手機版
There are over 6,000 languages in the world. Some are more important than others, not better or more advanced, just more important. Why? Because they are spoken by more people, in more countries. That does not mean that Finnish is not important to the Finns, and Maori is not important to the Maoris. It is just that these languages are not so important to the rest of us.
世界上有6000多(duo)種(zhong)語(yu)言(yan)。其(qi)中(zhong)一(yi)些(xie)比(bi)另(ling)一(yi)些(xie)更(geng)重(zhong)要(yao)，但(dan)並(bing)不(bu)意(yi)味(wei)著(zhe)這(zhe)些(xie)語(yu)言(yan)更(geng)好(hao)或(huo)者(zhe)更(geng)先(xian)進(jin)，隻(zhi)是(shi)更(geng)重(zhong)要(yao)。為(wei)什(shen)麼(me)呢(ne)？因(yin)為(wei)這(zhe)些(xie)語(yu)言(yan)的(de)使(shi)用(yong)者(zhe)更(geng)多(duo)，使(shi)用(yong)範(fan)圍(wei)更(geng)廣(guang)。並(bing)不(bu)是(shi)說(shuo)芬(fen)蘭(lan)語(yu)對(dui)於(yu)芬(fen)蘭(lan)人(ren)不(bu)重(zhong)要(yao)，或(huo)者(zhe)毛(mao)利(li)語(yu)對(dui)於(yu)毛(mao)利(li)人(ren)不(bu)重(zhong)要(yao)。隻(zhi)是(shi)說(shuo)這(zhe)些(xie)語(yu)言(yan)對(dui)於(yu)我(wo)們(men)其(qi)餘(yu)的(de)人(ren)來(lai)說(shuo)沒(mei)有(you)那(na)麼(me)重(zhong)要(yao)。
On the other hand, Mandarin Chinese is spoken by over one billion people. Chinese origin words account for 60% of Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese vocabulary. Knowing Chinese will help you learn these languages too. It helped me. Chinese culture has influenced the world for thousands of years with its art, philosophy, technology, food, medicine and performing arts. Today China’s economy is booming. Chinese seems well worth learning.
另一方麵，中文普通話有10億多的使用者。漢語起源的詞語占到了日語、韓語和越南語詞彙的60%之多。懂中文也將會有助於你學習這些語言。它就幫助了我。幾千年來中國文化一直在藝術、哲學、技術、飲食、醫藥和表演藝術方麵影響著世界。今天中國的經濟正在迅猛發展，中文似乎很值得去學習。
Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese are essentially dialects of the same language. If you learn one, you can learn the others. I did. If you learn Spanish, you open the door to the culture, music, history and possible business dealings with 800 million people in 60 countries, including the US and Canada.
西班牙語、法語、意yi大da利li語yu和he葡pu萄tao牙ya語yu從cong本ben質zhi上shang說shuo是shi同tong一yi種zhong語yu言yan的de不bu同tong方fang言yan。如ru果guo你ni學xue會hui了le一yi種zhong，你ni也ye可ke以yi學xue會hui其qi他ta幾ji種zhong。我wo就jiu是shi這zhe樣yang。如ru果guo你ni掌zhang握wo了le西xi班ban牙ya語yu，它ta就jiu為wei你ni打da開kai了le一yi扇shan門men，你ni可ke以yi接jie觸chu到dao和he8億人相關的文化、音樂、曆史，可能還有商務，這8億人來自60個國家，其中包括美國和加拿大。
If you get ambitious you could try Russian, as I have been doing for the last two years. Once you have Russian you can probably communicate with other Slav speakers.
如ru果guo你ni在zai語yu言yan學xue習xi方fang麵mian有you雄xiong心xin壯zhuang誌zhi，那na麼me你ni可ke以yi試shi試shi俄e語yu，過guo去qu兩liang年nian我wo一yi直zhi在zai學xue。一yi旦dan你ni掌zhang握wo了le俄e語yu，你ni應ying該gai可ke以yi和he其qi他ta的de斯si拉la夫fu語yu言yan使shi用yong者zhe交jiao流liu。
But hold it here! Before getting carried away, let’s look at the present situation of language teaching. According to one Canadian survey, after 12 years of daily French classes, only one high school graduate out of 147 (0.68%) achieved “intermediate” proficiency. Another survey of immigrants learning English in the US showed that “classroom instructional hours” had little impact on progress.
