how our ears hear and our brain understands when we learn a new language
The Ears and the Brain in Language Learning
When we learn a new language, listening is very important. Our body has two helpers for listening: the ears and the brain. They work together all the time.
The ears hear sounds from outside. They hear words, voices, and sentences. The ears do not understand the meaning, but they bring all sounds to the brain. The ears are like doors. They open and let the sounds go inside.
The brain takes the sounds from the ears. Then it starts to work. The brain listens again inside, and it looks for meaning. It remembers old words and connects them with new ones. When the brain finds the meaning, we understand.
When we listen many times, the brain becomes faster. It learns the correct sounds, the right stress, and the rhythm of the language. Later, this helps us to speak more clearly and with more confidence.
So, the ears and the brain are a team. The ears bring the sounds, and the brain builds the meaning. Without ears, no sounds come in. Without the brain, no meaning comes out. Together, they make language learning possible.
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Vocabulary:
brain – the part inside your head that thinks and remembers. to listen – to pay attention with your ears. important – something we really need. a helper – a person or thing that helps. to work together – to do something with another person or thing. all the time – always, every moment. to hear – to get sounds with your ears. sounds – noises we hear with our ears. from outside – not inside, but in the world around us. a voice – the sound from a person when they speak. a sentence – a group of words that go together. a meaning – what a word or sentence tells us. to listen again inside – the brain hears the sounds one more time and thinks. to look for meaning – to try to find what the words want to say. to remember – to keep something in your mind. to connect – to join things together. stress (pronunciation) – the part of a word we say stronger or louder. rhythm of a language – the music or beat of how people speak. to speak clearly – to say words in a way that people can understand. confidence – to feel strong and sure, not afraid. to make possible – to help something happen.
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Multiple choice, one answer correct:
What is the brain? a) The part inside the head that thinks b) A sound from outside c) A group of words together
What does to listen mean? a) To speak loudly b) To pay attention with your ears c) To write words on paper
What does important mean? a) Something very big b) Something funny c) Something we really need
What is a helper? a) A person or thing that helps b) A strong feeling c) A word in a sentence
What does to work together mean? a) To do something alone b) To say words clearly c) To do something with another person or thing
What does all the time mean? a) Always, every moment b) Only one time c) Sometimes
What does to hear mean? a) To look with your eyes b) To get sounds with your ears c) To remember something
What are sounds? a) Pictures we see with our eyes b) Words we write on paper c) Noises we hear with our ears
What does from outside mean? a) In the world around us b) Inside your head c) Something we remember
What is a voice? a) A place to study b) The sound from a person when they speak c) The brain inside the head
What is a sentence? a) A group of words that go together b) A word we say louder c) A sound from outside
What is a meaning? a) A kind of rhythm b) What a word or sentence tells us c) A strong voice
What does to listen again inside mean? a) To write the words again b) To speak in a loud voice c) The brain hears the sounds one more time and thinks
What does to look for meaning mean? a) To speak with stress b) To connect two things together c) To try to find what the words want to say
What does to remember mean? a) To keep something in your mind b) To forget something c) To speak very clearly
What does to connect mean? a) To say a word louder b) To join things together c) To work alone
What is stress (pronunciation)? a) The beat of a language b) The part of a word we say stronger or louder c) A group of words
What is rhythm of a language? a) A helper in the brain b) The sound of one voice c) The music or beat of how people speak ———————————-
What does to speak clearly mean? a) To say words in a way people understand b) To say words very quickly c) To read silently
What is confidence? a) To work with a helper b) To feel strong and sure, not afraid c) To listen to sounds again
What does to make possible mean? a) To remember something important b) To stop something from happening c) To help something happen.
The ears and the brain do not need to work together for language learning. F True is: The ears and the brain do need to work together for language learning.
Listening many times improves understanding and speaking confidently. T
Without the ears, no sounds come into the brain. T
The brain listens again inside and looks for meaning. T
The ears understand the meaning of the words they hear. F True is: The ears do not understand meaning; the brain finds the meaning.
Repeated listening helps the brain learn the correct sounds, stress, and rhythm. T
Listening does not help with speaking clearly. F True is: Listening does help with speaking clearly.
The brain and the ears work together in language learning. T
Without the brain, the sounds from the ears have no meaning. T
The ears can connect old words with new words by themselves. F True is: The brain connects old words with new words, not the ears.
Language learning is only possible when the ears bring sounds and the brain builds meaning. T
The brain remembers old words and connects them with new ones through repeated listening. T
Repeated listening does not help the brain remember old words. F True is: Repeated listening does help the brain remember old words.
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Gap-fill exercise, one answer correct:
The ears _____ sounds from the outside world. (a) hear (b) ignore (c) confuse
Listening many times helps the brain _____ old words with new ones. (a) connect (b) forget (c) ignore
The brain listens again inside and tries to _____ the meaning. (a) find (b) hide (c) repeat
Without the ears, no _____ would reach the brain. (a) words (b) sounds (c) meaning
The ears and the brain work together _____ learning a language_____. (a) to make possible (b) to confuse (c) to avoid
Repeated listening helps improve the correct _____ and rhythm of words. (a) stress (b) voice (c) noise
The ears alone cannot _____ the meaning of the words. (a) understand (b) hear (c) connect
The brain helps us speak more clearly and with more _____. (a) fear (b) confidence (c) mistakes
Sounds enter through the ears, but the brain gives them _____. (a) rhythm (b) stress (c) meaning
The ears do not _____ words; they only bring sounds to the brain. (a) connect (b) understand (c) remember
The brain becomes faster at processing sounds after _____ listening sessions. (a) little (b) many (c) no
Without the brain, sounds from the ears have no _____. (a) voice (b) meaning (c) noise
Listening helps the brain remember words and _____ them with others. (a) ignore (b) connect (c) confuse
Both the ears and the brain are _____ in making language learning possible. (a) helpers (b) obstacles (c) noise
Listening many times helps the brain connect old words with new ones.
The brain listens again inside and tries to find the meaning.
Without the ears, no sounds would reach the brain.
The ears and the brain work together to make possible learning a language.
Repeated listening helps improve the correct stress and rhythm of words.
