Unit 1 English Learning
Text C: Becoming Fluent in English
Teaching Objectives（教学目的）
Students will be able to
1. Grasp the main idea and structure of the text
2. Master the key language points and grammatical structures
3. Conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unit.
Teaching procedures（教学步骤）
(1) Pre-reading activity （Period1）
a. Information related to the text
b. Introduction to the Text
c. Pre-reading questions
(2)While-reading activity（Periods2-4）
a. The organization of the text
b. Detailed reading---study of the language points
(3) Post-reading activity （Period 5-6）
a. Speaking Activity
b. Writing Practice
c. Have students finish the exercises
Period 1
Pre-reading activity
a. Background Information
1. The Importance of Learning English
English is the most widely used international language. It is spoken by more than half of the people of the world. Some speak English as their own language, and some speak it as a second language. By learning English we can enlarge our mental horizons and increase our knowledge because we shall have a better chance of reading a wide variety of books, newspapers and magazines.
English is also useful in other different fields of life such as business and commerce. Indeed, many businessmen built their success upon their good knowledge of English. Businessmen use English at their meetings; scientists and doctors write articles in English; tourists speak English when they go abroad, it helps them enjoy their trips and communicate with people to develop better understanding and establish new friendships. Moreover, English helps us follow television programs and enjoy interesting films, and read the literature of other people.
English is particularly important in the fields of science and technology. There are many scientific books that we shall not be able to enjoy without a good knowledge of English. Besides, technology of the modern world is, as a matter of fact, available in
English. We would be completely ignorant of many scientific facts without knowledge of English.
English is learnt for both benefit and enjoyment. The reason for learning English is that nothing can be done without it; especially in regard to dealing with computer and modern technology, such as the internet. Without English, one is closed to those linguistic items which render us capable of entering the modern technological world. It has been used everywhere in the world. It has become the most common language on the internet and for international trade. If we can learn English well, we will have more chance to succeed. When you learn English, you can feel a different way of thinking which gives you more room to touch the world. When you read English novels, you can feel the pleasure from the book which is different from reading the translation. When you speak English, you can feel the confidence from your words. When you write English, you can see the beauty which is not the same as Chinese… With good English we can make friends with many people from different countries and can see many palaces of great interest.
Rome was not built in a day. Only by continuous hard study can we learn English very well.
2. The Wide Use of English
English is an Indo-European, West Germanic language originating in England, and is the first language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the Anglophone Caribbean. It is used extensively as a second language and as an official language throughout the world, especially in Commonwealth countries and in many international organizations.
About 375 million people speak English as their first language. English today is probably the third largest language by a number of native speakers, after Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. However, when combining native and non-native speakers it is probably the most commonly spoken language in the world, though possibly second to a combination of the Chinese languages, depending on whether or not distinctions in the latter are classified as “languages ” or “dialects ”.
b. Warm-up Activities
Purposes ：
·To start students talking about English learning;
·To start students thinking about the problems they may (have already) encounter(ed); ·To familiarize students with the topics in the text.
Activity one
Directions: Ask Ss the following question.
What are the advantages of learning English?
Tips:
an easy way to get access to more information
finding a well-paid job after graduation
going abroad
broadening one’s view and opening one’s mind
learning the culture of other countries
communicating with foreigners
…
Activity Two
Directions: Ask Ss to have a group discussion.
Do you enjoy learning English? Why or why not?
Tips:
· Yes.
I am interested in the culture as well as the language. I am a fast learner and good at memorizing words, sentences, and so on. I feel totally relaxed while reading English.
· No.
I know English is quite important but I’m poor at learning it. I have great difficulty memorizing the words. When I am speaking the language, my mind goes blank and I become so nervous that I could hardly open my mouth. Now I become very desperate.
Activity Three
Directions: Ask some excellent English learners to share their learning experience.
Period 2-4
While-reading activity
a. Text Organization
Part one (Para 1): Becoming fluent in learning English requires four skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Part two (Para 2-6): Read actively as much as you can and listen every day for about 30 minutes. Within the productive skills, you need to learn to produce basic structures correctly and learn words and phrases to express meanings in English.
