Английский язык Для политологов и социологов

Unit

АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК ДЛЯ ПОЛИТОЛОГОВ И СОЦИОЛОГОВ

Калининград 2010

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ

Unit 1. College life………………………………………………..  p. 3

Unit 2.  Where in the world?..........................................................  p. 17

Unit 3. Professional interaction…………………………………. p. 26

Unit 4. Language of the news……………………………………. p. 39

Unit 5. Religion…………………………………………………… p. 46

Unit 6. Environmental issues……………………………………... p. 52

Unit 7. The British law system…………………………………… p. 65

Unit 8. War and terrorism………………………………………… p. 81

Unit 9. Globalisation………………………………………………. p. 90

UNIT 1

COLLEGE LIFE

1. Read and translate Text 1:

College life

The merry-go-round of college life is something that one never forgets. It's a fascinating, fantastic, fabulous experience, ir­respective of the fact whether one is a full-time or a part-time stu­dent. Who can forget the first day at the university when one turns from an applicant who has passed entrance exams into a first-year student? I did it! I entered, I got in to the university! A solemn cere­mony in front of the university building and serious people making speeches. Hey, lad, do you happen to know who they are? Who? The rector, vice-rectors, deans, subdeans... and what about those la­dies? Heads of departments and senior lecturers? Okay. Some of them must be professors, some — associate or assistant professors, but, of course, all of them have high academic degrees. And where are our lecturers and tutors? Oh, how nice...

The monitors hand out student membership cards, student record books and library cards — one feels like a real person. First celebra­tions and then days of hard work. So many classes, so many new subjects to put on the timetable! The curriculum seems to be devel­oped especially for geniuses. Lectures, seminars and tutorials. Home preparations; a real avalanche of homeworks. If one can not cope with the work load of college he or she im­mediately starts lagging behind. It is easier to keep pace with the programme than to catch up with it later. Everyone tries hard to be diligent. First tests and examination sessions. The first successes and first failures: "I have passed!" or "He has not given me a pass!" Tears and smiles. And a long-awaited vacation.

The merry-go-round runs faster. Assignments, written reproduc­tions, compositions, synopses, papers. Translations checked up and marked. "Professor, I have never played truant, I had a good excuse for missing classes". Works handed in and handed out. Reading up for exams. "No, professor, I have never cheated — no cribs. I just crammed". Junior students become senior. Still all of them are one family — undergraduates. Students' parties in the students' club. Meeting people and parting with people. You know, Nora is going to be ex­pelled and Dora is going to graduate with honours. Yearly essays, graduation dissertations, finals...

What? A teacher's certificate? You mean, I've got a degree in English? I am happy! It is over! It is over... Is it over? Oh, no...

A postgraduate course, a thesis, an oral, and a degree in Phi­lology. The first of September. Where are the students of the fa­culty of foreign languages? Is it the English department? Oh, how nice...

 

2. Answer the following questions:

1. Say a few words about your university. What it is called? Speak about the faculty you entered and about its specialization.

2. Would you compare college life with a merry-go-round or with some­thing else?

3. What do you think of the first months at the university?

4. How is college life different from school life?

 

3. Find words denoting:

— a short piece of writing on one particular subject that is written by a student;

— a class, usually at college or university, where the teacher and the students discuss a particular topic or subject;

— a long essay that a student does as part of a degree;

— financial aid that the government gives to an individual or to an organisation for a particular purpose such as educa­tion, welfare, home, improvements;

— a student at a university or college who has not yet taken his or her first degree;

— a person who has a first degree from a university and who is doing research at a more advanced level;

— someone who has left school or college before they have finished their studies;

— a long piece of written research done for a higher university degree, especially a PhD';

— money given to a student to help pay for the cost of his or her education;

— a regular meeting in which a tutor and a small group of stu­dents discuss a subject as part of the students' course of study.

 

 

4. Translate into English:

Получать стипендию; студенческое общежитие; страсть к чтению; читать за едой; делать пометки; придер­живаться чего-либо; семинар; немедленные результаты; тема дипломной работы; учиться в аспирантуре; последо­вать совету кого-либо; выиграть стипендию; работать над диссертацией; иметь значение для кого-либо; признавать; по образованию; не ложиться спать целую ночь; погло­щать (знания, информацию); достойный подражания.

 

5. Complete the sentences choosing the appropriate word or phrase from the list. Change their form if necessary:

To have no worries about something; in one's own eyes; a hall of residence; read through one's meals; to adhere to some­thing; to be at one with somebody; to go out; to make friends; to find one's way to somebody.; to get rid of something; to need somebody's company; beside the point; to be on one's guard; on three counts; no end to something; the concern of somebody.

1. A communicative person... with other people very quickly and feels at ease in any company.

2. It is important... a definite style when choosing clothes; otherwise one risks looking strange.

3. Police ask people... when strangers approach them, try to make contact with them or ask favours of them.

4. Sharing a room with other people, one has... all bad habits: smoking, scattering things here and there, coming late.

5. Having passed the exam, she grew.... The exam was very difficult and being through with it meant success.

6. The teacher tried... a little boy in primary school; she spoke with him, made him speak and play too, but he remained aloof and constrained.

