LESSON 1 STUDYING ENGLISH

Vocabulary

Adopt /əˈdɑːpt/ verb

: to begin to use or have (a different manner, method, etc.)
Their boss has recently adopted a friendlier manner. [=has started behaving in a friendlier
way]

Inspire /ɪnˈspajɚ/ verb

: to make (someone) want to do something
: to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create.
He inspired generations of future scientists.

Bilingual /baɪˈlɪŋgwəl/ adjective

: able to speak and understand two languages
He is bilingual in English and Japanese.

Audiobook /ˈɑːdiˌoʊˈbʊk/ noun

: a recording of a book or magazine being read
I listen to audio books when I drive to work.

Monolingual /ˌmɑːnəˈlɪŋgwəl/ adjective

: able to speak and understand only one language
He regrets being monolingual and wishes he were bilingual.

Eavesdrop /ˈivzˌdrɑːp/ verb

: to listen secretly to what other people are saying— usually + on
He was eavesdropping [=listening in] on his sister and her friends in the next room.

Subtitle /ˈsʌbˌtaɪtl̟ / noun

: words that appear on the screen during a movie, video, or television show and that are
translations of what the actors are saying — usually plural
The film is in Chinese with English subtitles.

Examine /ɪgˈzæmən/ verb

: to look at (something) closely and carefully in order to learn more about it, to find
problems, etc.
An accountant has been hired to examine the company's books.

Closed-captioned /ˈkloʊzdˈkæpʃənd/ adjective

of a television show or movie
: having written words that appear on the screen to describe what is being said for people
who do not hear well and that can only be seen if you are using a special device
They use the closed-captioning feature on a TV program.

Exclusive /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/ adjective

:not shared
: available to only one person or group
We have exclusive use of the beach. [=we are the only ones who can use the beach]
Inclusive /ɪnˈkluːsɪv/ adjective
: covering or including everything
an inclusive fee/tour

Offer /ˈɑːfɚ/ verb

: to give someone the opportunity to accept or take (something)
We'd like to offer the job to you. = We'd like to offer you the job.

Conversation Part 1

1. Where did you first hear English spoken?

2. Which English words have been adopted into your native language?
3. Where is English most commonly used in your native country? Why?
4. Do advertisements sometimes use English words? Why?
5. When did you first study English? We’re you excited, bored, or indifferent?
6. How long have you studied English? What inspired you to study it? Where have you
studied English?
7. Have you had any negative experiences learning English?
8. Are there English classes for adults in your country? Are they expensive?
9. What was the best English class you ever had? Why?
10. What method of learning seems to work best for you? Why?
11. Have you found an excellent tool for learning English? What?
12. Do you have a good bilingual dictionary? Can you bring it to class?
13. What’s your favorite English word or expression?
14. Do you listen, speak, read, and write English every day?
15. Where do you usually speak English? Why?
16. What materials do you read in English? Why?
17. Do you speak English with American neighbors? Coworkers? Friends? Classmates?

Conversation Part 2

1. Have you ever listened to an audiobook? Which one? Was it enjoyable? Did you learn
many new words?
2. Do you ever eavesdrop, or just listen intently, to conversations around you?
3. Do you listen to the radio? Do you have some favorite shows? Why?
4. Do you watch American movies with subtitles? Why?
5. Do you use the closed-captioning feature on many TV programs? Why?
6. Is it easier to spell in English than in your best language? Why?
7. What are some positive aspects of the English language?
8. What are some characteristics that make learning English difficult?
9. Should all government agencies exclusively use English? Why or why not?
10. What would you not feel comfortable doing in English now?
11. Where would you like to feel more comfortable speaking English?
12. In your opinion, why has English become more popular in the last 20 years?
13. What tips can you offer friends who want to improve their English?
News

Tokyo stays on top for third year, with Osaka No. 3 in ranking of world's safest cities

SINGAPORE – Tokyo has been ranked the world’s safest city for the third year running,
followed by Singapore and Osaka, according to the latest report by the Economist
Intelligence Unit released Thursday.

The Safe Cities Index 2019 report, released at a one-day conference on safe cities and
organized by The Economist in Singapore, mentioned that Tokyo enjoys a “broad array of
strengths” with “low crime levels (both violent and petty), infrastructure designed to
withstand natural shocks and low risk of computer malware.”

By category, Tokyo saw the strongest performance in digital security, coming in first. But it
came in second, behind Osaka, in health security, fourth for infrastructure security and
also fourth for personal security, with the report pointing out that the city is still plagued by
corruption and organized crime.

The biennial rankings started in 2015. Sixty cities were rated using a total of 57 indicators
in four fields — digital, health, infrastructure and personal security.

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike was quoted as saying in the report that due to the threat of global
climate change, and Japan being prone to earthquakes, Tokyo has pursued a range of
reforms to protect its residents from natural disasters.

The report noted that Tokyo and Osaka are expected to experience shrinking populations
due to low inward migration and low birthrates, a trend that will help maintain the “relative
safety and order of such places,” while the challenges of urbanization will intensify in
countries with fast-rising populations such as China and India.

Amsterdam was ranked fourth on the index followed by Sydney, Toronto, Washington,
Copenhagen, Seoul and Melbourne, Australia. London came in 14th, followed by New
York.

Elsewhere in Asia, Beijing was ranked 31st, while Shanghai trailed at 32 on the list.
The report underscores the huge gap in safety standards in Southeast Asia. While
Singapore is the second safest city in the world, scoring 91.5 on the index, its regional
neighbors scored poorly.

Kuala Lumpur ranked 35th with a score of 66.3 on the index, Manila 43rd, Bangkok and
Ho Chi Minh City 47th, Jakarta 53rd and Yangon, Myanmar, 58th.

Reference: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/30/national/tokyo-ranked-worlds-
safest-city-third-consecutive-year-economist-intelligence-unit/#.XWuSnZaRUlQ