Title: More Young Americans Take Chinese Language Challenge

Author: Paul Eckert

Source: Boston.com, Reuters

Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Level: Advanced

Click for article.

Vocabulary

Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article.
If you need help, check out OneLook Dictionary Search.

New words you will see in this article:

angle(s)

clout

contemplate(s)

deem(ed)

designation

drill

festoon(ed)

geometry

glance

hone(-ing)

immersion

inaugurate(d)

loathe

master(ing)

priority(-ies)

prod(ding)

prosperous

rigorous

stroke(s)

suburb

surge(-ing)

synapse(s)

taxing

trapezoid(s)

weighty

Interesting Expressions

keen interest

keep up with

pilot program

stuffed animal(s)

take (a) challenge

what not

Talking Points

With your tutor, conversation partners, or classmates, you may wish to discuss the following:

When do you think is a good age to start learning a new language?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of learning a new language at a young age?

Which language(s) would you most like to learn? Why?

How is knowing a second language helpful to your children's future?

What do you think are the best methods for learning a new language?

For More Practice

Discuss the merits of second language learning with a child who doesn't think it's important.

Pretend your child is learning a second language that you do not know.

How can you help him/her?

Do your parents speak a second language? Would you recommend that they learn another one? Why or why not?