Traveling without a map in different countries, I find out about different ways of directions every time I ask “How can I get to the post office?”

    Foreign tourists are often puzzled in Japan because most streets there don't have name signs. In Japan, people use landmarks (地标) in their directions instead of street names. For example, the Japanese will say to travelers, “Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop.”

    People in Los Angeles, the US, have no idea of distance on the map: they measure distance by time, not miles. “How far away is the post office?” you ask. “Oh,” they answer, “it's about five minutes from here.” You don't understand completely, “Yes, but how many miles away is it, please?” To this question you won't get an answer, because most probably they don't know it themselves.

    People in Greece sometimes do not even try to give directions because tourists seldom understand the Greek language. Instead, a Greek will often say, “Follow me.” Then he'll lead you through the streets of the city to the post office.

    Sometimes a person doesn't know the answer to your question. What happens in the situation? A New Yorker might say, “Sorry, I have no idea.” But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers “I don't know.” People there believe that “I don't” is impolite. They usually give an answer, but often a wrong one. So a tourist can get lost very easily in Yucatan! However, one thing will help you everywhere in the world. It's body language.

    Why are certain people so memorable, while some fade from our memories over time? This question crosses my mind often; there are many possible answers. When you are raising children, you realize that some people become very important to them, draw them in, accept and respect them. These people change them.

    Several examples come to mind with my youngest son. He was always more comfortable around his dad's friends than his own. He loved to spend time with them, fish with them, listen to their stories and just be with them.

    He has experienced the loss of several really meaningful friendships over the past few years, and it has been very painful for him. One, Dr. George, was a neighbor and fishing buddy who would call to see if Ken could go fishing with him. Dr. George always said Ken was the son he never had and that it meant everything to him. He died very suddenly while fishing with all of his best buddies a few years ago. The huge hole that left in so many lives simply cannot be filled — for Ken it was immensely painful.

    There was another fishing buddy of his dad's, Frank, who was always fun to be around. Ken was very young then, but he really enjoyed getting along with ＂the guy＂ when they were fishing. Frank and his family went to the Keys in the same week as we did one year ago and the memory remains to this day. Cheerful and happy, he was able to laugh at himself and accept everyone's abilities or lack of them, all qualities that impressed Ken so much.

    When he became deadly ill, Ken drove from his home in North Carolina to Florida for an overnight visit with him. He died a short time later. The day after his funeral (葬礼), Frank came to Ken in a dream and asked if he would take care of his wife, Carol. To Ken this was very meaningful, and today they share a special bond that Frank somehow knew would be important for them both.

    Many parents would like to teach their children English at home, but don't know how to start. It doesn't matter if your own English is not perfect. The most important thing is that you give your children lots of encouragement and praise.       They will need some time to learn the language.

Make it a rule

    Try to do certain activities at the same time every day.       For example, you could read an English story with your children before bedtime. Repetition (重复) is important — children often need to hear words many times before they say them themselves.

Playing games

           Cards are a great way to teach words and there are many different games which you can play with cards, such as Memory and Happy Families.

Using everyday situations

    The advantage of teaching English at home is that you can use everyday situations to practice the language naturally. For example:

    Talk about clothes when your child is getting dressed (＂Let's put on your blue socks＂, etc.).

          When you go to the supermarket, give your child a list of things to find.

    Using songs

    Songs are a really good way to learn new words. Songs with actions are especially good for very young children because they are able to join in.      

A. Fifteen minutes is enough for very young children.

B. Children learn naturally when they are having fun.

C. Teach food words when you are cooking or going shopping.

D. The actions often show the meaning of the words in the song.

E. With younger children, there is no need to teach grammar rules.

F. Don't worry if your child doesn't start speaking English immediately.

G. Children feel more comfortable and confident when they know what to expect.

    In order to know a foreign language thoroughly, four things are necessary. Firstly, we must understand the language when we hear      spoken. Secondly, we must be able to speak it correctly with confidence and without hesitation.       (three), we must be able to read the language, and fourthly, we must be able to write it. We must be able to make sentences that are grammatically correct.

There is no easy way to success       language learning.       good memory is of great help, but it is not enough only       (memorize) rules from a grammar book. It is not much use learning by heart long a list of words and       (they) meaning, studying the dictionary and so on. We must learn by using the language. If we      (satisfy) with only a few rules we have memorized, we are not really learning the language. ＂Learn through use＂ is a good piece of       (advise) for those       are studying a new language. Practice is important. We must practice speaking and       (write) the language whenever we can.

假如你是李华，你参加了你校本周五举行的英语阅读比赛并获得第一名。请根据以下提示用英语给你的美国笔友Tom写一封电子邮件。

内容包括：1）描述比赛的情况；

2）希望他提供单词的记忆方法；

3）欢迎他到中国过春节。

注意：1）词数100左右；

2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3）开头语和结束语已为你写好，不计入总词数。

参考词汇：the Spring Festival春节

Dear Tom,

……

    Yours,

    Li Hua