GRAMMAR A

1 | Discuss the questions with a partner. • Why do you think people make mistakes when they are learning languages? • How do you feel when you make a mistake? Why?

go hand in hand - to be closely connected with each other

2 | Read the conversation between two friends and complete the sentence. Unlike Kate, Rashad thinks that it is OK to ★★★ when you are learning a language.

Rashad: Hey, Kate! I made a funny mistake in my Chinese lesson today. Kate: Oh no, Rashad! Mistakes are not good. You should be perfect in Chinese. Rashad: Really? I thought making mistakes was okay. It helps me learn better. Mistakes provide us with an opportunity to learn. Kate: No way! Mistakes are embarrassing. Everyone should be perfect from the start. |

Rashad: But, Kate, our teacher says it's normal to make mistakes when you are learning a language. It's part of the learning process.
Kate: Well, I don't like it. I want to be the best without any mistakes.
Rashad: But what if we learn from our mistakes and get even better? Isn't that good?
Kate: Hmm, I'm not sure. I still don't like the idea of making mistakes.
Rashad: Let me check it on the Internet, too ... You see, the study says mistakes and learning a language go hand in hand.
Kate: Okay then.

3 | Look at the boldfaced words in the conversation and decide if the statements are True or False. 1. We use the indefinite articles a and an before a noun to refer to non-specific things and people (singular only). 2. We use the definite article the before a noun to refer to specific things and people (singular or plural). 3. We use articles a, an and the before pronouns.