The ears alone cannot understand the meaning of the words.
The brain helps us speak more clearly and with more confidence.
Sounds enter through the ears, but the brain gives them meaning.
The ears do not understand words; they only bring sounds to the brain.
The brain becomes faster at processing sounds after many listening sessions.
Without the brain, sounds from the ears have no meaning.
Listening helps the brain remember words and connect them with others.
Both the ears and the brain are helpers in making language learning possible.
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Interview with an expert on learning a language, ears, and brain, fill in, words below:
meaning – remembers – words – sounds – brain – stress – important – hear – understand – speak – confidence – many times – word
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1. Q: Why is listening important when learning a new language? A: Listening helps us hear __________ and understand meaning.
2. Q: What do the ears do in language learning? A: The ears hear sounds and send them to the __________ .
3. Q: Can the ears __________ words alone? A: No, the ears only hear sounds. The brain finds the meaning.
4. Q: What does the brain do with the sounds? A: The brain listens again and looks for __________.
5. Q: Why should we listen many times? A: Listening many times helps us learn correct sounds and __________.
6. Q: How does listening help speaking? A: Listening helps us speak clearly and with __________.
7. Q: What happens if we only read words and do not listen? A: We can read words but cannot __________ well or understand spoken words.
8. Q: How does the brain connect old and new words? A: The brain __________ old words and joins them with new words.
9. Q: Does the brain work faster with practice? A: Yes, listening __________ makes the brain faster.
10. Q: Can we learn language without listening? A: No, listening is very __________.
11. Q: What is stress in a __________? A: Stress is the strong part of the word we say louder.
12. Q: Why do we need both ears and the brain? A: The ears bring __________ and the brain finds meaning.
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Full version in A1:
1. Q: Why is listening important when learning a new language? A: Listening helps us hear words and understand meaning.
2. Q: What do the ears do in language learning? A: The ears hear sounds and send them to the brain.
3. Q: Can the ears understand words alone? A: No, the ears only hear sounds. The brain finds the meaning.
4. Q: What does the brain do with the sounds? A: The brain listens again and looks for meaning.
5. Q: Why should we listen many times? A: Listening many times helps us learn correct sounds and stress.
6. Q: How does listening help speaking? A: Listening helps us speak clearly and with confidence.
7. Q: What happens if we only read words and do not listen? A: We can read words but cannot speak well or understand spoken words.
8. Q: How does the brain connect old and new words? A: The brain remembers old words and joins them with new words.
9. Q: Does the brain work faster with practice? A: Yes, listening many times makes the brain faster.
10. Q: Can we learn language without listening? A: No, listening is very important.
11. Q: What is stress in a word? A: Stress is the strong part of the word we say louder.
12. Q: Why do we need both ears and the brain? A: The ears bring sounds and the brain finds meaning.
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The same dialogue in A2:
1. Q: Why is listening important when learning a new language? A: Listening is very important because it helps us understand words, sentences, and meaning.
2. Q: What do the ears do in language learning? A: The ears hear sounds, words, and sentences, and send them to the brain.
3. Q: Can the ears understand words alone? A: No, ears cannot understand meaning. The brain finds the meaning of the sounds.
4. Q: What does the brain do with the sounds? A: The brain listens again inside, remembers old words, and looks for meaning.
5. Q: Why should we listen many times? A: Listening many times helps the brain learn the correct sounds, stress, and rhythm.
6. Q: How does listening help speaking? A: Listening helps us speak clearly and with confidence.
7. Q: What happens if we only read words and do not listen? A: We can read and write, but we cannot speak well or understand spoken language.
8. Q: How does the brain connect old and new words? A: The brain remembers old words and joins them with new words.
9. Q: Does the brain work faster with practice? A: Yes, listening many times makes the brain faster and stronger.
10. Q: Can we learn a language without listening? A: No, listening is necessary for learning a language.
11. Q: What is stress in a word? A: Stress is the part of the word we say stronger or louder.
12. Q: Why do we need both ears and the brain? A: The ears bring sounds and the brain gives them meaning.
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The same dialogue in B1:
1. Q: Why is listening important when learning a new language? A: Listening is very important because it helps us understand not only words but also sentences and overall meaning.
2. Q: What do the ears do in language learning? A: The ears receive sounds, words, and sentences from the environment and pass them to the brain.
3. Q: Can the ears understand words on their own? A: No, ears cannot understand the meaning by themselves; the brain interprets the sounds.
4. Q: What does the brain do with the sounds? A: The brain listens again internally, connects new words with words you already know, and searches for meaning.
5. Q: Why should we listen repeatedly? A: Listening repeatedly helps the brain learn correct pronunciation, stress, and the rhythm of the language.
6. Q: How does listening help speaking? A: Listening trains the brain to recognize language patterns, which improves clarity and confidence when speaking.
7. Q: What happens if we only read words and do not listen? A: We may understand written words, but we will have difficulties pronouncing them correctly and understanding spoken language.
8. Q: How does the brain connect old and new words? A: The brain remembers old words and links them with new words to build understanding.
9. Q: Does the brain become faster at processing language with practice? A: Yes, repeated listening strengthens neural connections, allowing the brain to process language more quickly.
10. Q: Can someone learn a language without listening? A: No, listening is essential for acquiring proper pronunciation, rhythm, and comprehension.
11. Q: What is stress in a word? A: Stress is the part of the word we pronounce more strongly or louder than the other parts.
12. Q: Why do we need both ears and the brain? A: The ears bring in sounds, and the brain interprets them to create understanding and meaning.
When we learn a new language, listening is very important. Our body has two helpers for listening: the ears and the brain. They work together all the time.
The ears hear sounds from outside. They hear words, voices, and sentences. The ears do not understand the meaning, but they bring all sounds to the brain. The ears are like doors. They open and let the sounds go inside.
The brain takes the sounds from the ears. Then it starts to work. The brain listens again inside, and it looks for meaning. It remembers old words and connects them with new ones. When the brain finds the meaning, we understand.
When we listen many times, the brain becomes faster. It learns the correct sounds, the right stress, and the rhythm of the language. Later, this helps us to speak more clearly and with more confidence.
