General_English_Semester_1_New_LAST_LAST_doc

Reading and vocabulary

1. Explain in English by matching A and B parts. Make up sentences

2.Read the text again. Make a short list of recommendations, using the titles of main parts of the text. Prioritize them according to their importance.

For ex. Read more. Educate yourself. Study languages.etc.

Fill in the following table. Use expressions from the text and add some of your own.

Why it is so important to educate yourself? What do you do to learn more? Make one more column about education and development. Add three items from the text and make up a list of yours.

3.Scan the text and pick up the key words that can help you to express its general idea. Give the summary.

4. Find out in the text compound adjectives and make your own sentences with them.

Grammar spot

Modal verbs. Modal verbs are used to express ideas like ability, possibility, certainty etc. The same ideas can be also expressed in other words such as: be able to, be obliged to, it’s possible that, it’s unnecessary to. Modal verbs can refer to ability: can/be able to, inability: can’t/unable to/not be able to. Modal verbs can refer to possibility and certainty: may/might/could. Modal

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verbs can be used when giving or refusing permission: can/may, can’t/mustn’t. Modal verbs also can refer to obligation or responsibility: must/have to/have got to/ought to.

1.Use the appropriate modal verb according to information from the text in the sentences below.

1)You … want to look up books in other genres which may catch your fancy (may/ought).

2)You … take full advantage of this and learn all those things that you never understood before (should/can).

3)If you read a great article about Mozart or other composer, take the article to a store where you buy CDs and ask the counter attendant to direct you to some Mozart CDs that you might like (can/must).

4)A person of culture … be ignorant of where countries or famous landmarks are ( should not/can not).

5)You …write poetry or short stories or even books and plays (must/can).

6)You … take full advantage of this and learn all those things that you never understood before (should/to be to).

7)You …aim to be reasonably educated in these topics: world history,geography,basic sciences, psychology, economics (can/should).

8)Famous singers have better songs on their albums which they left out of mainstream because they wouldn't be popular with the main market (should/ may).

2.Make up 10 sentences using different modal verbs describing what should/ought to/must a person learn and know to be a man of culture in modern society.

Speaking

Discuss the following

What kind of person is a cultured one?

What books should be read to develop personality culturally?

What basic sciences should educated and cultured person be aware of?

What kind of music do you like? Do you like classical music?

Writing

Write a small essay “How to survive in foreign culture? Recommendation and advice”.

Discussion

Pair work. Discuss the issues raised in the questions below.

1.What does living interesting “cultural life” mean to you?

2.What are the aspects of the "cultural life" for you? In your opinion, what things should a person possess to say that he lives a life of a “cultural “man?

3.Would you include both material and spiritual things into the concept of "cultural life"? Explain why “yes” or “no”.

4.Can you think of somebody to model your life on?

5.Do you think that you are a representative of Russian cultural society? Explain why “yes” or “no”.

6.What is to be “cultural”, to be “uncultured” from Russian point of view?

7.Is language a part of national culture? What is Russian language for you?

8.What’s your attitude towards knowledge of English language in Russian “cultural” society?

9.How many languages should a man of culture speak? Understand? Learn?

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Project Work“Cultural Banner”.

Work together to create a “cultural banner” expressing values, traditions, activities, and places important in their families and friends.

Step 1.

1)Write the word culture in the center of a piece of chart paper and circle it.

2)Brainstorm associations with the word, record the words and phrases that come up on the chart paper, and connect them to culture, creating a web.

3)Discuss the web and agree on a definition along these lines: culture is the values, beliefs, and traditions shared by a group of people.

Step 2. Introduce Cultural Banners

1)Take paper and markers or crayons.

2)Write your name on the banner and any symbols (words or pictures) that show values, traditions, activities, and places that are important for their family. Use words or drawings to represent holidays, foods, sports, flags and so on.

3)After you have created the banners, pass the banners to your neighbors and keep doing so until everyone has had a chance to see every banner. Share your banners with each other.

Step 3. Discussion

1)How was this activity for you? What did you learn from doing it?

2)What are some of the cultures represented in the group?

Unit 4. What is Xenophobia?

Lead in

Do you know any scientific definition of the “unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers”? Skim the following text about xenophobia.

What is your personal attitude towards this phenomenon?

Can you give any examples you have ever heard, seen, experienced?

Reading and vocabulary

1. Read the text for general understanding . Pay attention to the words in bold?

What is Xenophobia?

