⊙Whoever is not acquainted with foreign languages knows nothing of his own.

                       — Goethe

Interpretation:

Learning a foreign language is comparable to a journey of discovery. One needs to be familiar with some foreign languages in order to understand his or her own native 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 arising out 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 is not something produced from nowhere by the intellectuals or dictionary-makers. Rather, it is something coming from the commonplace activities and emotions of many generations of human beings, including their work, needs, relationships, happiness, love and preferences. Language is broadly and deeply rooted in these common happenings.

1. What, in your opinion, are the possible reasons for people to learn English?

Part II Listen and Respond