2. When did you last travel to a country where you didn't speak the language? What were the first words you learned? Why did you learn these ones? Do you still remember any of them?
I don't exactly remember but without a doubt, say Thank you and ask:"Where is ...?" because there weren't mobile phones that placed you, internet was an unknown word. You learn these words to make things easier.
5. Which of the two statements below do you agree with most? Why?
a. Students can decide for themselves which words they would like to learn.
b. It’s the teacher’s job to decide which words students need to learn.
The two sentences have part of reason, but it is clear that the ideal would be to meet the needs of each specific student, since a student will need vocabulary about video games, another to travel, another to work tomorrow... Unfortunately, today the classrooms are overcrowded and there isn't choice but to be the teacher who prioritizes the vocabulary and decides which words students need to learn.