Newborns begin to develop language skills long before they begin speaking. And, compared to adults, they develop these skills more quickly. People have a hard time learning new languages as they grow older, but babies have the ability to learn any language easily.

    For a long time, scientists have tried to explain how such young children can learn the complicated grammatical rules and sounds of a language. Now, researchers are getting a better idea of what's happening in the brains of the tiniest language learners. This new information might help kids with learning problems as well as adults who want to learn new languages. It might even help scientists who are trying to design computers that can communicate like people do.

    Most babies go “ma ma” by 6 months of age, and most children speak in full sentences by age 3. For many years, scientists have wondered how the brains of young children figure out how to communicate using language. With help from new technologies, scientists are now finding that babies begin life with the ability to learn any language. They get into contact with other people, listen to what they say and watch their movements very closely. That is why they quickly master the languages they hear most often.

    Studies show that, up to about 6 months of age, babies can recognize all the sounds that make up all the languages in the world. Starting at around 6 months old a baby's brain focuses on the most common sounds it hears. Then, children begin responding only to the sounds of the language they hear the most.

    In a similar way older babies start recognizing the patterns that make up the rules of their native language. For example, English children who are about 18 months old start to figure out that words ending in “-ing” or “-ed” are usually verbs, and that verbs are action words.

    Located in Los Angeles, University of Southern California is in the heart of a leading city. Although LA ranks highly in The Economist s Safe Cities Index, navigating and city calls for certain safety precautions (预防措施) along with practicing common sense.

    Mobile Safety App Powered by LiveSafe

    The Mobile Safety App powered by LiveSafe, manage by the USC Department of Public Safety and the USC Department of Emergency Planning, is a free downloadable app that that mobile users can use to initiate contact with emergency responders around the campus. Features include: immediate “push button” calls to DPS, easy reporting for suspicious activity or crimes in progress, and location services to notify friends of your route through campus.

    Blue Light Phone Locations

    The University Park has multiple blue light phones that are strategically placed throughout campus. Take note of where the closest ones are on your route. They come in handy in case you lose your phone or in an emergency. These phones are directly connected to USC's Department of Public Safety's 24-hour communications center. Besides emergency needs, it can also be used to report suspicious activity, request for an escort (护送) if you feel unsafe and to report a crime.

    Trojans Alert

    Trojans Alert is an emergency notification system that allows university officials to contact you during an emergency by sending messages via text message or email. When an emergency occurs, authorized USC senders will instantly notify you with real-time updates, instructions on where to go, what to do (or what not to do), whom to contact and other important information. All members of the USC community, as well as parents and regular visitors to campus, are strongly encouraged to sign up for Trojans Alert.

    The state of Texas has not fully recovered from last year's hurricane, Harvey, as it prepares for a new season of storms. After a teleconference with President Trump and Federal Emergency Officials, Texas governor Greg Abbott said that they were taking steps on a daily basis to make sure they would be able to address any coming challenges.

    Hurricane Harvey brought record rainfall to a wide range of Texas and more rain fell over a five day period than at any time, since records have been kept in the United States beginning in the 1850s. Last year's deadly hurricanes including Harvey, Irma and Maria caused mass destruction in large parts of Texas, Louisiana, the South Atlantic states, the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. Trump praised what he called best recovery and response efforts to the disasters. They were gathering every accessible resource to ensure maximum preparation for rapid response. That's what they had last year. Disaster reaction and recovery is best achieved when it's nationally supported, state managed and locally performed.

    Abbott also mentioned that two new satellites and modem technology will help decide the path and strength of the storms. State and local governments are also planning routes, shelters, communication lines and supply chains to ensure efficient reaction to the storms. Scientists warn that, as the earth warms, storms are taking more moisture and are able to produce more rainfall. This year storms are also expected to be driven by extremely powerful winds.

    Emergency Officials say the nation has to be prepared for ever more active storms in the future. They've got to keep building the culture of preparedness in this state and in this nation. Meteorologists（气象学家）predict up to 16 storms this summer including 5 to 9 hurricanes, the most active storms will occur in the approaching Mid-August.

    In the years of my growing up, Dad was hard on me. He made sure I made my bed and did my homework. As a school girl and young adult, I feared him and felt bitter about him. He seemed unhappy with me unless I got straight A's and unhappy with my boyfriends if their fathers were not as "successful" as he was. Whenever I went out with him on weekends, I used to struggle to think up things to say, feeling on guard.

    He would call in advance to make sure there was no alcohol(酒精) at the party. I got so angry with him for laying down the law. I would scream, "I hate you!" Dad would yell back, "Good! I don't care!" Deep down I knew he did.

