Learning English is a great challenge, but with a little help from technology it can be as easy as a piece of cake.
As well as the classroom, teachers and textbooks, the Internet, TV and radio programs can play an active role in helping learn English. The Internet is full of rich and up-to-date information. English learners might wish to try http://www.in2english.com.cn. This website is co-established by the British Council, the BBC World Service and Central Radio and TV University. It provides cultural information about Britain and has an example of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) that students can use for practice. Different levels of grammar tests can also be found.
Make friends online
Another useful website for middle school students and teachers is: Besides reading 21st Century School Edition online, students are also invited to put their views on different topics up on the website.
Users have the opportunity to make friends with people who share their interests.
In the teaching and learning section, there are reading and vocabulary tips for students.
Compared with the Internet, TV programs have their own advantages: one does not have to sit at a computer and the audio and visual effects can even be relaxing.
One popular English-learning program is called "Modern English". This focuses on oral English in practical situations such as taking photos and shopping.
The short dialogues and useful phrases may help students to express themselves if they go abroad or meet foreigners in China. More than 50 TV stations in about 300 cities have aired the program.
Word to World
If you watch Beijing Television Channel 8, you might see a program titled "Study Abroad". On this show Professor Wang Qiang from New Oriental School hosts "From Word to World".
He selects words with a deep cultural background and teaches useful phrases related to that word. Cartoons are also used to explain how to use the word in daily life. Listening to the radio may not be a new way to learn English but it is easy.
China Radio International airs a program called "Studio Classroom" at 6:30 a.m. every day. This 25-minute program is aimed at middle school students and covers subjects from current news to travel and history, all in simple language.
小题1: This passage ______.
A．introduces some new websites and TV and radio programs
B．focuses on advantages and disadvantages of different medium forms
C．recommends technological help in learning English
D．aims at advertising various English courses小题2: If you want to read an English newspaper and make comments on different topics, you try_____.
A．www.in2english.com.cn.
B．www.21st.com.cn.
C．Modern English
D．Studio Classroom小题3:One can practise oral English in everyday situations in _____.
A．Studio Classroom
B．From Word to World
C．Study Abroad
D．Modern English小题4:According to the author, one advantage of TV programs over the Internet is that they ____.
A．offer more English learning resources
B．cost you nothing
C．have better audio and visual effects
D．have English courses available whenever you need them小题5:The author wants the readers to know that learning English ______.
A．is difficult
B．is easy
C．is neither easy nor difficult
D．can be made much easier with a little help of modern technology
