Essay 4:

Some people say that it is practically impossible to learn a foreign language perfectly if you don't live in a country where it is spoken. Others strongly believe that with the help of a good teacher one can learn a language well without going abroad. Whose opinion do you share? Why? Would you like to go to a language school abroad? Why (not)?

Later language learning (Listening audio)

You are going to listen to the recording of a radio programme dealing with language learning. Before you start listening, make sure you look up the items below in a dictionary.

to master a language incredible, incredibly to acquire, acquisition a mother tongue to absorb controversial to the extent of indistinguishable comparatively easily phonetics laboratory to underestimate

to be exposed to smth whereas a fraction of smth luxury a dominant language experience to interfere a handicap blue ribbon champion language learners unscientific to immerse oneself in smth

Answer the questions:

1. What is described as ‘first language acquisition’?

2. What is described as ‘second language acquisition’?

3. At what age do people pick up languages easily?

4. What does the theory known as Critical Age or Critical Period Hypothesis suggest?

5. What does Lydia White think about the Critical Period Hypothesis? What does she think about adult second language learning?

6. Why is it easier for children to learn a language than for adults, according to John Coleman?

7. Erik Thiessen thinks that adults have a disadvantage that infants don’t have. What is this disadvantage?

8. What advice is given at the end of the programme? What do you think about it?