7. The child seemed not...; he liked to stay all by himself, with no companions to play with.

8. Most British students live either in... or share flats with other students.

9. In the evening most British students.... They go to pubs, discos or just walk around with their friends.

10. Doctors do not recommend.... It may lead to indigestion.

11. The athlete's physical power was almost.... It was his men­tal discipline that really made him a champion.

12. There was... her friend's advice: she always had new ideas and poured them out incessantly.

13. Her success rested...: she was President of Students' Soci­ety, she had only excellent marks and she won a scholar­ship from the British Council.

14. Hurrying up to the university in the morning, she... all the rest of the students: she was an integral part of this moving mass.

15. His constant failures soon became... every lecturer. No­body knew what to do in a situation like this.

16. She... domestic chores: her mother and grandmother did everything in the house.

 

6. Put in the missing prepositions:

1. The teacher demanded that the students should take notes... coloured ball-point pens.

2. Being a psychologist... training, Richard devoted his life to solving other people's problems.

3. Not everyone likes to share a flat... somebody: it disturbs one's privacy.

4. Working... her thesis, she learned many interesting facts.

5. The mother always grumbled when her daughter was rea­ding... her meals.

6. It was very easy to choose subjects... dissertations; the pro­fessor offered a long list of topics.

7. One day the lecturer returned Ruth's essay with an inscrip­tion... the bottom.

8. The girls were bored... each other, because they were too different.

9. A lot of students at the university were... grants, which meant that their studies were subsidized by the govern­ment.

10. Those who win scholarships from the British Council are usually entitled... half a year abroad.

11. The girl's talks always consisted... stories, reminiscences and gossip.

12. The teacher congratulated all students... all possible occasions.

7. Translate the words or expressions given below into Russian and ask your classmates- to translate them back into English:

To be on a grant; a hall of residence; greed for books; elaborate notes; to be well received; a tutorial; a seminar; the second year; the subject for one's dissertation; postgraduate work; to work on one's thesis; to examine; winning the scholarship; by training; an undergraduate; to stay up for two whole nights; to absorb; to report back.

 

8. Read and translate Text 2:

Becoming an effective student

Learning how to study effectively is an essential skill for students in any discipline. There are six areas which are crucial to developing good study habits. Work on these and you will become an effective student.

Targets: Always set a realistic work target. Don't try to do too much. For example, plan to read one chapter of a book each evening rather than think about reading the whole book over the weekend. This kind of detailed, planned target is more effective than a vague commitment. It is sometimes helpful to tell your friends about your plan. This is a good incentive to keep you on target because they will know if you fail!

Rewards: Develop a system of rewards for your work. For example, stop for a cup of coffee or tea, or listen to a favourite piece of music after one hour's study. Rewarding yourself for keeping to your work plan will make you feel good about yourself.

Timing: Make sure you choose a suitable time to study, i.e. when it is quiet and when you are most alert. Try to make this a regular, time-tabled part of your day. If you plan to start work at a certain time, say 7pm, do not find reasons to put off getting started. You can watch a DVD later, and your emails are not urgent!

Quantity: A large task such as researching a new topic for an essay can be daunting - so daunting, in fact, that it can be difficult to sit down and make a start. Break the larger task down into several smaller ones. For example, make a list of questions that you will have to deal with in your essay, and then approach each question separately. This makes the work more manageable.

Notes and learning styles: The books you are studying won't always present information in a way that suits your learning style. It is, therefore, worthwhile spending time making notes and organizing them in a way that suits you best. It is also a good idea to keep your notebooks neat and well organized. This will make it much easier to retrieve information later.

Revision:  Don't leave revision till the last day. When you set your study targets, allow regular revision time. It is more effective than trying to cram before an exam.

 

9. Write answers to the questions on Text 2:

1. How does the writer think you can develop good study habits?

2. Why is it a good idea to tell other people about your work plans?

3. Why does the writer believe it is useful to reward yourself?

4. What makes one time to study better than another?

5. How can a large or complicated piece of work be made easier?

6. What is the main benefit of keeping good class or lecture notes?

7. How does the writer suggest you could improve your revision?

8. In your own studies, in which of the six areas in the article could you improve? How? Compare your answers with a partner.

10. Choose the correct collocation:

1 I'm happy to say that you have all sat / taken / passed your math’s test.

2 Will the teacher give / provide / make us some feedback on our essays?

3 The university agrees / recognises / takes the school-leaving exams of most other countries.

4 It isn't compulsory to assist / attend / listen all the lectures at this university.

5 How long will it take you to complete / carry out / fulfill your degree?

6 You must submit / send / write your application in before the end of June.

7 Several students have decided to withdraw / go / leave the course this year.

8 I want you all to write / hold / keep a vocabulary notebook.

 

11. Translate into English:

1. Она поступила в университет прошлым летом и закончит его только через четыре года.

2. Лучше не пропускать занятия, а то можно быстро отстать от группы. Хорошо известно, что нагонять всегда сложнее.

3. Все студенты в группе получили зачет по истории. Это было трудное испытание.

4. Мой любимый предмет, конечно же, английский. А еще мне нравятся страноведение Великобритании и США.

5. Я не очень люблю писать диктанты и изложения, но понимаю, что это необходимо для приобретения навыков письменной речи.

6. Расписание составляется таким образом, чтобы лекции чередовались с практическими занятиями.

7. Староста нашей группы получила стипендию от Британского Совета. Она будет учиться в Лондонском университете и одновременно писать дипломную работу.

8. Не думаю, что, готовясь к экзаменам, имеет смысл всю ночь не ложиться спать. Эффект от такой подготовки может быть обратный.

