VOA慢速：用英语思考

Thinking in English

慢速| 三级 偏难 | 541词 | 5min4s

刘立军供稿

Part I. QUESTIONS

Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

Q1. What is the main question Hoang asks the teacher?

A. How to translate English sentences faster.

B. How to think in English more quickly.

C. How to memorize English vocabulary.

D. How to write essays in English.

Q2. According to the teacher, why is it difficult to explain how to think in a foreign language?

A. Because it requires understanding complex grammar rules.

B. Because it involves the relationship between thoughts and language.

C. Because it needs extensive vocabulary memorization.

D. Because it is only achievable by native speakers.

Q3. What makes the response to simple greetings in a foreign language automatic?

A. Memorizing the responses.

B. Using translation devices.

C. Frequent repetition and familiarity.

D. Writing them down beforehand.

Q4. What is the main idea of the teacher’s advice to Hoang?

A. Thinking in English requires living in an English-speaking country.

B. Thinking in English is primarily about vocabulary memorization.

C. Thinking in English is only possible for advanced learners.

D. Thinking in English involves practice and familiarity with language patterns.

Q5. What can help make the first conversation feel like the second conversation according to the teacher?

A. Planning and practicing in advance.

B. Using simpler vocabulary.

C. Avoiding difficult topics.

D. Speaking more slowly.

Part II. TRANSCRIPT

Thinking in English

Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Hoang in Vietnam about how to think in English.

Question

Dear Teacher,

People say that to speak English fluently, you need to think in English. (Q1) So how can I think in English faster? When I talk with foreigners...with the first conversation, I talk very slowly and the remaining time I use for thinking. And with the second conversation (because I’ve been talking before), I feel natural and I speak more fluently.

So how can I be fluent like the second conversation when I’m having the first conversation?

fluent adj. 流利的，流畅的

Thank you,

Hoang

Answer

I’m happy to answer this question, Hoang.

It can be difficult to fully explain how to think in a foreign language. (Q2) That is because the explanation asks us to consider the relationship between thoughts and the language we use to express them.

However, we can still notice what happens when we think in a foreign language. And we can compare it to times when we have to pause and translate from our native language.

pause v. 暂停

native adj. 本国的

Consider what happens when you exchange simple greetings, questions, and answers in a foreign language. If someone asks you in English, “How are you today?” you can probably answer without pausing or translating from your native language. For example, you can quickly reply, “I’m fine, thank you. And how are you?”

exchange n. 交流

This example shows us the basic things we need for thinking in a foreign language. In this situation, you know all the words you need to say. You don’t need to stop and think about the grammar. (Q3) And you have heard and said these phrases so many times that your response is automatic.

phrase n. 短语

response n. 反应

automatic adj. 自动的

The reason the second conversation you talk about feels more natural is because you have already heard and used some of the vocabulary and grammar you need. (Q4) So, for any subject you want to discuss, you will be able to think in English after you have learned and practiced what you need to say many times.

Steps for thinking in English

Here are some suggestions for learning to think in English:

Choose a subject you are interested in discussing. Then, imagine you are speaking with another person. How easily and quickly can your mind find the vocabulary and grammar you need? Note when you need to pause to find vocabulary or think about grammar. Next, learn the vocabulary and grammar and then practice using them several times. Repeat the words until they become automatic.

(Q5) If you can plan ahead and practice in your mind what you will likely talk about, then your first conversation might feel easier and similar to a second conversation.

You can find more advice for thinking in English in our Education Tips article, “Train Your Brain to Think in English.”

Keep in mind that, to think in English, you need to read, listen to, and speak as much English as possible. This will help your mind use English more easily.

For our readers and listeners, what are your questions about American English? We’d like to hear from you. Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. And please include where you are from in your email, too.

And that’s Ask a Teacher.

Part III. KEY

Q1. B. 【解析】细节题。根据：“So how can I think in English faster?” 可知他的问题是如何能更快地用英语思考。因此答案是B。

Q2. B. 【解析】细节题。根据：“That is because the explanation asks us to consider the relationship between thoughts and the language we use to express them.” 可知这是因为解释这个问题要求我们考虑思想与用来表达它们的语言之间的关系。因此答案是B。

Q3. C. 【解析】细节题。根据：“And you have heard and said these phrases so many times that your response is automatic.”可知对于简单问候，我们已经听过并说过这些短语很多次，以至于回应变得自动化，这说明频繁重复和熟悉度是关键。因此答案是C。

Q4. D. 【解析】主旨题。根据整体回答的总结：“So, for any subject you want to discuss, you will be able to think in English after you have learned and practiced what you need to say many times.” 可知对于任何你想讨论的话题，在你学习并多次练习所需表达后，你将能够用英语思考，也就是说用英语思考需要练习和对语言模式的熟悉。因此答案是D。

Q5. A. 【解析】推理题。根据：“If you can plan ahead and practice in your mind what you will likely talk about, then your first conversation might feel easier and similar to a second conversation.” 可知如果能提前计划并在脑海中练习可能会谈论的内容，那么第一次对话可能会像第二次一样轻松。因此答案是A。

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