In order to know a foreign language thoroughly, four 【小题1】(thing) are necessary. Firstly, we must understand the language when we hear 【小题2】 spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it correctly with confidence and without hesitation.【小题3】(third), we must be able to read the language, and fourthly, we must be able to write it. We must be able to make sentences that are grammatically correct. There【小题4】(be) no easy way to succeed in language learning. A good memory is of great help, but it is not enough only 【小题5】(memorize) rules from a grammar book. It is no much use learning by heart long list of words and 【小题6】(they) meanings, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language.【小题7】 we are satisfied with only a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. “Learn through use” is a good piece of 【小题8】(advise) for those who are studying 【小题9】 new language. Practice is important. We must practice speaking and 【小题10】(write) the language whenever we can.

Keeping a diary in English is one of the effective ways 【小题1】 (improve) our English writing ability.

【小题2】(compare) with other forms of writing, it is shorter and takes less time. It can help us to develop the habit of thinking in English. If we persist (坚持) in this practice, gradually we’ll learn how to express ourselves in English. In keeping a diary in English, we certainly run up against many 【小题3】 (difficult). Firstly, it often happens that we have trouble 【小题4】 (find) appropriate words and phrases to give expression to our mind. Secondly, there are many idiomatic ways of saying things in Chinese. And it is【小题5】(extreme) hard for us to put them into English 【小题6】 (proper).

As far as I am concerned, my suggestion is 【小题7】 we should always have a notebook and a Chinese­English dictionary within easy reach. Whenever something beats us, we can first put it down in our notebook and then consult our dictionary. We can also ask our English teacher 【小题8】 help, if necessary. In short, I believe that it is 【小题9】 great use to keep a diary in English for the 【小题10】 (develop) of our writing skills.

Language Learning

As you probably know, learning a foreign language is sometimes challenging. But it can also be fun. We spend hundreds of hours at school【小题1】(try)to get our tongues round different vocabulary and grammar in order to earn a qualification. But learning to speak a second language is more than just passing an exam-it opens doors to new opportunities, helps you to communicate with others and makes travelling overseas【小题2】(fulfilling).

It might come【小题3】 a surprise that the number of teenagers learning foreign languages in UK secondary schools【小题4】(drop) by 45% since the turn of the millennium. German and French have fallen the most. While these languages from two of the UK’s closest trading partners have declined at GCSE level, there has been【小题5】 noticeable surge in some others, such as Spanish and Mandarin.

Another survey of secondary schools suggests a third of students have dropped at least one language from their GCSE exam options. There are many reasons for this, including a perception by some students【小题6】 languages are difficult. Getting to grips with the lingo of another country can certainly be a challenge and some pupils think “Why bother?” when English is spoken by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. 【小题7】 have questioned the need for a second language when translation technology is advancing.

Matthew Fell, chief UK policy director for business group the CBI, has said that “The decline in language learning in schools【小题8】 be reversed, or else the UK will be less competitive globally and young people less prepared for the modern world.” But even for those【小题9】 are keen to study another language, the opportunity is being reduced. In Scotland, for example, foreign language subjects are being squeezed out of many secondary school timetables with some head teachers【小题10】(blame)pressure on the curriculum.