-
2
、
Why do
you want to learn English?
Have
you
ever
really
asked
yourself
why
you
want
to
learn
a
new
language?
Let's
for
the
moment
1
forget
about
the
obvious:
additional
job
skill,
immigration,
travels,
studies
aboard,
academic
necessity,
etc.
Of
course,
these
reasons
are
valid
2
and
motivate
3
us
to
bury
our
heads
in
thick
language
textbooks
and
repeat
after
a
monotonous
4
voice
on an audiocassette. But I believe we acquire a
new language in
order to
effectively communicate with
people not
of our country
and
culture. Since
1997,
I
have
been
part
of
a
successful
conversational
English
training
program,
Patrick English Network (PEN).
The
success of PEN lies in our belief that to fully
embody
5
a language, we must
understand
and
embrace
the
culture
of
the
language.
Therefore
we
created
an
“ edutaining” (educational and
entertaining) curriculum
6
that includes not only lessons
on
spoken English and listening comprehension but
also fun activities such as singing,
dancing, movies,and games,to
enhance
7
our students'
knowledge of American culture.
Although
most students support the emphasis on culture
study, they often consider the
listed
act
ivities
to
be
a
“
waste
of
their
time.”
“
Singing
and
dancing
are
fun.
But
maybe we
can do? Hmm? Fifteen minutes a day. That's
enough.” “ Why is that?” I
ask.
“
Because
it
doesn't
help
us
with
our
English.”
“
Then
what
would
you
rather
do?” “ More free talk
with foreign teachers.” The whole class shouts. I
ask,
“ And what would
you like to speak to the foreigners
about?” A student stands up.
“
Doesn't
matter.
Anything.
We
want
to
make
friends
with
them.”
The
entire
class
then
nods in agreement. “ Make friends.”
This
conversation transpires
8
in
almost every class I teach. As always, I ponder
the students' response only to arrive
at the same question. “ How to make foreigners
want
to
speak to
and be friends with
you?”
Though physical
language is indeed an
important
tool
of
communication,
what
solidifies
9
a
healthy
interpersonal
10
relationship is a spiritual about it
this way. We are all surrounded by
people who speak the same language as
we do. But are we friends with every single
one
of
them?
No.
Why?
It
certainly
isn't
because
of
an
actual
language
barrier
11
.
Instead it is our personal differences
or a lack of a common ground that keeps people
apart. Now ask yourself, how did
you choose your friends? I'm sure it
isn't because
they speak the same
dialect or language as you. You like your friends
for the person
they
are.
And
the
same
logic
12
should
apply
to
everyone,
including
foreigners
or
Americans.
How
to make friends with people from a different
culture? The rules are as follows:
RULE
1:Appreciate
the
Person
Most
Americans
like
to
be
recognized
as
individuals
as
someone
special
with
unique
characteristics
and
personalities.
Therefore,
never say, “ You're from America so I want to be
your friend.” Also don't
imply that the reason why you
approached them is because you wanted someone to
practice your English with. That turns
people off
13
. Instead try
saying,“ You seem like
a real nice and
interesting person and I would like to get to know
you better.” This
way, they are much
more inclined
14
to
be
friendly
because
you see them as a
three
dimensional
15
person and appreciate them for who they are in the
by doing
so,you
not
only
learn
about
America
and
practice
your
English,but
also
gain
a
real
friend in the process.
RULE 2:Quit
Calling Us
Foreigners Please refrain
from
16
calling a
foreigner a
foreigner especially in his
face
17
. The word makes
people feel like an outsider, and
even
unwelcome, suggesting separation and
insurmountable differences, widening an
already existing gap in the situation.
When Americans travel, they rarely say,
“ I'm foreign to your place.” They tend
to say, “ I'm new in town.
I'm new here.” The reason is because
new and unfamiliar things can become old and
familiar. But can foreign things become
native? Aha? You catch my
drift
18
.
RULE 3:Just Do
It Some students like to be told about American
culture but are
less
interested
in
spending
the
time
and
the
effort
to
actually
experience
it.
As
Americans always say, “ Get your hands
dirty.” Until you have first hand and
hand
s
on
experience, you'll never really know anything.
Right?
So whenever you have the opportunity to
participate in American culture, don't
just sit there and watch. Get up and
get involved!
RULE
4:Find
that
Common
Language
Now
I
must
stress
the
importance
of
finding a common language. By that I
don't mean English, Chinese, German, French,
etc. I mean finding something you have
in common with another person on a spiritual
and
philosophical
19
level:
likes, dislikes, worldviews, ways of thinking, and
attitudes
toward
life.
And
to
start,
you
must
first
enhance
your
knowledge
of
the
particular
culture from
which your potential new friend comes from.
It's
paramount
20
to keep in mind
that people want to talk to you because of who
you
are
and
what
you
have
to
say,
not
because
you
speak
a
particular
language
or
dialect.
After
all,
the
most
important
purpose
for
learning
a
language
is
to
communicate with other PEOPLE.
你为何想学英语？
你曾问过自己，<
/p>
为什么想学另外一门语言吗？我们暂时别提那些显而易见的
原因，
什么额外的工作技能、移民、旅行、出国学习、学术需要等。当然，这些