Learning English
Learning English through music and songs can be very enjoyable. You can mix
pleasure with learning when you listen to a song and exploit the song as a means to your
English progress. Some underlying reason can be drawn to support the idea why we use
songs in language learning.
Firstly, “the song stuck in my head” Phenomenon (the echoing in our minds of the last
song we heard after leaving a restaurant, shopping malls, etc) can be both enjoyable and
sometimes unnerving. This phenomenon also seems to reinforce the idea that songs work on
our short-and-long term memory.
Secondly, songs in general also use simple conversational language, with a lot of
repetition, which is just what many learners look for sample text. The fact that they are
effective makes them many times more motivating than other text. Although usually simple,
some songs can be quite complex syntactically, lexically and poetically, and can be analyzed
in the same way as any other literary sample.
Furthermore, song can be appropriated by listener for their own purpose. Most pop
songs and probably many other types don’t have precise people, place or time reference.
In addition, songs are relaxing. They provide variety and fun, and encourage harmony
within oneself and within one group. Little wonder they are important tools in sustaining
culture, religion, patriotism and yeas, even revolution.
Last but not least, there are many learning activities we can do with songs such as
studying grammar, practicing selective listening comprehension, translating songs, learning
vocabulary, spelling and culture.
From the elaboration above, it can be concluded that learning through music and
songs, learning English can be enjoyable and fun.
1. The type of the text above?
2. What is the communicative purpose of the text?
3. The generic structures of the text are ….
4. What is the text about ….
5. Based on the text, how many reasons to use songs in language learning
6. “They provide variety and fun, and encourage harmony within oneself and within one
group.”The underlined word refers to ….
7. Which paragraph is called arguments ?
8. Usually we call as the last paragraph?
9. What tense is mostly used in the text?
10. What conclusions learning through music and song?
Text 1
I strongly believe that mobile phones are necessary. My reasons for this belief are that
these phones are convenient for business people who travel a lot, and they are handy for
emergencies.
To begin with, mobile phones are necessary in the case of emergencies. For instance, if
you fall down a set of stairs in a building and are badly injured and can’t reach a pay phone, it
is handy to have one to use. Or, if your car breaks down in the middle of the night in a
strange neighbourhood, it would be dangerous to leave it in search of a public phone booth.
My other main reason is that mobile phones are convenient for business people. For example,
if you are out of the state or even overseas and you have to contact a client to do some
important work, it is useful to have one to use. By using a mobile phone, important
information can be received. People can’t stay in an office all day waiting for their phone to
ring. Some people have to go and do jobs or they will go out of business. You can even send
faxes or messages and use the internet with your mobile.
In conclusion, I believe that mobile phones have now become a necessary part of
everyday life. Instant communication will ensure that information can be passed on with a
simple press of a button. Whether this is to do with business or personal information or
emergencies, it goes to show that they are necessary in the new millennium.
1. How many reasons are used to support the writer’s opinion?
2. Why are mobile phones very convenient for business people?
3. What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
Text 2
Everybody should change their way of life to reduce global warming. There are several
things that we can do. One of them is by buying and consuming fresh local groceries as much
as possible. It of course includes local vegetables, fruits, bread, etc.
Local groceries don’t need much transportation to get it into the market. It of course means,
the amount of carbon dioxide produced is less than the groceries from other region.
Therefore, by buying local groceries we are helping reduce the amount of carbon dioxide
produce.
Consuming fresh groceries instead of frozen ones are healthier for us. Furthermore, fresh
food or groceries means no requirements for it to be freeze up. It means that no electricity is
needed and saving energy means reducing carbon dioxide and money.
So, from now on we should consume fresh local groceries to reduce global warming
4. What does the text give us information about?
5. We are helping reduce the amount of global warming” (Paragraph 2) What can
replace the verb reduce?
Text 3
I personally think that reading is a very important activity in our life. Why do I say so?
Firstly, by reading we can get a lot of knowledge about many things in the world such as
Science, technology. Sports, arts, culture, etc written in either books, magazine, newspaper,
etc.
Secondly, by reading we can get a lot of news and information about something
happening in any parts of the world which can we see directly.
Another reason, reading can give us pleasure too. When we are tired, we read books,
newspaper or magazine on the entertainment column such as comedy, short story, quiz, etc.
To make us relaxed.
The last, reading can also take us to other parts of the world. By reading a book about
Irian Jaya we may feel we’re really sitting in the jungles not at home in our rooms.
From the facts above, it’s obvious that everyone needs to read to get knowledge, information
and also entertainment. Or in summary we can say reading is truly important in our life.
6. Why is reading very important in our life? Because . . . .
7. If we want to get knowledge, what should we do?
8. What does the text tell us about?
9. What is the social function of the text?
10. What paragraph is the thesis of the text.
GOOD LUCK