但是先等一等！在頭腦發熱之前，我們先來看看語言教學的現狀。根據加拿大的一項調查，在上了12年日常法語課後，147所高中裏隻有1所高中（0.68%）的畢業生可以達到“中等”流利程度。另外一項在美國的移民學習英語的調查表明，“課堂教學時間”對語言的進步作用甚微。
As a speaker of 10 languages I know the benefits of speaking more than one language. We simply have to change the way we go about teaching languages. To start with we need to dispel seven common misconceptions about language learning.
作為一個掌握了10門語言的人，我知道會說多種語言的好處。我們隻是需要改變語言教學的方法。首先我們必須消除關於語言學習的7個普遍的誤解。
1. Language learning is difficult
語言學習很困難
It is only difficult to learn a language if you don’t want to. Learning a language takes time, but is not difficult. You mostly need to listen and read. Believe me, it is that simple. I have done it many times. Soon you feel the satisfaction of understanding another language. Before you know it you start speaking. It is the way languages are usually taught that makes language learning hard to like.
隻zhi有you當dang你ni不bu想xiang學xue時shi，學xue習xi這zhe門men語yu言yan才cai會hui變bian得de困kun難nan。學xue習xi一yi門men語yu言yan需xu要yao花hua時shi間jian，但dan並bing不bu困kun難nan。你ni主zhu要yao需xu要yao聽ting和he讀du。相xiang信xin我wo，就jiu這zhe麼me簡jian單dan。我wo做zuo過guo許xu多duo次ci。很hen快kuai你ni就jiu會hui體ti會hui到dao理li解jie另ling一yi門men語yu言yan的de滿man足zu感gan，而er在zai你ni意yi識shi到dao這zhe一yi點dian之zhi前qian你ni就jiu能neng開kai口kou說shuo。真zhen是shi課ke堂tang語yu言yan的de教jiao學xue方fang式shi讓rang人ren們men很hen難nan愛ai上shang語yu言yan學xue習xi。
2. You have to have a gift for learning languages
你必須要有學習語言的天賦
No you don’t. Anyone who wants to, can learn. In Sweden and Holland most people speak more than one language. They can’t just all be gifted at languages. Foreign athletes in North America usually learn to speak English faster than people in more formal learning environments. In language learning it is attitude, not aptitude, that determines success.
並(bing)不(bu)是(shi)這(zhe)樣(yang)的(de)。任(ren)何(he)想(xiang)學(xue)的(de)人(ren)都(dou)可(ke)以(yi)學(xue)會(hui)。在(zai)瑞(rui)典(dian)和(he)荷(he)蘭(lan)，大(da)多(duo)數(shu)人(ren)都(dou)會(hui)不(bu)止(zhi)一(yi)種(zhong)語(yu)言(yan)。他(ta)們(men)不(bu)可(ke)能(neng)都(dou)有(you)語(yu)言(yan)天(tian)賦(fu)。在(zai)北(bei)美(mei)的(de)外(wai)國(guo)運(yun)動(dong)員(yuan)學(xue)會(hui)說(shuo)英(ying)語(yu)的(de)速(su)度(du)通(tong)常(chang)比(bi)在(zai)正(zheng)式(shi)語(yu)言(yan)學(xue)習(xi)環(huan)境(jing)中(zhong)的(de)人(ren)要(yao)快(kuai)。在(zai)語(yu)言(yan)學(xue)習(xi)中(zhong)決(jue)定(ding)你(ni)成(cheng)功(gong)的(de)是(shi)態(tai)度(du)，而(er)不(bu)是(shi)天(tian)賦(fu)。
3. You have to live where the language is spoken
你必須生活在那種語言的使用環境中
Some immigrants to North America never learn to speak more than halting English. Yet we meet people in other countries who speak flawless English. In 1968, I learned to speak Mandarin fluently while living in Hong Kong, where few people spoke it. With the Internet, language content is available to anyone with a computer, and you can download it to your iPod and listen. Where you live is not an obstacle.