9. Больше всего я боюсь провалить экзамен по психологии, поэтому стараюсь все выучить почти наизусть.

10. В штате преподавателей у нас три профессора, четыре доцента, пять старших преподавателей и семь ассистентов.

11. Проверяя контрольные работы, преподаватель отмечает ошибки на полях.

12.  В эту сессию будет один письменный и два устных зачета, а также четыре экзамена.

13. В начале года в деканате всем первокурсникам выдали студенческие билеты и зачетные книжки.

14. Когда я начинаю делать домашнее задание, то долго не могу сконцентрироваться на работе – меня постоянно что-то отвлекает.

15. В обучении ему не нужно прикладывать никаких усилий – он все хватает на лету.

 

Read and translate Text 3:

Koenigsberg University

The history of Kaliningrad State University is closely connected with the history of Koenigsberg University rooting in the past, in the history of cultural and spiritual development of not only German people but the neighbouring East-European peoples - Polish, Lithuanian and Russian. The history of Koenigsberg University, of the famous Albertina lasted four centuries. It tore off in 1945 when as a result of the Second World War Koenigsberg and a part of the Eastern Prussia were handed up to the USSR. Even now 50 years later we can see the signs of German culture kept till nowadays. On the island between two branches of the Pregel river there are walls of the Grand Cathedral rising above.

In the ancient times the famous citizens of the town were buried at the walls of the temple. Here in 1568 the founder of Koenigsberg University - the last Teutonic Grand Master and the first Prussian Duke - Albert Gogentsollern (1490 - 1568) was buried. And very near - it was enough to cross the church court - the old University building stood. The first Prussian Duke performed great services in forming intellectual and spiritual atmosphere of new Prussia but the most significant of his creations was the foundation of Koenigsberg University, though the decisive point was not only culture but needs of state building, of the policy and ideology. Albert understood that the way to the state independence was through the gate of the Prussian high school.

The solemn opening day happened on the 17-th of August in 1544. Under the sounds of chime Albert introduced the first rector Georg Sabinus to the audience. This event was marked by the solemn divine service. The seal with the image of Albert the Duke was produced. Albert presented the University his own collection of books and also handed over the books from the former Orden and cloister libraries.

Koenigsberg University was managed like the other German Universities. German Universities following the traditions of medieval time as a rule consisted of four departments: the «lowest» department of philosophy and three «highest» departments of theology, law and medicine. Tuition started at the philosophy department where every student had to learn seven «free» arts: grammar, rhetoric, dialectics, music (sacred singing), arithmetic, geometry and astronomy. It was only possible to enter the «highest» departments having learnt the courses of the philosophy department.

For teaching there were ten professors engaged to the University. The number of students contained 314. Mostly they were citizens of Prussia, some of the students came from Poland, Lithuania and other neighbouring lands. This policy did not contradict the main aim of the University founders: to propagate Lutheranism and German culture along Baltic lands.

During its long history Koenigsberg University went through various periods of time. Nevertheless in Albertina the primordial spirit of honoring the freedom of creative personality was always kept. University is scientific societies and traditions, it is teachers and students, it is libraries and archives, buildings and laboratories. The Second World War dispersed or destroyed book collections and archives of Koenigsberg University, the great part of University buildings were ruined. Teachers and students were deported to Germany. But up till now there is no philosophy without I.Kant, no mathematics without K.Yacoby, no astronomy without F.Bessel, no literature without E.Hoffman.

 

13. Find English equivalents in text 3:

       Древние времена; основатель; государственная независимость; бой курантов; монастырская библиотека; средневековье; обучение; противоречить; основная цель; архив.

 

14. Role-play and group work:

1. Divide into groups and play out the solemn ceremony of the opening day as if you lived: a) in the 16^th century; b) in the 21^st century.

2. Find interesting facts and tell about great people who taught or worked at our University at different times as if you were them.

 

Read and translate text 4:

The present of Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University

Substantial changes have taken place in the system of Russian higher education in the last decade. The process of training began to change in accordance with the Pan-European tendencies in the framework of the "Bologna process". The introduction of the two tier system of higher education has been legislatively fixed, and the Russian higher education institutions will offer two degrees those of "bachelor and master", instead of the previous one-level system of training — that of a five year "specialist" programme.

The financing of education and science has been considerably increased. The national project "Education" is being implemented at the moment On the basis of competition, 57 best Russian higher education institutions obtained considerable state grants for the pur­chasing of the newest equipment and the in-service training of their staff. It is extremely important that young people strive for obtaining higher education. The number of students per 1000 people in Russia is now higher than in the majority of the European countries. State universi­ties, where the majority of the students are trained free of charge are fully subsidized by the state. At the same time, many of those, who failed their entrance exams, are trained on the fee-paying basis in both state and private higher education institutions.

Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University is one of eight federal universities of the Russian Federation, train­ing 17 thousand students. But in many respects and especially be­cause of its geographical location and its firm links with both Rus­sian and European universities, I. Kant Baltic Federal University has become one of the winners, one of the universities, implement­ing the national project "Education".

Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University represents the system of Russian higher education in Europe and acts as a bridge between Russian and European education spaces for the benefit of all Rus­sian regions.

