Boy:
Ruby:
No, it wasn’t actually. There was a bad fire because it was so hot and dry.
2 You will hear two friends talking online. Woman: Hi Mark, how are you? Man: I’m good thanks, Natalie. But it’s raining here today. Woman: Oh no! I suppose it rains a lot in winter where you are. Man: Yes, it does, but it’s not really winter here yet. It’s still autumn. It’s usually quite nice and sunny in the autumn – but not today. What’s it like with you? Woman: (laughing) It’s hot and sunny here because it’s the middle of summer. Man: I’m jealous!
Interviewer:
Ruby:
3 You will hear a tour guide talking about some of the animals in her country. Woman: Welcome to Australia. It’s a beautiful country but you should take care; some animals can hurt you. Now, I know lots of people are scared of sharks and we do get sharks in the ocean in some areas. But these attacks are rare. Secondly, do please use a cream to stop ‘mossies’ from biting you. That’s what we call mosquitos here. Their bites are no fun. If you are bitten, just go to the pharmacy and get some cream. Finally, in the countryside, you will see lots of kangaroos. You can take photos but don’t try to go near them. Kangaroos are big animals, and they can kick. If one kicks you, it may break your arm or leg. Lots of people get hurt by kangaroos every year – many more than those who get hurt by sharks.
Interviewer: Ruby:
Interviewer: Ruby:
Unit 20 Language Speaking Track 53
Interviewer:
Some students are discussing the best ways to practise a language.
Ruby:
Here are some of their ideas. Discuss these things and say which is best. Interviewer:
Listening Track 54
Ruby:
For each question, choose the correct answer. You will hear a podcast with a girl called Ruby. Interviewer: Hi Ruby, thanks for being here today. Ruby you speak six different languages. How have you learned so many?
Hi. Well, my mum is Spanish and my dad is English so I’ve grown up hearing two different languages at home and I think that has really helped. But you also speak Chinese, French, German and Turkish. Are those languages you heard at home too? No, not at all. My parents don’t speak any other languages. I went to an international school so I heard a lot of other languages there as well. At school I had to communicate with people from lots of different countries with lots of different first languages. We spoke English in our lessons but at break times and when we hung out together outside of school, my friends would speak their own languages too. I think hearing all those different sounds every day really helped to develop my listening skills. I find listening to foreign languages really easy. And has that helped with your speaking? Definitely. Because I can hear the different sounds in a language quite clearly, I don’t find it too difficult to pronounce the words. But sometimes I get it wrong and then my friends laugh at me – but I keep trying. And did you learn each language you speak just by chatting to your friends? No, not completely – I had to learn the grammar and lots of vocabulary too. I think it’s important to be able to read in a language you speak so that if you go to that country, you will be able to understand signs and notices and all those kinds of things. That’s quite hard, because in some languages – and English is one of these – the words aren’t always written as they sound. But I’m not afraid of working hard to learn a language – I love languages. So how did you learn to read in these languages? Well, I actually read books in foreign languages with the translations. I like to compare both. I find that helps me to understand the grammar better. Finally, do you have any advice on how to learn another language? Ummm... I think my best advice is don’t worry about making mistakes, listen to the language and have a go at speaking it as often as possible and definitely ask for help when you need it.
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