Column Discussion (Expert)｜コラムディスカッション（上級）Lesson41 : How Future Space Travel Could Create Language Communication Problems

PART A_1

Let’s learn vocabulary. Listen and repeat the words and the sentences with your tutor.

PART A_2

1.　potential	/puh-TEN-shuhl/
	-possible when the necessary conditions exist
	Amanda has a natural gift for acting. She can be a potential actress.
2.　exploration	/ek-spluh-REY-shuhn/
	-the investigation of unknown regions
	NASA has been working on explorations outside our galaxy.
3.　realm	/relm/
	-the region, sphere, or domain within which anything occurs, prevails, or dominates
	A whole new realm lies beyond our galaxy.
4.　interstellar	/in-ter-STEL-er/
	-situated or occurring between the stars
	Interstellar dust often enters our planet.
5.　evolve	/ih-VOLV/
	-to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution
	Animals evolve over time.

PART B_1

Let’s read the article. Please read them aloud, and I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

PART B_2

How Future Space Travel Could Create Language Communication Problems

Scientists and engineers are planning for potential exploration into interstellar space, the zone between stars, in the far future. To date, only two spacecraft have traveled into the enigmatic realm of interstellar space. Interstellar space is characterized by scientists as the region outside of the sun’s particles and magnetic fields. Experts predict that designing the technologies and infrastructure required to bring humans to this uncharted region of space would take several years. Huge spaceships will take astronauts on long journeys to distant stars if this occurs. Two American researchers looked at one potential issue with such travel. Recent research looks at the topic of language changes during long space flights. The researchers talked about how developments in human language could grow over time and trigger big communication difficulties with people on Earth. Languages evolve gradually as cultures become more distant from one another, according to the researchers. Long-term separation can cause people’s vocabulary to diverge to the point that it would be difficult for community members back home to understand.

PART C_1

Let’s answer comprehension questions. Please answer them based on the article.

PART C_2

1.	What is the scientists’ plan for the future?
2.	According to two American researchers, what is one potential problem with long space travel?
3.	How do long journeys to distant stars affect an astronaut’s language?

PART D_1

Let’s discuss the story. Please answer the questions below and express your opinions.

PART D_2

1.	What can you say about the scientists’ discovery of language communication problems when traveling in space?
2.	Given the fact that language communication problems may occur, do you think it is feasible to still send astronauts in space? Why or why not?
3.	What do you think is a preventive measure against communication problems when traveling in space?
4.	Do you think space explorations are important? Why or why not?
5.	How do space explorations benefit humans?

REVIEW AND FEEDBACK

Now, let us review the things that you learned in this lesson.

ではこのレッスンで学んだことを振り返りましょう。

(Please give a short feedback on how your student did on your class.)

	Grammar 文法	Pronunciation 発音	Vocabulary 単語	Comprehension 理解
GOOD	文法の誤りはほとんどなく、完全な文章で話すことができる	ほとんどの単語をはっきりと正しく発音することができる	習った表現を適切に使うことができる	文章を理解し、質問に正しく答えることができる
FAIR	文法の誤りはあるが、完全な文章で話すことができる	発音の練習が必要な言葉がいくつかある	たまにミスはあるが、習った表現を適切に使うことができる	文章を完全に理解するのは難しく、質問に正しく答えられないときもある
POOR	文章で話すのは難しく、単語だけで話すことができる	発音の練習が必要である	習った単語と表現を少しだけ使うことができる	文章を理解するのは難しく、質問に答えるのは難しい

TUTOR FEEDBACK

GRAMMAR
Good:	Was able to speak in complete sentences with minimal grammatical errors.
Fair:	Was able to speak in complete sentences with evident grammatical errors.
Poor:	Was able to speak using words only.
PRONUNCIATION
Good:	Was able to pronounce most of the words clearly and correctly.
Fair:	Mispronounced a few words.
Poor:	Mispronounced most of the words.
VOCABULARY
Good:	Used appropriate expressions learned in class.
Fair:	Used appropriate expressions learned in class and made a few errors in word choice.
Poor:	Used only a few words and expressions.
COMPREHENSION
Good:	Was able to understand the passages and answer the questions correctly.
Fair:	Had a little difficulty in understanding passages and answering questions.
Poor:	Had a hard time understanding passages and answering questions.

Parts of this lesson material are based on:
An article by Voice of America