Although many Chinese students say that their knowledge of English grammar is good, most would admit
that their spoken English is poor. Whenever I speak to a Chinese student they always say, "My spoken English
is poor." However, their spoken English does not have to remain "poor"! I would like to suggest that there may
be some reasons for their problems with spoken English.
     First, they fail to find suitable words to express themselves due to a limited vocabulary. Obviously the better
answer is to expand their vocabulary. However, you can speak with a limited vocabulary, if your attitude is
positive. Others will follow you as long as you use the words that you know.
     Second, they are afraid of making mistakes. Sometimes they make mistakes when they are speaking because
they are shy and nervous. Yet students should remember that their goal should be FLUENCY NOT ACCURACY.
Your aim in writing is to be accurate following the rules for grammar and using the right words and spelling the
m correctly. However, in speaking your aim is fluency. You want to get your message across,that is, to talk to
someone in English, as quickly and as well as you can, even though sometimes you may use a wrong word or
tense, but it doesn't matter because the person you are speaking to will understand you and make allowances for
any mistakes he hears.
     The third reason is that not enough attention is paid to listening. You have one mouth but two ears! All that
hearing was necessary for you to start speaking.
     Forth, most Chinese students are reactive rather than proactive language learners. Instead of actively seeking
out opportunities to improve their spoken English they passively wait for speaking opportunities to come to them
and wonder why their English always remains poor. If you have this proactive outlook, then you will see English
opportunities wherever you go.
     If you do not use your English beyond the classroom you will forget what English you know. Remember:
USE IT OR LOSE IT! You can learn how to speak English better by speaking English more.

1. What is most probably the writer's purpose in writing the passage?

A. To improve your reading.
B. To improve your listening.
C. To improve your spoken English.
D. To improve your vocabulary.

2. We can learn from the third paragraph that _____.

A. Fluency is more important than accuracy.
B. It doesn't matter to make mistakes when we use English.
C. In order to get our message across we should speak cautiously.
D. Feeling shy and nervous can lead to errors.

3. Which of the following is true about Chinese students?

A. They are passive learners.
B. They are active in looking for a chance to practice their oral English.
C. They tend to wait for somebody to speak to them in English.
D. They speak English slowly without mistakes.

4. The last paragraph is close to the meaning of "_____".

A. More hurry, less speed
B. Better late than never
C. Silence is gold
D. Practice makes perfect

5. The text is most probably taken from a _____.

A. teacher's diary
B. report on study
C. sports newspaper
D. movie magazine