It is the bridge that has been chosen as a logo of the University. The University continues time-honoured traditions of Russian higher education, and learns from European educational experience. The University is aimed at maintaining and spreading academic and research traditions of Koenigsberg University Albertina, which is one of the oldest Universities in Europe, has a 464 year history. The University's greatest alumnus is Immanuel Kant, the world-famous philosopher, who was even a Russian citizen for some time. The name of I. Kant forever linked the city of Koenigsberg and Al­bertina University with the spiritual heritage of humankind.

The University in Kaliningrad began its life as Kaliningrad State Pedagogical Institute in 1947. In 1966 the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Education issued a decree granting Kaliningrad State Pedagogical Institute university status. In 2005 the University was renamed afterImmanuel Kant. In 2010 the University attained federal status.

Today the University is a higher education institution which is of regional and federal importance. The University trains specialists in 50 fields. More than 200 education programmes are implemented here. The University hires 1,500 staff.The number of students, postgraduate and doctoral students exceeds 17,000. The academics of the University carry out research in 36 fields of science. More than 100 monographs, 240 course books and4,700 articles have been published during the past 5 years. The University runs a number of postgraduate programmes and has 350 doctoral students taking their PhD courses in 33 fields o! study. There are 10 doctoral dissertation panels in 17 fields of science.

Regionally, the University sees its mission in integrating the system of education in the region and raising its competitiveness m the light of the Bologna process. Nationally, the University aims to strengthen Russian stateness and promote Russian culture in the Russian exclave, given the EUenlargement. Internationally, the University accomplishes the mission o| holding an open dialogue between Russian and European higher education institutions and promoting students academic mobility.

The University trains specialists to meet the demands of the re­gional labour market, runs in-service training courses, and carriesout research. On the one hand, it is part and parcel of the Russiansystem of higher education. On the other hand, the University is n dynamic partner of the European interaction processes. It represents the Russian system of higher education in Europe. An outpost of Russian higher education in Europe, the University is fully aware of its mission to promote Russian language and culture nationally and internationally.

The University is internationally acclaimed for its Kant Stud­ies, research into Russian Philosophy, the study of language mo­dality, a complex study of the Baltic Sea region, territorial and landscape planning, the study of the World Ocean, quadruple and nuclear resonance research, physics of the ionosphere, geomag­netic processes and the spreading of radio waves, differential ge­ometry of manifolds, etc. The University participates in many international research pro­grammes. Fundamental and applied research is done at 62 depart­ments of the University as well as at 40 research centres and labo­ratories of the University. The University is proud of its Baltic Institute for Advanced Studies and Education, which is one of 9 similar institutes in Rus­sia. The major topic of research is «Europe and Russian: past, pre­sent and future». The University actively participates in international projects in education. One of the most significant projects being implemented in University is the "Eurofaculty" project.

Dynamically developing, the University has become a large education, research and cultural centre of the Kaliningrad region, a true representative of the Russian system of higher education in Europe. It has partnership agreements with more than 50 universi­ties from 16 countries. The University is a member of the European University Association, the Alliance of Universities for Democ­racy, The Baltic Sea Region University Network, globalisation of higher education has always been a priority. The University aims to develop new forms of international cooperation, thus facilitating the harmonization of Russian and European systems of education.

One of biggest achievements of the University is its participation in the National Project "Education". It is difficult to overestimate the importance of it for the future development of the University. The University presented its strategic programme “The development of innovation and educational infrastructure of the I. Kant State University aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the exclave region of Russia”. The purpose of the programme is to provide technology, infrastructure and specialists for the innovative development of the Kaliningrad region, the exclave region of Russia.

So, a lot has been done and even more is to be done, but the University is striving for new heights in the implementation of its mission. It is planned to:

1) build up a new University campus and a "science park" at its heart;

2) merge a number of regional colleges with the University and form new profile programmes of higher education;

3) further develop the innovation educational programme onthe basis of "collective use" centers.

 

     16. Find English equivalents in Text 4:

Значительные изменения; в рамках Болонского процесса; внедрение двухступенчатой системы высшего образования; внедрять; обучаться на платной основе; прочные связи с Европейскими университетами; духовное наследие человечества; партнерские соглашения; переоценивать; нацеливать на усиление конкурентоспособности; сливать/присоединять.

 

17. Answer these questions about education:

1. At what age do children in your country sit their final school exams?

2. How long does it take in your country to do a degree in political sciences/ chemistry/ medicine?

3. Give one advantage you think continuous assessment has over traditional exams.

4. What sort of feedback might a teacher give a student who has just given a presentation in class?

5. Give one advantage for a learner of English of doing homework.

6. What advice about keeping a vocabulary notebook would you give to someone starting to learn English?

7. What is the difference between further education and higher or tertiary education?

8. What would you expect to be the difference between the first draft of an essay and the final draft?

 

18. Translate the text into English:

Сегодня образовательная политика государства направлена на то, чтобы создать в России новую сеть вузов, выполняющих не только региональную, но и федеральную образовательную функцию.

Балтийский федеральный университет понимает свою образовательную функцию в развитии тех направлений и специальностей в обучении, которые считаются перспективными. Университет старается смотреть вперед, не полагаясь на востребованность нынешнего дня. Например, многие вузы страны пострадали от того, что следовали моде и мало внимания уделяли подготовке технических и физико-математических кадров. БФУ им. И. Канта вкладывает большие средства в соответствующие направления, потому что специалисты высшей квалификации в этой сфере всегда найдут себе работу, в том числе и за рубежом.

