初中中考英语时文阅读选学生课外阅读学习材料.docx

How do Zhang Ziyi and Yao Ming Learn English? 章子怡和姚明是如何学习英语的？ Actress Zhang Ziyi, 27, is now not only a household name in China, but also the face of Asian cinema in Hollywood. Although Zhang received praises for her work in the Oscar-winning movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon " (《卧虎藏龙》 ), she didn't speak a word of English at that time. When she met director Steven Spielberg for the title role of American film, " Memoirs of a Geisha " (《艺伎回忆录》 ), Zhang could only blurt out a few words her agent had taught her five minutes ago: "Hire ( 雇佣 ) me!" She finally got the role, which meant she had to speak only English in the film. To improve her English, Zhang listened to and repeated words and phrases she heard on music CDs. One of the artists she was listening to was Eminem, which obviously led to some embarrassing (尴尬的 ) moments for Zhang. "I didn't always know what Eminem was talking about, so I wrote down the lyrics ( 歌词 ) and repeated them. Later, I understood how rude they were." Zhang said her favourite English idiom is "to drive one up the wall". "Learning English is driving me up the wall," she said. Like Zhang, basketball star Yao Ming also had to learn English to help his career development. Yao landed in the NBA in 2002. His team the Houston Rockets found a translator (翻译 ) for Yao. To adapt ( 适应 ) himself to the new environment, Yao used English as much as possible. On court, he had to use the language to communicate with his teammates. Off court, he tried to have conversations in English with his teacher just to practise. Yao Ming also had to memorize (记住 ) lots of new vocabulary. "Sometimes I learn a new word but quickly forgot it. But I find my memories are consolidated ( 强化 ) when someone uses it later." Now Yao is good at English. He doesn't need a translator anymore. Match point for new star 郑洁：个子小怎么啦，我一样行。 ZHENG Jie is not like other girls her age. While most girls struggle to stay slim (苗条 ), Zheng wishes she could put on some weight an