Flexible

Unit 4 Language

Unit 4.1

1. language ⇒ native/foreign/ international language

To speak a language, to communicate in the language

Language learner

Basics of the language

Native speaker

3. dialect /ˈdaɪəlekt/

4. accent /ˈæks(ə)nt/

to develop/to perfect accent

slight/strong accent

5. identity – the qualities that make someone or sth what they are and different from other people

E.g.: The countries have kept their own distinct political and cultural identities.

6. to adapt to - to change your ideas or behaviour so that you can deal with a new situation

E.g.: Courses can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual.

adaption or adaptation - the process of changing sth so that it can be used for a different purpose

E.g.: They specialize in the adaptation of industrial buildings for housing.

adaptable - adaptable things can be used in different situations or for different purposes

E.g.: Most people want insurance policies that are adaptable to changing circumstances.

Slang

8. to make an effort - an attempt to do sth that is difficult or that involves hard work

E.g.: I’ve made an effort to drink less tea and coffee.

To accelerate

10. to be bilingual /baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/

To confuse

12. fluent ⇒ to become fluent

fluently ⇒ to speak fluently

fluency ⇒ E.g.: The job requires fluency in Spanish.

flexible

14. to let sb down (separable) – to disappoint

E.g. I know I let you down when I didn’t do what I promised. I’m really sorry.

15. to fall behind (inseparable) - to make less progress or be less successful than other people who are doing a similar job or activity

E.g.: My daughter is falling behind with her schoolwork.

to fall behind in sth

16. to pick up ­(separable) - to get information or a skill by chance rather than by making a deliberate effort

E.g.: She picked up a few German phrases while staying in Berlin.

17. to get by (inseparable) - to have just enough of sth such as money or knowledge so that you can do what you need to do

E.g.: My arithmetic isn’t very good, but I get by.

to get by on ⇒ E.g.: I couldn’t possibly get by on £500 a month.

to get by with ⇒ E.g.: You could probably get by with that computer, but a more powerful one would be better.

18. to catch on (inseparable) - to understand ⇒ E.g.: He didn’t catch on at first.

to catch on to ⇒ E.g.: Then I caught on to what the man was saying.

19. to take up (separable) - to start doing something regularly as a habit, job, or interest

E.g.: Chris has taken up jogging.

20. to keep up with (inseparable) - to make progress or learn at the same speed as someone or sth

E.g.: We always try to keep up with our competitors.

21. high-flyer - someone who has achieved a lot and is determined to continue being successful