有些去北美的移民永遠隻會說蹩腳的英語。然而我們在別的國家卻見到有人可以說非常完美的英語。1968年nian，當dang我wo在zai香xiang港gang居ju住zhu時shi我wo學xue會hui了le說shuo流liu利li的de中zhong文wen普pu通tong話hua，而er很hen少shao有you香xiang港gang人ren會hui說shuo。在zai互hu聯lian網wang的de幫bang助zhu下xia，任ren何he人ren隻zhi需xu要yao一yi台tai電dian腦nao就jiu可ke以yi獲huo得de許xu多duo語yu言yan內nei容rong，你ni可ke以yi把ba它ta下xia載zai到dao你ni的deiPod裏來聽。至於你住在哪裏並不會阻礙你學習語言。
4. Only children can learn to speak another language well
隻有孩子可以學會說一門流利的外語
Recent brain research has demonstrated that our brains remain plastic well into old age. Adults who lose their eyesight have to learn a new language, braille, for example. Adults have a wide vocabulary in their own language and are better language learners than children. I have learned 4 languages since the age of 55. Adults only need the child’s willingness to experiment and desire to communicate, without the fear of ridicule.
zuijinyixiangguanyudanaodeyanjiuyijingzhengming，womendetounaozaijinrulaonianshiyirankeyibaochijiaohaodekesuxing。birushuo，naxieshimingdechengnianrenbixuyaoxuexiyimenxindeyuyan：布萊葉盲文。跟孩子相比，成年人具備更大的母語詞彙量，是更好的語言學習者。我從55歲開始已經學習了4門語言。成年人隻需要像孩子那樣樂於嚐試，渴望交流，不要害怕被嘲笑。
5. To learn a language you need formal classroom instruction
語言學習需要正式的課堂教學
This is the crux of the problem. Classrooms may be economical to run and a great place to meet others. They have the weight of history and tradition behind them. Unfortunately, a classroom is an inefficient place to learn a language. The more students in the class, the more inefficient it is. Languages cannot be taught, they can only be learned. Theoretical grammatical explanations are hard to understand, hard to remember, and even harder to use. Drills and exercises are annoying to most people. A majority of school kids graduate unable to communicate in languages that they study for 10 or more years.
這(zhe)就(jiu)是(shi)問(wen)題(ti)的(de)症(zheng)結(jie)所(suo)在(zai)。課(ke)堂(tang)學(xue)習(xi)花(hua)費(fei)不(bu)高(gao)，還(hai)是(shi)個(ge)結(jie)交(jiao)朋(peng)友(you)的(de)好(hao)地(di)方(fang)，這(zhe)種(zhong)學(xue)習(xi)方(fang)式(shi)有(you)著(zhe)厚(hou)重(zhong)的(de)曆(li)史(shi)傳(chuan)統(tong)。可(ke)是(shi)很(hen)遺(yi)憾(han)，在(zai)教(jiao)室(shi)裏(li)學(xue)習(xi)一(yi)門(men)語(yu)言(yan)效(xiao)率(lv)並(bing)不(bu)高(gao)。班(ban)上(shang)的(de)學(xue)生(sheng)越(yue)多(duo)，學(xue)習(xi)效(xiao)率(lv)就(jiu)越(yue)低(di)。語(yu)言(yan)不(bu)是(shi)教(jiao)出(chu)來(lai)的(de)，而(er)是(shi)學(xue)出(chu)來(lai)的(de)。那(na)些(xie)理(li)論(lun)的(de)語(yu)法(fa)的(de)解(jie)釋(shi)難(nan)以(yi)理(li)解(jie)，難(nan)以(yi)記(ji)憶(yi)，更(geng)難(nan)以(yi)運(yun)用(yong)。練(lian)習(xi)和(he)作(zuo)業(ye)讓(rang)大(da)多(duo)數(shu)人(ren)都(dou)很(hen)反(fan)感(gan)。大(da)部(bu)分(fen)學(xue)校(xiao)的(de)孩(hai)子(zi)在(zai)畢(bi)業(ye)時(shi)還(hai)不(bu)能(neng)用(yong)他(ta)們(men)已(yi)經(jing)學(xue)了(le)十(shi)多(duo)年(nian)的(de)語(yu)言(yan)來(lai)交(jiao)流(liu)。
6. You need to speak in order to learn (and I have nobody to speak to)
為了學語言你需要開口說（但我沒有可以交流的對象）
Speaking the language is usually the goal of language learning, but speaking can wait. Once you have acquired the language, you will find the opportunity to speak. When you are learning the language it is more important to listen. Trying to just pick up a few “handy” phrases to say is likely to just get you into trouble. If you meet a native speaker, you will inevitably spend most of your time listening unless you already know the language. You do not need to speak in order to learn, you need to learn in order to speak.