So, the ears and the brain are a team. The ears bring the sounds, and the brain builds the meaning. Without ears, no sounds come in. Without the brain, no meaning comes out. Together, they make language learning possible.
Doing texts and exercises helps you learn English. You can get better and know more words.
A2 (Elementary)
Non-native speakers should do texts and exercises. This helps them improve their English and learn new vocabulary.
B1 (Intermediate)
Learners of all levels should practice with texts and exercises because this will help them improve their English skills and increase their vocabulary.
B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Non-native speakers at every level should engage in texts and exercises as these activities enhance their language proficiency and expand their vocabulary.
C1 (Advanced)
It is essential for non-native speakers across all proficiency levels to work with texts and exercises, as doing so significantly boosts their command of the language and enriches their lexical knowledge.
C2 (Proficient)
Regardless of their current proficiency, non-native speakers benefit greatly from engaging with texts and exercises, as these practices profoundly refine their linguistic abilities and considerably broaden their vocabulary repertoire.
Why Listening Is Important When Learning a Language
When you learn a new language, you can read, write, listen, and speak. Listening is the most important at the beginning.
1. Your brain learns to listen first People learned to speak and listen before reading and writing. Babies hear words before they can read. Listening is natural for your brain.
2. Listening helps you talk You can understand people when they speak. If you understand, you can join conversations. Then you can speak better.
3. Listening helps you say words correctly If you only read, you may say words wrong. Listening helps you learn the right sounds.
Listening is easy and fun You can listen to music, movies, or videos anytime. You do not need a teacher or friend.
In short:
Your brain learns listening first.
Listening helps you speak with people.
Listening teaches correct sounds.
Listening is easy and fun!
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A2:
Why Listening Is Important When Learning a Language
When you learn a new language, you can practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Listening is very important, especially at the beginning. Here are three reasons why:
Our brains learn listening first People learned to speak and listen before they learned to read and write. Babies understand sounds and words before they can read. This is because speaking is older than writing. Your brain can understand spoken words before written words.
Listening helps you talk with others To learn a language, you need to talk with people. Even if you don’t speak much at first, you can listen and understand. If you cannot understand, you may feel left out. Listening helps you join conversations and speak later.
Listening helps with pronunciation When you read, you say words in your head. Sometimes you say them wrong. If you listen first, you hear the correct sounds. This helps you speak better.
Listening is easy and fun You can listen to music, movies, or videos anytime. You don’t need a partner. You can enjoy YouTube, Netflix, or songs in the language you learn.
In short:
Your brain can learn listening first.
Listening helps you talk with people.
Listening teaches the correct pronunciation.
You can listen every day and have fun.
Start listening more to learn a language faster!
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B1:
Why Listening is the Most Important Skill to Learn First in a New Language
When learning a new language, it’s best to focus on listening first. Here are three reasons why listening is very important, especially at the beginning.
1) Our brains are made to understand spoken language first People learned to understand and speak long before they learned to read and write. Humans talked to each other for thousands of years before writing was invented. Because of this, our brains naturally learn listening skills first, even when learning a second language.
2) Listening helps you start talking with others To learn a language well, you need to speak with people. But even if your speaking is not good yet, you can still join conversations if you understand what others say. If you can’t understand, you might feel left out and stop trying. So, listening skills help you join social life in the new language, which is very important for learning.
3) Listening helps you learn correct pronunciation early When you read in a new language, your brain tries to “say” the words silently in your head. If you never listen to how words really sound, you might learn wrong pronunciation. This makes it harder to speak well later. Listening first helps you hear the right sounds and say words correctly in your mind.
Why listening is also the easiest skill to practice Listening is easier to do often because you can do it anytime and anywhere. You don’t need a partner or special effort. You can listen while watching movies, YouTube videos, music, or radio. Many fun and interesting listening materials are available for most languages. This makes practicing listening easy and enjoyable.
The main message Your brain learns listening first, and this helps you speak and read better later. Listening is easy to practice a lot, so start listening to your target language right away to improve fast. Find listening materials that you like, and enjoy learning while doing it!
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B2:
Why Listening is the Most Important Language Skill to Learn First—and Why It’s the Easiest to Practice
When learning a new language, it’s important to work on all four skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—but listening should be your top priority at the start. Here’s why.
1) Our brains are made to learn listening first. Humans evolved speaking long before writing. Our brains developed alongside spoken language over hundreds of thousands of years. Reading and writing appeared only about 5,000 years ago. That’s why babies learn to understand spoken language long before they can read. The same applies to learning a second language: listening naturally comes first.
2) Listening helps you join social interactions. Research shows that talking with others is crucial to learning a language. People who socialize more with native speakers learn faster. Even if you don’t speak well yet, understanding what others say lets you take part in conversations. Without good listening skills, you might feel left out and stop trying.
3) Listening gives you the right “mental pronunciation.” When you read in a new language, your brain “hears” the words in your mind. If you haven’t listened enough, you might imagine the wrong pronunciation, making speaking and understanding harder later. Listening early helps your brain learn correct sounds and improves your pronunciation naturally.
Why is listening the easiest skill to practice? Listening doesn’t need special effort or conditions. You don’t always need someone to talk to, and you can listen while relaxing or doing other things. There is lots of interesting content online—movies, series, YouTube videos, music—in almost every language. This makes listening a fun and easy way to practice regularly.
The main idea: Start practicing listening as soon as possible. It helps your brain learn language naturally, supports social interaction, and builds good pronunciation habits. Plus, it’s easy to do because there is endless enjoyable material available at your fingertips.
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C1:
Listening is the most crucial language skill to prioritize early in language learning, and it is also the easiest to practice extensively. This is because human brains evolved primarily for oral comprehension long before the advent of written language. Spoken communication developed alongside the evolution of Homo sapiens hundreds of thousands of years ago, whereas written language emerged only around five thousand years ago. Consequently, infants naturally acquire listening skills earlier and more effortlessly than reading or writing. This evolutionary background also applies to second-language acquisition, as early humans likely developed oral comprehension skills first when encountering new languages.
