Ways of learning languages

Nowadays more and more people try to learn new languages, because it’s a useful skill. It gives you good opportunities in getting a well-paid job in your country or abroad, as well as general improvement of your memory and education.

People usually start learning languages at school, where they understand if they like it or not. In addition, school gives you a lot of ideas about how you can learn languages, because some teachers like to use different techniques, methods and resources in their lessons.

As for me, at school I had been studying two foreign languages: English and German, but there were only two years of the German language, so none of my classmates had a sufficient level of the language, so had I\ me too\ the same about me. But I’m sure that it is absolutely possible to learn new language in two years, maybe not as a native speaker, but one can be able to understand texts and to speak using basic vocabulary. It mainly depends on the techniques and ways of learning.

Fortunately, the modern world has a large amount of opportunities and resources for learning foreign languages online, offline and completely free. You don’t even have to buy books, you can just use the internet resources such as YouTube, mobile phone apps or sites specialized on teaching people new languages. Of course, self-studying using\ with help of free resources can only be effective for people who are good at time management and have maximum of aspiration and enthusiasm. Otherwise, studying will probably last a lifetime.

For people who want to get more assurance in the result, there are also online and offline courses for learning new languages, which you pay for and get real people who teach you and help at dealing with problems. This way is supposed to be more effective, but it all depends on a student’s approach to the education.

In my opinion, the main way to learn a new language is a couple of years living among people who speak the language you want to lean. The best results can be achieved if those people are native speakers. Nevertheless, I suppose this way is only suitable for a student who already knows some basic things of the language. Otherwise, it will take much more time to get used to the new environment and it can be stressful in several months or even years. So you’d better get acquainted with the basic rules and words of the new language before living in the new environment.

Therefore, there are plenty of ways of learning languages and people with any education levels aims or financial statuses and of any age, can find the most suitable way to study. The most important component of this process is a real aspiration and knowing why they do it. Otherwise, none of the ways will work.

Questions: 1. What techniques do people use to learn languages today? 2. What new technologies do you think will help people learn languages in the future?

New technologies in our life

Technologies are always around us. We use them for work, communication and studying. We can’t imagine our life without high-tech gadgets we use every day. Our smartphones are the first and the last thing that we see during a day. Smartphones replaced the calculator, mail, cinema and even library. Now we don’t need to leave our houses if we want to speak with friends, we just can make a video-call or use one of the messengers. We don’t need to go to a library or to a book shop to read a book, we just can download it on a smartphone!

There are several technologies that we could only guess about 10 years ago, but now they are our present. For example, “computer vision”. This technology is wildly used. It can recognize the faces of criminals in the crowd, also it monitors compliance of the speed limits on the roads and sends fines to intruders. We hardly notice signs of computer vision, but it constantly watches us.

Another modern technology which is popular now is an augmented reality or AR. It is used in games, apps and makes our reality a little bit brighter. It probably may displace conventional games, but I think overuse of AR can be dangerous, especially for children. Real life can become too boring for them. We should be able to enjoy and have fun without complementing reality.

Now new technologies are not only for making our life easier or more comfortable, they weren’t made only for entertainment. Modern technologies are also considered as signs of the economical, political and social development of the country. Every leading country tries to invent something absolutely new in the way to show that this country has enough money, high level of education and scientists.

Of course, it is important to feel the measure so that our inventions are our assistants and not enemies. (это предложение можно поменять, сделать свой вывод)

Questions: 1. What apps do you use? 2. Which piece of technology would you find it hard to live without? Why?

 

Entertainment

Questions:  1.What kinds of TV programmes and films do you like? Why? 2. What are the most popular TV shows in your country at the moment? Do you watch them? Why/Why not?

Who knows how to work - knows how to relax.: And that's really true: it's not easy to be permanently like a stretched bar-taut - it's risk to be broken. Entertainment complements and makes our lives more exciting.

That's why I appreciate and enjoy every moment of rest, because I know that after that I will work hard. Usually I spend my free time with people I love. With my friends for example we make music and just take breath after heavy weekdays. With my girlfriend I can do whatever I want - to play videogames, watch serials, or go to the theatre. Sometimes I like to be alone, to concentrate on myself, to remind about my life goals.

In these moments I get used to listening to music. Different people have different hobbies. It's always great to see lots of things people do with soul. Hobbies are a great part of entertainments people have. Hobbies give us a minute of fun, excitement, it helps us to radiate energy, to comfort and console.

But unfortunately, in our country the most popular entertainment is watching TV.

For example. any show or series. Luckily I don't have a TV set. And all I can watch is some concerts on YouTube on my laptop.

By the way, YouTube has successfully replaced the TV, this is a fact. Many shows have become more popular thanks to YouTube. But is that the only way to have fun? Everything depends on the activities of a person and his interests, doesn't it?

There are many people who like to read. For them it is a great entertainment - for example, to read a funny book, or an interesting detective story, or plunge into a romantic story, or just look at the newspaper. To go to the theatre or Philharmonic it's another way to spend free time for people who love music and live performance. Some people like sports - to go skating or skiing, or maybe snowboarding - are entertainment too. And there are lot of people who love painting. So do I, of course, it's my job and my passion during my whole life. It's a great opportunity to enjoy some exhibition of fine arts or a Museum. In my opinion, even a walk can be a funny entertainment.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that entertainments should be kind of a source of inspiration.

Communication

1. What are the greatest challenges to good communication?

Good communication skills are key to success in life, work and relationships. Communication is the process by which we exchange information between individuals or groups of people. It is a process where we try as clearly and accurately as we can, to convey our thoughts, intentions and objectives. Communication is successful only when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information. I think, the greatest challenge to good communication is not to forget about these points:

1.    Know what you want to say and why. Understand clearly the purpose and intent of your message. Know to whom you are communicating and why.

2.    How will you say it? Begin by making eye contact. You inspire trust and confidence when you look a person in the eyes when you speak. Second, be aware of your body language since it can say as much, or more, than your words.

3.    Listen. After you've said what you have to say, stop, listen, and look for feedback

4.    Reach understanding, agreement. Have you solved a problem? To communicate well is to understand and be understood. Make sure that your message has been received as intended and that any questions or concerns have been alleviated. You can even agree to disagree.

 

2. How important is listening in communication?

Good communication can help you avoid potential issues, reach your goals and enhance your reputation both personally and professionally. However, mastering this type of effective communication requires a very specific skill set. This skill set is comprised primarily of “soft” skills. “Soft” skills in communication – oral speaking capability, written, presenting, listening, clear speech & writing.

Listening skills – the ability to actively listen and incorporate other views in your communication. Listening shows you value opinions outside of your own and are open to new concepts. To be an active listener, allow pauses for interjections, repeat other people’s words and ask questions to show that you are engaged in the conversation.

Listening is a very important communication skill. If a person is upset and you listen to them, it can make them feel good. If you listen to other people, then they would listen to you. Many relationships have problems because people don't listen to each other and keep talking instead. Listening to others shows that you care. Listening to people does not always mean you agree with them and once they finish talking we can always tell our viewpoint to them.

We need to practice our listening skills. Be considerate of other speakers by waiting until they are done before stating your views. You should always think before you say anything.