purpose of writing this article?
A. Learning a foreign language is twice as hard as learning our mother tongue.
B. Learning a foreign language is more important than learning our mother tongue.
C. Learning a foreign language is twice as easy if we develop our study skills.
D. In fact, the number of people learning a foreign language has increased with years.
Answers: 1.T F T F T T T F F 2. C B D B D A C
Post-reading:
What are the differences between learning the first and second language?
What makes you a successful learner?
What’s the main idea of each paragraph?
What’s the purpose of writing the passage?
Language points
1．I spend hours on English every day, but I don’t feel I’m making any progress. (P66)
progress n.前进, 进行, 进展，进步, 上进; 发展; 改进; 【生】发育, 进化
eg The building of the house is in progress .房子在建造中。
vi.前进, 进行, 进步; 进展; 发达, 发展
eg The work is progressing steadily.工作正在扎实地进行。
相关短语： in progress在进行中, 在举行
make progress in在...方面取得进步[进展]
make progress towards朝着...(目标)前进
make progress with把...向前推进; 在...(方面)取得进展, 进行
2. Some believe that we are equipped with a special ability to learn language and that our brain adjusts itself to the language we hear around us. (P67 Para2)有人认为，我们具有学习语言的特殊能力，而且我们的大脑会自动调节接受我们听到的身边的语言。
1) equip vt. =to provide oneself, or another with what is necessary for doing sth. / to make able /fit/prepared “装备，配备” 常与with 或for 连用。
eg. The reading-room is not equipped with air-conditioning.
阅览室里没有装空调。
The soldiers were equipped with the latest weapons.
这些士兵配备了新式武器。
Your education will equip you for your future life.
你所受到的教育将使你具备未来生活的能力。
The hospital is well equipped. / This is a well-equipped hospital. 这家医院设备齐全。
注：equip 宾语必须是被装备的对象而非装备物。
equipment n. U装备，设备，设备，器材
n. C 可表示各种设备
eg. The equipment of his lab took time and money.
装备他的实验室需要时间和金钱。
The workers carried most of their equipment on their backs. 工人们把大部分设备背在背上。
Military equipments were sent to the front.
军事设备被送往前线。
注：一件设备 a piece of equipment
两件设备 two pieces of equipment
equipment 偶尔有复数形式，但不可说two / several / some equipments。
类似短语： be furnished with be supplied with
be provided with be fitted with
be burdened with be loaded with
be crowded / packed with be covered with
be filled with
2) adjust vt. / vi. = to change sth slightly, esp because it is not in the right position调节，调整
=to get (sb) used to new conditions or a new situation （使）适应
adjust sth
adjust sth to
adjust (oneself / itself) to
be adjusted
eg. My watch needs adjusting. I will adjust it. 我的表需要调节。我要把它调一下。
These desks and seats can be adjusted to the heights of any child. 这些桌椅可以按孩子的身高进行调节。
She found it hard to adjust to working at night. 她发现很难适应夜间工作。
The body will soon adjust itself to the climate. 身体很快会适应新气候的。
同义词： adapt oneself to 使自己适应……
adapt one’s thinking to the new condition 使自己的思想适应新的情况
adapt sth. for a particular use 使某物适合某一特殊用途
3． in other words (P67Para3) in a word in words with the words
have a word with sb. have words with sb = quarrel with sb ,
keep one’s word = keep one’s promise
Word came that…
1) _____________, he walked away with a smile.
2) It’s no use promising _______, but in deeds.
3) ___________, you are a very good boy.
4) She often depends on others. _____________, she doesn’t do things by herself.
5) I hope you will always______________.
6) _______________ Rose and see what she thinks.
7) __________ that our team had come out first.
8) After _______________ the boss, he decided to quit the job.
ANSWERS：
1) With the words 2) in words 3) In a word 4) In other words
5) keep your word 6) Have a word with 7) Word came 8) having words with
4. With greater control and a stronger sense of achievement, active learners are able to acquire new skills faster and put what they know to better use. (P67Para5) 由于具有较好的自控力和较强的成就感，积极主动的学习者能够更快地学到新的技能，并更好地运用他们学到的知识。
1）with =because of, considering the fact of 表原因
eg. With John away, we’ve got more room.由于约翰走开了，我们有了更多的空间。
With our luck, we’ll probably miss the plane.考虑到我们通常的运气，我们有可能会错过班机。
2）a sense of… ……感，……觉
a sense of humo(u)r 幽默感
a sense of duty/responsibility 责任感
a sense of harmony和谐感 a sense of justice正义感
a sense of wellbeing 幸福感 a sense of touch 触觉
a sense of hearing听觉 a sense of sight视觉
a sense of smell 嗅觉 a sense of taste 味觉
a sense of beauty审美感 a sense of hunger饥饿感
a sense of time 时间观 a sense of achievement成就感
3) put …to use =use …使用
put…to good use =make good/full use 充分使用/有效利用
eg. It is a pity to throw anything away when it can be put to use.
任何东西在它能够使用的时候就扔掉是很可惜的。
He has put his training to good use in that job.