Listening skills are essential for initiating social interaction, which neuroscience research shows is necessary for effective language acquisition. Engaging with native speakers socially accelerates learning, but this interaction depends fundamentally on understanding spoken language. Even if speaking abilities are limited, the ability to comprehend others prevents isolation and fosters participation. Therefore, strong listening skills are the gateway to meaningful communication and overall language progress.
Another key reason to emphasize listening early on is to develop an accurate “mental pronunciation.” Reading without sufficient listening input risks ingraining incorrect pronunciation patterns in the mind because people tend to mentally vocalize written words based on their native language’s phonetics. Listening helps form correct auditory representations of words, which later improves speaking and comprehension. This prevents the difficulty of unlearning bad pronunciation habits later.
Practically, listening is the easiest skill to practice regularly. Unlike writing, which demands effort and motivation, or speaking, which requires conversational partners and confidence, listening can be done effortlessly anytime—while relaxing with movies, music, podcasts, or YouTube videos. There is an abundance of engaging content in most languages, making it accessible and enjoyable. Listening does not require special conditions, and it can be integrated seamlessly into daily life.
In summary, because the brain is wired to acquire listening first, social interaction depends on comprehension, and mental pronunciation must be formed early, listening should be prioritized at the start of language learning. Moreover, its ease of practice and abundance of available content make it a highly effective and sustainable skill to develop for long-term language mastery.
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C2:
Why Listening Is the Most Crucial and Accessible Skill in Language Learning
Listening should be prioritized early in language acquisition because it aligns with how the human brain naturally evolved to process language. Spoken communication predates writing by hundreds of thousands of years, making oral comprehension the foundational skill humans develop first. This evolutionary background also suggests that second-language learners benefit most by focusing initially on listening, mirroring how early humans acquired new languages through oral interaction.
Furthermore, listening is essential for social engagement, which neuroscience confirms as a critical catalyst for effective language acquisition. Even learners with limited speaking ability can participate socially if they understand spoken language. Without adequate listening skills, learners risk disengagement and isolation, severely hindering their progress. Therefore, cultivating listening proficiency fosters meaningful interaction and accelerates overall language development.
Another vital reason to emphasize listening early is the formation of correct “mental pronunciation.” As we read, we internally vocalize words, and if this inner speech is based solely on the learner’s native language phonetics, it entrenches inaccurate pronunciation habits. Regular listening exposure helps the brain develop authentic phonetic representations, which improves both comprehension and speaking accuracy over time. This synergy between listening and reading ensures learners internalize correct pronunciation before bad habits solidify.
Practically, listening is also the easiest language skill to practice extensively. Unlike writing or speaking—which require motivation, effort, or interlocutors—listening can be integrated seamlessly into daily life. Entertainment media such as movies, series, podcasts, and YouTube videos in the target language provide endless engaging input without demanding extra effort. This accessibility allows learners to absorb large quantities of natural language effortlessly, which is vital for mastery.
In sum, listening is the cornerstone of language acquisition because it taps into our brain’s natural design, enables social interaction, and shapes accurate mental pronunciation. Its ease of practice through abundant, enjoyable content makes it the most effective starting point. Learners should therefore prioritize listening from the outset to build a strong foundation for all other language skills and long-term mastery.
Listen to Southern Drawl first=> and, yes, this is English 😉
Understanding real spoken English took more than just test scores — it took listening, time, and a bit of Texas.
B2:
When I was studying English at university in Vienna, Austria, I was offered a soccer scholarship at Midwestern State University in Texas, which I accepted. To prove I could follow university lectures, I had to take the TOEFL test– and I got a perfect score.
However, when I moved into the dormitory at MSU, I found myself surrounded by local Texans and their way of speaking – the Southern drawl. It sounded like they were speaking with a mouth full of chewing gum, and although it was English, I had a hard time understanding them at first.
Over time, though, my ears and brain adapted. I eventually understood them better and even started speaking with a Southern accent myself.
Conclusion: To really understand and speak a language well, you have to listen to it regularly.
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B1:
When I studied English at university in Vienna, Austria, I got a soccer scholarship from Midwestern State University in Texas, and I accepted it. To study there, I had to take the TOEFL test to show I could understand lectures – and I got a perfect score.
But when I moved into the student dormitory at MSU, I had some problems. The local people from Texas spoke with a strong Southern accent, called the Southern drawl. It sounded like they were talking with chewing gum in their mouth. They were speaking English, but I didn’t understand much at the beginning.
After some time, my ears and brain got used to the way they spoke. I started to understand them, and I even began to speak with a Southern accent too.
Conclusion: To understand and speak a language well, you also need to listen to it a lot.
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A2:
I studied English at university in Vienna, Austria. Then, I got a soccer scholarship from Midwestern State University in Texas, and I said yes. Before I went, I had to take the TOEFL test to show I could understand classes. I got a perfect score.
When I arrived at MSU and moved into the student dormitory, I had a problem. The local people from Texas spoke with a special accent, called the Southern drawl. It sounded like they were talking with gum in their mouth. They spoke English, but I did not understand them well.
After some time, my ears and brain learned to understand them. Later, I also started to speak with the same accent.
Conclusion: To understand and speak a language well, you must listen to it a lot.
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A1:
I studied English at a university in Vienna, Austria. Then, I got a soccer scholarship to go to a university in Texas, USA. I said yes. Before I went, I took the TOEFL test. I got a perfect score.
At the university in Texas, I lived in a student room. The people there were from Texas. They spoke English, but with a different accent. It is called the Southern drawl. It was hard to understand. It sounded like they were speaking with lots of gum in their mouth.
After some time, I understood them better. I also started to speak like them.
Conclusion: To speak and understand a language well, you must listen a lot. ###############
Listening before speaking helps you learn faster, or, why listen to soundfiles?
When you hear a sound in a foreign language, this is what happens in your brain:
Your ear hears the sound. The sound goes inside your ear and moves to your brain.
Your brain finds the sound pattern. Your brain tries to remember: “Have I heard this sound before?”
You connect the sound to a word. If you have learned the word before, your brain says, “Ah! This sound means this word!”
You remember the meaning. Then you think of what the word means in your own language.
So: 👉 Sound → Ear → Brain → Word → Meaning
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If you haven’t heard the word before, this happens:
Your ear hears the sound.
