Speech Practice

Ex. 1. Work in pairs and act out the following situations.

1. A student is not ready with home tasks because the day before he was at his friend`s birthday party. The teacher finds it a lame excuse.

2. A teacher and a student are discussing the latter’s participation in the students` scientific conference.

3. A secretary has forgotten to prepare documents necessary for the rector`s report to the region governor.

4. Two young university teachers are speaking about taking a post-graduate course.

5. Students are writing a test. One of them is using a dictionary. The teacher hasn`t banned it but never the less he is angry.

6. An exam is going on. A student has to speak about Russian education system but his knowledge is poor. The teacher asks him suggestive questions (наводящие вопросы).

7. Two freshmen are discussing their first day at university.

Ex. 2. Discuss the following in pairs.

1. Students should be given a right to change some parts of their curriculum.

2. Homework in miner (непрофилирующие) subjects should be abolished.

3. Each MSTU department should provide a unitary standard for passing an examination in English.

Ex. 3. Work in pairs. Look at the following character qualities. Should schools aim to develop these in children? Why? In what ways?

• competitiveness

• self-confidence

• interpersonal skills

• team spirit

Example: - I’m not sure whether schools should be teaching children to be competitive.

• Why not? After all, it’s preparation for the outside world …

Ex. 4. Answer the following questions.

Choosing a career

1.When did you first start thinking about entering this University?

2. Did anybody advise you or was it your own choice?

3. What influenced your choice?

4. When did you enter the university?

5. How many entrance examinations were you expected to take?

6. What marks did you get at your exams?

7. Why have you chosen this educational establishment?

8. What department do you study at?

9. What is your future occupation? Why have you chosen this field?

10. Have you chosen your career right?

11. When will you graduate from it?

12. Where would you like to work after finishing the university?

13. How does it feel to be a student?

You are a student now

1. How does it feel to be a student?

2. Now that you’ve been a student for a few months have you got used to the new methods of work?

3. How different are they from what you were used to at school?

4. Do you find it much harder to study at the university than at school?

5. What subjects were you good at when at school? What are your favourite subjects now?

6. What must you do to pass all the winter (spring) exams well?

7. Must you work hard during the examinations if you have worked regularly all through the term?

8. What marks do you expect to get?

9. How many double periods do you have daily?

10. Do you spend a lot of time studying?

11. Are there any hobby clubs or societies in your university? Are you a member of any of them?

12. What is your opinion about the education facilities in your university?

13. Is the education in this place of high quality?

14. What would you like to improve in the place you study at?

15. Who do you live with?

16. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living without parents?

17. What pastimes are popular among today`s students?

18. What leisure time activities do you prefer?