3 Study the excerpt and complete the gaps with suitable language forms. Refer to the information on ‘Modifying Comparisons’
Both US and Chinese schools systems have strengths and weaknesses. For instance, teachers in China are given (1) …………… respect then teachers in the US. They do not take taxes on their salary, and they receive their national holiday. In addition, the work ethic is (2) ……………. (hard) in Chinese schools than in the US schools, which results in student success. Segregation of high achieving students from low achieving students in the Chinese schools is (3) …………in the US. US universities and colleges have the reputation of being (4) …………… in the world. While American students have the same amount of allocated time as the Chinese students, the amount of engaged time spent in schools is (5)………………. than their Chinese counterparts.
2 Modifying Comparisons
to express a big difference, we can use
a great deal, (quite) a lot, considerably, far, (very) much + comparative
It’s much more effective to create an association map of the text to remember it.
by far (and away), easily + superlative
This is by far the best conclusion of the thesis.
nothing like, not nearly, nowhere near as ………. as
Writing a letter is nowhere near as difficult as writing a research paper.
just about + superlative
The technology was just about the most suitable with the learners of that grade.
to express a small difference, we can use
barely, a bit, hardly any, a little, scarcely (any), slightly, somewhat + comparative
That term is scarcely longer than the previous one.
nearly, not quite as ……….. as, much the same as
The latter results were not quite as corresponding as the initial ones.
4 Read the sentences and choose the correct word or phrase:
The topic for the discussion turned out to be by far / much more controversial.
It was just about / very much the best activity to develop the communicative competence.
This room is slightly / by far and away more spacious than that one.
Your description essay is easily / considerably better than the precious disposition essay.
The argument was considered to be barely / by far the most crucial.
5 Revise the form and use of expressions with future meaning and ways of modifying comparisons and write a passage (100-150 words) describing the linguistic education in the Republic of Kazakhstan and target language countries, using the structures mention above.
LISTENING
1 Listen to AJ Hoge, an educator, the author of “Effortless English”, talking about learning languages like a child and take notes on the main ideas discussed.
2
Listen to the text again and say what learning languages like a
child implies.
3 Express your opinion on the ideas presented and write a summary of the text (100-120 words).
VIDEO WATCHING
1 Revise what you know about the comprehensible input, then generate your ideas on what comprehensive learning is.
2 Comment on the quotation on the board. www.eflclassroom.com