nenggoushuoyimenyuyantongchangshiyuyanxuexidemubiao，danshizhegemubiaokeyihuanyihuan。yidannizhangwolemouzhongyuyan，nihuizhaodaojihuikaikoushuode。dangnizhengzaixuexizhemenyuyanshi，tinggengjiazhongyao。changshishuoyixie“脫口而出”的(de)詞(ci)組(zu)有(you)可(ke)能(neng)會(hui)讓(rang)你(ni)陷(xian)入(ru)困(kun)境(jing)。如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)遇(yu)到(dao)了(le)一(yi)位(wei)說(shuo)母(mu)語(yu)的(de)人(ren)，你(ni)必(bi)然(ran)會(hui)花(hua)更(geng)多(duo)時(shi)間(jian)來(lai)聽(ting)這(zhe)個(ge)人(ren)說(shuo)話(hua)，除(chu)非(fei)你(ni)已(yi)經(jing)掌(zhang)握(wo)了(le)這(zhe)門(men)語(yu)言(yan)。你(ni)沒(mei)有(you)必(bi)要(yao)為(wei)了(le)學(xue)習(xi)語(yu)言(yan)而(er)開(kai)口(kou)說(shuo)話(hua)，而(er)應(ying)該(gai)為(wei)了(le)開(kai)口(kou)說(shuo)話(hua)來(lai)學(xue)習(xi)語(yu)言(yan)。
7. I would love to learn but I don’t have the time
我很願意學，但我沒有時間
How about the time you spend waiting in line, commuting, doing things around the house, going for a walk? Why not use that time to listen to a language on your iPod? Once you get started, even 10 or 15 minutes a day will soon grow to 30 minutes a day, or one hour. If you believe you will achieve significant results, and if you enjoy doing it, as I do, you will find the time.
那些你用來排隊，上下班，在房前屋後忙活，散步的時間呢？為什麼不利用這些時間用你的iPod練聽力呢？一旦你開始這麼做，即使每天隻有10或者15分鍾，也很快會增加到每天半小時或1小時。如果你相信自己可以收獲重大成效，如果你喜歡語言學習，就像我一樣，你會找到時間的。
There are over 6,000 languages in the world. Some are more important than others, not better or more advanced, just more important. Why? Because they are spoken by more people, in more countries. That does not mean that Finnish is not important to the Finns, and Maori is not important to the Maoris. It is just that these languages are not so important to the rest of us.
世界上有6000多(duo)種(zhong)語(yu)言(yan)。其(qi)中(zhong)一(yi)些(xie)比(bi)另(ling)一(yi)些(xie)更(geng)重(zhong)要(yao)，但(dan)並(bing)不(bu)意(yi)味(wei)著(zhe)這(zhe)些(xie)語(yu)言(yan)更(geng)好(hao)或(huo)者(zhe)更(geng)先(xian)進(jin)，隻(zhi)是(shi)更(geng)重(zhong)要(yao)。為(wei)什(shen)麼(me)呢(ne)？因(yin)為(wei)這(zhe)些(xie)語(yu)言(yan)的(de)使(shi)用(yong)者(zhe)更(geng)多(duo)，使(shi)用(yong)範(fan)圍(wei)更(geng)廣(guang)。並(bing)不(bu)是(shi)說(shuo)芬(fen)蘭(lan)語(yu)對(dui)於(yu)芬(fen)蘭(lan)人(ren)不(bu)重(zhong)要(yao)，或(huo)者(zhe)毛(mao)利(li)語(yu)對(dui)於(yu)毛(mao)利(li)人(ren)不(bu)重(zhong)要(yao)。隻(zhi)是(shi)說(shuo)這(zhe)些(xie)語(yu)言(yan)對(dui)於(yu)我(wo)們(men)其(qi)餘(yu)的(de)人(ren)來(lai)說(shuo)沒(mei)有(you)那(na)麼(me)重(zhong)要(yao)。
On the other hand, Mandarin Chinese is spoken by over one billion people. Chinese origin words account for 60% of Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese vocabulary. Knowing Chinese will help you learn these languages too. It helped me. Chinese culture has influenced the world for thousands of years with its art, philosophy, technology, food, medicine and performing arts. Today China’s economy is booming. Chinese seems well worth learning.
