Translate the following sentences paying attention to the verbs

to be and to have. State its functions:

1. International language is not the phenomenon of our age only.

2. The Greek culture and language were imposed in all Hellenistic centers and states.

3. English has become a very flexible language over the past five centuries.

4. The tourists are to leave the hotel at 12 o’clock.

5. Foreign languages are socially demanded especially nowadays.

6. Purists are resisting the arrival of English language in their vocabulary.

7. The words have been simplified over the centuries.

8. Many people have to learn foreign languages to get job abroad.

9. German as a third language will be taught by the native speaker.

10. Our teacher has a lot of English books and magazines at home.

11. Was your brother in Scotland last summer?

12. Are there a lot of tourists from the USA and the South Africa in the hotel?

13. Where are you from?

14. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations Organization.

15. I have to leave now.

 

4.2. Translate the following word combinations in different forms of Participle:

 

They have sold, he is studying, I was told, English speaking countries, having learnt the foreign language, developed countries, the idea being discussed now, having been written in 1953, while buying a laptop, having completed the job, the methods being used, a scientist knowing six languages, being a polyglot, the stolen money, unless checked, as seen from the text.

 

4.3. Make up sentences matching the suggested parts. Pay attention to the participles:

Learning	foreign languages English my friend the data the matter	people can travel abroad.
Having learnt		we can get a well-paid job.
Being busy		didn’t call me back.
Knowing		people are able to read the books in original.
Having discussed		they make some more experiments.
		we completed our job later.
		they started to learn Spanish.
		we write new words out.

 

4.4. Put the word in brackets into the appropriate form of participle. State the function of the participle:

1. (To speak) English our chief always makes mistakes.

2. Have you read an article (to translate) from English?

3. We went home, (to look) through the documents.

4. The matter (to discuss) is very controversial.

5. While (to read) a book in a foreign language my friend usually uses the e-dictionary.

6. Where are the souvenirs (to bring) from Paris?

7. (To translate) this difficult text, my friend started to learn it.

8. The new method of learning English (to use) by our teacher at the lesson is very useful.

9. I’ve got a few books (to publish) in France.

10. Do you know the student (to speak) with the dean?

4.5. Complete the sentences:

1. Having taken a taxi my colleague …

2. When speaking at the conference my friend …

3. Not knowing English language he …

4. Having been published this book …

5. While translating an article my brother …

6. Not having followed his parents’ advice my brother …

7. The project being made by our students …

8. Not having been sent in time the fax …

9. Having been told the truth she …

10. Not having caught my idea my colleague …

 

 

V. Speaking

5.1*. Read and translate the following statements and jokes about English. Whose opinion do you appreciate best? Why?

1. He who knows no foreign language does not know his own
one (W. Goethe).

2. German and Spanish are accessible to foreigners: English is not accessible even to Englishmen (George Bernard Shaw).

3. Writing in English is like throwing mud at a wall (Joseph Conrad).

4. The most known dead languages are Old Greek, Latin and literary English (Unknown Author).

5. Making English grammar conform to Latin rules is like asking
people to play baseball using the rules of football (Bill Bryson).

6. I am is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that «I do» is the longest sentence? (George Carlin).

7. The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: « I’m from the government and I’m here to help» (Ronald Reagan).

8. My English is a mixture between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Archbishop Tutu (Billy Wilder).

9. When I read some of the rules for speaking and writing the English language correctly, I think any fool can make a rule, and every fool will mind it (Henry David Thoreau).

10. I speak twelve languages. English is the bestes (Stefan Bergman).

5.2. Read and dramatize the interview given by the experienced linguist from the Moscow State University to the reporter of the journal FOREIGN LANGUAGES and formulate the main matters were discussed. What other questions could you ask?

R.: Is there an ideal method of learning languages?

L.: Unfortunately, there is no universal or ideal method of learning languages. Everybody has his own way. Sometimes it is boring to study grammar or learn new words. But it is well known that reading books in the original, listening to the BBC news, communicating with native spea-kers will help a lot. When learning a foreign language one learns the
culture and history of the native speakers. One must work hard to learn any
foreign language.

R.: When do children usually start learning foreign languages in
Russia?

L.: Much depends on the parents. Some children start to learn foreign languages very early, in kindergartens for example. They are taught ABC English there: they sing songs, recite nursery rhymes and learn to construct some phrases. Others start learning languages at school. Generally pupils learn foreign languages from the second to the eleventh class.

R.: Are foreign languages included in entrance exams?

L.: Many Universities include foreign languages in entrance exams. Students who specialize in humanities, such as History, Sociology, and Philosophy need to know foreign languages for their professional career.

R.: Why do people learn foreign languages in Russia?

L.: Russia is integrating into the world community and the problem of learning English for the purpose of communication is especially urgent today. In Russia people learn English to be able to exchange the latest information concerning science, technology and commerce with their colleagues; to be able to read foreign newspapers and books. Learning foreign languages is especially popular among young people. For them English is a way of exploring a completely new world. A person who travels a lot also needs English. Even in the countries where English is not an official language people generally are able to understand it.

R.: What is a distinguishing feature of English?

L.: English belongs to a group of Germanic languages. Thus German is relatively close to English. At the same time England had numerous contacts with France, so French had tremendous influence on English. Today a person who knows both English and French will easily find numerous similarities in these languages. Those who already know English will have less difficulties learning French.

R.: Is English an easy language to learn?

L.: Yes, it is. Basically English is an easier language to learn than
almost any other language. Its grammar is not difficult at all.

R.: What do you think is the most difficult about English?

L.:  The richness of the vocabulary makes English a difficult language. Moreover, spelling and pronunciation make trouble. Another thing is that Russian and English are very different. It is not easy for a Russian to learn how to use definite and indefinite articles properly because there are no articles in Russian. In this context it should be said that the Germans and the French have less difficulties with English.

R.: Why are foreign languages important for specialists?

L.: Specialist should know foreign languages to communicate with their colleagues at the conferences, look through foreign books and journals on the Internet. Today it is not enough for a professional to know only one foreign language. That is why many young people who begin to think about their future early start learning several languages. For specialists it is good to know not only English, but German and French as well. Undoubtedly, English is number one language that specialists should learn.

R.:  What kind of foreign language do specialists have to know?

L.: Specialists have to know that kind of English which will help them to solve their professional problems. They need English for specific purposes. It has been established that there are important differences between, say, the English of commerce and that of engineering. That is why a lot of English courses for specific groups of learners have been developed. Nowadays there are English courses for Biology, Geography, Law, History, Mathematics, Medicine, Economy, and other sciences.

Topics to discuss

 

1. Do you consider English to be useful in your future career or everyday life?

2. Name some occupations or professions for which a good knowledge of a foreign language is desirable. Give your reasons.

3. What are the reasons of the low foreign language competence by the most students at the technical higher schools? How should students be motivated to improve their language knowledge?

 

VI. Listening

 

6.1. Listen to the text English Language Center on http://www.esl-lab.com

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