Learning a second language

    Nowadays, more and more people are learning a second language. So why should we invest time in learning a second language? Is it worth it? What are the benefits of learning a second language? Let us see.

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    If your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own languages will help you to communicate with them better. It may also help you to make sales and to negotiate and secure contracts. Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chance of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips.

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    Needless to say, being able to speak a foreign language, for example, the Japanese, would benefit you a lot when you are travelling to Japan. Being able to speak the language of the target country will save you a lot of communication trouble and inconvenience. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Education

    If you are a high school student or a college student who is interested in going abroad for further education, then you will, in all possibility, have to learn the language of the country where you wish to move to, for further studies. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

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    Learning a second language can help in broadening one's horizon, it can help in learning about the culture of that particular country and it can pave the way for new interests and hobbies. Not only can you enjoy forms of art and literature connected with the new language, but you can also meet new people, make new friends and develop long-lasting relationships…all on the basis of learning a new language.

    Thanks to the magic of the Internet, booking your yearly trip is just a few clicks away. But you may throw money away when you travel. Here are some of the most common travel mistakes that waste your money and what you can do to fix them．

1).Not having travel insurance

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But if Something bad does happen while you're traveling and you aren't covered（给……保险）, you'll be left paying thousands of dollars.

    What you should do: {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It only costs a few dollars a day and it offered through many of the credit card companies．

2). Mismanaging your money

    Whether it's by using traveler's checks, or getting cash before you go，you don't look for the best rates.

    What you should do：{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Check if your bank has a partner ATM network in the country you're visiting and it may cost you nothing to take out local cash.

3). Booking too early

    People get excited about their trip and, to make it real，book their flight right away. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Both area mistake．

    What you should do：Book your flight about two to three months in advance to secure the lowest fares.

4). Asking where to eat the wrong way

    Even if you're doing the smart thing and asking locals，“Where should I eat？”you're asking the question in a wrong way. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

What you should do：It seems simple but asking，“Where do you eat？”means a world of difference. Instead of guessing what you might like, a local can direct you to a place he likes to visit

A．Get travel insurance!

B．Or they forget and wait until the last minute.

C．Use the ATM for cash and a credit card for all your shopping．

D．A lot of people think“I'm just going away for a short time．I'll be fine.”

E．Call a hotel to see if they will have a lower rate than what you find online.

F．You will be sent to restaurants that loca1s think tourists would want to visit．

G．Visit the tourism board when you arrive as they are experts on your location．

    Maybe you have heard the expression “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. So when you want to do business in France, you have to get to know French culture, to make marketing plans, and to run your business by local laws．

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} The French take great pride in their language, so anyone who does not speak it may run the risk of being disrespected by his French colleagues or business partners. Also, another reason why learning French is important is that it is a great way to show every possible French business partner that you care and respect their country's culture and language．

    The first thing that you should do when meeting someone new is to shake his hand firmly and always look the person in the eye. In social meetings with friends, kissing is common．

    Use first names only after being invited to. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The French will sometimes introduce themselves using their surname first, followed by their first name．

    Dress well. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Your business clothing is a reflection of your success and social status. Always try to be tasteful and stylish.  Women are advised to dress simply but elegantly. Wearing make-up is practiced widely by business women．

    The French are passionate about food, so lunches are common in doing business in France, which usually consist of an appetizer, main meal with wine, cheese, dessert and coffee, and normally take up to two hours． {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Do not begin eating until the host says, “bon appetite”. Pass dishes to the left, keep wrists above the table and try to eat everything on the plate. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  This may suggest that you find the food tasteless. If eating in a restaurant, the person who invites always pays．

A． The French draw information about people based on their appearance．

B． This is a time for relationship building．

C． Remember to be as polite as possible．

D．Language should be the focus of anyone planning to do business in France．

E． Be careful with adding salt, pepper or sauces to your food．

F．Use Monsieur or Madame before the surname．

G．Make an appointment with your business partner in advance．

    Here are some ways parents can use to encourage a healthy self-image in their children.

