Before You Read
1.Why do you think you need to learn English？Do you have some tips in learning English well？
2.Do you think it necessary for higher vocational students to learn English？Why？
3.When you meet a foreigner in the street，will you speak to him for oral practice？
4.Are you still interested in other foreign languages besides English？
5.What qualities do you think a successful language learner should have？
Reading 1
Why should we learn English？
In the 19th century，England expanded worldwide；this made English advance into the world and become an international language.In the 20th century，the US replaced Britain as the guardian of the West，it become a superpower that owned the great strength of politics，economy，science，technology and military，the status of English as an international language has been consolidated and strengthened.
English has become an international language.It plays a more and more important part in the world，especially on business and association among countries.It is spoken all over the world.Many countries use it as a primary language of business，navigation science and technology，and academia.If you speak English，you can make a round the world trip without being misunderstood.You can easily make yourself understood.Besides，English can reduce the trouble and save money when you're making a world trip.
（旁注：expand［ɪk'spænd］）
（旁注：v.扩张；发展）
（旁注：advance［əd'vɑ:ns］）
（旁注：v.前进）
（旁注：guardian［'gɑ:dɪən］）
（旁注：n.［法］监护人；守护者）
（旁注：superpower［'su:pəpauə］）
（旁注：n.超级大国）
（旁注：military［'mɪlɪt（ə）rɪ］）
（旁注：n.军队；军事）
（旁注：consolidate［kən'sɒlɪdeɪt］）
（旁注：v.巩固）
（旁注：primary［'praɪm（ə）rɪ］）
（旁注：adj.初级的；基本的）
（旁注：navigation［nævɪ'geɪʃ（ə）n］）
（旁注：n.航行；航海）
（旁注academia［
ækə'dɪ:mɪə］）
（旁注n.学术界；学术生涯）
（旁注multinational）
（旁注［mʌltɪ'næʃ（ə）n（ə）l］）
（旁注adj.跨国公司的；多国的）
Do you know that 55% of the world's webpages〔1〕are written in English？Most valuable books，newspaper and magazines are written in English.If you hope to get more knowledge and useful information，you must learn English and try to master it as well as handling skillfully.You can enjoy some famous works and learn what the different customs are in the foreign countries with the help of knowing English.
As China joins WTO〔2〕，it marks the reform and openness has entered a new stage.Today，the openness is gradually strengthened，a large number of multinational companies have poured into China，they have brought in funds and advanced technologies at the same time，these companies can also bring some production technologies and advanced management personnel.For those university graduates who are in need of applying for job，the amount of strong rivals have really increased.“Sea turtles”（returnees）〔3〕in China have strong core competitiveness〔4〕in fierce competition.They not only have strong language skills，but also are familiar with the world economic operation rules and the national legal system，and their home employment is a big challenge for the college graduates.In order to stand out in the fierce competition，learning English well has become more and more urgent for employees.Because English is a common language in the world today，mastering it can easily communicate with people around the world，and obtain the necessary information at any time，also enrich spiritual life.People who can speak fluent English can be more competitive and successful，undoubtedly，will have a better life.Under such circumstances，the status of English has become increasingly important，more and more people around the world begin to learn English.
（旁注：rival［'raɪvl］）
（旁注：n.对手；竞争者）
（旁注：returnee［rɪtə:'nɪ:］）
（旁注：n.海归）
（旁注：competitiveness）
（旁注：［kəm'petətɪvnɪs］）
（旁注：n.竞争力）
（旁注：fierce［fɪəs］）
（旁注：adj.凶猛的；激烈的）
（旁注：legal［'lɪgəl］）
（旁注：adj.法律的；合法的）
（旁注：urgent［'ə:dʒənt］）
（旁注：adj.紧急的）
（旁注：obtain［əb'teɪn］）
（旁注：v.获得）
（旁注：fluent［'flu:ənt］）
（旁注：adj.流畅的；流利的）
（旁注：undoubtedly［ʌn'dautɪdlɪ］）
（旁注：adv.确实地，毋庸置疑地）
（旁注：circumstance）
（旁注：［'sə:kəmstəns］）
（旁注：n.环境；情况；事件）
（旁注：status［'steɪtəs］）
（旁注：n.地位；状态）
So，do you still say that you don't like learning English？Let's join the family of learning English quickly and find a good job and enjoy a good life in the future.