Xenophobia refers to the fear and/or hatred towards foreigners or people with

different nationalities, culture, ethnicity, or background. Many people also use the term “xenophobia” and casually inter-change it with “racism” although there is quite a big difference between the two terms. Racism may almost always mean some form of anger or hatred towards people of different nationalities, while xenophobia may or may not involve hatred. Sometimes, xenophobia may just manifest itself as a feeling of fear or unease and anxiety towards “foreign” or “strange” people.

The fear involved in xenophobia may come from different aspects. Some people experience illfeelings toward other cultures and nationalities because of a fear in losing one’s identity. Some also are extremely suspicious of other people’s activities and personalities that they resort to either “withdrawal” from the unpleasant situation or “aggression” towards the foreign people involved. Others have this extremist type of feeling that his/her culture or background is superior over the others with accompanying prejudice to other groups of people as inferior.

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To further distance the word “xenophobia” from “racism”, many experts point out that the fear involved in xenophobia is irrational. This means that people who have this condition do not actually have control over their emotions and prejudices on people and situations. Unlike in racism, where much of the thoughts and actions involved are pre-determined, purposeful, and done at a person’s own free will. Another point is that xenophobia does not only involve feelings of fears towards foreigners or people with different nationalities. Fear may also be experienced with people who seem to be “foreign” or who are labeled as strangers. And since these feelings are uncontrollable, xenophobic have a chance to get better through behavioral and

psychotherapies.

2. Explain in English by matching A and B parts. Make up sentences

3.The word Xenophobia comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φβος (phobos), meaning “fear”. There are a lot of words possessing the stem meaning “fear”. Find the meaning of the following words, using on-line dictionary:

-acrophobia is a fear of…..

-aerophobia is a fear of….

-agoraphobia is a fear of…

-Anglophobia is a fear of…

-claustrophobia is a fear of…

-homophobia is a fear of…

-hydrophobia is a fear of…

-negrophobia is a fear of…

-photophobia is fear of…

Read and discuss

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1. Read and translate the text about forms of Xenophobia. Try to give your own definition to the word. Have ever experienced xenophobia yourself? Anywhere for anyone? Do agree that Xenophobia can also be directed simply to anyone outside a culture, not necessarily one particular race or people? How do you think Xenophobia may be expressed? Skim the text about two main forms of Xenophobia and say what is the main difference of these two forms?

Two forms of Xenophobia

The first is a population group present within a society that is not considered part of that society. Often they are recent immigrants, but xenophobia may be directed against a group which has been present for centuries, or became part of this society through conquest and territorial expansion. This form of xenophobia can elicit or facilitate hostile and violent reactions, such as mass expulsion of immigrants, pogroms or in other cases, genocide. The second form of xenophobia is primarily cultural, and the objects of the phobia are cultural elements which are considered alien.

Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory. A contemporary use of the term in English is in the phrase male chauvinism. Because "chauvinism" is most often heard in this context, it is often mistakenly believed to refer exclusively to "male chauvinism" such as anti-feminism and sexism.

Chauvinism as nationalism

Chauvinism is an almost natural product of the national concept in so far as it springs directly from the old idea of the "national mission." ... A nation's mission might be interpreted precisely as bringing its light to other, less fortunate peoples that, for whatever reason, have miraculously been left by history without a national mission. As long as this concept did not develop into the ideology of chauvinism and remained in the rather vague realm of national or even nationalistic pride, it frequently resulted in a high sense of responsibility for the welfare of backward people.

2. Chose the most appropriate word for the sentences below:

A. Xenophobia comes from the Greek word meaning… .

a)strength and health; b) stranger and fear; c) faith and belief.

a)“national mission”; b) national idea; c) national identity.

men; c) attitude that men are superior to women.

b)are superior to all men; c) attitude that men are superior to women.

3.Using the dictionary and the Internet find the definition for “discrimination”. Are there any general or specific forms? What are the specific forms of discrimination? What is your personal attitude towards different forms of it? Have ever been a victim of discrimination? Are there any ways to fight against it?

4.Prove your feelings writing six sentences expressing your attitude towards:

Xenophobia, Racisms, Discrimination, Genocide, Chauvinism, Prejudice

1)_________________________________________________________

2)_________________________________________________________

3)_________________________________________________________

4)._________________________________________________________

5)_________________________________________________________

6)_________________________________________________________

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5. Mark each statement as T(True) or F (or False). If false, make corrections.

T F

1)Xenophobia refers to the fear and/or hatred towards foreigners or people with different nationalities, culture, ethnicity, or background.

