UNIT 2

“VIVAT AKADEMIA!”

Communication: Our University

Grammar Focus: the Present/Past/Future Simple

Language Use: Starting/Ending a Conversation; Keeping a Conversation Going

Part A

READING AND SPEAKING

Think ahead

1. What school did you leave?

2. Why did you decide to study at the Belarusian State University?

3. What made you choose this university rather than any other educational institution?

4. How do you imagine your life at the university? What are your expectations?

Ex. 1. Read the text carefully. Check your understanding by answering the questions that follow.

Our “Alma Mater” – the Belarusian State University

The Belarusian State University (BSU) is the oldest university in Belarus. It was founded in October 30, 1921 and 1,010 workers and peasants were admitted to its two faculties. V. I. Picheta, an outstanding historian and professor of Slavic studies, was appointed first Rector of the BSU. He was head of the BSU for eight years, and contributed a lot to the development of higher education in Belarus.

The republic’s first University rapidly grew and developed and in the pre-war period a number of independent higher schools such as Minsk Medical Institute, Minsk Teachers' Training Institute, Belarusian Institute of National Economy, Belarusian Polytechnic Institute.

During the Great Patriotic War the Belarusian capital was destroyed almost completely and so was the University. Part of it was relocated and continued academic work near Moscow. It was only in the summer of 1944 that restoration work began in the recently liberated capital. Soon enough, the university opened its doors again. In the post-war years it was restored and in a short period of time turned into one of the largest institutions of higher education in the country.

At present BSU has become a large educational, scientific and industrial complex. It comprises 17 departments, three research institute, 20 scientific centers and 11 educational establishments. 8500 people work at the University, among them about 400 doctors of sciences and 1600 candidates of sciences. The University trains more than 24000 students in 57 specializations.

The university’s main faculties are mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, philology, history, philosophy and social sciences, geography, international relations, economy, law, theology, etc. Every year new specialties and specializations are introduced to meet the challenges of life.

The BSU is well reputed not only for its high level of education and professionalism. It is also known as a scientific centre. University researchers won 34 medals and 32 diplomas at various international exhibitions. The University has a modern library equipped with a computerized system of e-catalogues and latest information technologies. So, the students have all opportunities to combine their research and study.

The curriculum is diversified and includes a wide range of subjects which help students not only to obtain knowledge but develop their personality. Besides lectures, seminars and tutorials students participate in social life of the University. They may join different student clubs and organizations, do sports, enjoy different recreational activities.

In 1967 the BSU was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for its contribution to the development of science and academic training.

The BSU is a major world University centre, a member of the International Universities Association. At present the BSU has links with over 100 higher educational establishments and research centres of the world. The University participates in a number of international projects like TEMPUS, INTAS, COPERNIC US, ASE.

Its eighty-fifth anniversary the University celebrated as an internationally recognized classical university integrating essential features of the educational, scientific and cultural centre. The staff is proud of the University traditions and achievements but at the same time it realizes the necessity of further reforms aimed at preserving the accumulated intellectual potential and promoting its progressive development.

1. When was the BSU founded?

2. Who was the first Rector of the BSU?

3. What happened to the University during the Great Patriotic War?

4. How did the University develop in the post-war years?

5. The University is a major research centre today, isn’t it?

6. What extra curriculum activities are the students engaged in?

7. What was the University awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour for?

8. What have its recent years been characterized by?

Ex. 2. Find information about other Belarussian Universities you are interested in and compare it with that of the BSU.

Ex. 3. Survey an e-mail sent by a first-year student who describes his first impressions at the University. Say if your impressions are the same or different.

Hi, pal. I’m on campus, finally. My first day is over, and I’m soooooo excited! The university is really huge, there are thousands of students here. They say the place has an outstanding reputation. There are lots of various faculties for study and recreation, all within walking distance. One can say it’s a privilege just to be here, let alone to be a student. It’s not going to be easy for me to study and live up everyone’s expectations. But I will try to do my best. My goal is to make my time here as productive and useful as it can be.

By the way, I intend to take up sports, too. Our faculty has an extensive athletic program. There is a swimming pool and two tennis courts. Boy, my athletic talents are not going to be lost either. So long, pal. I’m going to start getting ready for tomorrow.

Ex. 4. Role-play the situations. Work in pairs.