Your brain listens carefully, but it doesn’t know the sound pattern yet.
You don’t know the word’s meaning. It’s just a strange sound.
You may ask or check what the word means.
When you learn it, your brain saves the sound and its meaning together.
Next time you hear it, your brain will remember: 👉 “I know this sound — it means this word!”
When you learn a new language, listening is very important. At the beginner level, you should listen a lot every day. Listening helps you learn the sounds, words, and sentences. You hear how people speak in real life.
Listening is more important than reading at the start. Reading uses your eyes. Listening uses your ears and your brain. When you listen, you hear the right way to say words. You hear the rhythm and speed of the language. Reading does not help you hear these sounds.
If you listen a lot, you remember words and phrases more easily. Even if you do not understand every word, you will understand more and more. Your brain learns the language patterns. This is how children learn their first language. They listen for a long time before they read or write.
What about speaking? Speaking is important too. But if you speak too early without listening enough, it can be hard. You might say words wrong or use words in the wrong way. Listening first helps you speak better. You copy the right sounds and sentences.
If you only read or learn grammar, it is hard to talk to people. But if you listen often, you feel more confident to speak. At the beginner level, it is best to listen more than speak. Listening is the first step to learning. It helps you learn fast and well.
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Vocabulary:
a soundfile: a computer file with recorded sounds or speech
a language: words and rules people use to talk or write
to listen: to use your ears to hear carefully
important: something that matters a lot
a beginner level: the first stage of learning something new
a sound: something you can hear
a sentence: a group of words that tell a complete idea
to hear: to notice a sound with your ears
to speak: to say words with your mouth
an eye: the part of your body you see with
an ear: the part of your body you hear with
a brain: the part inside your head that thinks and learns
a rhythm: a pattern of sounds that repeat in music or talking
speed: how fast or slow something happens
to remember: to keep information in your mind
easily: something you can do without problems
to understand: to know the meaning of something
a language pattern: a usual way words and sentences are made in a language
enough: as much as you need
wrong: not correct or not right
to copy: to do or say the same as someone else
grammar: rules for making sentences in a language
to feel confident: to feel sure you can do something well
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Multiple choice, one answer correct:
part 1: 1-16
part 2: 17-20
What is a soundfile? a) A computer file with recorded sounds b) A book with pictures c) A paper with words
What does to listen mean? a) To close your eyes b) To use your ears to hear carefully c) To speak loudly
What is a sentence? a) A single letter b) A group of words that tell a complete idea c) A color
What is an ear? a) The part of your body you hear with b) The part of your body you see with c) The part of your body you use to write
What is grammar? a) A kind of food b) Rules for making sentences in a language c) A place to read books
What does to copy mean? a) To sleep b) To say or do the same as someone else c) To run very fast
What is a brain? a) Something you wear b) The part inside your head that thinks and learns c) The name of a city
What is important? a) Something that is very small b) Something that matters a lot c) Something that does not matter
What does to speak mean? a) To write a letter b) To listen carefully c) To say words with your mouth
What does to remember mean? a) To keep information in your mind b) To forget something c) To eat food
What is a language? a) A kind of animal b) Words and rules people use to talk or write c) A type of music
What is speed? a) A kind of fruit b) A type of dance c) How fast or slow something happens
What does wrong mean? a) Very good b) Very old c) Not correct or not right
What is a rhythm? a) A color b) A pattern of sounds that repeat in music or talking c) A kind of food
What does enough mean? a) More than you need b) Less than you want c) As much as you need
What does to feel confident mean? a) To feel scared b) To feel tired c) To feel sure you can do something well
What is an eye? a) The part of your body you use to walk b) The part of your body you see with c) The part of your body you hear with
What does to understand mean? a) To not know something b) To know the meaning of something c) To forget something
What is a beginner level? a) The last stage of learning b) The first stage of learning something new c) A very difficult stage
What does easily mean? a) Something impossible to do b) Something very hard to do c) Something you can do without problems
a) The part of your body you see with b) Rules for making sentences in a language c) A group of words that tell a complete idea d) A computer file with recorded sounds e) To say words with your mouth f) Something that matters a lot g) The first stage of learning something new h) The part of your body you hear with i) To use your ears to hear carefully j) To keep information in your mind k) Not correct or not right l) How fast or slow something happens m) The part inside your head that thinks and learns n) To do the same as someone else o) A pattern of sounds that repeat in music or talking p) Words and rules people use to talk or write q) To know the meaning of something r) To hear sounds with your ears s) The part of your body you hear with t) As much as you need u) Something you can do without problems v) To feel sure you can do something well w) A sound that you can hear x) The first stage of learning a new language
first – hear – easily – language – important – speak – brain – grammar – remember
When you learn a new language, listening is very __________, especially at the beginner level. Listening helps you __________ sounds, words, and sentences the right way. It uses your ears and __________, and helps you learn the rhythm and speed of the language. If you listen a lot every day, you ________ words more __________ and understand more, even if you don’t know every word. Speaking is important too, but it is better to listen __________. Listening helps you __________ better and feel confident. Reading and __________ are not enough to speak well. Listening is the first step to learning a __________ fast and well.
______________________
Correct version:
When you learn a new language, listening is very important, especially at the beginner level. Listening helps you hear sounds, words, and sentences the right way. It uses your ears and brain, and helps you learn the rhythm and speed of the language. If you listen a lot every day, you remember words more easily and understand more, even if you don’t know every word. Speaking is important too, but it is better to listen first. Listening helps you speak better and feel confident. Reading and grammar are not enough to speak well. Listening is the first step to learning a language fast and well. #################
Interview – complete, words below:
Rhythm – brain – first – listening – more – too – beginner – sentences – language – wrong