    One time at a party, I drank too much alcohol and got so sick. I said, "Call my dad." Next thing, Dad was carrying me to the car. I woke up the next morning, thinking I would definitely be criticized(批评). As expected, I got a roasting, but I now understand why I need discipline(纪律).

    Dad was 29 when he got his big roles in films. I had an early start at the age of nine with a role in a 1990s TV series, but it wasn't until I finished film studies that I pursued my career as an actress. Like those early days for Dad, I faced lots of rejections. Working in such a competitive industry, I've sometimes thought, "I can't do this any more."

    Once, after a trip to Hollywood, I returned to Australia so depressed and spent months in my bedroom painting, listening to Eckhart Tolle's music and trying to find myself again. Dad sat me down and said, "Alice, I know it's hard, but it's all about persistence(坚持不懈)."

    Now I get to work with Dad a lot, which I love. We are both enthusiastic about acting, which comes from us being so interested in people. If it weren't for Dad, I wouldn't be where I am today. He's my biggest fan, and when you have that in your life you can go a long way.

    Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English, especially your spoken English.

    Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers.

    You may find the information you need.

    Global English Center

    General English in all four skills：listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

    3-month(700yuan), 6-month(1200yuan)and one-year(2000yuan)courses.

    Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day. Mon-Fri.

    Experienced college English teachers.

    Close to city center and bus stops.

    Tel：67605272 Add：105 Zhongshan Road, 100082.

    Modern Language School

    Special courses in English for business, traveling, banking, hotel management and office skills.

    Small classes(12-16 students)on Sat. ＆Sun. From 2∶00-5∶00pm.

    Native English teachers from Canada and USA.

    Language lab and computers supplied.

    3-month course：1,050yuan; 6-month course：1,850yuan.

    Write or phone：Modern Language School, 675Park Road. 100056

    Tel：67353019

    The 21st Century English raining Center

    We specialize in effective teaching at all levels.

    We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800yuan.

    We also have a six-week TOEFL preparation class during winter and summer holidays.

    Entrance exams：June 1 and Dec. 1.

    Only 15-minute walk from city center.

    Call 67801642 for more information.

    The International House of English

    Three/Six-month English courses for students of all levels at very low cost：60yuan for 13 hours per week; convenient class hours：9∶00－12∶00am and 2∶00－5∶00pm.

    A four-month evening program for developing speaking skills(same cost as day classes).

    Well-trained Chinese and foreign teachers experienced in teaching English as a second/foreign language. Free sightseeing and social activities. Very close to Central Park.

    For further information call 67432308.

    “Has anyone seen Charge?” I asked, only half expecting a reply. The kids were running around the house, each doing their own thing, and my husband was watching the football game. Since she had only been out of sight for a few hours, I wasn't overly concerned. I thought she must be under one of the kids' beds, hiding from all the mess that was normal for a Sunday afternoon in our home.

    ①

    Charge was not good-looking, to put it kindly. It wasn't her fault; she was simply gifted with the worst appearance traits（特征）in her background.

    My husband had found Charge wandering along the freeway one day on his way home from work. She looked as though she hadn't eaten in weeks, so he stopped and fed her with bits of his leftover lunch. Not knowing what to do, he brought her home with the hope of finding her owners or at least a loving family that would take her. However, once she was in the house, the kids were determined not to let her go. After a day or two of begging, we unwillingly gave in and told them we could keep her.

    After observing her actions for days, I found she was extremely distrustful and afraid of everyone. In time, though, she came to love the kids and slept on their beds every night. I wondered if what she had experienced had conditioned her to be protective of those who were hurting. Every time the kids cried, Charge would run to them and gently offer her comforting paw（爪子）. Unlike our cat, who had recently given birth to five kittens, Charge would have been a great mother.

    ②

    When I was finally able to get everyone's attention at the dinner table, I asked again if anyone had seen Charge. After a unanimous（异口同声的）“No”, I decided to take a look around the neighborhood.

    ③

    “Charge!” I cried, because there she was in the closet! She looked up at me from inside the little cats' box as if to say,“ Shhh, I just got them to sleep!”

    We usually kept the closet door open a bit so our mamma cat could go in and feed her kittens, but she always left as soon as she finished nursing. Obviously, Charge knew they needed more mamma time and was more than willing to help out.

    ④

    The kids smiled upon seeing the dog with the kittens. My husband shook his head and said, “Only you, Charge. Only you!”

    Charge continued to mother the kittens until they were placed in their new homes. Charge may not have been an attractive dog, but she truly had her inner beauty.