“This fertile and sheltered tract of country, in which the fields are never brown embraces the prominences of Hambledon Hill...”, ”Behind him the hills are open, the sun blazes down upon fields so large as to give an unenclosed character to the landscape, the lanes are white, the hedges low and plashed, the atmosphere colourless…”
While reading these sentences do you find yourself revelling in them---not only being attracted by the baeutiful scenery it describes, but also admiring the words the author uses? In fact, being able to read novels in their original language is a reason why I like to learn English. With the ability to read in English I have the chance to appreciate English literature. Though there are many professional translators translating large amounts of fictions, but there always be something in the fiction that cann’t be fully present in Chinese because not each word in English has a precise equivalent in Chinese. So if we can read them in English we may have direct contact with the author, knowing the profound thoughts, appreciating beautiful sentences and so on.
Learning English also provides me a chance to learn the culture of English speaking countries. While learning it is not just remembering words, accumullating vocabularies, it is learning its culture,too. It’s great fun to find that there are so many different festivals, distinct customs and etiquettes compared with our own. Knowing them not only increases my knowledge, broaden my horizons but also teaches me to respect others’ culture and preserve my own culture.
Furthermore, learning English well lays a firm foundation for my career. With the integrative global economy, English is widely used in works and even our everyday life. None but I master English well, can I communicate with foreign business men. It will also help rid me of linguistic barriers when I travel abroad. Though these two are not main reasons that make me like to learn English, but they do motivate me to learn English well.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Why I like to learn English
As a matter of fact, some solemn things begin with very simple motivations. So, when it comes to the reason why I liked to learn English from the very beginning, I would say because it was an important subject in secondary school, and you couldn’t get good result in final examinations if you failed in English. A high ranking in school could always satisfy my little vanity as a little boy.
However, with time going by, I found English more and more useful and interesting. As my understanding of English got deeper, I came to enjoy learning English instead of regarding it as something that I had to do. When I was imposed to the excellent American movies, when I started to listen to western music, when I was addicted to watching NBA matches, even when I was attracted by English computer games, I felt the need of learning English. Actually, since the day China was opened to the world, especially the day China joined the WTO, everyone in China has felt the urge to master English as a second language.
As we all know, English is the most popular language in the world. Apparently, the Internet is developing fast, but with most of its information written in English. If a modern person can’t live without accessing to the Internet, how can we survive without knowing anything about English? English is a tool that can be pretty useful when people from different countries want to communicate with each other. It bridges the five continents all together. What’s more, to learn a language is to be introduced to a culture. Through studying English, we can understand what westerners are thinking about and why they think so. We will also gain the ability to think in two different angles, which is very difficult for those who can speak Chinese only.
Now, I’d like to say I like to learn English because since English is so important in modern society, why should I deprive myself of the right to study and master it, and then, get help in future career and social life?
However, with time going by, I found English more and more useful and interesting. As my understanding of English got deeper, I came to enjoy learning English instead of regarding it as something that I had to do. When I was imposed to the excellent American movies, when I started to listen to western music, when I was addicted to watching NBA matches, even when I was attracted by English computer games, I felt the need of learning English. Actually, since the day China was opened to the world, especially the day China joined the WTO, everyone in China has felt the urge to master English as a second language.
As we all know, English is the most popular language in the world. Apparently, the Internet is developing fast, but with most of its information written in English. If a modern person can’t live without accessing to the Internet, how can we survive without knowing anything about English? English is a tool that can be pretty useful when people from different countries want to communicate with each other. It bridges the five continents all together. What’s more, to learn a language is to be introduced to a culture. Through studying English, we can understand what westerners are thinking about and why they think so. We will also gain the ability to think in two different angles, which is very difficult for those who can speak Chinese only.
Now, I’d like to say I like to learn English because since English is so important in modern society, why should I deprive myself of the right to study and master it, and then, get help in future career and social life?
Why I like to learn English
Why I like to learn English
“Why I like to learn English?”I have thought over the question. As time goes on, I have quit a clear answer. First, I would like to be wide-learned. A language is, just as facts and theory, a kind of knowledge. Moreover, it reflects how human think more deeply. From a language we can learn how human’s life upgrades step by step, we can also learn it in a history book, but more details would lie in languages. Change in thinking styles can also be involved. So, learning languages is a way to analyzing, and to predicting where it will go. Secondly, I want to form a various thinking style, for which there is no other solution but contacting as much thinking styles as possible, the best of which, a widest used language. At last, I like to have fun. Many novels and movies use English, translations are not bad, but I think some meanings have lost. Only by understanding it can I get the original idea and be joyous.
“Why I like to learn English?”I have thought over the question. As time goes on, I have quit a clear answer. First, I would like to be wide-learned. A language is, just as facts and theory, a kind of knowledge. Moreover, it reflects how human think more deeply. From a language we can learn how human’s life upgrades step by step, we can also learn it in a history book, but more details would lie in languages. Change in thinking styles can also be involved. So, learning languages is a way to analyzing, and to predicting where it will go. Secondly, I want to form a various thinking style, for which there is no other solution but contacting as much thinking styles as possible, the best of which, a widest used language. At last, I like to have fun. Many novels and movies use English, translations are not bad, but I think some meanings have lost. Only by understanding it can I get the original idea and be joyous.
