【推荐1】Popular English digital dictionaries

This app provides three different explainers: “Basic”, “Advanced”, and “Mastery”. Beginners can look up translations of a word in their mother tongue, while more advanced speakers can learn different ways to speak English like a native. The app also has a fast and accurate word scanner (扫描仪). Scan a word with your phone’s camera and the definition will pop up. The app also contains word quizzes, and listening and writing exercises to help you master English.

The app has plenty of functions, including a dictionary, a thesaurus(类义词典), a “Learners” function, and an “Origins” page. The “Learners” function is very useful for students of the language, as it provides information on how the meaning of a word can change in different contexts, or with other words. The app also provides word quizzes, articles about how language is used, and a “Word of the Day” section on the app’s homepage.

The best feature of this app is that it allows you to look up definitions of words even as you’ re reading things in other apps on your device. The benefit of this app over others is that you can sort your saved words into folders or categories. Unfortunately, one of the major shortcomings is that there is no thesaurus or offline dictionary.

Unlike other apps that require you to download a bunch of packages before you can access them offline, this dictionary works with or without data on your device. There is also an option to shift between dictionary and thesaurus mode. Sadly, because this app has so much to offer, the drawback is a few advertisements, which pop up once in a while.

【推荐2】The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is an important part of the brain. It is the center of your higher-order cognitive (认知的) processes — things like reasoning, self-control, and attention. Children perform worse than adults on nearly all cognitive tasks because their PFC is undeveloped. Why, then, do most adults struggle to learn new languages while children pick them up with ease?

To understand the apparent paradox, it’s important to know a bit about how language acquisition works. Learning depends partly on two separate memory systems: declarative and procedural. Declarative memory describes memorizing specific information like facts and events that can be stated. This is where adults excel. Thanks to developed PFCs, they’re able to concentrate and acquire facts relatively quickly. Procedural memory, sometimes referred to as muscle memory or body memory, describes acquiring skills and non-conscious knowledge, reactions, and habits — things like playing the piano or fearing insects. Brain areas involved in procedural learning develop early, so children match adults in this area.

It might seem that language learning is based in the declarative memory system, but growing evidence suggests that language learning depends largely on procedural memory. It should be made clear that much of language is built on patterns rather than accurate facts and rules. For example, English words never begin with the “ng” sound and particular words often group together. When acquiring language naturally, children pick up on these tendencies without even noticing. But when adults actively try to learn a new language, they tend to rely on their prefrontal cortex. Their declarative memory system kicks in as they focus on memorizing vocabulary and applying grammar, which usually results in poor learning.

This is not to say that learning vocabulary and rules is completely useless; focusing on specifics can be helpful, and it is where adults outperform children. However, evidence shows that learning can improve when the PFC “turns off” and allows procedural memory system to take lead. So instead of actively trying to focus and memorize, you’ll likely benefit more from allowing yourself to experience the language. You can watch TV shows, attend discussion groups, or listen to music in the language.

【推荐3】The Best Language Learning Apps

DuoLingo

Price: Free

DuoLingo turns learning language into a game. Each lesson is broken down by subject matter, and users must complete exercises that integrate (综合) reading, writing, listening and speaking to advance to the next level. The app records your progress and uses smart phone notifications to encourage regular use.

Its chat robot may help test what you’ve learned. You’ll even see suggested phrases if you’re at a loss for words.

Babbel

Price: $12.95—$83.40

What sets Babbel apart is its course customization, letting you make lesson plans to focus on vocabulary and conversation topics relevant to your specific needs.

Babbel draws on (利用) what you’ve already known about your native tongue, and new lessons are introduced through conversation. Babbel reintroduces vocabulary and grammar through reading, speaking and listening exercises over time to make sure you’ve got everything kept in mind.

Memrise

Price: Free

Memrise uses an understanding of brain science and learning to make sure you’re truly absorbing new linguistic (语言的) concepts. Courses are broken into different levels, which are all available for offline use on the app.

To keep the program sharp, Memrise collects information from its graduates and integrates performance data to improve lessons.

Rocket Languages

Price: $99.95 and up

If you want to learn about a language and its place in the world, take a look at Rocket Languages. Relying on speech exercises and vocabulary flashcard drills, their curriculum is built for people who have grasped various languages to pick up new languages quickly.

And unlike other language programs, there are culture lessons here showing you how the language changed over time and what kind of role it plays today.

【推荐3】   

Endangered Species Youth Art Contest

2023 Contest Now Open!

Join us for our 6th annual Endangered Species Youth Art Contest! In celebration of Endangered Species Day (May 19, 2023), Roger Williams Park Zoo is accepting art entries from local K-12 grade students in the New England area showing threatened and endangered species. Together we hope to raise awareness about the importance of saving endangered species and their wild habitats.

Winners will be formally announced by May 2023.

Rules & Art Submission Instructions:

▲All entries are to be submitted electronically. Web form will be made available beginning February 1,2023.

▲Students’   artworks must be original. Computer-produced images will NOTbe judged.

▲All artworks must be about threatened/endangered species.

▲Each art entry must also include a short explanation (3-5 sentences) as to why saving your chosen species from extinction is important.

Deadline: Entries must be received by Sunday, April 2,2023. Late entries will not be judged.

2023 Art Contest Prizes

GRAND PRIZE(Judges Choice)

▲One Family RWPZoo membership (a S149 value; or extra year added to current Zoo membership)

▲An adopt-an-animal package of your choice

▲One $100 gift card

GRADE CATEGORY WINNERS (Grades K-2, Grades 3-12)

Each grade-winner shall receive:

★Six General daytime admission tickets to RWPZoo

★One $25 gift card

HONORABLE MENTIONS (Grades K-2,Grades 3-12)

Each grade-honorable mention shall receive:

·Four General daytime admission tickets to RWPZoo

·An award certificate

All winning artworks will be highlighted on the Zoo’s website and social media pages, and in the Zoo’s summer WILD Magazine issue.