2)Xenophobia always involve hatred.

3)Racism always means some form of anger or hatred towards people of different nationalities

4)Xenophobia may manifest itself as a feeling of fear or unease and anxiety towards “foreign” or “strange” people.

5)The fear involved in xenophobia may come from only one aspect.

6)Some people experience ill-feelings toward other cultures and nationalities because of a fear in losing their personal dignity.

7)Most of the people also are extremely suspicious of other people’s activities and personalities that they resort to either “withdrawal” from the unpleasant situation or “aggression” towards the foreign people involved.

8)Few people have an extremist type of feeling that his/her culture or background which is superior over the others with accompanying prejudice to other groups of people as inferior.

9)Xenophobia is irrational

10)Xenophobia can also be exhibited in the form of an "uncritical exaltation of another culture" in which a culture is ascribed "an unreal, stereotyped and exotic quality".

11)A xenophobic person has to genuinely think or believe at some level that the target is in fact a foreigner

12)Racism is based on xenophobia.

13)Xenophobia can be directed simply to anyone outside a culture, not necessarily one particular race or people.

14)Xenophobia can be expressed in two forms: social and cultural. 15)Chauvinism is a strong belief in God.

16)Chauvinism is an exaggerated belief in national superiority and glory. 17)Chauvinism is an almost natural product of the national concept of the

old idea of the "national mission”.

18)Male chauvinism is a term used to describe the belief that one nation is superior to another.

19)Male chauvinism refers to the maintenance of fixed beliefs and attitudes of male superiority, associated with overt or covert depreciation of women.

20)Racism in Russia appears mainly in the form of negative attitudes and actions by some Russians towards people who are not considered ethnically Russian.

Pair work.

Ask your partner about his attitude towards foreigners (English speakers, for example).Does he or she fear any of them? Explain why yes or no. Does he or she know about the definition of the word, meaning “ irrational fear of foreigners”? What is hia personal idea of this phenomenon? Share your ideas with the class.

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Grammar spot

1.State verbs. There are certain groups of verbs that are usually only used in the Present Simple. This is because their meanings are related to states or conditions which are facts and not activities. This is a feature of the use of the Present Simple. The groups of verbs are:

Verbs of thinking and opinions Believe,think,understand,suppose,expect,agree,doubt,know,remember,forget,mean, imagine, realize, deserve, prefer

I believe you.

Do you understand?

I know his face, but forget his name.

Verbs of emotions and feeling

Like, love, hate, care, hope, wish, want, admit

I like coffee.

Do you want to go out? I don’t care.

Verbs of having and being.

Belong, own, have, possess, contain, cost, seem, appear, need, depend on, weigh, come from, resemble

The book belongs to Jane. How much does it cost? He has a lot of money.

Verbs of the senses

Look, hear, taste, smell, feel

The food smells good.

When the subject is a person, we often use can.

Can you see that house?

Can you smell something burning? I can hear someone crying.

2.Some of these verbs can be used in Present Continuous, but with a change of meaning. In the Continuous the verb expresses an activity, not a state.

I think you are right.(opinion)

We are thinking of going to the cinema. (mental activity) He has a lot of money. (possession)

He is having a bath. (activity)

I see what you mean. (understand)

Are you seeing Nigel tomorrow? (activity) The soup tastes awful. (state)

I am tasting the soup. (activity)

3.Complete the following pairs of sentences using the verb in italics. Use the Present Simple for one and the Present Continuous for the other.

Come

1.Alec and Mary are Scottish. The … from Glasgow.

2.The will be here very soon. They…by car.

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Have

1.Liza can’t answer the phone. She … a bath.

2.She … two pair of jeans.

Think

1.I … that all politicians tell lies.

2.I … about my girlfriend. She is in New York now.

Not enjoy

1.We … this party at all. The music is too loud.

2.We … going to the parties.

Watch

1.Be quiet! I … my favorite program.

2.I always … on Thursday evening.

See

1.John is not at home. He … a doctor about his sore throat.

2.I … the problem, but I can’t help you.

Smell

1.Mmmmmm! Dinner … good. What is it?

2.Why … you…those roses? They are plastic.

Use

1.The room …usually …for big meetings. But today … for a party.

4.Make up your own 10 sentences with the state verb, paying special attention to the use of Present Simple as well as Present Continuous.