他把所受的训练充分发挥在那项工作中了。
USE phrases:
come into use 开始使用 make (good/full) use of好好/充分利用
have no use for不需要，用不着 in use 在使用中
go out of use 停止使用 for the use of为……专用
It’s no use doing…/There’s no use doing…没用处，无益处
be (of) (no) use to…对某人（没）有用 use sth up 用完
use your head/loaf(BrE.) 你动动脑子，你仔细想想
be used to do sth. be / get / become used to n./ doing sth
be used for n./doing sth. be used as…
5. The data suggests that what successful language learners have in common is, among other things, that …(P67 Para4)有数据表明，除了其他特点外，成功的语言学习者都有以下共同点:…
in common = share sth with sb else
have sth in common with sb
eg John and I have nothing in common.约翰和我没有共同之处。
In common with(=like) some other young people here , he hates getting up early I the morning. 象其他许多年轻人一样，他不喜欢早起。
6. confident (P67 Para4) adj. (feel sure about your own ability to do sth and be successful) 自信的, 有自信心的
(feeling sure that sth will happen in the way that you want or expect)肯定的,有把握的
feel confident about sth / doing sth
be / feel confident of sth / doing sth
be confident that-clause
confidently adv.
confidence n. 信心,信任,信赖; 自信心,肯定,把握
有关词组: have confidence in sb / sth 信赖…, 相信…
lose confidence失去信心
gain confidence增强信心
lack confidence缺乏信心 suffer from a lack of confidence深受缺乏自信心之苦
with confidence有把握地
be in one’s confidence受某人信任;是某人心腹
take sb into your confidence 向某人吐露内心秘密或隐私
7. knock into knock… into… knock at / on
knock over knock about/around knock down
1) He _________________in New York for several years.
2) With one blow, he ________ the robber ________.
3) I _________ the nail _______ the wall.
4) He _____________ an old friend of his in the hall.
5) He ______________ a glass of beer.
6) Someone was ______________ the window.
ANSWERS：1) has knocked about 2) knocked….down 3) knocked …into
4) knocked into 5) knocked over 6) knocking at/on
Integrating skills: Studying abroad
I. Reading comprehension：
1. The best option for the exchange students is .
A. living with local people
B. living in the dormitory
C. choosing exchange programmes at various academic levels at a reasonable cost
D. making friends with the other students
2. Visiting students do the following things except .
A. staying in the host family’s house
B. eating in the host family’s house
C. becoming a member of the family
D. keeping in touch with the host family afterwards
3. What makes it easier to study abroad nowadays?
A. The cost has become reasonable.
B. There are programmes for all levels.
C. Students can find “home-stay” service and live with the host family.
D. All the above.
4. The greatest value of an exchange student studying abroad is .
A. to learn the language
B. to widen one’s views and understand the culture of other country
C. to get better idea of yourself and your own culture
D. to learn to be independent of oneself
ANSWERS： A C D C
Important sentence structures:
1. I wish I could improve my spoken English.
2. Every time I take part in a group discussion or try to speak English to someone, I find it difficult to express myself.
3. Others think that we learn language in the same way we learn other things, such as….
4. But once you consider the situation further, you will realize that this is indeed the case.
5. The less anxious and more relaxed the learner, the better their language acquisition.
6. If they were not, they would not be ready to experiment with new forms and to make mistakes, both of which contribute to their increased ability to learn.
7. It takes patience to learn a language.
8. It is very important that you (should) find an appropriate course for you.
9. Useful expressions and phrases:
双倍艰辛twice as hard
最令人费解的是 most puzzling of all
配备着，装备着 be equipped with
生来具有一种能力be born with an ability
几年以后 in a few years’ time
有……共同之处 have…in common
对某事感到好奇 be curious about
冒险 take risks
养成习惯 adopt habits
与某人一直保持联系stay in touch with sb
换句话说 in other words
你所呆的时间长度 the length of your stay
具有很多共同的特征share quite a few characteristics
应对学术挑战 deal with academic challenges
使A有别于B，辨别A和B distinguish A from B
对…有信心 be confident in/have confidence in
尝试新的学习方法 experiment with a new learning method
交流/来访/归国学生 exchange/visiting/returning students
掌握语言 acquire a language
弄懂，了解make sense of
使自己适应 adjust oneself/itself to
尽管，不顾 regardless of
一个极大的时间量 an awful lot of hours
更擅长于…… be better at…
使得到更好的利用put…to better use
成就感，成就意识a sense of achievement
以上所描述的 described above
以合理的费用at a reasonable cost
落后，掉队fall behind
起初 in the beginning
为……而担心 be concerned/worried about
积极参加 take an active part in
翻译下列句子：（运用USE短语）
data一词是什么时候开始普及使用的？
When did the word “data” come into common use?
我们必须最充分地利用所拥有的资源。
We must make the best use of the resources we have.
你可以拿这本书，我再也用不着它了。
You may have the book; I have no use for it any longer.
那个词语不再使用了。That expression is no longer in use./That expression has gone out of use.
跟他争辩没用。There/It is no use arguing with him.
我不知道这本字典对你是否有用。I wonder if the dictionary is of (any) use to you.
这个停车场是专供职工用的。This parking lot is for the use of employees only.
竹子可用于建筑。Bamboo can be used for building.