1. Q: What is very important when you learn a new language? A: Listening is very important.
2. Q: When should you listen a lot? A: At the __________ level.
3. Q: What does listening help you learn? A: Sounds, words, and __________.
4. Q: What parts of the body do you use to listen? A: Ears and __________.
5. Q: Is listening more important than reading at the start? A: Yes,___________ is more important.
6. Q: Can reading help you hear the right sounds? A: No, reading does not help.
7. Q: What do you learn when you listen a lot? A: __________ and speed of the language.
8. Q: Do you understand more when you listen a lot? A: Yes, you understand __________.
9. Q: Is speaking important? A: Yes, speaking is important__________.
10. Q: Should you speak too early? A: No, you should listen _________.
11. Q: What happens if you speak too early? A: You might say words __________.
12. Q: What is the first step to learn a __________? A: Listening is the first step.
###################
Correct version:
1. Q: What is very important when you learn a new language? A: Listening is very important.
2. Q: When should you listen a lot? A: At the beginner level.
3. Q: What does listening help you learn? A: Sounds, words, and sentences.
4. Q: What parts of the body do you use to listen? A: Ears and brain.
5. Q: Is listening more important than reading at the start? A: Yes, listening is more important.
6. Q: Can reading help you hear the right sounds? A: No, reading does not help.
7. Q: What do you learn when you listen a lot? A: Rhythm and speed of the language.
8. Q: Do you understand more when you listen a lot? A: Yes, you understand more.
9. Q: Is speaking important? A: Yes, speaking is important too.
10. Q: Should you speak too early? A: No, you should listen first.
11. Q: What happens if you speak too early? A: You might say words wrong.
12. Q: What is the first step to learn a language? A: Listening is the first step.
When you learn a new language, listening is very important. Beginners should listen a lot every day. Listening helps you learn sounds, words, and sentences. You hear how people speak in real life.
At the start, listening is more important than reading. Reading uses your eyes. Listening uses your ears and brain. When you listen, you hear how words are said, and the rhythm and speed of the language. Reading does not teach these.
Listening a lot helps you remember words and phrases. Even if you do not understand everything, you will understand more over time. Your brain learns the language like children learn their first language—they listen a long time before reading or writing.
Speaking is important too. But if you speak too early, it can be hard. You might say words wrong or use them in the wrong way. Listening first helps you speak better because you copy the right sounds and sentences.
If you only read or study grammar, it is hard to talk to people. Listening often helps you feel confident to speak. Beginners should listen more than speak. Listening is the first step to learning and helps you learn faster. ##############
Even simpler text:
When you learn a new language, listening is very important. Beginners should listen every day. Listening helps you learn words, sounds, and sentences. You hear how people speak.
Listening is more important than reading at the start. Reading uses your eyes. Listening uses your ears and brain. Listening helps you hear the right way to say words.
If you listen a lot, you remember words and phrases. Even if you do not understand everything, your brain learns the language. Children learn this way too.
Speaking is important, but it is better to listen first. If you speak too early, you can make mistakes. Listening helps you speak better.
If you only read or study grammar, it is hard to talk. Beginners should listen more than speak. Listening is the first step to learning. ##############
For beginners:
When you learn a new language, listen every day. Listening helps you learn words and sounds. You hear how people speak.
Listening is better than reading at first. It helps you say words correctly.
If you listen a lot, you remember more. Speaking is important, but listen first. Listening helps you speak better.
The Street Food Festival is in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is a popular event in the city. Many local people and tourists visit the festival every year.
The festival is usually in the evening. There are many small food stalls in the street. The streets are busy and colorful. You can see lights and decorations everywhere.
People sell rice, fried noodles, soup, and grilled meat. Some stalls sell fish and chicken. You can also buy fresh fruit and sweet desserts. Many people like to drink cold juice or coconut water.
The food is cheap and very tasty. You can try different kinds of Cambodian food. The smell of the food is very nice.
Families come together to eat. Friends sit at small tables and talk. Children play and laugh.
The Street Food Festival is fun and exciting. People smile, eat good food, and enjoy the evening together.
______________________
Vocabulary:
a festival – a special day or time when people celebrate something with food, music, or fun.
a popular event – something many people like and go to.
a food stall – a small shop or table where people sell food on the street.
to be busy – many people are there, moving or working.
to be colorful – has many bright colors.
decorations – things used to make a place look nice or beautiful.
to sell rice – to give rice to people in exchange for money.
fried noodles – noodles cooked in oil.
grilled meat – meat cooked on fire or a grill.
chicken – meat from a bird called a chicken.
sweet desserts – food that tastes sweet, like cakes or fruit with sugar.
to be cheap – does not cost a lot of money.
to be tasty – food that tastes good.
different kinds of food – many types of food, not the same.
a smell – what you notice with your nose.
to be fun – something that makes you happy.
to be exciting – something that makes you feel happy and interested.
to enjoy – to like something and feel happy while doing it.
#################
Match the word with the correct definition
a festival
a popular event
a food stall
to be busy
to be colorful
decorations
to sell rice
fried noodles
grilled meat
chicken
sweet desserts
to be cheap
to be tasty
different kinds of food
a smell
to be fun
to be exciting
to enjoy
Definitions A. to like something and feel happy while doing it B. food cooked on fire or a grill C. many types of food, not the same D. meat from a bird called a chicken E. something that makes you feel happy and interested F. small shop or table where people sell food on the street G. does not cost a lot of money H. what you notice with your nose I. food that tastes good J. something that makes you happy K. many people like it and go to it L. noodles cooked in oil M. a special day or time when people celebrate something with food, music, or fun N. to give rice to people in exchange for money O. things used to make a place look nice or beautiful P. has many bright colors Q. many people are there, moving or working R. food that tastes sweet, like cakes or fruit with sugar
I am writing to formally express my disappointment regarding my recent stay at your hotel from February 3rd to February 6th.
As a returning guest, I chose your establishment because of its reputation for excellence and high standards of service. Unfortunately, my experience this time did not meet those expectations.
Upon arrival, the reception staff appeared disorganized and inattentive. I waited nearly 25 minutes to check in, despite having a confirmed reservation. Additionally, my luggage was not delivered to my room until over an hour later, and only after I had called twice to inquire about it.
During my stay, I found several members of staff to be unhelpful and, at times, discourteous. Room service orders were delayed, and one request was delivered incorrectly. When I raised the issue, the response I received lacked professionalism and courtesy.