Part three (Para 7): Learning English can not only teach us the language knowledge, but it also can give insights into English culture, and our mind is opened to new ways of seeing things.
b. Detailed Study of the Text
available: adj. able to be used; at one’s disposal 可（利）用的
e.g. The swimming pool is available only in summer.
There are plenty of jobs available in the area.
effective: adj. having a definite or desired effect 有效的
e.g. The medicine is an effective cure for a headache.
means: n. (~ of) method by which a result is brought about 方法，手段
e.g. For most people, the car is still their main means of transport.
The window was our only means of escape.
by no means: not at all 绝不
e.g. It is by no means certain that the game will take place.
This is by no means a good way to solve the problem.
appear (to be): seem 似乎
e.g. He appear to have many friends.
The house appeared to be deserted.
fairly: adv. to some extent, but not very 还算，相当
e.g. I’m fairly pessimistic about his survival.
It ’s fairly cool for this time of the year.
straightforward: adj. easy to understand or do 简单的，易懂的
e.g. It seems a straightforward explanation.
input: n. what is put in or supplied 输入
e.g. Two input keys don’t work.
This method changes the input power of the motor.
output: n. the product of a process 输出
e.g. The average output of the factory is 20 cars a day.
whereas: conj. in contrast or comparison with sth 但是，而
e.g. Some people like fatty meat, whereas others hate it.
Whereas we want a flat, they would rather live in a house.
complicated: adj. difficult to do or understand 复杂的，难懂的
e.g. For young children, getting dressed is a complicated business.
The puzzle is too complicated for the children.
come across: to find or meet by chance 偶然碰到，遇到
e.g. When reading, you can come across many new words.
I come across one of my friends in the supermarket the day before yesterday.
recommend: vt. to say that one thinks sth. is good or that sb. is fit for a position, etc. e.g. Can you recommend some books to the children.
We can recommend the boy as a good student.
in addition to: besides, as well as 除…以外
e.g. In addition to English, he has to study a second foreign language.
concentrate: v. (~ on) to focus one’s attention 集中，专心
e.g. You should concentrate on your schoolwork.
Be quite; let me concentrate on my homework.
catch up on: to do what needs to be done because you haven’t been able to do it until now 弥补
e.g. Staff must stay behind after hours to catch up on their work.
native: adj. associated with the place and circumstances of one’s birth 本地的 e.g. Her native language is German.
automatically: adv. done without thought; unconsciously 自动地
e.g. The doors opened automatically as we approached.
be exposed to sth: to be in contact with; to feel the effect of 与…接触，受…影响 e.g. We can learn much by being exposed to other minds.
Studying abroad, he was exposed to a new way of life.
involve: vt. to cause sb. to participate in sth; what such action will imply or entail包含，涉及
e.g. Learning English involves learning to listen, speak, read, and write.
Don ’t involve yourself in such trouble.
isolated: adj. separated; kept apart from; sth. on its own 隔（分）离的
e.g. Not many people visit this isolated spot.
isolation: n. (~ from sb./sth) when one group, person, or thing is separated from others
communicative: adj. relating to the ability to communicate, especially in a foreign language 交流（际）的
e.g. The meaning of a word of phrase depends largely on the communicative context.
competence: n. ability 能力，资格
e.g. His competence in handling money is excellent.
His thorough knowledge and competence were recognized.
amount to: be equal to等于; to add up to总计，合计
e.g. What you say amounts to a direct accusation. 你所说的话等于直接的指责。 The total cost of repairs amounted to 100 dollars.
insight: n. understanding, esp. of the character or nature of sth. 见识，洞察力 e.g. Good teachers have insight into the problems of students.
The novelist has a subtle insight into human nature.
Period 5-6
Post-reading activity
a. Speaking Activity
P19 Activity two: name the ways of English learning according to the pictures. b. Have students finish the exercises.