Language Focus
1.advance in：前进到，进入到
e.g.:The Lakers responded from several poor seasons，and is now ready to advance into the further stages of the playoffs.
与前几个糟糕的赛季相比，湖人已有很大的进步，现在他们已经准备好进发西部季后赛的半决赛、决赛了。
Li Na won 6-4，7-5 over Maria Sharapova to advance into the French Open final.
李娜以6-4、7-5的总比分直落二局击败萨拉波娃，挺进法网女单决赛。
2.as well as：也；和……一样；不但……而且……
e.g.:She can play tennis as well as basketball.
她也会打篮球，也会打网球。
This brief article will let you know why you have bad habits as well as how you can break them.
这篇简洁的文章会让你知道，为什么你会有坏习惯，同时也让你知道如何改掉那些坏习惯。
3.with the help of：在……的帮助下；借助于
e.g.:With the help of the telephone，people can keep in touch with anyone at any time and in any place for urgent help.
有了电话帮助，人们可以随时随地和任何人联系，寻求紧急帮助。
What end goal do you hope to reach，with the help of the site？
利用这个网站的帮助，你希望达到一个怎样的最终目标？
4.a large number of：许多；大量的
e.g.:This is when you learn the laws in terms of which you can understand and explain a large number of phenomena.
从此刻开始，你们学习的法律，能帮助你理解和解释生活中的很多现象。
A large number of people in the world like eating fast food.
世界上有很多人喜欢吃快餐。
5.at the same time：同时；然而；但是
e.g.:You can do anything you want，but not everything at the same time.
你可以完成你想要做的任何事，但你不可能同时完成所有的事。
In certain ways，it's a beautiful poem and a grotesque one at the same time.
从某种意义上来说，这诗很美，但也很丑陋。
6.not only...but also...：“不仅……而且……”用于连接两个表示并列关系的成分，着重强调后者。其中的also有时可以省略。
e.g.:I think shopping is not only interesting but also relaxing.
我认为购物不仅有趣而且令人放松。
*Not only…but also连接句子时，not only可以置于句首表示强调，这时第一分句要采用倒装结构。
e.g.:Not only has he a first-class brain but also he is a tremendously hard worker.
他不仅有着头等聪明的脑子，而且工作很能吃苦。
7.be familiar with熟悉
e.g.:You should be familiar with the risk factors.
你应该熟悉这些危险因素。
Managers need to be familiar with the ideas in this article.
管理人员需要熟悉这篇文章中涉及的概念。
8.communicate with交流；沟通；与……联系；与……交际
e.g.:I can communicate with foreigners easily.
我能轻松地与外国人沟通。
They have to communicate with the stakeholders.