另一方麵，中文普通話有10億多的使用者。漢語起源的詞語占到了日語、韓語和越南語詞彙的60%之多。懂中文也將會有助於你學習這些語言。它就幫助了我。幾千年來中國文化一直在藝術、哲學、技術、飲食、醫藥和表演藝術方麵影響著世界。今天中國的經濟正在迅猛發展，中文似乎很值得去學習。
Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese are essentially dialects of the same language. If you learn one, you can learn the others. I did. If you learn Spanish, you open the door to the culture, music, history and possible business dealings with 800 million people in 60 countries, including the US and Canada.
西班牙語、法語、意yi大da利li語yu和he葡pu萄tao牙ya語yu從cong本ben質zhi上shang說shuo是shi同tong一yi種zhong語yu言yan的de不bu同tong方fang言yan。如ru果guo你ni學xue會hui了le一yi種zhong，你ni也ye可ke以yi學xue會hui其qi他ta幾ji種zhong。我wo就jiu是shi這zhe樣yang。如ru果guo你ni掌zhang握wo了le西xi班ban牙ya語yu，它ta就jiu為wei你ni打da開kai了le一yi扇shan門men，你ni可ke以yi接jie觸chu到dao和he8億人相關的文化、音樂、曆史，可能還有商務，這8億人來自60個國家，其中包括美國和加拿大。
If you get ambitious you could try Russian, as I have been doing for the last two years. Once you have Russian you can probably communicate with other Slav speakers.
如ru果guo你ni在zai語yu言yan學xue習xi方fang麵mian有you雄xiong心xin壯zhuang誌zhi，那na麼me你ni可ke以yi試shi試shi俄e語yu，過guo去qu兩liang年nian我wo一yi直zhi在zai學xue。一yi旦dan你ni掌zhang握wo了le俄e語yu，你ni應ying該gai可ke以yi和he其qi他ta的de斯si拉la夫fu語yu言yan使shi用yong者zhe交jiao流liu。
But hold it here! Before getting carried away, let’s look at the present situation of language teaching. According to one Canadian survey, after 12 years of daily French classes, only one high school graduate out of 147 (0.68%) achieved “intermediate” proficiency. Another survey of immigrants learning English in the US showed that “classroom instructional hours” had little impact on progress.
但是先等一等！在頭腦發熱之前，我們先來看看語言教學的現狀。根據加拿大的一項調查，在上了12年日常法語課後，147所高中裏隻有1所高中（0.68%）的畢業生可以達到“中等”流利程度。另外一項在美國的移民學習英語的調查表明，“課堂教學時間”對語言的進步作用甚微。
As a speaker of 10 languages I know the benefits of speaking more than one language. We simply have to change the way we go about teaching languages. To start with we need to dispel seven common misconceptions about language learning.
作為一個掌握了10門語言的人，我知道會說多種語言的好處。我們隻是需要改變語言教學的方法。首先我們必須消除關於語言學習的7個普遍的誤解。
1. Language learning is difficult
語言學習很困難
It is only difficult to learn a language if you don’t want to. Learning a language takes time, but is not difficult. You mostly need to listen and read. Believe me, it is that simple. I have done it many times. Soon you feel the satisfaction of understanding another language. Before you know it you start speaking. It is the way languages are usually taught that makes language learning hard to like.
隻zhi有you當dang你ni不bu想xiang學xue時shi，學xue習xi這zhe門men語yu言yan才cai會hui變bian得de困kun難nan。學xue習xi一yi門men語yu言yan需xu要yao花hua時shi間jian，但dan並bing不bu困kun難nan。你ni主zhu要yao需xu要yao聽ting和he讀du。相xiang信xin我wo，就jiu這zhe麼me簡jian單dan。我wo做zuo過guo許xu多duo次ci。很hen快kuai你ni就jiu會hui體ti會hui到dao理li解jie另ling一yi門men語yu言yan的de滿man足zu感gan，而er在zai你ni意yi識shi到dao這zhe一yi點dian之zhi前qian你ni就jiu能neng開kai口kou說shuo。真zhen是shi課ke堂tang語yu言yan的de教jiao學xue方fang式shi讓rang人ren們men很hen難nan愛ai上shang語yu言yan學xue習xi。
2. You have to have a gift for learning languages
你必須要有學習語言的天賦
No you don’t. Anyone who wants to, can learn. In Sweden and Holland most people speak more than one language. They can’t just all be gifted at languages. Foreign athletes in North America usually learn to speak English faster than people in more formal learning environments. In language learning it is attitude, not aptitude, that determines success.