A Wonderful English Movie I Have Watched
I was once asked by a multitude of people what my favorite movie was in the 21st century, and my reply was quite simple:"None". Why I said this was because that I did not appreciate the trend of today's movie making, which, as a matter of fact, prefers to pursue the magnificence of images rather than think more of the story itself.
However, in 2002, when the movie called The Lord of the Rings, which was adapted from the famous novel writen by J.R.R Tolkien, first appeared on the screen, I was deep impressed by it.
It is said that the triology of The Lord of the Rings is the perfect amalgamation of splendid images and impressive story. The story tells us the arduous experience of a group of people that fight against the Dark Lord Sauron , who had in an earlier age created the One Ring that rules the other Rings of Power, as the ultimate weapon in his campaign to conquer and rule all of Middle-earth.
The fighters for peace show us their remarkable audacity and incredible perseverance on the way to the Mount Doom, where the Ring was fabricated and could only be destroyed. This experience tells many people not give up readily when they are frustrated by a lot of unexpected and inevitable problems.
Moreover, in my point of view, unlike other movies which end up with the very climax, The Lord of the Rings has an unique ending. After the king reascended his throne, the heroes came back to their home to start a new life that is peaceful and tranquil. Once I doubted that if this scene could be removed, because it seemed a little bit superfluous. However, now I regard this as one of the best scene in this film. To all of us, no mattter how intelligent or how strong you are, it is impossible to live a continuously challenging life, and sooner or later your life will become ordinary.
As I finished watching this fantasitc movie, I thought I had matured somehow. Then I came to realize that a good movie could really give people a great deal, when they watched it by heart.
However, in 2002, when the movie called The Lord of the Rings, which was adapted from the famous novel writen by J.R.R Tolkien, first appeared on the screen, I was deep impressed by it.
It is said that the triology of The Lord of the Rings is the perfect amalgamation of splendid images and impressive story. The story tells us the arduous experience of a group of people that fight against the Dark Lord Sauron , who had in an earlier age created the One Ring that rules the other Rings of Power, as the ultimate weapon in his campaign to conquer and rule all of Middle-earth.
The fighters for peace show us their remarkable audacity and incredible perseverance on the way to the Mount Doom, where the Ring was fabricated and could only be destroyed. This experience tells many people not give up readily when they are frustrated by a lot of unexpected and inevitable problems.
Moreover, in my point of view, unlike other movies which end up with the very climax, The Lord of the Rings has an unique ending. After the king reascended his throne, the heroes came back to their home to start a new life that is peaceful and tranquil. Once I doubted that if this scene could be removed, because it seemed a little bit superfluous. However, now I regard this as one of the best scene in this film. To all of us, no mattter how intelligent or how strong you are, it is impossible to live a continuously challenging life, and sooner or later your life will become ordinary.
As I finished watching this fantasitc movie, I thought I had matured somehow. Then I came to realize that a good movie could really give people a great deal, when they watched it by heart.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Beginning Of The English Course
Till today, the intensice English course has already going for 2 weeks. How time flys! Before the course, some senniors said the English course was disappointing comparing to what you expected. But actually, I found it is not true at all.
Class
Learning a language is itself a boring thing, but the English class here is not boring at all. Compare to the class we had in China, the class here is more intriguing. The supplimentary material we have is comprehensive and intensive . We conducted a lot of activities in class at the aim of improving our oral English skill. We can ask questions whenever we want and teachers will answer as soon as possible. We can not have a better class in this world.
Facilities
Every classroom is like an individual English learning center. Projecter is used for pictures showing , at the same time screen can be multi-functioned . Computer is provided on the base of better communication with the world outside through world wide wed. Furthermore, We have a precious storeroom for English learning which is called SELF. In SELF can we use tape recorders to check our pronunciation. Also we can have access to internet using computers. So lucky that we can find some English movies and also music discs. Most importantly, a large number of English books is down there waiting for us to unveil their cover, then dive into the ocean of English. At last viewing magazines there while referring dictionary for new words is a good way to enlarge your vocabulary.
Teachers
The long tiring process of improving English language skill is an exhausting job. But our teachers, in my opinion, they should be rewarded for what they did to make classes interesting as well as intriguing. They always concern about how we have been in a new environment, just like our own parents. They tell funny jokes when the content of the books are dull. They inspire us with their glamour through an unperceivable ways. Owing to all the teachers’ effort, as a matter of fact, learning become our own essential impulse for everyday. We prefer to talk to teachers like being with an old friend during breaks. However ,we treat our teachers as our parents in Singapore for every little aspect they look after for us.
I am really looking forward to my coming 5 months English course here. I wish us all a grreat period of time together!
Getting Interested In Learning English
Even though we are learning English now, I want to share with you something about my own experience in learning Chinese. When I was young, I was extremely fascinated by children’s fairy tales, especially those written by Andersen and Grimm Brothers. Thus I learned many Chinese characters. At the same time, I read a lot of tales which helped me a lot in understanding sentences and shaped my personality. I am sure most of you have read some such as the Little Mermaid, the Ugly Duck, the Fisherman and His Wife and so on.