他们必须同利益相关者进行沟通。
Related Background Information
English（英语）
英语属于印欧语系中日耳曼语族下的西日耳曼语支，由盎格鲁、撒克逊和朱特部落的日耳曼人所说的语言演变而来，并通过英国的殖民活动传播到世界各地。英语是使用国家最多的官方语言，是世界上最广泛的第二语言，也是欧盟、联合国、众多国际组织和英联邦国家的官方语言之一。如今，许多国际场合都使用英语作为沟通媒介。英语也是与电脑联系最密切的语言，大多数编程语言都与英语有关，而且随着网络的使用，英文的使用更普及。
History of English（英语的历史演变）
一、古英语时期——公元449年至1100年
古英语时期共有四种主要方言：
（1）诺森伯里亚方言——洪伯河（the Humber）以北的方言；
（2）梅尔西亚方言——界乎洪伯河与泰晤士河之间的英国中部地区的方言；
（3）肯特（Kentish）方言——居住在英国东南部地区的朱特人的方言；
（4）西撒克逊方言——泰晤士河以南的方言。
诺森伯里亚和梅尔西亚这两种方言又合称盎格里亚方言，即盎格鲁人居住地区的方言。
二、中古英语时期——公元1100年至1500年
三、现代英语时期——公元1500年至今
Global Distribution（全球分布）
全世界说英语的国家和地区共有175个。以英语作为官方语言的主要有：英国、澳大利亚、巴哈马群岛、博茨瓦纳（国语是Setswana）、加拿大（连同法语）、斐济（国语是斐济语）、中国香港（连同普通话、粤语）、肯尼亚（连同Kiswahili）、基里巴斯、尼日利亚、巴基斯坦（国语是乌尔都语）、巴巴多斯、百慕大、爱尔兰（第二语言，第一语言是爱尔兰语）、南非（梭托语、斯威士语、Tsonga、茨瓦纳语、Venda、班图语、祖鲁语）、新西兰（习惯上的官方语言；其他法律规定的是毛利语）、新加坡（连同马来语、泰米尔语和汉语，国语是马来语）、菲律宾、冈比亚、圭亚那、牙买加、圣克里斯多福及尼维斯、特立尼达和多巴哥、波多黎各（连同西班牙语）、赞比亚、纳米比亚、美国的部分地区（美国联邦政府没有一种官方语言；英语是习惯上的第一语言，而不是法律规定的）、马耳他、加纳、尼日利亚、苏丹（连同阿拉伯语）、南苏丹共和国（连同阿拉伯语）。
另外，英语在欧洲、中国及日本是被作为最普通外语来学习的语言（32.6%）。
Reading Comprehension
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write“T”for True and“F”for False.
1.In the 19th century，the US expanded worldwide；this made English become an international language.（）
2.In the 20th century，the US replaced Britain as the guardian of the West.（ ）
3.English is spoken all over the world.（ ）
4.English can reduce the trouble and save money when you're making a world trip.（ ）
5.Most valuable books，newspaper and magazines are written in English.（ ）
6.If you want more knowledge，you must make a lot of foreign friends.（ ）
7.China has advanced into a new stage since it joined WTO.（ ）
8.English has brought in funds and advanced technologies into China.（ ）
9.Returnees in China can get a job easily no matter what his or her major is.（ ）
10.This passage is about the significance of English and encourages us to take an effort to learn English.（ ）
Reading 2
How to Be a Successful Language Learner？
“Learning a language is easy.Even a child can do it！”Most adults who are learning a second language would disagree with this statement.For them，learning a language is a very difficult task.They need hundreds of hours of study and practice，and even this will no guarantee success for every adult language learner.Language learning is different from other kinds of learning.Some people who are very intelligent and successful in their fields find it difficult to succeed in language learning.Conversely，some people who are successful language learners find it difficult to succeed in other fields.
（旁注：adult［ə'dʌlt］）
（旁注：n.成年人）
（旁注：statement［'steɪtm（ə）nt］）
（旁注：n.声明；陈述；叙述）
（旁注：guarantee［gær（ə）n'tɪ:］）
（旁注：n.保证；担保；保证人）
（旁注：intelligent［ɪn'telɪdʒ（ə）nt］）
（旁注：adj.智能的；聪明的）
（旁注：conversely［'kɒnvə:slɪ］）
（旁注：adv.相反地）
（旁注：independent［.ɪndɪ'pendənt］）
（旁注：adj.独立的；单独的）
（旁注：pattern［'pætərn］）
（旁注：n.模式；图案；样品）
（旁注：clue［klu:］）
（旁注：n.线索（；故事等的）情节）
（旁注：conclusion［kən'klu:ʒ（ə）n］）
（旁注：n.结论；结局；推论）
（旁注：active［'æktɪv］）
（旁注：adj.积极的；活跃的）
（旁注：correct［kə'rekt］）
（旁注：v.改正；纠正错误）
（旁注：repeat［rɪ'pɪ:t］）
（旁注：v.重复；复制）
（旁注：inexact［.ɪnɪg'zækt］）
（旁注：adj.不精确的；不正确的）
（旁注：incomplete［ɪnkəm'plɪ:t］）
（旁注：adj.不完全的；不完整的）
（旁注：regularly［'regjələlɪ］）
（旁注：adv.定期地；有规律地）
Language learning research shows that successful language learners are similar in many ways.First of all，successful language learners are independent learners.They do not depend on the books or the teachers；they discover their own way to learn the language，instead of waiting for the teacher to explain；they try to find the patterns and the rulers of themselves.They are good guessers who look for clues and form their own conclusions.When they guess wrong，they guess again.They try to learn from their mistakes.Successful language learning is active learning.Therefore，successful learners do not wait for a chance to use the language；they look for such a chance.They find people who speak the language and they ask these people to correct them when they make a mistake.They will try anything to communicate with others.They are not afraid to repeat what they hear or to say strange things；they are willing to make mistakes and try again.When communication is difficult，they can accept information what is inexact and incomplete.It is more important for them to learn to think in the language than to know the meaning of every word.Finally，successful language learners are learners with a purpose.They want to learn the language because they are interested in the language and the people who speak it.It is necessary for them to learn the language in order to communicate with these people and to learn from them.They find it easy to practice using the language regularly because they want to learn it.