Конечно, на приоритетах в обучении сказался переход на двухуровневое образование. В Университете активно развивается аспирантура по многим направлениям, бакалавриат, магистратура и докторантура. Наличие разветвленной сети аспирантских и магистерских программ показывает, что университет развивает науку и может занимать достойное место в ряду других крупных университетов. Что касается студентов, то многие сегодня прекрасно понимают, что магистратура и аспирантура - это определенный базис, который поднимает человека на ступень выше и является показателем его профессионального уровня. Чтобы готовить специалистов такого высокого класса, у Университета есть все возможности.

БФУ очень реалистично подходит к международному сотрудничеству. В настоящее время действуют 70 договоров между БФУ им. И. Канта и различными иностранными вузами Польши, Германии, Литвы, Латвии, Беларуси, Финляндии, Дании, Австрии, Франции, Швеции, Италии, США. Но особое внимание уделяется развитию приграничного сотрудничества с польскими и литовскими вузами. И не только потому что они Калининградской области близки территориально. Просто они проходят те же самые переходные периоды, которые проходит Университет.

. По БФУ им. И. Канта вся Европа судит о российском образовании и науке в целом. И это не преувеличение. Если в ВУЗ сегодня готовы ехать специалисты, ученые из разных стран Европы, значит - в нем уверены и готовы сотрудничать, учиться, обмениваться опытом. Федеральному центру обязательно нужно иметь в Калининградской области сильный университет федерального значения, который станет площадкой для диалога между представителями высшего образования и науки как нашего региона, так и других областей России и Европы.

 

19. Write an essay on the following topics (200 – 250 words):

1. What do you expect from University life?

2. Write a comparative essay on differences and similarities of the Russian and British systems of education.

3. Education Reform. To Be or Not to Be?

4. Why is (Political Sciences/Sociology) so popular with the students?

 

 

UNIT 2

WHERE IN THE WORLD…?

 

1.  Scan the texts. Find information to complete the table:

 

	Location	Important date	Economy	Attractions	Language(s)
Singapore	South-East Asia	1965	Strong economy, tourism	shopping, Singapore Zoo, man-made beaches	Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil
Morocco	North Africa	1956	mining, tourism	Fez, beaches, Sahara Desert	Arabic, French
Wales	northern Europe	1999	Farming and tourism	ancient castles, beautiful mountains, wild coastline	English, Welsh

 

 

The Republic of Singapore is an island in South-East Asia, just 137km north of the Equator. It became an independent city-state in 1965. Singapore has few natural resources. However, it developed a strong economy and is a popular tourist destination. People come here for its fabulous shopping, the famous Singapore Zoo, and its beautiful man-made beaches. Singapore has a rich mixture of people and many languages are spoken here, including Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil.

 

The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in North Africa. It has the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Algeria to the east, and Western Sahara to the south. It became an independent kingdom in 1956. Its economy depends on mining and tourism. Morocco's attractions include the historic city of Fez, the wonderful beaches on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, and the Sahara Desert. Arabic is the official language, although French is often used for business.

 

Wales is in northern Europe. It is part of the United Kingdom. It borders England to the east, and has the Irish Sea on the west. Wales was ruled by England for many centuries, but in 1999 its own National Assembly was created. Farming and tourism are important parts of its economy. Tourists come to Wales to see its many ancient castles, to walk and climb in its beautiful mountains, or to walk along its wild coastline. Although most people speak English, both Welsh and English are the official languages.

 

FRANCE

Attractions	Natural resources	Important dates	Geography	Language	economy
Paris	water	1789 – the French Revolution	In Europe		farming
Louvre	coal		Borders with Germany, Belgium	French	tourism
Skiing in the Alps			the Atlantic ocean		car manufacture
Eiffel Tower			long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea		Euro
Disney			Switzerland, Andorra, Spain

                                  

Complete the paragraph about France. Use information from the table in exercise 2:

FRANCE – SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

 

France is a large country in 1 In Europe. It has 2 Borders with many countries, including Germany, Italy and Spain. It was ruled by a king. However, after the revolution in 3 1789 it became a republic. France has good natural resources, such as water and 4 coal. Farming, 5 tourism and 6 car manufacturing are other important parts of its economy. The capital of France is Paris, which lies on the river Seine. Many tourists stay in the city to see the 7 Eiffel Tower or to visit the world-famous 8 Louvre Museum and other attractions. There are also lots of other things to do outside Paris. You can go skiing in the 9 Alps, visit 10 Disney, or go swimming in the Mediterranean. Although the official language is French, many people speak a little English. So, whatever your interests and wherever you come from, France has something for you.

3. Read and translate Text 1:

Getting out of the city

       If you really fancy getting away from it all, Cabo Polonio, with no roads, electricity, or running water, is the place for you. This small town on the Eastern coast of Uruguay is just a few hundred houses located on a peninsula with a magnificent beach dominated by a lighthouse. You have to be prepared to walk 7 km across the sand dunes from the nearest road or else pay to be taken in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Accommodation is pretty simple and basic, so do not expect to get a room with a TV and mini-bar, and if you are after some nightlife, forget it. This is a place where time seems to stand still, so you have to learn to slow down. Just watch the waves breaking on the rocks and chill out.