Given the reputation and pricing of your hotel, I expected a far higher standard of hospitality. I trust you will take this matter seriously and provide an explanation for the shortcomings I experienced.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely, Mr. Jonathan Reed
2️⃣ Response email from hotel reception
Dear Mr. Reed,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding your recent stay with us.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for the service shortcomings you experienced. The level of service you described does not reflect the standards of excellence we strive to maintain at our hotel. We deeply regret the delay during check-in, the late delivery of your luggage, and the issues you encountered with room service.
Your comments have been shared with the relevant department managers, and we are conducting a thorough review to ensure such incidents do not occur again. Providing attentive, professional, and seamless service is our highest priority, and we are disappointed to learn that we fell short during your visit.
As a gesture of goodwill, we would like to offer you a complimentary one-night stay on your next visit, along with a room upgrade, subject to availability.
We truly value your loyalty and hope to have the opportunity to restore your confidence in our hotel in the near future.
Yours sincerely, Emma Collins Front Office Manager
######################
✅ Strengths (Pros) of the AI-generated reply
1️⃣ Professional Tone
The response maintains a polite, respectful, and formal tone throughout. For a luxury hotel, this is essential. Phrases like “Please accept our sincerest apologies” and “We truly value your loyalty” reflect hospitality standards.
2️⃣ Clear Apology
The email clearly acknowledges the problems:
Check-in delay
Late luggage delivery
Room service issues
It does not deny or minimize the complaint, which is important in customer service.
3️⃣ Responsibility Taken
The hotel does not blame the guest. Instead, it states:
“We are conducting a thorough review…”
This shows accountability.
4️⃣ Offer of Compensation
The complimentary one-night stay and room upgrade demonstrate goodwill and an attempt to repair the relationship.
5️⃣ Structured and Organized
The email follows a logical structure:
Thank the guest
Apologize
Acknowledge specific issues
Promise action
Offer compensation
Close politely
This makes it easy to read and professional.
❌ Weaknesses (Cons) of the AI-Generated Reply
1️⃣ Generic / Formulaic Language
The response sounds like a template. Phrases such as:
“does not reflect the standards we strive to maintain”
“highest priority”
“restore your confidence”
are common in customer service emails and may feel automated rather than personal.
2️⃣ Lack of Personalization
Although the guest is addressed by name, the reply does not:
Refer to the exact dates again
Mention how long the guest has stayed before
Recognize that he is a returning guest
Acknowledge his specific frustration (e.g., waiting 25 minutes after traveling)
It lacks emotional intelligence.
3️⃣ No Concrete Explanation
The hotel says it is reviewing the issue, but it does not explain:
Why the delay happened
Whether there was a staffing issue
If there was an unusual situation that day
Guests often want an explanation, not only an apology.
4️⃣ Compensation May Feel Conditional
The complimentary stay is “subject to availability,” which can reduce the perceived value of the offer.
5️⃣ No Direct Contact Invitation
There is no direct phone number or invitation for the guest to speak personally with the manager. That can make the response feel distant.
🤔 Why might a guest feel unhappy about the impersonal touch?
Luxury hotel guests expect:
Warmth
Individual attention
Recognition
Emotional understanding
An AI-generated message may feel:
🔹 Too Polished
It sounds perfect but not human.
🔹 Emotionally Flat
The guest expressed disappointment. The response does not reflect empathy in a deep way (e.g., “After a long journey, waiting 25 minutes must have been frustrating.”)
🔹 Lacking Authenticity
Guests may feel the message was copied from a template rather than written specifically for them.
🔹 Not Relationship-Focused
For a returning guest, the hotel could have said:
“We are especially disappointed to let you down as a loyal guest.”
That emotional connection is missing.
🎯 Overall Evaluation
The email is:
✔ Professionally correct
✔ Structurally strong
✔ Safe and appropriate
But:
✖ Not emotionally engaging
✖ Not highly personalized
✖ Slightly corporate and mechanical
For a luxury hotel, service recovery should feel exclusive and personal — not standardized.
##################
Does that reply sound better?
Dear Mr. Reed,
Thank you for taking the time to write to us. I was truly sorry to read about your recent experience, especially as a returning guest who has previously placed trust in our hotel.
I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been to wait 25 minutes at check-in after your arrival, and then to experience further delays with your luggage and room service. This is certainly not the smooth and attentive welcome we want our guests to receive, and I completely understand your disappointment.
I have personally discussed your comments with our front office and room service teams to better understand what happened during your stay from February 3rd to 6th. While this does not excuse the inconvenience you experienced, please know that we are addressing the matter internally to ensure it does not happen again.
As someone who has stayed with us before, your experience matters greatly to us. We never take your loyalty for granted. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to welcome you back and provide the level of service you rightfully expect. Please allow me to personally arrange a complimentary one-night stay with a confirmed room upgrade at your convenience.
Should you wish to speak with me directly, I would be happy to do so. You may contact me at any time via email or by calling the hotel and asking for me personally.
Once again, Mr. Reed, please accept my sincere apologies. I hope we will have the chance to restore your confidence in us.
Tet, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is the Vietnamese New Year. It is the most important holiday in Vietnam. Tet usually happens in January or February. The date changes every year because it follows the lunar calendar.
Before Tet, people clean their houses. They want to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year. Families also decorate their homes with flowers and small trees. In the north of Vietnam, people like pink peach flowers. In the south, people often buy yellow apricot flowers. Many homes have a kumquat tree with small orange fruits.
During Tet, families cook special food. They make bánh chưng or bánh tét. This food is made of sticky rice, meat, and beans. People also eat chicken, soup, and sweet snacks. Children get lucky money in red envelopes. This money brings good luck for the new year.
On New Year’s Eve, families have a big dinner together. They watch fireworks and say “Happy New Year.” In the first days of Tet, people visit family and friends. They give good wishes for health, happiness, and success.
Tet is a happy time for family, food, and new beginnings.
