Finding Opportunities to Practice‏

When it comes to language learning, you’re the boss. “Wait a minute,” you say. “Isn’t it the teacher’s job to tell me what to learn?” Actually, effective language learners don’t rely on the teacher to spoon-feed them. They’re go-getters. They seek out opportunities to use their new language and to learn new vocabulary. They know that language proficiency

won’t just drop out of the sky, and that learning comes by doing. In short, they’re active learners.
談到學語言，你就是當家做主的老闆。「等一下，」你說，「決定我該學甚麼，不是應該是老師的工作嗎？」其實，語言學得好的人，是不依賴老師填鴨式的教學。他們主動取得機會學習。他們找機會使用新語言及學習新字彙。他們知道對一個語言的熟練，絕非憑白無故從天而降，而學有所成是不斷練習的結果。簡言之，他們是積極主動的學生。
I know, I know,” you admit. “I should practice English more.” Actually, instead of looking for chances to practice English, think of ways to use English in daily life. That is, put yourself in situations where you’ll be forced to communicate in English, and you’ll see more progress over time. You need large helpings of English input to feed your language development. And when you use the language, it will become your own.
「我知道，我知道，」你承認，「我應多練習英文。」其實，與其找機會練習英文，還不如在日常生活中找方法使用英文。也就是說，使自己處於一個不得不用英文溝通的環境中，不久你就會進步更多。你需要吸收大量的英文，假以時日才可以使你的語文進步。也惟有當你使用一個語言時，它才真正屬於你。
EYSHere are a few suggestions to get you started:
1. Surround yourself with good English reading material—including Studio Classroom, of course. Subscribe to a newspaper. Buy magazines featuring topics you’re interested in.
2. Attend functions where English is the language of choice, such as Studio Classroom’s youth rallies and Wednesday night Bible studies. There’s probably an English-speaking church or English Bible class in your area, too. Write us if you need help finding one.
3. Go to a fast food restaurant and try to order in English.
4. Get together with a friend and have an “English lunch” once a week.
5. Make friends with a foreigner. Don’t make him feel like your language guinea pig, though.
6. Become an English news hound. Watch CNN or listen to the news on ICRT
to keep up-to-date.
7. Rent a video tape of an English movie—and don’t read the subtitles.
Opportunities to use English are all around you. So don’t hesitate. Just jump right in—the water’s fine.
這裡有幾個建議幫你起步：
1. 在自己身邊放許多良好的英文讀物─當然也包括空中英語教室雜誌。訂閱一份英文報紙。購買你感興趣之內容的英文雜誌。
2. 參加英語聚會，如「空中英語教室」的青年晚會及星期三晚上的查經班。在你家附近或許也有英語教會或英文查經班。如果你需要這方面的協助，請寫信給我們。
3. 試著在速食店用英文點餐。
4. 每星期一次，和朋友吃頓「英文午餐」。
5. 和外國人作朋友，但是小心不要讓他覺得他只是你練習英文的白老鼠。
6. 做一個英語新聞迷，看CNN或聽
ICRT以獲得最新消息。
7. 租一部英語電影的錄影帶，但是不要看中文字幕。
在我們身旁就有許多使用英語的機會。所以不要猶豫，勇敢地投入吧！周遭的環境很適宜的。


⊙Word Bank
helping (n) 輔助; 援助
input (n) 輸入之物
subscribe (v) 訂購(報紙,雜誌)
function (n) 正式集會
hound (n) 迷於某事的人; 獵犬
hesitate (v) 猶豫; 躊躇
of choice (prep phr) 精選的; 特別的
guinea pig (n phr) 供作實驗者; 天竺鼠


@The Day's Phrase

Celebrate summer by eating outside
來野餐囉！
出外野餐來慶祝夏季吧

Father’s Day is coming up! Celebrate your dad on this important day
父親節到了！幫爸爸好好慶祝這個大日子吧

Organic waste, like fruit peels and eggshells can go in the compost bucket.
有機廢棄物，如果皮和蛋殼，可以丟到堆肥回收筒。

People all over the world enjoy the sport of dragon boating
全球掀起划龍舟熱
世界各地的民眾都喜歡划龍舟這項運動
Put your leftover food in this bucket. These edible scraps can be used as pig feed.
把你的剩菜放在這個桶子裡。這些可食的碎屑可以作為養豬的飼料。