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Unit Three: Learning English;

Lesson 1: Learning a language


Communicative competence refers to the ability to use a language
appropriately in different circumstances. There are two ways of developing
communicative competence in a language. The first is acquisition which is
similar to the way people develop ability in their mother tongue. It is a
natural, subconscious process in which users are not usually aware of
acquiring a language. They are aware only of the fact that they are using the
language for communication. In non-technical term, acquisition is picking
up a language spontaneously. It may be called implicit learning.
On the other hand, the second way of developing communicative competence
in a language is learning that language. It refers to conscious knowledge of a
second language, knowing the rules of language use, being aware of `them,
and being able to talk about them. In non-technical terms, learning is to
know consciously about a language. It may be described as explicit
learning.
Language specialists believe that acquiring a language is more successful and
longer lasting than learning. Therefore, teachers these days encourage the
learner of a second language to practise and experience the language in
different situation where they are involved in communicating with other.
And that is exactly the tasks in this book are designed to do.

Choose the right word to complete each sentence:
Communicative competence (indicates/refers to /signifies) the ability to
form correct utterances and their proper use.
Communicative competence can be (developed/mastered/gained) in two
ways.
Language specialists believe that learning a language is not so successful
as/like/than acquiring it.
Acquisition likens/clashes/relates to the way people develop ability in their
mother tongue.
Learning is something natural/explicit/implicit.
People acquire a mother tongue consciously/unconsciously/subconsciously.
Acquisition signifies implicit/explicit/exact learning.
Knowing a language by rules lasts longer/shorter/more momentarily than
acquiring a language.
Teachers suggest that learners should learn language by practising and
communicating with others/writing letters/watching TV.
Nowadays teachers (inspire/aspire/enlighten) the learners of a second
language to practise and experience the language.
True/False: I f the statement is false, give the correct
information.
People develop competence in their mother tongue through a deliberate
process.
We are acquiring English.
Communication through learning language by rules is a long process.
People learn a second language subconsciously.
Learning a language is more effective than acquiring it.
Acquisition is easier than learning.
The passage shows the difference between acquisition and learning.
Explicit learning is a subconscious process.
We can achieve communicative competence in a language on direct method.
Language specialists believe that indirect method is better than direct method.
The modern language teachers believe that environment for a language and
practice of that language is more important.
The task for which this book is meant is to make the students practice and
experience the language in different situations.

Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the words in
brackets. Add any prepositions if necessary:
To be (competence) --- a language one has to use it in different situations.
There is an element of (spontaneous) --- the acquisition of a language.
Acquiring a language (believe) --- to be more lasting than learning it.
By being (consciously) --- a language one can develop his explicit learning.
Communicative competence can be (develop) --- in two ways.
The power of (use) --- language properly means communicative
competence.
Every person learns his or her mother tongue (natural) ---.
Learners of a second language are (encourage) --- by their teachers.
Picking up means (spontaneously) ---- learning of a language.
The first method is (acquire) ---
The users have no (aware) --- the language.
The (appropriately) --- use of language means communicative competence.
The learners of a second language get (encourage) ----- from their teachers.
Thank you

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