    Teach what real value is. I think kids sometimes are confused about values. How valuable you are is not measured by how pretty you are on the outside.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}We were watching the Oscars and my 6-year-old son said, “She is so pretty,” and then quickly looked at me and said You are prettier, Mom.” And I said, “It's okay. There are many people prettier than me on the outside. I know that's not why you love me{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Tell your kids about “the grass is always greener” syndrome. It is very easy for all of us to see the charm, whether it is in a famous singer or the most popular girl in the school. Do not think too highly of famous people.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Maybe they have the same struggles, like wanting acceptance from peers.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Don't be afraid to have conversations with your child about how they're feeling about ads songs, etc. You are the parent!{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Take a stand and have confidence enough not to be followers and not to purchase clothing, music, or magazines that you don't believe send the right message to your children!

A. Use your mouth.

B. Be patient with your kids.

C. about what problems they might have.

D. It is important to teach children this from an early age.

E. Success is not measured by how famous you are, either.

F. Girls tend to like famous singers while boys prefer sports stars.

G In fact, kids of all ages want and need boundaries from you.

    It's normal to wake briefly during the night.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} But if you're waking up during the night and having trouble falling back asleep, the following tips may help.

    The key to getting back to sleep is continuing to prepare your body for sleep, so remain in bed in a relaxed position. Hard as it may be, try not to stress over the fact that you're awake.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}So just focus on the feelings and sensations in your body.

    If you are finding it hard to fall back asleep, try a relaxation technique such as visualization, deep breathing, or meditation (沉思）.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remind yourself that although they're not a replacement for sleep, rest and relaxation still help refresh your body. Do a quiet, non-stimulating activity.

    If you've been awake for more than 15 minutes, try getting out of bed and doing a quiet, non-stimulating activity, such as reading a book. Keep the lights dim so as not to think that it's time to wake up.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The type of light they send out is stimulating(刺激)the brain. A light snack might help relax you, but be careful not to eat so much that your body begins to expect a meal at that time of the day.

    If you wake during the night feeling anxious about something, make a brief note of it on paper.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You may find that it will be easier to solve it when you are fresh. Similarly, if a great idea is keeping you awake, make a note of it on paper and fall back to sleep, knowing you'll be much more productive and creative aft-er a good night's rest.

A. Arrange for it to take place the next day.

B. In fact, a good sleeper won't even remember it.

C. The darker the bedroom is, the better you'll sleep.

D. They can be done without even getting out of bed.

E. Try to make dinner time earlier in the evening.

F. Stress and anxiety encourage your body to stay awake.

G. Also avoid screens of any kind —computers, TVs, cell phones, iPads.

    Venice Carnival is one of Italy's most fascinating yearly events. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} A confusion of color, historical costumes, mysterious masks, and a week of live concerts, street parties and entertainment attract millions of tourists each year. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

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    Traditionally held around Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, at the start of Lent (40 days before Easter), Venice Carnival ( Carnevale del Veneto ) celebrations can last up to two weeks. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, the biggest events, including the official parades and masked balls, are held over the final weekend.

    What to Do?

    Join one of the parades or street parties, and taste traditional Carnival foods such as frittelle, a traditional dessert made only during the festivities. Carnival is the ideal time to experience Venetian culture and traditions. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can also take part in a mask-making workshop, tour Venice's cicchetti bars for a bite to eat, sail up and down the Grand Canal on a romantic Venice boat ride, or attend an evening Carnival concert or dinner theater performance.

Things to Know

    St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) is the center of Carnival celebrations with daily parades, performances and other activities. Most Carnival events, except for the masked balls and gala dinners, are free to attend.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} So prepare for cold weather and possible rain, with an average high of 46℉(8℃) in February.

A. When to Go

B. Where to Stay

C. Carnival falls during winter in Venice.

D. Most visitors choose to arrive on the final weekend.

E. It is also one of the oldest festivals celebrated in the city.

F. There's a busy schedule of both free and ticketed events throughout the time.

G. Get into the carnival spirit by buying or renting a traditional costume or Venetian mask.