Situation 1 Situation 2

Convince your friend that the University is the best place to study Law, Mathematics, Information Technologies, etc. Interview your friend about his/her impressions of the first days at the University.

Listening and writing

Ex. 1. Do you know that students all over the world have an anthem of their own? It has become a popular academic hymn in many European countries. Modern students sing it at university festivities and graduation ceremonies. Why do you think it is written in Latin? Does it have any connection with medieval Universities? Listen to this song and say what it is about, on the shortness of life or on the joy of life?

Gaudeamus

Gaudeamus igitur Juvenes dum sumus. Post jucundam juventutem Post molestam senectutem Nos habebit humus.	Let us rejoice therefore While we are young. After a pleasant youth After the troubles of old age The earth will have us.
Ubi sunt qui ante nos In mundo fuere? Vadite ad superos Transite in inferos Hos si vis videre.	Where are they Who were in the world before us? You may cross over to heaven You may travel into hell If you wish to see them.
Vita nostra brevis est Brevi fmietur. Venit mors velociter Rapit nos atrociter Nemini parcetur.	Our life is brief It will be finished all too soon. Death comes quickly We are cruelly snatched away. No one is spared.
Vivat academia! Vivant professores! Vivat membrum quodlibet Vivant membra quaelibet Semper sint in flore.	Long live the academy! Long live the teachers! Long live all the male students! Long live all the female students! May they always flourish!
Vivant omnes virgins Faciles, formosae. Vivant et mulieres Tenerae amabiles Bonae laboriosae.	Long live the virgins Easy and beautiful! Long live mature women also, Tender and lovable And full of good labor.
Vivant et res publica et qui ill am regit. Vivat nostra civitas, Maecenatum caritas Quae nos hie protegit.	Long live the state as well And those who rule it! Long live our city And the charity of benefactors Winch protects us here!
Pereat tristitia, Pereant dolores. Pereat diabolus, Quivis antiburschius Atque irrisores.	Let sadness perish! Let woes perish! Let the devil perish. Let whoever is against our school Who laughs at it, perish!

Ex. 2. Fill in a brief fact file on your alma mater. Write a short description of the establishment.

Name of the university
Legal address
Foundation year
Number of students (as of today)
Number of departments
Number of staff lectures
Per cent of staff with academic degrees
Most popular specializations
Academic contacts

Ex. 3. Listen to the talks taking place on campus. Say whether the students like their first days at the university.

Dialogue 1

(Professor – Student)

• How do you do, Professor.

• How do you do. You are our new student, aren’t you?

• Yes, I’m. And I like it here a lot. The university is great!

• Well, I bet you do. We are a school with a great reputation. Good luck!

Dialogue 2

(Student – Student)

• Hey, glad to see you. How are you doing?

• I’m fine, thanks. What about you?

• Not bad, either. You know, I’m impressed with my first classes.

• Me, too. The faculty members are all quite competent.

• Yeah, it looks like that. Got to go, see you at the library!

Ex. 4. Write a fifty word e-mail to a friend describing your first days as a university student.

Ex. 5. Start the conversations in one of the following ways.

When two people have been introduced, one of them usually start a conversation. One way to do this is to ask a question such as:	Is this your first visit to…? Have you been here/to … before? Have you visited/seen…? How do you like/find…? (How) are you enjoying…? Are you interested in…?
A less direct and more tactful way of asking something is to make a remark with a question tag. For example:	This is your first visit to Minsk, isn't it? You’re interested in literature, aren’t you? You’ve made the right choice, haven’t you?
Other remarks which invite the response are:	I hear/believe you’re from…? I've been told that you’re majoring in…? I suppose you have already seen…?

Ex. 6. Signal that you want to end the conversation. Give a reason. Make arrangements to make contact some other time, and take your leave.

Reasons for ending a conversation

It’s getting late.

You think there’s someone at the door.

Someone’s coming to see you in a minute.

You’ve got some work to do.

You’ve got to telephone someone else.

Someone wants to use the phone.

Ex. 7. Survey the following proverbs. Translate them into Russian.

1. Knowledge has bitter roots but sweet fruits.

2. He that knows nothing doubts nothing.

3. Knowledge is the mother of all virtue, all vice proceeds from ignorance.

4. Education polishes good natures and corrects bad ones.

5. Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Part B