Learning a new language can be a big challenge at any age; however, it seems to be especially difficult to master a foreign tongue as we age.

When we are growing up, we are building a language system in our mind, which allows us to communicate freely. If we start a new language after youth, however, we are adding a new set of rules to our mind. That is why we find it difficult to learn a new language—we’re building a new speech system when we are not young any more. Why is it easier for kids to learn a new language? Children are relatively more active, open-minded and their language system is not fixed, meaning it is less work for them to pick up new things.

The good news is that learning a language isn’t really that hard if you’re opening your mind. But it does take hard work and motivation to achieve your goals.

It’s important to remember what you’re actually learning is how to communicate in a new way with other human beings. If you often share your daily experience with others in that language, what you’re learning is related to you. For example, if I’m learning Italian, I would never remember how to say “Dove e la biblioteca?” or “Where is the library?” but I will always remember how to say “Ti piace il caffe?” or “Do you like some coffee?”

In addition, TV shows, films and video games in foreign languages are all great forms of entertainment for learning a new language. Anything that relates you to the language and culture is great, so long as you find it enjoyable.

Adding a single new word to your vocabulary can be interesting and rewarding. The road to fluency can be hard, but the view along the way is really amazing, so it’s OK if you are driving slowly.

【小题1】What affects language learning according to the first two paragraphs?

A．Money.

B．Age.

C．Mind.

D．Work.

【小题2】What can we infer about language learning from paragraph 2?

A．Adults can pick up new things quickly.

B．Children have a fixed language system.

C．Adults find the new rules easy to remember.

D．Children outrun adults in language learning.

【小题3】What is helpful for learning a language according to paragraphs 4 and 5?

A．Using it in daily life.	B．Playing video games.
C．Going to the library.	D．Taking down its rules.

【小题4】What may be the best title for the passage?

A．How to Build up Your Vocabulary?

B．Language Learning: Chance or Challenge?

C．Why do Children Learn Faster Than Adults?

D．Is It too Late to Master a Foreign Language?