Read the vocabulary, watch the video, and then answer the questions.
4 Reasons to Learn a New Language
Video: http://www.ted.com/talks/john_mcwhorter_4_reasons_to_learn_a_new_language/transcript?language=en
Vocabulary:
| Word | Type | Pronunciation | Definition |
| universal | adjective | /ˌjunɪˈvɜrsəl/ | involving all the members of a group or society |
| Used in a sentence: The proposal has universal support. | |||
| predicted | verb | /prɪˈdɪktɪd/ | to say that something will or might happen in the future |
| Used in a sentence: Sales are predicted to be the same as last year. | |||
| enticing | adjective | /ɪnˈtaɪsɪŋ/ | attractive or appealing to someone |
| Used in a sentence: They made him an enticing job offer. | |||
| feminine | adjective | /ˈfemənɪn/ | of, relating to, or suited to women or girls |
| Used in a sentence: The book examines the subject from a feminine perspective. | |||
| consensus | noun | /kənˈsensəs/ | an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group |
| Used in a sentence: What is the consensus of opinion among the experts? | |||
| obscure | adjective | /əbˈskjʊr/ | not known to most people |
| Used in a sentence: The details of his termination are still obscure. | |||
| dementia | noun | /dɪˈmenʃə/ | a mental illness that causes someone to be unable to think clearly or to understand what is real and what is not real |
| Used in a sentence: This patient suffers from dementia. | |||
| multi-tasker | noun | /ˈmʌltiˌtæskər/ | someone who can work or think about many things at one time |
| Used in a sentence: She is a great multi-tasker. | |||
Short Answer Questions:
- How many languages are there currently in the world?
- By the end of the century, how many languages does the speaker predict will be left?
- What disease does learning a foreign language reduce?
- “Kataba” means “he wrote” in which language?
- How many vowels does the Cambodian language have?
- How has learning a foreign language become easier?
What are the 4 reasons the speaker thinks people should learn a foreign language?
Speaking Practice:
“The language I’m speaking right now is on its way to becoming the world’s universal language, for better or for worse. Let’s face it, it’s the language of the internet, it’s the language of finance, it’s the language of air traffic control, of popular music, diplomacy — English is everywhere.”
Discussion:
Why do you feel it is important to learn English? Give at least 3 reasons.
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