Many students face common challenges when studying a new language. Many Chinese students find it difficult to learn English, but not Chinese, because Chinese is their mother language. As an English teacher in Beijing, Xu Feng knows his students usually meet various difficulties in English learning. Among them, remembering new words, understanding the grammar and spoken English seem to be the most difficulties for students. How to deal with the difficulties in English learning? Here are Xu Feng’s suggestions:

First, copy new words on pieces of paper, stick them on the walls in the bedroom or living room, and read the words aloud when seeing them. Change the words often.

Next, focus on understanding and practicing the basic grammar rules before moving on to the more difficult ones.

Finally, practice speaking English as much as possible, whether it’s with foreigners, classmates, friends or teachers. Also, watching English TV shows or movies, listening to English songs, and reading English books are good ways to improve spoken English.

In a word, English learning is a challenging but rewarding (回报) experience. Remembering that practice makes perfect and never give up. We can achieve our language learning goals.

Best wishes!

Yours,

Li Hua

My grandma can speak several languages well. It made me interested in language learning when I was a primary student. My grandma moved from Switzerland to England when she was young. I was always surprised that she spoke English to me, Italian to my grandpa and French or German on the phone to her relatives and friends back home. What was more, she learned English by herself when she came to England.

As for me, although I can speak some Italian and German by listening to her, I only know a little grammar and sometimes get confused (困惑的). So it’s hard for me to understand how someone can speak several languages so well. I want to know how my grandma did it!

English is an international language and more and more people in the world speak English. I hardly use other languages in my own job. However, I think being able to ask for a meal in a restaurant while on holiday in a non-English speaking country would be great.

In fact, language learning is easier now than ever. New technology is the reason. For example, recording your voice helps you see how well you’re doing and helps you continue to improve. There are apps to help you learn new words. However, I still think going to classes improves conversation skills quickly. So it’s better to combine (结合) methods, or you can just spend a little time talking to my grandma!

假设你的英语写作能力较弱，从现在起，你打算在这方面多做些努力。请根据下面的内容提示，写一篇英语短文，谈谈你的学习计划。

I like English very much, but I’m weak in writing. I want to improve it. Here is my plan.

I’ll put the plan into practice from now on, and I hope to do better in writing with my efforts.

Losing Our Language?

The Internet is a place where we can talk freely. But it is also a place where we pay little attention to whether or not our language competence (能力) is becoming poorer.

According to a recent survey by China Youth Daily, more than 76 percent of young people in China said they felt their Chinese language skills have declined (下降).

They don’t use complex rhetorical technique (修辞手法) as often as before anymore. It is believed that digital (数字的) technology and Internet memes (表情包) have changed their communication habits.

For example, direct expression is the preferred way to communicate online. When one sees something funny, one will simply type “hahaha” or use the “cry-laugh” emoji.

Also, “copy” culture is getting popular. People simply pick up expressions from the Internet without much thought. Many begin to use a fixed set of sentence patterns, such as “whenever you disagree with each other”.

Cai Xiaojia, a teacher from Fuzhou, told China Youth Daily that words in general are being used less. For instance, people can share photos online with little need for words to describe them.

Why should we learn Chinese well