Column Discussion (Expert)｜コラムディスカッション（上級）Lesson99 : We Learn Language in Pre-Human Area of Brain

PART A_1

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

PART A_2

1.　area	/AIR-ee-uh /
	-An area is also a particular part of anything that takes space
	This area of the brain is called the cerebral cortex.
2.　mechanism	/MEK-uh-niz-uhm/
	-a way of doing something that is planned or part of a system
	These new cameras have a special focusing mechanism.
3.　linguistic	/ling-GWIS-tik/
	-connected with language or the study of language
	I’m interested in the linguistic development of babies.
4.　examine	/ig-ZAM-in /
	-to look at or consider a person or thing carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them
	They are to examine ways of reducing traffic in that area.
5.　disability	/dis-uh-BIL-i-tee/
	-an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for someone to do the things that other people do
	She is blind but refuses to let her disability prevent her from doing what she wants to do.

PART B_1

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

PART B_2

Study: We Learn Language in Pre-Human Area of Brain

A new study could benefit people learning a new language. Michael Ullman, the lead writer and a professor at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, D.C., has been researching language learning for more than 20 years. According to Ullman’s findings, the human brain lacks a special area or system for generating language. He claims that we have simply reused parts of our brain for language over time. And those parts, he claims, are ancient – possibly even older than humans. These mechanisms exist in non-human animals as well, according to one of the study’s co-authors. Phillip Hamrick is an assistant professor at Kent State University in Ohio. He explains in a press release that rats use the same memory systems as humans to complete some tests. Data from 16 other linguistic studies were
examined by Ullman, Hamrick, and the rest of the team. People learn a language using two memory systems: declarative and procedural, according to the researchers. Declarative memory is what we refer to as “learning memory” in humans. For example, “Oh, I remember what you said last night,” or similar phrases. And procedural motor memory is what we commonly refer to as “motor memory,” as in learning to ride a bicycle. In addition to language learners, Ullman’s research may benefit people who have suffered a brain injury that affects their ability to speak and write. Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, may benefit from this experience. Ullman also hoped that the research would lead to advances in our understanding of language.

PART C_1

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

PART C_2

1.	According to Ullman’s findings, what does the human brain lack?
2.	What exists in non-human animals as well?
3.	What are the two memory systems that people use to learn a language?

PART D_1

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

PART D_2

1.	What do you think Ullman felt when he discovered that the human brain lacks a special area or system for generating language?
2.	Which is more effective, declarative or motor memory? Why do you think so?
3.	What is dyslexia? Please explain your answer.
4.	What language would you like to learn? How would you like to learn it?
5.	What do you think would be the other benefits of this study? Please explain your answer.

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 in 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