 

Walking along the streets of Colonia is like taking a step back in time. This ancient colonial town has changed little since it was founded by the Portuguese in 1680, and its old-world charm makes it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Uruguay. The colourful cobbled streets, fragrant gardens, and the cool breeze from the river invite you to wander. With the historic buildings and museums, there is plenty to see, and there are so many good restaurants that you will find it difficult to choose. For people who enjoy a bit of luxury, there are plenty of comfortable hotels, but remember to book early – the sooner the better if you plan to visit in the high season, which lasts from January to March.

 

       Punta del Este is one of the most sophisticated and exclusive resorts in South America. Set on a peninsula between the estuary of the River Plate and the open Atlantic, there are beaches for all tastes, with calm water on the west side and large waves on the east side. Its location and facilities make Punta del Este ideal for every kind of holidaymaker. If you are the active type, there are all kinds of water sports, from diving and fishing to water-skiing and windsurfing. If you prefer to shop, there are handicraft markets as well as modern shopping centers with well-known international stores. And after dark, you can choose to take your chances in the casinos, enjoy the lively nightlife, or simply stroll around the streets and people-watch.

 

The Parana Delta is an ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. First you’ll need to get across the River Plate to Buenos Aires. Then, just a short train ride from the city is the town of Tigre, from where you can take a boat across the tranquil river channels to the islands of the delta. There are hotels, but you may prefer to rent a cabin and just allow yourself to unwind the peace and quiet. If you loathe going round the shops, this place is ideal – the shops come to you! There are supermarket boats which go up and down the channels selling supplies. Top tip: do not forget to buy bottled water – the cabins have well water for washing, but it’s not suitable for drinking.

 

Lessons from Curitiba

       This review will argue that Curitiba, in southern Brazil, is an important model of good urban planning. Urban planning deals with the physical, economic, and social development of cities. Today, urban populations are increasing rapidly, and growing cities are putting enormous pressure on the environment. For this reason, the type of urban planning found in Curitiba is more important than ever.

As stated in the introduction, Curitiba is a fine example of how urban planning can work. This has not always been the case, however. At one time, Curitiba faced the same problems as many other cities all over the world, namely overcrowding, pollution, and an increased demand for services, transport, and housing. How, then, did Curitiba address these problems?

By the 1940s the population of Curitiba had grown to about 150,000, as immigrants from countries such as Japan, Syria, and Lebanon came to work in agriculture and industry. These people needed both housing and transportation. Curitiba's leaders realized that it was not sensible to deal with these problems separately. Consequently, they employed a French planner and architect, Alfred Agache, to find an overall solution.

Agache studied all aspects of the problem. He designed a scheme which gave priority to public services such as sanitation and public transport. At the same time, the scheme included centres which helped both community life and commerce to develop, and reduced traffic congestion. This was the first scheme to address several problems of growing cities at the same time. Unfortunately, some parts of his plan were not completed. The result, as described below, was that his scheme only served Curitiba for -another 20 years.

By the 1960s the population of Curitiba had grown to about 430,000 inhabitants, so the city had to rethink its needs. In order to do this, the mayor put together a team of architects and town planners led by Jaime Lerner. This team produced the Curitiba Master Plan. This consisted of taking Agache's original plan and adding wide, high-speed roads which crossed the smaller streets. Their proposals also included plans to minimize urban growth, reduce city-centre traffic, and preserve the city's historic district. It is clear that the Curitiba Master Plan was one of the first attempts to integrate all aspects of city planning.

This integrated approach to urban design was maintained throughout the 1980s as Curitiba's population grew to almost one million inhabitants. Environmental facilities were added, such as a recycling programme for household waste, and parks and 'green' spaces were protected from development. However, good transportation remained central to the planning.

Good transportation still remains a priority, together with the need for jobs. A growing population needs employment, sc business parks and centres have been added to encourage new small businesses. All these challenges will continue as the population of Curitiba increases, but its city planners are continually searching for solutions to the problems.

It is apparent that, as an increasing number of people move into cities, the challenges for urban planners will also grow. Many other cities are looking to Curitiba for answers. Its planners have been courageous and innovative, and have always put the city's inhabitants at the centre of their designs. Other city planners could benefit greatly from this experience.

 

11. Answer the questions:

1. What three aspects of development does urban planning deal with?

2. What problems do many cities face?

3. What was the main cause of the increase in Curitiba's population before the 1940s?

4. In what ways was Agache's approach different?

5. What happened to Agache's plan?

6. What did the Curitiba Master Plan do?

7. What was new about the approach to planning in the 1980s?

8. What is new about the approach to planning now?

9. What is the writer's opinion of the Curitiba experience of urban planning?

 

12. Read the text and decide which answer (А, В, С or D) best fits each space:

Reports that the government is about to (1) …… the go ahead to plans for the building of a new runway at London's Gatwick airport have angered local (2) …… and raised fears of increased noise and exhaust pollution. The (3) …….................... plans also include permission for additional night flights and will (4) …… the compulsory purchase of farmland, (5) …… the demolition of a number of private homes. According to sources close to the Ministry of Transport, the government is known to be concerned by the increasing (6) …… of traffic at London Heathrow, where there are no plans for further runways in the foreseeable (7) …….. Gatwick is widely (8) ………..as a better (9) ……… for expansion than London's third airport, Stansted, which still (10) …… from poor transport links. A spokesperson for the Keep Gatwick Quiet association,         (11) ……up of local people, accused the government of (12) …… back on promises made before the General Election. 'We were told then that the airport authority had no (13) …… of building another runway, and we believe that the government has a duty to (14) …… its pledges.' Prominent figures in the government are also believed to be concerned at the news, although the Prime Minister, interviewed last night, is (15) …… as saying that reports were 'misleading'. However, he would not give an assurance that plans for building a runway had definitely been rejected.

