English Around the World
Vocabulary
travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel
to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone begins to
want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel.
to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans
to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or comfortable
place
to explore- to look around and find out new things
exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown
mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out
to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time
vast (adjective)- very large
perspective- view, way of seeing things
accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good
Reading
Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some
people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel
bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. "Come visit me and I will
show you my mysteries," they say.
Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the
seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and
the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of
Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go
there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earthAntarctica.
Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth
and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and
it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It
will change your life forever.
Questions and Answers
Choose True or False. Check your answers at the bottom of the page by clicking on the
arrow.
1. To be bitten by the travel bug means you like to stay home.
True
False
2. People bitten by the travel bug like to visit new places.
True
False
3. The great outback is in Europe.
True
False
4. Antarctica is in Africa.
True
False
5. Asia is vast.
True
False
6. Traveling opens your mind.
True
False
7. Traveling makes you feel alive.
True
False
8. Traveling helps you see things in a new way.
True
St. Valentine's Day
False
Vocabulary
ancient- very old
bow and arrow- used for shooting (like the picture on the left)
shoot- make something fly through the air (Shoot a gun. Shoot an arrow.)
character- a person (but usually not real) like a person in a book or in a movie
fall in love- begin to love another person
celebrate- do something fun (like a party or something special)
romantic- something that shows the feeling of love
Reading
Valentine's Day is a very old holiday. It goes back to the times of Ancient Rome. One of the
characters we often see on Valentine's Day is Cupid. He was the son of Venus, the goddess of
love. He shoots people with arrows of love. When a man and a woman are hit by his arrows,
they will fall in love.
Today people celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. Men and women who are in love give
each other gifts. The most popular gifts include flowers (especially roses) and chocolates.
Couples may also go to a restaurant for a very nice dinner or plan something else romantic.
In the United States, Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. Children make special Valentine's
cards for their classmates. Families and friends may give candy or other small gifts to each
other. It can be a fun day.
Questions and Answers
1. Who is Cupid's mother?
a. Sarah, goddess of love
b. Venus, goddess of music
c. Venus, goddess of love
2. What does Cupid use to shoot people?
a. a gun
b. a bow and arrow
c. a baseball
3. What day is Valentine's Day celebrated?
a. February 13.
b. December 25
c. February 14
4. What are the most popular flowers for Valentine's Day?
a. Roses
b. Tulips
c. Sunflowers
5. What do school children in the United States do on Valentine's Day?
a. Kiss their friends
b. Make cards for their friends
c. Have a romantic dinner with their friends
Using an English/English Dictionary
Vocabulary
wide choice- lots of different ones to choose from
to be against- disagree with
to look up- to search for something in a book
bilingual- two languages
Reading
Today's English learner has a wide choice of dictionaries in which to choose from. There are
dictionaries with American English, with British English, with idioms or slang, and even with
pictures. One of the most popular dictionaries I have seen among many students are talking
electronic dictionaries. All you have to do is type in a word in your language and you can see it
and hear it in English. That's great, right? Well, I think it's great, too... but only sometimes.
Bilingual electronic dictionaries are fast and easy. They can be great when you are traveling and
need information quickly. But I am against electronic dictionaries and even bilingual paper
dictionaries in many cases. Let me explain...
When you reach an intermediate level of English (about the level of 5 Minute English) you
know enough of the language to ask the meaning of certain things while using English.
Translating between languages in your head takes time. You should be translating as little as
possible and you should be thinking in English as much as possible. I strongly recommend that
intermediate and advanced students use an English-English dictionary made especially for your
understanding. For example, Longman has a good dictionary for students. Other companies do,
too.
I also feel that paper (book) dictionaries are better for studying than electronic dictionaries.
True, they take longer to use. But, for some reason, the information you look up seems to stay
in your head longer. It may be because you were forced to spell the word in your head and
therefore "see it" more clearly in your mind.
So what do you do if you have checked an English-English dictionary and still don't understand
something? Go to your bilingual dictionary. It is useful sometimes. Just remember to try to stay
in English as much as possible.
Questions and Answers
Choose True or False. Check your answers by clicking the arrow below.
According to the author...
1. A very popular dictionary is a talking electronic dictionary.
True
False
2. Electronic dictionaries are great for learning English.
True
False
3. Electronic dictionaries are great for traveling.
True
False
4. Intermediate students of English should use electronic dictionaries as much as possible.
True
False
5. Using a bilingual dictionary forces you to think in English.
True
False
6. You should never use a bilingual dictionary.
True
False
English as an International Language
Vocabulary
to spread- to go everywhere
in common- the same
communicate- talk
complicated- difficult
artificial- not real
Reading
About one hundred years ago many educated people learned and spoke French when they met
people from other countries. Today most people speak English when they meet foreigners. It has
become the new international language. There are more people who speak English as a second
language than people who speak English as a first language. Why is this?
There are many reasons why English has become so popular. One of them is that English has
become the language of business. Another important reason is that popular American culture
(like movies, music, and McDonald's) has quickly spread throughout the world. It has brought its
language with it.
Is it good that English has spread to all parts of the world so quickly? I don't know. It's
important to have a language that the people of the earth have in common. Our world has
become very global and we need to communicate with one another. On the other hand, English
is a fairly complicated language to learn and it brings its culture with it. Do we really need that?
Scientists have already tried to create an artificial language that isn't too difficult and doesn't
include any one group's culture. It is called Esperanto. But it hasn't become popular. But maybe
the popularity of English won't last that long either. Who knows? There are more people in the
world who speak Chinese than any other language. Maybe someday Chinese will be the new
international language.
Questions
1. What was the world language 100 years ago?
2. Which group is larger- people who speak English as a first language or people who speak
English as a second language?
3. What are two reasons English has become an international language today?
4. What are two reasons English isn't a good international language?
5. What is Esperanto?
What might the future international language be?