2. Make your choice. The author assumes that:

1. Many people who study foreign languages

a) know very well what kind of work they are expected to do;

b) will work as United Nations interpreters;

c) have romantic notions of "working with the languages".

2. Apart from teaching

a) there is a lot of language jobs;

b) there are very few jobs for which languages are any qualification;

c) the world demand for conference interpreters is very high.

3. The key to using languages is

1. to regard them as something extra to bring to the chosen profession;

b) to concentrate on languages only;

с) to specialize in advertising, information work, etc. and forget about the languages.

4. In industry translators

a) have good career prospects;

b) have to reinforce their languages with specialist of technical knowledge;

c) normally have to translate into a foreign language.

5. Language training based on classical literature results in

1. excellent knowledge of a spoken foreign language;

2. inability of holding an ordinary conversation;

3. equally good theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

6. The new courses that have recently developed

1. combine languages with background studies of the relevant country and with some practical activity;

2. specialize only in technical subjects;

3. do not attract students.

3. Look through the text and give a list of international words which have the same meaning in Russian. Use your dictionary if necessary.

4. Give related words.

Verb	Noun
–	combination
specialize	–
–	reinforcement
apply	–
–	competition
incorporate	–
–	requirement
inform	–
–	acquisition
produce	–
–	improvement
graduate	–

5. Skim the text again and make a plan.

6. Make a short summary.

7. Translate the following and use the italicized words in discussion.

1. Every year hundreds of graduates leave university with romantic ideas of "working with languages". 2. There are, of course, many good chances for teaching languages, varying from the universities to primary schools. 3. In many careers languages can be a tremendous advantage – in some jobs they are necessary. 4. The most direct use of languages is in translating but even here the linguist has to add some special knowledge to his languages. 5. Career prospects of translators in the usual meaning are limited. 6. The background studies help students get a real understanding of the countries studied. 7. Some courses include a language in degree courses in engineering, metallurgy and communication sciences.

8. Discussion.

• It is very important to know what you think about studying foreign languages. Is it necessary for the future engineer to study a foreign language?

9. Read pros and cons given below. Think of some more which are important in your opinion.

For	Against
I can read scientific journals in English as soon as they are published.	It takes a lot of time to learn a foreign language.
I can speak to foreign colleagues if necessary.	It is impossible to learn a foreign language.
I can read English books.	I can read interesting articles when they are translated into Russian.
I can find out more about the world.	I think it is very difficult to learn a foreign language.