[originaltext]W: Come in!M: Hi, Professor Jane! Do you have a minute?W: Fredr

W: Come in!
M: Hi, Professor Jane! Do you have a minute?
W: Fredrick! Come in.
M: I like your new office!
W: Thanks! It’s much nicer than my old one... What can I do for you?
M: Well... er... I’d like to talk about my English.
W: Your English is great! You were my top student last semester. How’s your new speaking class with Professor Simmons?
M: He’s a good teacher, alright... but, I’m worried about my classmates.
W: Your classmates?
M: I mean... my classmates are from all different countries. I’m afraid that if I talk with them during group work, I’ll pick up their accents.
W: I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you. There’s no way you can pick up a different accent just from being in class a few hours a week.
M: Really?
W: Really! Just think of all the English you’re exposed to every day here in the United States. You listen to the radio, you watch TV, you talk with your American friends, you chat with people in stores… Most of the English you hear is American English. You’re only with your classmates a couple of hours a day. That’s not going to affect your accent.
M: Are you sure?
W: Let me give you an example... Umm... say you have a mother from Germany living in the United States. Let’s say she has a child here. Even if the mother speaks English with a German accent, her child will still grow up speaking American English. Why? Because the child’s getting language from lots of other places, not just the mother. It’s the same for your situation.
M: I understand your example about the child... but I think children learn language differently than adults.
W: Actually you’re right. It isn’t exactly the same because children CAN actually learn accents. Their minds and bodies are much more flexible than ours, so it’s easier for them. For adults who are studying a foreign language, accent is one of the hardest things to improve. In fact, most adults never lose their native accents.
M: So does that mean I’ll never sound like a native speaker?
W: Unfortunately that’s probably true.
M: Hmmm... that makes me wonder if I should take that pronunciation class that I signed up for next semester.
W: I wouldn’t look at it that way. In a pronunciation class, there are still important things that you can learn.
M: Like what, for example?
W: Like things that will make your speech clearer—things such as stress, rhythm, and intonation.
M: I guess you’re right... Thanks for your advice, professor. I’ll think over what you said.
6. Where does this conversation take place?
7. Why wouldn’t the woman worry about the man’s situation?
8. According to the woman, why is it easier for children to learn accents?
9. What does the woman say about adults learning a foreign language?
10. What does the man decide to do at the end of the conversation?