1) A sign              В make        С give            D approve

2) A inhabitants В dwellers  С occupants D residents

3) A controversial В debatable С notorious  D doubtful

4) A involve       В concern   С assume      D need

5) A further to    В as well as С moreover  D what's more

6) A sum              В size          С volume      D length

7) A years           В period      С time            D future

8) A regarded     В believed  С felt             D held

9) A potential     В outlook   С prospect    D likelihood

10) A affects         В undergoes С experiences D suffers

11) A made           В set            С brought      D taken

12) A getting         В falling      С going          D turning

13) A desire          В intention С wish            D objective

14) A bear out      В count on  С pull off       D stand by

15) A quoted        В known     С thought      D written

 

13. Integrated task:

An international trade fair

Three cities are competing to be the venue for an international trade fair to be held next summer. You are planning to write an article for a national magazine to persuade the readers that one of the cities, Urbania, is the best choice. Organize the information about Urbania into categories: transportation, location, facilities, weather, trade and industry.

Urbania

1. an international airport 20km away

2. a good network of roads to other parts of the country

3. several top-quality restaurants

4. doesn't usually rain in the summer

5. only 30 minutes away from capital city

6. average summer temperature is 24°C

7. a 20-hectare site ready for re-development                         

8. a mountain range about 5km away

9. hotel accommodation for 20,000 visitors

10. the centre for gold marketing and jewellery making

11. an excellent public transport system

12. a world famous computer manufacturer based in the city

13. only 10km from two international borders

14. a very low level of air pollution because of coastal winds

15. many private cars

16. snows heavily in the winter

17. famous for its boat-building industry

18. lots of shops

19. on the coast

20. a university

Look at categories. In your opinion, which two are the most important, and why? Compare your answers with a partner.   

 Link the information and write a short paragraph for each category:

Visitors can get to Urbania very easily because the international airport is only 20 kilometres away. When they are in the city, they can travel around quickly as there is an excellent public transport system, furthermore, visitors can get to other parts of the country because Urbania has: a good network of roads.

Read the introduction to an article about Urbania. Add your own paragraphs from the previous task. Link each paragraph to the next.

UNIT 3

PROFESSIONAL INTERACTION

1. Read and translate Text 1:

PROFESSIONAL INTERACTION

In intercultural communication people meet with a lot of problems
across culture nature. Understanding what the aspirations of people in
different cultures are is important. It's very important to be as open-minded
as you possibly can. You come across different kinds of cultures
and they affect business in different ways. You should be aware of a
number of things: there are different attitudes towards work, time,
towards resolving problems, working in teams and so on. In an Anglo-
American culture, they emphasise action, doing things and achieving
things. But when you're dealing with people who are much more
comfortable with consensus, in discussion, then you shouldn’t dismiss
that as time-wasting. You should have a very open attitude to how
people approach work. The simple things like inappropriate food, alcohol,
etc. are much easier to deal with than these more subtle things
To be more marketable in today's economy you have to develop
cross-cultural awareness and 'your attitude' (ability to see things through
your partner’s eyes). Every country has its own customs. Also you
shouldn't assume that because you understand the culture of the capital
city you also understand the culture in the provinces and other areas
in the country. For example, in Colombia where you have a very
sophisticated group of people working in Bogota, their lifestyle, their
way of life, their culture if you like is quite different from, for
example, one of the provinces a long way from the city where the
Government and the Government culture in the capital has had very
little chance to spread.

When speaking about different nations we use stereotyped definitions. Do you agree with the definitions given below? What definitions could you add? How could you define your nationality?

The Germans — hardworking, ambitious, successful, aggressive, arrogant, etc. The Japanese — successful, ambitious, clever, hardworking, etc. The Americans — successful, ambitious, aggressive, modern, etc. The British — boring, humorous, arrogant, aggressive, etc. The French — stylish, modern, arrogant, humorous, lazy, etc. The Italian — lazy, stylish, helpful, humorous, aggressive, etc.

AN UNPREDICTABLE AFFAIR Try to put pressure on a Japanese in a negotiation and you will be met with stony silence. Hold an informal fact-finding meeting with a German and you can expect a battery of searching questions. Disagree with the French on even a minor point and they will take great pleasure in engaging in spirited verbal combat. Doing business across culture can be an unpredictable affair.

CULTURAL AWARENESS Most of us prefer to do business with people we like, and it should come as no surprise that the people we like tend to be like us. So whilst we may dispute the accuracy of cultural stereotypes, it is generally agreed that good business relationships are built on cultural awareness. Across national frontiers ‘nice guys' do more business than nasty ones. But what constitutes nice-guy behaviour in a boardroom in Miami is not necessarily what they expect in Madrid.

THE US PERSPECTIVE For instance, most Americans will insist on the hard sell. It’s not enough that you want to buy their products, you must let them sell them to you. They have to report back to superiors who will be as interested in how the deal was struck as the result. Systems and procedures matter to Americans.

THE SPANIARDS TRUST YOU The Spanish, on the other hand, are unimpressed by the most meticulously prepared meeting and pay much more attention to people. In this they are more like the Arabs or the Japanese. In the Middle and Far East business is built on trust over a long period of time. Spaniards may come to a decision about whether they trust you a little sooner.