As I grew up, I became interested in the advertisements surrounding me. You know we are always surrounded by relentless commercial culture. Actually I was not attracted by their contents but the characters they contained. When I read them out upon others, I was really proud. Then I became more excited about it. So it was a virtuous cycle. In this way I became more fluent and knowledgeable in Chinese. After I attended school, I naturally got into Chinese literature and improved my Chinese level day by day. The process is smooth and favourable and I also enjoyed myself.
The learning process may be the same as to English. What we should do is getting interested in English and always being motivated. Therefore, when you are reading, read for yourself; when you are listening, listen for yourself; perhaps most important, when you are writing, write for yourself. Furthermore, we should associate ourselves with English all the time. English is a tool and it’s just like a knife. If you don’t use it, it will become blunt. If you are not very excellent in English just like me, I have some advice for you. We can start from simple reading and find what we are interested in. Then we can proceed step by step, just like what I have done when I was young. Frankly speaking, I am still reading children’s fairy tales now, but the difference is that I read English ones, which I copied from webpages. May be it’s ridiculous and childish but efficient. When I read them, I can feel that English words streamed into my brain very smoothly. I know it’s a good indication. So I will carry on, regardless of what others said.
All above is what I want to share with you. Thank you for reading.
As I grew up, I became interested in the advertisements surrounding me. You know we are always surrounded by relentless commercial culture. Actually I was not attracted by their contents but the characters they contained. When I read them out upon others, I was really proud. Then I became more excited about it. So it was a virtuous cycle. In this way I became more fluent and knowledgeable in Chinese. After I attended school, I naturally got into Chinese literature and improved my Chinese level day by day. The process is smooth and favourable and I also enjoyed myself.
The learning process may be the same as to English. What we should do is getting interested in English and always being motivated. Therefore, when you are reading, read for yourself; when you are listening, listen for yourself; perhaps most important, when you are writing, write for yourself. Furthermore, we should associate ourselves with English all the time. English is a tool and it’s just like a knife. If you don’t use it, it will become blunt. If you are not very excellent in English just like me, I have some advice for you. We can start from simple reading and find what we are interested in. Then we can proceed step by step, just like what I have done when I was young. Frankly speaking, I am still reading children’s fairy tales now, but the difference is that I read English ones, which I copied from webpages. May be it’s ridiculous and childish but efficient. When I read them, I can feel that English words streamed into my brain very smoothly. I know it’s a good indication. So I will carry on, regardless of what others said.
All above is what I want to share with you. Thank you for reading.
An Approach To Build Vocabulary: From Roots To Branches
Dating back to the early days of the English language, most English words had sources from Greek and Latin as well as the family of Germanic languages. Looking back to the origins of words can be a good way to expand vocabulary. I found a great pocket-sized book named Merriam-Webster's Vocabulary Builder, which employs the approach of expanding vocabulary from Latin and Greek roots.
This book is well organized. In this book, each of the 200 roots is followed by four words based on the root. Each group of eight words (two roots) is followed by two quizzes. So it is not necessary to start from the very beginning and scour every page to the end which is likely to put much pressure on learners.
To make everybody aware how this book works exactly, I'll just show you an example. The first root it talks about is BELL. BELL comes from the Latin word meaning "war". Bellona was the little-known Roman goddess of war; her husband, Mars, was the god of war. After the brief introduction of the root BELL, four derivatives are provided. Antebellum, bellicose, belligerence and rebellion are all considered to have something to do with the root BELL. After two roots( ie eight derivatives), a quiz is there to help test as well as reinforce your memory. Having read the whole unit, you'll be rewarded a special group of words directly borrowed from Greek or Latin which are related to either mythology or history.
I keep it a habit to read the book whenever I have several minutes. I never waste a whole block trying to memorize any root in the book. In fact, the way I do it is to get familiar with those roots and recall them whenever I run into them. Anyway, the most important part is just to have fun.
This book is well organized. In this book, each of the 200 roots is followed by four words based on the root. Each group of eight words (two roots) is followed by two quizzes. So it is not necessary to start from the very beginning and scour every page to the end which is likely to put much pressure on learners.
To make everybody aware how this book works exactly, I'll just show you an example. The first root it talks about is BELL. BELL comes from the Latin word meaning "war". Bellona was the little-known Roman goddess of war; her husband, Mars, was the god of war. After the brief introduction of the root BELL, four derivatives are provided. Antebellum, bellicose, belligerence and rebellion are all considered to have something to do with the root BELL. After two roots( ie eight derivatives), a quiz is there to help test as well as reinforce your memory. Having read the whole unit, you'll be rewarded a special group of words directly borrowed from Greek or Latin which are related to either mythology or history.
I keep it a habit to read the book whenever I have several minutes. I never waste a whole block trying to memorize any root in the book. In fact, the way I do it is to get familiar with those roots and recall them whenever I run into them. Anyway, the most important part is just to have fun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)