（旁注：probably［'prɒbəblɪ］）
（旁注：adv.大概；或许；很可能）
What kind of language learner are you？If you are a successful language learner，you have probably been learning independently，actively，and purposefully.On the other hand，if your language learning has been less than successful，you might do well to try some of the techniques outlined above.
（旁注：purposefully［'pə:pəsfulɪ］）
（旁注：adv.有目的地；自觉地）
（旁注：technique［tek'n:k］ɪ）
（旁注：n.技术；手法）
Language Focus
1.disagree with：不同意；不一致；不适合
e.g.:You can disagree with me，but you have to do so respectfully if you want your comment to be treated with any respect.
你可以不同意我的观点，但如果你希望自己的言论被别人尊重，那么你所做所为也要值得他人
尊重。
2.hundreds of：好几百；许许多多
e.g.:The restaurant receives hundreds of customers every day.
这家饭店每天接待数以百计的顾客。
The student must master hundreds of skills to reach this high standard.
学员必需掌握数百种技巧才能达到这么高标准。
3.is different from：与……不同；不同于
e.g.:The Close command is different from the Delete command.
“关闭”命令与“删除”命令是不同的。
The auto business is different from other endeavors，so some traditional business rules do not apply.
汽车业与其他领域不同。一些传统的商业规则在汽车业上不适用。
4....find it difficult to do：觉得……很难，it作句中的形式宾语。
e.g.:Some organizations find it difficult to fill the role with one person.
有些组织认为仅由一个人来担任这个职位很困难。
Most of us have situations where we find it difficult to communicate.
我们大多数人都遇到过与他人难沟通的情况。
5.in many ways：在许多方面；用许多方法
e.g.:In many ways，we are headed for a thrilling new world of media.
在许多方面，我们正走向一个令人激动的新媒体世界。
The experience has changed me in many ways.
这次体验在许多方面都改变了我。
6.first of all：首先
e.g.:First of all，we should make primary education universal.
首先，我们应普及初等教育。
In my view，first of all，the Olympic Game represents the spirit of sports.
7.depend on：取决于；依赖；依靠
e.g.:The integrity，legitimacy，survival and effectiveness of this Organization depend on you all.
联合国的完整性、合法性、生存和效力取决于整个大会。
We depend on their work.
我们依赖于他们的工作。
8.learn from：向……学习
e.g.:We must learn from the tenacious fighting spirit of Lu Xun.
我们要学习鲁迅先生韧性的战斗精神。
We should always be willing and able to learn from those around us.
我们应该随时愿意和能够向周围的人们学习。
9.in order to：为了
e.g.:Sometimes，you need to doubt yourself in order to succeed.
有时，为了能够成功你需要怀疑一下自己。
In order to validate the agreement between yourself and your employer，you must both sign it.
为了使你和你的雇主之间的合同具有法律效力，你们双方必须在合同上签字。
10.on the other hand：另一方面
e.g.:On the other hand，the public also should develop the good habit of reducing pollution.
另一方面，大众也应该养成减少污染的好习惯。
On the other hand，when we do something because we receive some reward，like a certificate or money，this is extrinsic motivation.