ANIMATED ITALIANS Italians too tend to feel that the main purpose of meetings is to assess the mood of those present and reinforce team-spirit. There may well be a lot of animated discussion at a meeting in Italy, but the majority of decisions will be made elsewhere and in secret.

SCANDINAVIANS WANT RESULTS Strangely enough, Scandinavians are rather like Americans. They value efficiency, novelty, systems and technology. They are firmly profit-oriented. They want results yesterday.

SUCCEED WITH THE GERMANS Don't be surprised if the Germans start a meeting with all the difficult questions. They want to be convinced you are as efficient and quality-conscious as they are. They will be cautious about giving you too much business until you have proved yourself. They will demand prompt delivery and expect you to keep your competitive edge in the most price-sensitive market in Europe. Succeed and you will enjoy a long-term business relationship.

PRISONERS OF OUR CULTURE Ask yourself whether meetings are opportunities to network or get results. Is it more important to stick to the agenda or generate new ideas? Is the main aim of a meeting to transmit or pool information? It all depends on where in the world you hold your meeting and whether you belong to an individual business culture like the French, Germans and Americans or to a collective one like the British, Japanese and Greeks. Indeed, who knows to what extent our views are our own and to what extent culturally conditioned? For in business, as in life, “all human beings are captives of their culture”.

 

2. The following business verbs are listed in the order in which they appeared in the article. Use these verbs to make up word combinations with nouns from the text, translate them and learn ten most useful by heart:

BUSINESS VERBS NOUNS

1. hold a meeting

2. disagree on

3. build

4. report back to

5. pay

6. come to

7. reinforce

8. stick to

9. generate

10. transmit

11. pool

 

3.  Complete the sentences below using words from the following list. Referring back to the article will help you with some of them:

market      price          client         cost

profit         quality      technology

1. We’re a firmly.......... oriented company, so the bottom-line for us is not how big our market share is but how much money we’re going to make.

2. Even at low prices inferior products won’t sell in such a..........conscious market.

3. The market’s far too.......... sensitive to stand an increase in service charges.

4. We’re constantly forced to respond both to changing customer needs and to what our main competitors are doing in a.......... driven business such as this.

5. The customer always comes first. We’re a very.......... centred company.

6. In a.......... led business, such as ours, it’s vital to plough profits back into R.&.D.

7. If the price of materials goes up any more, production will no longer be.......... effective.

4.  Read the passage and fill in the blanks with the words below:

agenda, agree, decisions, follow, opinion, participants, prepared,

proposal, spontaneous, views, waste

 

There are many different sorts of business meeting, and how the participants behave varies from country to country. In France meetings are generally used for briefing and coordination rather than discussing (1)... and making decisions. They follow a detailed (2)... and comments are well thought out rather than (3).... The same is true at formal meetings in Germany, where you should be well (4)... if you wish to express an opinion. In the UK, on the other hand, (5)... often arrive at meeting unprepared, and papers distributed before the meetings will not be read.. This does not prevent anyone from expressing his opinion or putting forward a (6).... Everyone is expected to contribute their (7) ….... In Italy meetings seem to be the most informal in Europe. They

don’t usually (8)... an agenda and people often come and go as they please. In fact, sometimes Italian meetings are more like a social gathering, used to reinforce a sense of togetherness. It’s very different in Spain, where meetings do little to create a team spirit. The Spanish prefer to be independent and make (9)... on their own. Meetings are often a (10)... of time because it is impossible to get everyone to (11)....

 

5. Role-play and group-work:

1. Imagine you are having an interview with applicants of different nationalities. Who are you most and least likely to employ?

2. Imagine you are having a Board Meeting of an international company. Choose a nationality you are going to represent and try to behave in their style.

 

6. Fill in prepositions where necessary:

1) After leaving school a young person faces.... a very difficult problem —
choosing an occupation. 2) The majority of young people do not get around....
making a decision until they leave school. 3) Boys and girls seldom talk about this
problem.... with the family. 4) One has to take special courses to qualify.... the
job. 5) There is a special advisory service which counsels.... people who are
looking.... work. 6) There are nonprofit agencies that deal.... nonskilled positions.
7) This agency specializes.... placing people.... their qualifications. 8) The agency
helped me find.... the information I needed. 9) You can turn.... your teacher....
advice and help. 10) Counselors give practical advice.... interview techniques,
application forms, etc. 11) He made an appointment with the career officer....
11 o'clock. 12) A counselor can see only a few applicants.... a day. 13) An
interview.... any kind of job generally requires an appointment. 14) He was.... 20
minutes late and created a negative impression.... the employer. 15) American
business people schedule their day hour.... hour. 16) On the wall he saw a notice
"The agency works.... appointment only". 17) He didn't know how to fill.... the
application form. 18) It turned out that he travelled to the agency.... nothing as he
didn't make an appointment.... advance. 19) Appointment is a necessary courtesy,
you can't just drop....

 

7. Translate the following sentences:

1) Когда я вошла в офис агентства, секретарь, встречающий посетителей, спросил меня, назначена ли у меня встреча. 2) У меня назначена встреча с Мисс Харрис на 10:15. 3) Я проходил мимо вашего агентства и решил зайти и поговорить с одним из ваших сотрудников. 4) Он не пришел в назначенное время на встречу с Мистером Брауном, это, конечно, произвело крайне | при нательное впечатление. 5) Анкета для посту