Group Work

1. Make up a picture of statistical person of Russia. Try to formulate “What is to be a “Russian citizen”? make up a mind map. Introduce it to the group and justify all your points. The phrases in the box will help you to give your personal opinion:

In my view, I think, I consider, I am absolutely sure that, to my mind, I strongly believe that…, I feel that, in my opinion etc.

2.Using expressions below write a small essay on the following topic “Meeting a stranger I try my best to be tolerant and polite…..”:

(to be acquainted with, to be friendly with, to get on with, to be interested in, to be proud of, to be polite to, to talk to, to talk with someone about something, to admire for something, to be involved in, to be responsible for, to be open and polite).

3.Interview the members of your family about their attitude towards discrimination, xenophobia and nationalism. Make a report and introduce it to the class.

Pair work

Ask your partner about his attitude towards foreigners (English speakers, for example).Does he or she fear any of them? Explain why yes or no. Does he or she know about the definition of the word, meaning “ irrational fear of foreigners”? Share your ideas with the class.

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Module 4. Learning Foreign Languages

Unit 1. Multilingualism.

1.1 The Importance of Foreign Languages

Lead-in

What is multilingualism?

What is understood by linguistic diversity?

How many languages should a person know to be an effective communicator?

1.Watch the video on YouTube which is titled “What is multilingualism?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrblYsVuofU. Summarize all ideas shared by speakers.

It is represented by short sentences, opinions about multilingualism, in Europe and in the world. The video provides facts and benefits, why it is important to speak more than one language. The spoken languages in this movie are Hungarian, Slovakian, German, Finnish, Turkish, Danish, Norwegian, Georgian, Dutch, Swedish, Kazakh, Italian, Romanian, Polish, Czech, French, Russian, Albanian, Catalonian, Irish Gaelic, Basque, and Icelandic.

Try to formulate your own idea what multilingualism is.

Reading and vocabulary

1. Read the text for general understanding. Think of the title to the text.

Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Thanks to the ease of access to information facilitated by the Internet, individuals can come in contact with multiple languages quite often; there appears the necessity to acquire more and more

languages.

Multilingualism is a value for intercultural dialogue, social cohesion and prosperity. It plays an important role in lifelong learning, media and information technologies, as well as in the world international relations.

A multilingual workforce is an evident advantage that would provide world companies with a competitive edge and thus promote prosperity. Consequently, companies are recommended to invest more in language and intercultural skills. From the citizens’ perspective, mastering several languages increases employability and allows to choose from a larger number of job offers. That’s why countries should develop the acquisition and recognition of language skills outside the formal education systems. At the same time, European Union, for example, intends to:

stimulate student and worker mobility;

communicate the results of the study on language skills, creativity and innovation;

provide a platform to exchange best practices in learning languages.

Countries are also invited to promote language learning by:

offering opportunities to learn the national language plus two other languages;

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providing a wide offer of languages to choose from;

improving the training of those involved in language teaching;

supporting the mobility of language teachers.

There exists a European Union Council Resolution of 21 November 2008 on a European strategy for multilingualism. With this resolution, the Council is inviting the Member States and other countries to promote:

multilingualism, in order to increase social cohesion, intercultural dialogue and European construction;

lifelong language learning, in particular among young people and language teachers;

the role of multilingualism in the competitiveness of Europe’s economy as well as in the mobility and employability of Europe’s citizens;

linguistic diversity and intercultural dialogue, by further supporting translation so that the circulation of works and the dissemination of ideas in Europe and beyond is encouraged.

(from)

2.Find in the text the English equivalents of the following word combinations:

Языковое разнообразие, явление, превосходить численно, международные отношения, непрерывное образование, конкурентное преимущество, очевидный, , владение несколькими языками, овладение языковыми умениями , намереваться.

3. Make up word combinations matching the words matching A and parts. Consult the text. Translate into Russian.

4. Divide the text into paragraphs and entitle them. Pick up key words from every paragraph. Give the general idea of every part using these words.

Grammar spot

Passive Voice is used to emphasize the action (the verb) and the object of a sentence rather than subject. This means that the subject is either less important than the action itself or that we don’t know who or what the subject is. F.ex. After the earthquake, aid was sent to the people of Haiti.

Note: Verbs that have no object (no one to “receive” the action) cannot be put into the passive, such as, arrive, come, die, exist, go, happen, have, live, occur, sleep, etc.

1.In the text there are some sentences where Passive Voice is used. Find them and try to reproduce. If possible transform sentences with Active Voice into the ones with Passive Voice.

2.Use Passive Voice to emphasize the focus on the action.

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