另一方面，当我们为了得到奖励而去做某事的时候，比如证书或者金钱，就是外在的动机。
12.less than：小于；少于；不到
e.g.:Spend less than you earn.
不要花钱超过你赚的。
The management of many new colleges was less than satisfactory.
很多新建院校的管理不尽人意。
Related Background Information Language（语言）
语言是人类最重要的交际工具，是人们进行沟通的主要表达方式。人们借助语言保存和传递人类文明的成果。语言是民族的重要特征之一。一般来说，各个民族都有自己的语言。汉语、法语、俄语、西班牙语、阿拉伯语、英语是世界上的主要语言，也是联合国的工作语言。汉语是世界上使用人口最多的语言，英语是世界上使用最广泛的语言。据德国出版的《语言学及语言交际工具问题手册》，现在世界上查明的有5651种语言。在这些语言中，有1400多种还没有被人们承认是独立的语言，或者是正在衰亡的语言。
Type of Language（语言的种类）
每种语言可分为对话语言、独白语言、书面语言、内部语言。
就大脑来说，语言分“脑语”和“嘴语”，脑语就是我们时时在大脑里产生称作“思考”或“思想”或“思维”的东西，脑语用嘴表达出来就叫“嘴语”。
语言分为“第一语言”和“第二语言”。
一个人从小通过和同一语言集团其他成员（如父母、亲属、周围的人们）的接触，自然学到并熟练运用于交际和思维过程中的语言。本族语言或母语一般说都是个人的第一语言，也是主要语言。
人出生后，首先掌握和使用的语言，叫第一语言。第二语言专指本国内非本族语。在全世界里，第二语言往往是和第一语言同时被使用的。
Ranking of Users in Several Major Languages（几大语言使用人数排行）
汉语使用人数约16亿人，使用人数约占世界人口的20%；
西班牙语使用人数约4.22亿人，使用人数占世界人口的4.88%；
英语使用人数约3.31亿人，使用人数占世界人口的4.68%；
阿拉伯语使用人数约2.11亿人，使用人数占世界人口的3.12%；
印地语使用人数约1.86亿人，使用人数占世界人口的2.74%。
Reading Comprehension
Make the best choice according to what you have read.
1.What is the idea of most adults about learning language？
A.Learning a language is easy.
B.Even a child can learn a language easily.
C.Learning a second language is not more difficult than learning mother tongue.
D.Learning a language is a very difficult task.
2.Which statement is true according to the passage？
A.Language learners need hundreds of hours of study and practice.
B.Language learners only need to use language occasionally.
C.There is no guarantee success for every adult language learner.
D.Every adult language learner must have an abundance of selfconfidence.
3.If someone is very intelligent and successful in his fields，he may_______________.
A.find it difficult to succeed in language learning
B.succeed in language learning
C.fail in language learning
D.find it difficult to succeed in other fields
4.What kind of learners can be successful language learners？
A.Dependent learners. B.Independent learners.
C.Clever learners. D.Confident learners.
5.What would successful language learners do if they make mistakes？
A.They learn from mistakes. .They make mistakes again.
C.They ignore mistakes. D.They turn a blind eye to mistakes.
6.What would successful language learners do when communication is difficult？
A.They pretend to know everything.
B.They keep silent.
C.They accept information that is inexact and incomplete.
D.They try to understand others.
7.What is more important for successful language learners？
A.To know the meaning of every word.
B.To learn to think in the language.
C.To communicate with others.
D.To repeat what they hear.
8.Why does the passage say that successful language learners are learners with a purpose？
A.Because they want to go abroad.
B.Because they need to pass the tests.
C.Because they want to make money with the language.
D.Because they want to learn with it.
9.If you are a successful language learner，you have not probably been learning_______________.
A.independently B.actively
C.slackly D.purposefully
10.What can you learn from this passage？
A.You will be a successful language learner if you put heart into it.
B.If you want to be a successful language learner，you must look for chances to use language.
C.If you succeed in your career，you will be also a successful language learner.
D.If your language learning has been less than successful，you can give it up.