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很多人以為讀莎士比亞猶如讀古漢語深奧難懂，因而躡足不前。不過正在倫敦環形劇院排練莎劇的一組美國大學生可不這么認為。

How relevant is Shakespeare to learners of English in China?

It seems that it's hard enough for a non-native speaker of English to pick up modern English words and phrases let alone 更不用說 to appreciate Shakespearean sonnets 十四行詩 and plays.

But is it really that difficult? Yang Li and William Kremer went to the Globe theatre to talk to a group of American students doing theatre training.

This is just part of what they said:

Shakespeare is universal, no matter what language you speak, no matter what country you're from.

You couldn’t possibly do Shakespeare without increasing your confidence in every way I think, not just in your speaking but also in your emotional confidence and your courage to express yourself clearly and forcefully.

The biggest fear in Shakespeare is the one that you put on yourself; so I would say: be open to it and just have fun with it.

Listen to these young voices and find out why learning Shakespeare can be full of fun for learners of English.

As you listen try to answer these questions (the answers are below):

1. Is accent important in performing Shakespeare?

2. "Don't be intimidated". What does this mean?

3. From which play does the phrase 'all's well that ends well' come from?

莎翁名言

Today's S words features a well-known phrase 'all's well that ends well'.

But do you know where it came from? 大家可以點擊左面的鏈接收聽莎翁名言的錄音或下載文字稿。

Answers to the Questions:

1. No.

2. Don't be afraid.

3. The play All's Well That Ends Well.