1 . SPECIAL ENGLISH

The English language programs of the Voice of America (VOA) can be divided into two types according to the speed of broadcasting: Standard English and Special English.

Special English is a simple and standardized English radio program arranged by VOA for listeners who are beginning to learn English in non-English speaking countries around the world. It officially began broadcasting in October 1959.

The famous American lexicologist S.B. Flexmer identified three criteria for Special English, that is, what makes it “special”:

●It writes and broadcasts in short and clear sentences;
●It broadcasts at a rate of 90 words per minute, or 2/3 of Standard English;
●It is a form of American English composed mainly of the 1500 basic words.

Special English programs can be divided into two categories: news programs and feature programs.

News program

VOA Special English news broadcasts provide listeners with worldwide information on politics, economics, military affairs, diplomacy, international relations, religion, weather, and all kinds of important events and wonders. They are broadcast to Southeast Asia five times a day, twice in the morning and three times in the evening.

Feature Program

From the perspective of time, Special English feature programs can be divided into two categories: one is every five minutes, and the other is every fifteen minutes. The latter consists of seven different sub-features, which are repeated four times a day on a weekly cycle, but the two features on Sunday and Saturday are broadcast only three times a night, each lasting about 10 minutes, followed by each five-minute feature.

1. Which is one of the criteria for Special English?

A．It’s a basic English radio program.	B．It relies on a mere 1500 basic words.
C．It plays at a speed of 90 words per minute.	D．It’s aimed at those starting to learn English.

2. What can we learn about the two programs?

A．Both of them are broadcast repeatedly.

B．They are broadcast almost at the same time.

C．Listeners can listen to news program in the afternoon.

D．Each five-minute program consists of seven sub-features.

3. Who are most likely to listen to Special English?

A．Radio program enthusiasts.	B．Western culture lovers.
C．Language learners.	D．English beginners.

2 . If you have been wanting to learn Spanish, or perhaps you once took a Spanish course in college and want to improve your skills, but are too busy to take more lessons, you might have thought about using an app.

Pimsleur

The Pimsleur app offers an audio-based method for learning foreign languages. Its program includes core lessons, role-play speaking challenges, practice activities and games, as well as cultural and historical facts. The Pimsleur system states that you’ll learn the language in just 30 minutes a day without boring grammar lessons or mindless repetition.

Babbel

Babbel is a popular app that is based on conversational skills. Its program is based on real-life conversations about useful topics, and it uses speech recognition technology to help you improve your pronunciation. The app provides you with grammar tips and lots of review activities, and it also tracks your learning progress so that you can see how you are improving.

Duolingo

Its program is made to be game-like to make it fun. It claims to adapt to your own learning style so that you can have lessons that can meet your specific needs. It also offers rewards to keep you motivated (有积极性的). Duolingo includes reading, writing, speaking, listening and conversation practice. People enjoy this method because they feel like they are playing a game instead of working.

Beelinguapp

It is a clean, user-friendly app that focuses on learning a language by reading. It places Spanish and another language side by side using different stories, so you can build awareness of how the language works and listen to a native speaker read your favorite stories. You can choose different text genres (类型) and create flashcards to keep track of everything you learn.

1. What do Pimsleur and Duolingo have in common?

A．They both focus on grammar learning.

B．They both use relaxing ways to interest users.

C．They both reward users for their learning progress.

D．They both provide one-on-one instruction for beginners.

2. What benefit can users get from Babbel?

A．Developing their interest in science.

B．Making friends with native speakers.

C．Getting better grades in Spanish exams.

D．Mastering expressions in daily communication.

3. Which app provides users with reading materials in two languages?

A．Beelinguapp.

B．Pimsleur.

C．Duolingo.

D．Babbel.

3 . Learning a language doesn’t happen in a day.     1     To get to the point when you can communicate with native speakers, you should pay attention to the following top tips given by successful language learners.

•Study a little bit every day but efficiently

When you organize to learn a lot of vocabulary or study several grammar patterns that are pretty challenging, your mind can’t take all of them simultaneously (同时地). Therefore, it is better to start with little steps and learn a little bit every day. It is often more efficient to learn 10 new words every day instead of learning 100 new words in a day.     2    

•Don’t be afraid of making mistakes

No one likes making mistakes. It affects your confidence and you are embarrassed (尴尬的) especially if there are more people around you. But when you learn a foreign language, making mistakes is something quite normal and expected. If you make mistakes, it isn’t the end of the world. Try to learn from your mistakes.     3     Look at them as a learning tool that helps you never make those mistakes again.

• Track Your Progress

Checking weekly or monthly progress against your language goals is highly-recommended. You might track the sentence structures learned, the phrases memorized, or the lectures followed. Being aware of your progress can help you see how much your efforts pay off.     4     This strategy will keep you motivated (受到激励的) to continue learning.

    5     You, just like them, one day can be proud of yourself and your achievements in language learning.

A．Make them useful experience.

B．Try hard, and you will finally succeed.

C．It takes a lot of time, organization, and effort.

D．You won’t remember all the 100 words, after all.

E．It is not only challenging, but also full of fun when you enjoy it.

F．You can also treat yourself with a small gift when you reach a new level.

G．The previous tips are from successful language learners who gladly shared them with you.

4 . It can be really hard to learn a language well without living in a country full of native speakers! You have to find something interesting! Here’s the solution: TV Series.

Game of Thrones

You should really start watching it. The language is beautiful and easy to understand. Drama, love and good characters mark the show and there are actors from all around the world. You won’t know what’s going to happen at the ending. This is a must-see!

Sherlock

A British masterpiece. Is there any language learner who has not heard of Sherlock Holmes and his friend John Watson? The writers placed the stories into London in the 21st century, so it’s basically a modern version of the original stories. Here you have everything that an English language learner could wish for: British accents, good acting, long and interesting conversations with a lot of humour.

Friends

Everybody knows Friends, which couldn’t be missed off of this list. With many different accents to be heard and lots of dialects, this is the perfect show for English learners. The plot is relatively simple to understand. Six friends battle with tough jobs, complicated relationships and life in Manhattan, New York. In parts of the show there are also British accents to listen to and learn.

How I Met Your Mother

It is one of the most successful situation comedies in the United States, attracting the audience all around the world. Ifs about the life of five friends that live in New York, focusing on their work and their favorite free time activity: sitting in their favorite bar. You get to know many modern American expressions and can enjoy a lot of dialects that make the show even more interesting.

1. Which of the following has an unexpected ending?

A．Friends.

B．Sherlock.

C．Games of Thrones.

D．How J Met Your Mother.

2. What can audience learn from both Sherlock and Friends!

A．British accents.	B．Humorous conversations.
C．American dialects.	D．Wonderful performances.

3. What do we know about How I Met Your Mother!

A．It is about five American students.

B．It attracts audience from all over the world.

C．There are many formal expressions in the show.

D．It’s the only successful sitcoms in the United States.