My Learning Journal – Listening (BBC 6 Minutes)
Name
英文二 Annabelle Jiang 400110239
Date
12/11/1
Topic
Speak Any Language Instantly
Source
BBC 6 Minutes “episode of the week”
The first idea I learned from the episode is that there is a
newly invented app for smartphones in Japan that can
help you speak any language and communicate with
other people instantly! Secondly, we can also learn from
the passage that although Google has already released a
similar instantly translation technology before, this latest
invention works faster and more advanced in functions
because with this technology we can have an actual
conversation with someone on the other side of the
world. However, it can only convert Japanese to English,
Mandarin and Korean at this moment. In addition, the
accuracy of this app invented by NTT Docomo need
improved because the translation can be understandable
but not perfectly correct. Last but not least, the episode
raised an crucial issue based on this theme that whether
it would be possible to lead to an end to language
learning forever for people might give up learning
languages if they have this device which can actually
“speak” for them. However, both speakers believe it
won't for these types of technologies are always helpful
but will never replace learning a language.
I like the way Neil and Jen introduce this new technology,
which is by comparing and contrast and giving examples.
Firstly, they mentioned that there is a new app that can
allow people to communicate in different language
instantly. Later on, they compare this app with the one
Google has to show the difference and that why is it an
innovation in the world. Moreover, they also provide the
actual interview and practical test from another BBC
reporter, which make their show more convincing.
Although this invention seems very convenient, I
somehow still doubt the practicality of it. We all know
that there are several similar products such as the Google
translate, which is known as a very terrible application
because it tends to translate word by word instead of
translating the whole meaning of the sentence.
Therefore, the translation usually doesn't make sense at
all. If it can't even translate a general sentence correctly,
how can it translate the idioms and slangs people use in
daily life? Learning a language is not that simple as one
Three main ideas I
heard from this
episode are…
One thing I learned in
this episode that I
may be able to use in
future is…
I’m still unsure
about…
thinks, so I really don't think this invention will work as
it says.
Issues that interested
me a lot, and I’d like
to study in more
detail
New words/phrases I
learned in this
episode are …
I am always a big fan of learning foreign language, and till
now except from Mandarin, I have already learned and
will still be learning English, Japanese, and Spanish.
Therefore, anything that related to learning foreign
languages would appear to be very interesting to me!
Although there are more and more new inventions that
seem to be able to replace our acquiring a new language,
I agree with Neil and Jen that it is still worth learning a
foreign language all by yourself. It will truly be difficult ,
but you can never replace the accomplishment you
obtain when really able to master the language. Just as
Jen mentioned in the episode, “speaking a foreign
language is one of life’s great pleasures!”
1. Sweep the world(phrase): be famous all over the
world.
“Is this technology going to sweep the world, I wonder?”
2. Hot on the heels(phrase): very soon after something.
“Well, there are some other companies hot on the heels
of the Japanese company NTT Docomo.”
3. Recap(v): to repeat the main points of something that
has just been said.
“Now, time for a recap of some of the words we heard in
today’s programme.”
Word Count
587
Comments:
My Learning Journal – Listening (Academic Listening)
Name
英文二 Annabelle Jiang 400110239
Date
12/11/1
Topic
Introduction to English for Academic Purposes, or EAP.
Source
BBC Learning English-Academic Listening
Three main ideas I
heard from this
episode are…
The first idea I heard from the episode is about the
situation and problems of students whose first language
is not English might encounter when entering Englishspeaking universities, including understanding academic
English lectures, handling different pronunciations and
accents, and to express your opinions in a foreign
language. Secondly, the episode introduces a special kind
of English course, designed to prepare students for their
studies called EAP, which stands for studying English for
Academic Purposes. This means the English skills
students need to actually study aboard, and by it can
provide students the necessary skills to be able to
manage in their studies. However, not only does a EAP
course cover study skills but also social English do that
students can learn general English usage as well. Last but
not least, the episode later on explains different
strategies for coping with study in another language by
the sharing of tips from teachers and students. For
example, student might find it difficult to cope with the
academic nature in a foreign country such as health
systems, or as Simon Williams stated, the student lack
enough mental energy. He thinks it's wrong for students
to pay too much attention in decoding what others are
saying instead of getting the whole picture of the
meaning. Therefore, it is always important to be
prepared in advance. What we can do is get an EnglishEnglish dictionary, and maybe a subject dictionary,
listening to the radio, and even watching TV!
One thing I learned in
this episode that I
may be able to use in
future is…
I like their way they support their ideas. By stating their
ideas first, then followed by the interviews of teachers
and students makes what they are emphasizing clearer
and more convincing.
I’m still unsure
about…
Although I think the strategies they provide might really
be helpful in improving our studies in English, I can't
help but wonder whether this could also applied in other
non-English countries?
Issues that interested
me a lot, and I’d like
to study in more
detail
From the episode, we can find out that there are a lot of
information related to Linguistic, which is a very
interesting field that is worthy of exploring. There is an
example from a research carried out by R. Anderson and
colleagues. It illustrates that “prior information about a
text” can help you to make predictions about its content
and influence your interpretation. Even though it is the
same story with the same words and actor, when the title
of the article changes, the way how people interpret it
changes too! I think this is very impressive and it
reminds me of my Linguistic class. We had once
discussed something similar which is a famous study by
Bransford and Johnson (1972) that showed how
important background knowledge was in helping people
to construct meaning. We were given a demonstrative
text during class and no one actually knew what it was
talking about. However, when shown the title of the text,
it suddenly became very easy. The teacher later
explained that it was because “readers who were given
the title of the passage before reading it recalled far more
than those not given the title or given the title after
reading.” therefore, I believe by knowing some basic
knowledge of linguistic can also be helpful in our English
learning.
1. Pitfall(n): a problem or difficulty that is likely to
happen in a particular job, course of action, or activity.
“Students and teachers will share their tips on effective
learning, and give advice on some of the pitfalls to
avoid.”
New words/phrases I
learned in this
episode are …
2. Tutorial(n): a period of teaching and discussion with a
tutor, especially in a British university.
“ You’ll know how to structure an essay or a report, for
example; and you’ll be familiar with the language used in
lectures, seminars and tutorials.”
3. Grapple with something(phrasal verb): to try hard to
deal with or understand something difficult.
“On duty: as a student- grappling with academic ideas in
academic English...”
4. Recur(v): if something, especially something bad or
unpleasant, recurs, it happens again.
“Get hold of some texts, perhaps over the internet, or
through a library, or through journals or magazines that
might be available in newsagents, or through friends, and
then study recurring specialist words in those texts;”
Word Count
Comments:
686