1. Why do you learn English?

Learning English is very useful. Some people want to know English well to gain more knowledge. We can read books, listen to music, watch movies and surf the internet.Learning a language can be so much fun. Some people learn them in order to meet new people from around the world. It’s also fun to learn about other cultures and their traditions.  As well as being useful and fun, learning a language helps improve your memory, and decision-making skills.

As a required course of schools at different levels in China, and as an item to be tested at different stages of one’s learning and working life, English is with us the whole way through our lives. Students’ performance in learning English and in taking English tests is of vital performance importance to achievements at school and to their opportunities for further learning. In fact, English is an influential factor that affects the quality of life.

English is a global language. We simply have many more options, and those options can help you in life. Like it or not, it is here with us, helping us lead a richer and happier life through a different perspective.

2. Useful Words and Expressions
(1) gain
vt. （指经过努力）获得；获取 n. 增加；利润；收获

gain more knowledge  获得更多知识
They realize that passing examinations is no longer enough to gain a place at university.
Students can gain valuable experience by working on the campus radio or magazine.

(2) get the message across=make somebody understand

使人意识到,使人明白的意思
We need to get the message across that too much sun is dangerous.

(3) 构词法：动词的ing形式加上另外一个词构成
举重 weight lifting

逛商场 window-shopping

空调 air-conditioning

集中供暖 central heating

数据处理 data processing

计划生育 family planning

食物中毒 food poisoning

(4) course

n.课程
a three-year course  为期3年的课程

a training course  实习课程

a writing course  写作课程

a required course  必修课程

In colleges of engineering the higher mathematics has become a required course. 在工科院校，高等数学已成为学生的必修课程

(5) of vital importance 至关重要的

Safety is of vital importance. 安全第一。

(6) quality of life  生活品质, 生活质量

In the last two decades our quality of life has been improved enormously.  在过去的二十年里我们的生活质量有很大的提高。

(7) option
n.众多选择之一; 选修课

n. one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen; the act of choosing or selecting

These are just a few of the many options available. 这些只不过是众多可能的选择中的几个。
Several options are offered for the student's senior year. 为毕业班学生开设了几门选修课。

(8) perspective
n. 观点；看法;远景
n. a way of regarding situations or topics etc; the appearance of things relative to one another as determined by their distance from the viewer
He says the death of his father 18 months ago has given him a new perspective on life.

他说18个月前父亲的去世让他对人生有了新的认识。