並(bing)不(bu)是(shi)這(zhe)樣(yang)的(de)。任(ren)何(he)想(xiang)學(xue)的(de)人(ren)都(dou)可(ke)以(yi)學(xue)會(hui)。在(zai)瑞(rui)典(dian)和(he)荷(he)蘭(lan)，大(da)多(duo)數(shu)人(ren)都(dou)會(hui)不(bu)止(zhi)一(yi)種(zhong)語(yu)言(yan)。他(ta)們(men)不(bu)可(ke)能(neng)都(dou)有(you)語(yu)言(yan)天(tian)賦(fu)。在(zai)北(bei)美(mei)的(de)外(wai)國(guo)運(yun)動(dong)員(yuan)學(xue)會(hui)說(shuo)英(ying)語(yu)的(de)速(su)度(du)通(tong)常(chang)比(bi)在(zai)正(zheng)式(shi)語(yu)言(yan)學(xue)習(xi)環(huan)境(jing)中(zhong)的(de)人(ren)要(yao)快(kuai)。在(zai)語(yu)言(yan)學(xue)習(xi)中(zhong)決(jue)定(ding)你(ni)成(cheng)功(gong)的(de)是(shi)態(tai)度(du)，而(er)不(bu)是(shi)天(tian)賦(fu)。
3. You have to live where the language is spoken
你必須生活在那種語言的使用環境中
Some immigrants to North America never learn to speak more than halting English. Yet we meet people in other countries who speak flawless English. In 1968, I learned to speak Mandarin fluently while living in Hong Kong, where few people spoke it. With the Internet, language content is available to anyone with a computer, and you can download it to your iPod and listen. Where you live is not an obstacle.
有些去北美的移民永遠隻會說蹩腳的英語。然而我們在別的國家卻見到有人可以說非常完美的英語。1968年nian，當dang我wo在zai香xiang港gang居ju住zhu時shi我wo學xue會hui了le說shuo流liu利li的de中zhong文wen普pu通tong話hua，而er很hen少shao有you香xiang港gang人ren會hui說shuo。在zai互hu聯lian網wang的de幫bang助zhu下xia，任ren何he人ren隻zhi需xu要yao一yi台tai電dian腦nao就jiu可ke以yi獲huo得de許xu多duo語yu言yan內nei容rong，你ni可ke以yi把ba它ta下xia載zai到dao你ni的deiPod裏來聽。至於你住在哪裏並不會阻礙你學習語言。
4. Only children can learn to speak another language well
隻有孩子可以學會說一門流利的外語
Recent brain research has demonstrated that our brains remain plastic well into old age. Adults who lose their eyesight have to learn a new language, braille, for example. Adults have a wide vocabulary in their own language and are better language learners than children. I have learned 4 languages since the age of 55. Adults only need the child’s willingness to experiment and desire to communicate, without the fear of ridicule.
zuijinyixiangguanyudanaodeyanjiuyijingzhengming，womendetounaozaijinrulaonianshiyirankeyibaochijiaohaodekesuxing。birushuo，naxieshimingdechengnianrenbixuyaoxuexiyimenxindeyuyan：布萊葉盲文。跟孩子相比，成年人具備更大的母語詞彙量，是更好的語言學習者。我從55歲開始已經學習了4門語言。成年人隻需要像孩子那樣樂於嚐試，渴望交流，不要害怕被嘲笑。
5. To learn a language you need formal classroom instruction
語言學習需要正式的課堂教學
This is the crux of the problem. Classrooms may be economical to run and a great place to meet others. They have the weight of history and tradition behind them. Unfortunately, a classroom is an inefficient place to learn a language. The more students in the class, the more inefficient it is. Languages cannot be taught, they can only be learned. Theoretical grammatical explanations are hard to understand, hard to remember, and even harder to use. Drills and exercises are annoying to most people. A majority of school kids graduate unable to communicate in languages that they study for 10 or more years.