_____________________
Vocabularry:
Here are the definitions in simple A1 English:
to be important – to be very special or have great value
usually – most of the time
a date – a day in the calendar
to change – to become different
to follow – to use or go after something
a lunar calendar – a calendar based on the moon
to clean – to make something not dirty
to decorate – to make something look nice
a peach flower – a pink flower from a peach tree
an apricot flower – a yellow flower from an apricot tree
beans – small seeds that people cook and eat
sweet snacks – small sweet food like candy or cakes
to get lucky money – to receive money for good luck
an envelope – a paper cover for a letter or money
to bring good luck – to give good things or good fortune
a firework – colorful light in the sky at night
health – feeling good and not sick
success – doing well and reaching your goals
a new beginning – the start of something new
####################
Match definition to word exercise:
Definitions
To become different
Feeling good and not sick
To make something not dirty
A paper cover for a letter or money
A pink flower from a peach tree
To use or go after something
A day in the calendar
Small sweet food like candy or cakes
Most of the time
To make something look nice
Doing well and reaching your goals
To give good things or good fortune
To be very special or have great value
Colorful light in the sky at night
A yellow flower from an apricot tree
A calendar based on the moon
To receive money for good luck
The start of something new
Words
A. sweet snacks B. a peach flower C. a date D. to clean E. success F. a lunar calendar G. an apricot flower H. to bring good luck I. an envelope J. to follow K. usually L. to get lucky money M. a firework N. to decorate O. a new beginning P. to change Q. to be important R. health
A paper cover for a letter or money – means an envelope
A pink flower from a peach tree – means a peach flower
To use or go after something – means to follow
A day in the calendar – means a date
Small sweet food like candy or cakes – means sweet snacks
Most of the time – means usually
To make something look nice – means to decorate
Doing well and reaching your goals – means success
To give good things or good fortune – means to bring good luck
To be very special or have great value – means to be important
Colorful light in the sky at night – means a firework
A yellow flower from an apricot tree – means an apricot flower
A calendar based on the moon – means a lunar calendar
To receive money for good luck – means to get lucky money
The start of something new – means a new beginning
Words – means letters
##############
Match the Words
Words
Tet
Lucky money
Firework
Peach flower
Apricot flower
Bánh chưng
Bánh tét
Family
Decorate
Visit
Health
New beginning
Clean
Sweet snacks
Definitions
A. To make something not dirty B. A pink flower from a tree C. Children get this in red envelopes D. The start of something new E. A yellow flower from a tree F. A special rice cake from the north G. A special rice cake from the south H. To go to see someone I. The most important holiday in Vietnam J. Colorful light in the sky at night K. People you love and live with L. To make something look nice M. Small sweet food like candy or cakes N. Feeling good and not sick
Families __________ their homes with __________ and small trees.
In the north, people like __________ flowers.
In the south, people buy __________ flowers.
Many homes have a __________ with small orange fruits.
Families cook bánh chưng or bánh tét with __________, meat, and __________.
People eat __________ during Tet.
Children get__________ in a red envelope.
Lucky money can bring __________ for the new year.
Families watch __________ and wish for health, __________, and a new beginning.
________________________
Correct version:
Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam.
The date of Tet can change every year.
Tet follows the lunar calendar.
People clean their houses before Tet.
Families decorate their homes with flowers and small trees.
In the north, people like peach flowers.
In the south, people buy apricot flowers.
Many homes have a kumquat tree with small orange fruits.
Families cook bánh chưng or bánh tét with rice, meat, and beans.
People eat sweet snacks during Tet.
Children get lucky money in a red envelope.
Lucky money can bring good luck for the new year.
Families watch fireworks and wish for health, success, and a new beginning.
##################
True or false:
Families usually ignore flowers and decorations.
Tet follows the lunar calendar.
Children get candy in yellow envelopes.
People visit family and friends during the first days of Tet.
Tet is celebrated in December.
Peach flowers are popular in the south of Vietnam.
Lucky money can bring good luck for the new year.
People watch fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
Tet always happens on February 17.
Families cook bánh chưng or bánh tét for Tet.
Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam.
Children get lucky money in red envelopes.
People clean their houses before Tet.
Families eat pizza during Tet.
Many homes have kumquat trees with small orange fruits.
Tet is not an important holiday in Vietnam.
________________________
True: 2,4,7,10,11,12,13,15
________________________
Correct version:
Families usually ignore flowers and decorations. True is: Families decorate their homes with flowers and trees.
Tet follows the lunar calendar.
Children get candy in yellow envelopes. True is: Children get lucky money in red envelopes.
People visit family and friends during the first days of Tet.
Tet is celebrated in December. True is: Tet is celebrated in January or February.
Peach flowers are popular in the south of Vietnam. True is: Peach flowers are popular in the north of Vietnam.
Lucky money can bring good luck for the new year.
People watch fireworks on New Year’s Eve. True is: Families watch fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
Tet always happens on February 17. True is: The date of Tet changes every year.
Families cook bánh chưng or bánh tét for Tet.
Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam.
Children get lucky money in red envelopes.
People clean their houses before Tet.
Families eat pizza during Tet. True is: Families eat special food like bánh chưng, bánh tét, and sweet snacks.
Many homes have kumquat trees with small orange fruits.
Tet is not an important holiday in Vietnam. True is: Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam.
#############
Match the questions to the answers
Questions :
What is Tet? YOU WRITE: (i) Tet is the Vietnamese New Year.
Why is Tet important? ___________________________
When does Tet usually happen? ___________________________
Which calendar does Tet follow? ___________________________
Who cleans the house before Tet? ___________________________
What flowers do people buy in the north? ___________________________
What flowers do people buy in the south? ___________________________
Where do families put the kumquat tree? ___________________________
Which food do families cook for Tet? ___________________________
Who gets lucky money? ___________________________
How does lucky money help? ___________________________
What do families do on New Year’s Eve? ___________________________
Who do people visit during Tet? ___________________________
What is your favorite part of Tet? ___________________________
———————————-
Answers:
a. People visit family and friends. b. Families put the kumquat tree in their homes. c. Lucky money brings good luck for the new year. d. Tet is important because it is the most special holiday in Vietnam. e. Families have a big dinner and watch fireworks. f. Children get lucky money in red envelopes. g. I like giving lucky money and eating bánh chưng with my family. h. Tet follows the lunar calendar. i. Tet is the Vietnamese New Year. j. Families cook bánh chưng or bánh tét. k. People buy apricot flowers in the south. l. People buy peach flowers in the north. m. Tet usually happens in January or February. n. All family members clean the house before Tet.
