You will hear a lecture. After listening to the lecture, in 10 seconds, please speak into the microphone and retell what you have just heard from the lecture in your own words. You will have 40 seconds to give your response.
It is wrong, however, to exaggerate the similarity between language and other cognitive skills, because language stands apart in several ways. For one thing, the use of language is universal-all normally developing children learn to speak at least one language, and many learn more than one. By contrast, not everyone becomes proficient at complex mathematical reasoning, few people learn to paint well, and many people cannot carry a tune. Because everyone is capable of learning to speak and understand language, it may seem to be simple. But just the opposite is true-language is one of the most complex of all human cognitive abilities. Sample answer: The lecture talks about the differences between language learning and other cognitive skills’ learning. The use of language is universal used, and all developing children learn to speak as least one language, even more than one. Not everyone becomes proficient at other cognitive skills, such as mathematical reasoning, painting or carrying a tune. The universal use of language makes it capable of learning simply. Language is one of the most complex human cognitive skills.
