Whoever is notacquainted with foreign languages knows nothing of his own.

                       — Goethe

Interpretation:

Learning aforeign language is comparable to a journey of discovery. One needs to befamiliar with some foreign languages in order to understand his or her ownnative language.

⊙Language is not an abstract (抽象的) construction of the learned (有学问的人), or of dictionary-makers, but is something arisingout of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes of long generations of humanity,and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground.

                            — Walt Whitman

Interpretation:

Language isnot something produced from nowhere by the intellectuals or dictionary-makers.Rather, it is something coming from the commonplace activities and emotions ofmany generations of human beings, including their work, needs, relationships,happiness, love and preferences. Language is broadly and deeply rooted in thesecommon happenings.

I haven’t conquered Spanish yet. I’m learningand understand what’s said during training. I’m progressing little by little.Spanish is very difficult for me, although I am getting used to it. I am makingan effort. It’s complicated. But if I can conquer Spanish, it will have been agreat achievement.

     — DavidBeckham

Interpretation:

Here Beckham,the world-famous football star, shares with us his experience in learning aforeign language. From what Beckham says, we can see that learning a foreignlanguage is difficult for everyone. But if we make an effort, we can conquerit. As the saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way.

Wrod bank 

Portuguese n. & a.of Portugal or its people; of the language ofPortugal, Brazil, etc. 葡萄牙语（的）；葡萄牙人（的）

mother tongue母语

Spanish n. & a.西班牙语（的）

confident a  feeling or showing trust in oneself or one’sability 确信的，有信心的

cope vi. deal successfullywith a difficult situation （成功地）应付，对付

communicate vi. shareor exchange opinions, feelings, information, etc.

交流意见（或感情、消息等）；沟通

keep/bear in mindremember; remain aware of sth..记住；谨记，牢记

obtain vt . ratherfml rather fml become the owner of, esp. by meansof effort or planning; get〖较正式〗（尤指通过努力或计划）获得，得到；买到

matter vi. [U(to)] [often in negatives ] [U(to)][ often in negatives] be important [常与to连用] [常用于否定句]重要，要紧

comprehension n. [U(of)] fml theact of understanding orability to understand [常与of连用]〖正式〗理解；理解力

remarkably ad. 显著地，引人注目地

catch on (to sth.)begin to understand（开始）明白，了解（某事）

rhythm n . 节奏；韵律

regarding prep . fml (esp.in business letters) on the subject of; in connection with; concerning 〖正式〗（尤用于商业书信中）关于，有关

plus n.受欢迎的或有利的附加物，有利条件

(the) Internet n. aninternational information network that allows millions of comuterusers aroundthe world to exchange information 互联网

accustomed a. inthe habit of; used to习惯于……的

get accustomed tobecome in the habit of; become used to习惯于……

process n. 步骤，程序

enjoyable a. (of things and experiences) giving pleasure  （事情、经历等）使人快乐的，有乐趣的

Answers for reference:

1.       Albertohas started learning English,French, Portuguese and Italian, and he would also loveto learn Chinese and German in the near future.

2.       Albertois confident that with time andpractice he can overcome the difficulties he encounters in learning newlanguages.

3.       Accordingto Alberto, learning a new language besides one’s mother tongue can be useful, especially in a world wheredistances are shortened andpeople from different countries communicate with each other more frequently.

4.       Herecommends (推荐) three good ways of language learning.They are:
   a. read a lot;
   b. watch a lot of television in that language; and
   c. listen to CDs.

5.       Healso mentions three other things that are helpful for learning a language. Theyare:
   a. good dictionaries;
   b. vocabulary books; and
   c. the Internet.

6.       FinallyAlberto says learning a language might seem a little difficult at first, or even strange, but one will get usedto it. Though the learning process is long and it never ends, it is also highlyenjoyable.

Script:

Hello, I’mAlberto. I’m a student of English, French, Portuguese and Italian. I would alsolove to learn Chinese and German in the near future. My mother tongue isSpanish and I have a degree in Political Science. I love to learn newlanguages, because I think it broadens my mind. Even though I still have somedifficulty with verb tenses, I’m confident that with time and practice I’llcope with them. I believe learning a new language besides your mother tonguecan be useful, especially in a world where distances are shortened and peoplefrom different countries communicate with each other more frequently. Learninga new language can be a good experience, but only if you keep in mind thatnothing is obtained without some effort. In my opinion, the best way to learn alanguage is to read a lot. It doesn’t matter what you read, but that you do it.Even if you don’t understand everything, your reading comprehension skill willimprove remarkably. Also, if possible, watch a lot of television in that language,or listen to CDs. Maybe at first you won’t understand a word, but later you’dcatch on to the rhythm of the language. Good dictionaries are necessary, andbooks regarding vocabulary can be a plus. The Internet is also a useful tool.The language you choose to learn might seem a little difficult at first, oreven totally strange, but you’ll get accustomed to it. Remember that thelearning process is long, and that it never ends. However, it is also highlyenjoyable.