To make the most of our brains, we need to increase the communication between th

To make the most of our brains,we need to increase the communication between the hemispheres and get themworking together. One way of doing this in language learning is to read faster.Slow reading only encourages word-for-word translation and analysis. Thisbelongs to the left hemisphere process which slows down reading and makescomprehension difficult. Faster reading allows information to be processedvisually, a right hemisphere function which is many times faster. Theinformation is also perceived as a whole. This provides the brain with moreinformation from which to make sense of the text, thus increasingcomprehension. In other words, if you find a text difficult to understand, youshould try reading it faster.

One other way of involving theright hemisphere in language learning is to have music accompany thepresentation of a new language. The teacher reads material against a backgroundof classical music while students relax in comfortable chairs. The students arefree to listen to the music or the words. It is believed that there is activityat a deep level and unforced memorization takes place although the studentslook very inactive. This is because the students have great reserve power forlearning, but these powers are discouraged by formal of threatening learningsituations. In this new approach, a relaxed atmosphere of fun and enjoyment isencouraged.

It is claimed that with thisapproach the memory can be made ten times more efficient. A basic vocabulary of2000 English words can be learned in a course of 75 hours. At present, it isdifficult to say whether this approach is right or not because not enough isknown about the brain and language learning.

 1. Faster reading is a good way to——.

  A. processinformation slowly

  B. improve functionsof the left hemisphere

  C. make thefullest use of our brain

  D. read aneasy text

 2. Music-accompanied teaching of language helps students——.

   A.relax and remain inactive B. do well intheir studies

   C.learn new songs by heart  D. have agood time only

 3. Which of the following statements is true?

   A. The advantages of this teaching method have been proved.

   B. There is no doubt that this approach is much more efficient.

   C. We have an insufficient knowledge of how language learning takesplace.

   D. Everyone can learn 2000 English words easily in this way.

 4. This passage mainly deals with——.

   A. the role of the right hemisphere in thinking

B. two ways ofimproving learning efficiency

   C. the make-up of our brains

   D. agood way to learn new words by heart

试题答案

答案：C;B;C;B