When we're learning a foreign language, makin...

When we're learning a foreign language, making sense of what we hear is the first step toward fluency. It sounds obvious, but until recently, we didn't know much about how listening works. New research shows that effective listening involves more than simply hearing the words that float past our ears. Rather, it's an active process of analysing information and making meaning.

Studies of skilled language learners have identified specific listening strategies that lead to excellent comprehension. In addition to that benefit, research has shown that learners who adopt these strategies become better listeners.

So what are listening strategies? Skilled learners go into a listening activity with a sense of what they want to get out of it. They set a goal for their listening, and they make predictions about what the speaker will say. Before the talking begins, they review what they already know about the subject, and form an intention to “listen out for”what's important. Once they begin listening, these learners maintain their focus; if their attention wanders, they bring it back to the words being spoken. They don't allow themselves to be thrown off by confusing or unfamiliar details. Instead, they take note of what they don't understand and later make inferences(推测)about what those things might mean, based on other clues available to them: their previous knowledge of the subject, the identity of the speaker, and so on. All the while, skilled learners are evaluating what they're hearing and their own understanding of it. They're checking their inferences to see if they're correct.

Such strategies are all about thinking, and they produce a variety of benefits. Research indicates that such learners are better at analysing and storing new information, better at finding the best ways to practice what they have learned. Last year, for example, University of Ottawa researcher Larry Vandergrift published his study of 106 undergraduates who were learning French as a second language. Half of the students were taught in a traditional fashion, listening to and practicing texts spoken aloud. The other half, dealing with the same skill level and taught by the same teacher, were given clear instruction on how to listen. In the journal Language Learning, Vandergrift reported the results: The second group “significantly outperformed(胜过)” the first one on a test of comprehension. In a 2006 study by researchers from Singapore, Chinese speakers who were learning English as a second language reported increased motivation and confidence after they were taught metacognitive strategies.

Though listening is often treated as a way to make others feel appreciated, it's also one of the most powerful tools we have to gain information and insight(洞察力).

高三英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

Everyone has their own way of learning a foreign language. When I was ten years old, I _______(开始)to chat with foreigners. But I was very shy. G________, I became more and more confident with their help. The f______ year, I went to Yangzhou with two foreigners. I became their g____. First, we came into the Shouxi River, which they wanted to look around ______ boat. After that, they wanted to buy some souvenirs. The sellers couldn’t speak English, _____I tried my best to put_______ they said into English. Next, we went to a small zoo, where we took some _______.This was an unforgettable _____(挑战). I hope I can catch many opportunities in the in the future, then I can speak English, because I think practice makes ______.

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

What are the speakers talking about?

A. Using English in everyday life.

B. Learning a foreign language.

C. Making a piece of cake.

高三英语短对话简单题查看答案及解析

220. Mr. Wang was reading ______ on how to learn a foreign language when someone came to see him.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

Many students want to learn a foreign language well, but what must they do? In my opinion, in order to know a foreign language thoroughly, four things are necessary. 1. Secondly, we must be able to speak it ourselves correctly with confidence and without hesitation. Thirdly, we must be able to read the language, and fourthly, we must be able to write it. 2.

There is no easy way to success in language learning. A good memory is a great help. 3.It is not much use learning by heart long lists of words and their meanings, studying the dictionary and so on.

4.If we are satisfied with only a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. “Learn through use”is a good piece of advice for those who are studying a new language. Practice is important. 5.

A. We must learn by using the language.

B. To master a foreign language is very important.

C. Firstly, we must understand the language when we hear it spoken.

D. We must be able to make sentences that are grammatically correct.

E. We must study how we have to do to learn a foreign language.

F. But it is not enough only to memorize rules from a grammar book.

G. We must practise speaking and writing the language whenever we can.

高三英语七选五中等难度题查看答案及解析

Foreign Minister of China used plain language to make the Chinese foreign policy__   to the        whole world at the press meeting last week．

A, get through                   B．get across

C．get over                     D．get around

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

. Many a student ______ the importance of learning a foreign language.

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1.Which of the following is not mentioned in learning a foreign language?

A. Speaking.　　 B. Grammar.　　 C. Translation.

2.Which is suggested as a good way to learn a new language?

A. To learn via use.

B. To learn by heart the long lists of words.

C. To study the dictionary.

3.What is mainly discussed in this passage?

A. A good memory is the most important point in learning a language.

B. Grammatical rules are the key to the success of language learning.

C. The general way to learn a foreign language completely.

高三英语长对话中等难度题查看答案及解析

Saying “thank you” is probably the first thing most of us learn to do in a foreign language. After all, we’re brought up to be polite, and it is important to make a good impression upon other people — especially across national divides.

So, what exactly are you supposed to say when “thank you” is only the 20th most popular way to express gratitude? According to a recent survey, 19 other ways of expressing appreciation finished ahead of “thank you” in a poll of 3,000 people.

Pollsters(民测调查员) found almost half of those asked preferred the more informal “cheers”, while others liked to use such expressions as “ta”, “great” and “nice one”.

So, just what is the appropriate form of words to express your thanks?

Fortunately, the clue is in the language itself. “Cheers”, despite its popularity, is considered an informal way to say thank you — and this is a definite clue as to when you can best use it.

For instance, when going for a drink with friends, a smile and a “cheers” by way of thanks is not only appropriate to the situation, it is also culturally accurate.

“Ta”, originated from the Danish word “tak”, was the second-most popular expression of thanks, and is also commonly used in informal situations, along with phrases such as “nice one”, and “brilliant”. Interestingly, one word that didn’t make it into the top 20 was “thanks”, Thank you is shorter, more informal cousin.

“Thanks” can be useful, as it is able to bridge the divide between the formality of “thank you” and the downright relaxed “cheers”.

Certain words can double as an expression of thanks as well as delight. Again, the words themselves offer the clue as to when best to use them.

For example, words like “awesome”, “brilliant” and “you star” featured highly in the new poll and they can hint at both your pleasure at someone’s action, as well as serving to express your thanks. If you are on the receiving end of a “new” thank you, you can respond with a simple “no problem”, or “sure”.

Of course, in certain circumstances, a simple wave, nod or smile may be appropriate. For instance, if a car driver slows down to let you cross the road, simply raising your hand in acknowledgement is enough to show that you appreciate the driver’s consideration.

Sometimes, formality is necessary, and “thank you” is still the best choice in such situations. But students should not worry about when exactly to use certain expressions.

Many people in Western countries are worried that good manners are in decline. People are tired of seeing their acts of kindness and service pass without comment. So don’t think your “thank you” is clumsy or awkwardly formal. The chances are, if you said “thank you”, you made someone’s day. You star.

1.We can tell from the results of the poll that __________.

A．people are unconcerned about politeness nowadays.

B．“thank you” remains the best expression of gratitude.

C．there is a variety of expressions of appreciation.

D．there are more formal expressions than informal ones.

2.According to the passage, which is an appropriate response to “awesome” or “brilliant”?

A．Thanks.           B．Sure.             C．Nice one.          D．Cheers. .

3.In the last paragraph the author encourages people to________.

A．show their gratitude to others.             B．behave themselves well.

C．continue their acts of kindness.             D．stop worrying about bad manners.

4.Which of the following can serve as the best title of this passage?

A．How to Appear More Polite .               B．Ways to Show Gratitude.

C．Never hesitate to Say “Thank You”.        D．Good Manners in Decline!

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

The number of people who______ English as a foreign language_______ more than 750 million.

A. learns; is    B. learn; are   C. learns; are     D. learn; is

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析