這(zhe)就(jiu)是(shi)問(wen)題(ti)的(de)症(zheng)結(jie)所(suo)在(zai)。課(ke)堂(tang)學(xue)習(xi)花(hua)費(fei)不(bu)高(gao)，還(hai)是(shi)個(ge)結(jie)交(jiao)朋(peng)友(you)的(de)好(hao)地(di)方(fang)，這(zhe)種(zhong)學(xue)習(xi)方(fang)式(shi)有(you)著(zhe)厚(hou)重(zhong)的(de)曆(li)史(shi)傳(chuan)統(tong)。可(ke)是(shi)很(hen)遺(yi)憾(han)，在(zai)教(jiao)室(shi)裏(li)學(xue)習(xi)一(yi)門(men)語(yu)言(yan)效(xiao)率(lv)並(bing)不(bu)高(gao)。班(ban)上(shang)的(de)學(xue)生(sheng)越(yue)多(duo)，學(xue)習(xi)效(xiao)率(lv)就(jiu)越(yue)低(di)。語(yu)言(yan)不(bu)是(shi)教(jiao)出(chu)來(lai)的(de)，而(er)是(shi)學(xue)出(chu)來(lai)的(de)。那(na)些(xie)理(li)論(lun)的(de)語(yu)法(fa)的(de)解(jie)釋(shi)難(nan)以(yi)理(li)解(jie)，難(nan)以(yi)記(ji)憶(yi)，更(geng)難(nan)以(yi)運(yun)用(yong)。練(lian)習(xi)和(he)作(zuo)業(ye)讓(rang)大(da)多(duo)數(shu)人(ren)都(dou)很(hen)反(fan)感(gan)。大(da)部(bu)分(fen)學(xue)校(xiao)的(de)孩(hai)子(zi)在(zai)畢(bi)業(ye)時(shi)還(hai)不(bu)能(neng)用(yong)他(ta)們(men)已(yi)經(jing)學(xue)了(le)十(shi)多(duo)年(nian)的(de)語(yu)言(yan)來(lai)交(jiao)流(liu)。
6. You need to speak in order to learn (and I have nobody to speak to)
為了學語言你需要開口說（但我沒有可以交流的對象）
Speaking the language is usually the goal of language learning, but speaking can wait. Once you have acquired the language, you will find the opportunity to speak. When you are learning the language it is more important to listen. Trying to just pick up a few “handy” phrases to say is likely to just get you into trouble. If you meet a native speaker, you will inevitably spend most of your time listening unless you already know the language. You do not need to speak in order to learn, you need to learn in order to speak.
nenggoushuoyimenyuyantongchangshiyuyanxuexidemubiao，danshizhegemubiaokeyihuanyihuan。yidannizhangwolemouzhongyuyan，nihuizhaodaojihuikaikoushuode。dangnizhengzaixuexizhemenyuyanshi，tinggengjiazhongyao。changshishuoyixie“脫口而出”的(de)詞(ci)組(zu)有(you)可(ke)能(neng)會(hui)讓(rang)你(ni)陷(xian)入(ru)困(kun)境(jing)。如(ru)果(guo)你(ni)遇(yu)到(dao)了(le)一(yi)位(wei)說(shuo)母(mu)語(yu)的(de)人(ren)，你(ni)必(bi)然(ran)會(hui)花(hua)更(geng)多(duo)時(shi)間(jian)來(lai)聽(ting)這(zhe)個(ge)人(ren)說(shuo)話(hua)，除(chu)非(fei)你(ni)已(yi)經(jing)掌(zhang)握(wo)了(le)這(zhe)門(men)語(yu)言(yan)。你(ni)沒(mei)有(you)必(bi)要(yao)為(wei)了(le)學(xue)習(xi)語(yu)言(yan)而(er)開(kai)口(kou)說(shuo)話(hua)，而(er)應(ying)該(gai)為(wei)了(le)開(kai)口(kou)說(shuo)話(hua)來(lai)學(xue)習(xi)語(yu)言(yan)。
7. I would love to learn but I don’t have the time
我很願意學，但我沒有時間
How about the time you spend waiting in line, commuting, doing things around the house, going for a walk? Why not use that time to listen to a language on your iPod? Once you get started, even 10 or 15 minutes a day will soon grow to 30 minutes a day, or one hour. If you believe you will achieve significant results, and if you enjoy doing it, as I do, you will find the time.
那些你用來排隊，上下班，在房前屋後忙活，散步的時間呢？為什麼不利用這些時間用你的iPod練聽力呢？一旦你開始這麼做，即使每天隻有10或者15分鍾，也很快會增加到每天半小時或1小時。如果你相信自己可以收獲重大成效，如果你喜歡語言學習，就像我一樣，你會找到時間的。
