If you want to improve your language skills, you’d better listen up.(你想改善自己的语言技巧,那你细心多听。)美国学者Professor Brongham接受某电台访问时说了上述这句话。
节目主持问:Why is listening so important?(听为什么这么重要呢?)
Well, listening is a useful source of language input, and it serves as a foundation for other language skills like speaking, reading and writing.
(嗯,听是输入语文的一种有用来源,也是其他语文技巧--如讲、读、写的基础。)
过去的英文学习法,较侧重阅读与写作,相信读友都知之甚详。读友来信问为什么读了这么多年英文,不看中文字幕就听不懂银幕英语。大家都知道要多听了。怎样听呢? 现在继续引述给读友观摩。
So, all you have to do is open your ears, and your English listening skills will improve, right?(那么,你要做的是张开自己的耳朵,你的英语听力就会改善了,对吗?)
Not exactly.(不见得。)提高听解力,进而增强表达力又有什么秘诀呢?我们继续听下去:
First of all, you have to pay attention.(首先,你得集中注意力。) Sometimes when you’re listening”, your mind is a million miles away.(有时,你“听”的时候心思会飞到九霄云外。)同学们有没有这种体验啊?好,我们现在继续听Prodessor Brongham条分缕析。The words you hear just go in one ear and out the other.(你所听到的字词都只是左耳进,右耳出。)原来谚语“左耳进右耳出”也有一句很类似的地道英语表达法。现在大家都晓得活学活用这种惯用语(idiomatic expression)了。
那么,怎样进一步掌握听的方法呢?
大家要把英语的根基打稳,记得先练“听力”,不然纵使学了数十年英语,还是会听不懂银幕英语、听不懂电视台的英美时事节目,甚至听不懂外籍朋友讲的地道英语。
But when you concentrate, your mind can process the message. If you want to be a good listener-especially in a foreign language-you’ve got to stay focused.(但你集中精神时,你的心思可以处理信息,如果你想善于聆听--特别是外语时--你一定要聚精会神。)
此时节目主持问:Could you tell us how to pay attention?(你可以告诉我们怎样集中精神吗?)
Professor Brongham接着答道:
First, listen to anything and everything you can in English. This will help you absorb the rhythm and sounds of the language.(首先,尽可能听英语的东西,这能帮助你吸收语言的韵律与声调。)
英语听力:如何提高英语听力水平.doc