WHAT LANGUAGES DO THEY SPEAK?

 In this lesson, you will learn how to ask and talk about the languages people speak in different countries and regions. You will also learn how to use questions about languages and describe the variety of languages spoken by individuals and in specific places. This will involve learning new vocabulary related to languages and practicing useful expressions for discussing this topic.

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Grammar:

1. Present Simple Tense for Habits and Facts:

   • Used to talk about the languages people speak.
     • Example: "They speak French and German in Switzerland."
     • Example: "He speaks three languages fluently."

2. Wh-Questions (What/Where):

   • Use "What" to ask about languages.
     • Example: "What languages do they speak in Canada?"
     • Answer: "They speak English and French."
   • Use "Where" to ask where a language is spoken.
     • Example: "Where do they speak Spanish?"
     • Answer: "Spanish is spoken in many countries, including Spain and Mexico."

3. Verbs: Speak, Learn, Understand:

   • Speak refers to the ability to use a language.
     • Example: "I speak English and Italian."
   • Learn is used when someone is studying a language.
     • Example: "She is learning Japanese."
   • Understand is used when someone can comprehend a language.
     • Example: "He understands French, but he doesn't speak it well."

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Vocabulary:

1. Bilingual – A person who speaks two languages.
2. Multilingual – A person who speaks several languages.
3. Native Language – The first language a person learns as a child.
4. Fluent – Able to speak a language easily and accurately.
5. Dialects – Different forms of the same language spoken in various regions.
6. Accent – A way of pronouncing words that shows where a person is from.
7. Mother Tongue – Another term for native language.
8. Official Language – A language that has been given legal status in a country.
9. Foreign Language – A language that is not the native language of a speaker.
10. Second Language – The language learned after the native language.

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Useful Expressions:

1. "What languages do they speak in this country?"
2. "English is widely spoken here."
3. "Many people speak two or more languages."
4. "His native language is Arabic, but he also speaks English."
5. "She is learning French as her second language."
6. "They speak different dialects of the same language."
7. "I can understand some Spanish, but I’m not fluent."
8. "In Belgium, they speak French, Dutch, and German."
9. "Which language is most commonly spoken in this region?"
10. "Do you speak any other languages besides English?"

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Sentences:

1. "Many people in Europe are bilingual or multilingual."
2. "In Canada, both English and French are official languages."
3. "Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world."
4. "He speaks with a strong British accent."
5. "In India, there are many regional languages and dialects."
6. "She is fluent in German, having lived in Berlin for many years."
7. "Mandarin Chinese is spoken by over a billion people."
8. "In my country, we learn English as a second language at school."
9. "People in Switzerland speak German, French, Italian, and Romansh."
10. "Arabic is spoken in many countries across the Middle East and North Africa."

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Questions and Answers:

1. Q: What languages do they speak in the United States?
   A: English is the most widely spoken language, but many people also speak Spanish and other languages.

2. Q: Do you speak any other languages?
   A: Yes, I speak French and a little bit of German.

3. Q: Where do they speak Portuguese?
   A: Portuguese is spoken in Portugal, Brazil, and some parts of Africa.

4. Q: How many languages does she speak?
   A: She speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and Italian.

5. Q: What’s the official language of Japan?
   A: The official language of Japan is Japanese.

6. Q: Is English spoken in your country?
   A: Yes, English is taught in schools, and many people speak it as a second language.

7. Q: What is your native language?
   A: My native language is Russian.

8. Q: Which language are you learning now?
   A: I’m learning Korean right now.

9. Q: Do people speak different dialects in your country?
   A: Yes, we have many regional dialects, especially in rural areas.

10. Q: Can you understand spoken Italian?
    A: Yes, I can understand Italian, but I’m not very good at speaking it.

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Conversation:

Person 1: "How many languages do you speak?"
Person 2: "I speak two languages fluently: English and Spanish."
Person 1: "That’s impressive! Which one is your native language?"
Person 2: "My native language is Spanish, but I’ve been speaking English since I was a child."
Person 1: "Do you know any other languages?"
Person 2: "I’m learning French at the moment. It’s a bit challenging, but I enjoy it."
Person 1: "That’s great! I’ve always wanted to learn another language, but I find it difficult."
Person 2: "It takes time and practice, but once you start, it becomes easier."
Person 1: "I’d love to be fluent in another language someday."

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Reading:

"A World of Languages"

Languages are an essential part of human culture. Across the globe, there are thousands of languages spoken by different communities, each with its unique history, structure, and sounds. Some languages, like Mandarin Chinese, English, and Spanish, are spoken by millions of people. Others, like Hawaiian or Maori, are spoken by smaller populations.

In many countries, people are bilingual or even multilingual, meaning they can communicate in more than one language. For example, in Switzerland, people speak four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. In Canada, both English and French are widely spoken, especially in regions like Quebec.

In some countries, regional dialects or accents vary greatly, even if people speak the same official language. For instance, in the United States, there are different accents depending on whether you are in the South, Northeast, or Midwest. The same can be said for countries like Italy or China, where people speak regional varieties of their main language.

The ability to speak multiple languages is valuable not just for communication but also for understanding different cultures. When people learn a new language, they gain insight into the customs, traditions, and worldviews of those who speak it. This is why language learning is encouraged worldwide, and many schools offer foreign language courses to students from a young age.

Despite the diversity of languages, English has become a global language, often used in business, science, and international communication. However, preserving native and minority languages is equally important, as they represent the cultural heritage of communities around the world.

Whether you are learning a language for travel, work, or personal interest, knowing more than one language opens doors to new experiences and connections with others across the world.