How to Be a Successful Learner

We all know that some students are better at learning a foreign language than others. Why is this so? And what is it that makes a good language learner? The writer H. H. Stern has (1)……… four basic factors.

The first of these is the (2)……… to develop an active learning strategy. In other words, good language learners have the ability to select goals and sub-goals, and recognise the stages and (3)……… of their learning.

Secondly, they are able to see the language as a formal (4)…………. with its own rules and relationships between forms and meanings. Furthermore, they analyse the language and develop (5)………… of practice and memorisation. They can check their own performance, and revise it in order to progress.

The third way is to develop a social (6)………..… for learning. This means that good learners understand that, in the early stages, they will be vulnerable and dependent, and can (7)………..… this. However, they also seek contact with native- speakers of the language. They work out ways of (8)……..…….. with difficulties in the language. And finally, they become actively (9)………….... as participants in authentic language use.

The final area is psychological or emotional. All language learners will have emotional and motivational (10)……………… while they are learning. In spite of this, a good learner will cope (11)……………. and will cultivate positive attitudes towards themselves, towards language learning (12)………..…. and the target language, society and culture.

1) A identified B noticed C surveyed D researched

2) A aptitude B capacity C ability D dexterity

3) A consequences B sequences C complications D challenges

4) A unity B segment C complex D system

5) A approaches B techniques C methods D skills

6) A strategy B tactic C process D rhythm

7) A appreciate B perceive C deny D accept

8) A ignoring B dealing C meeting D performing

9) A involved B involving C accepted D concerned

10)A features B guidelines C anxieties D problems

11)A effectively B efficiently C discriminately D specifically

12)A in fact B in detail C in general D in part