IV. Values

Value (s) ['vælju:] – ценность to evaluate [i'væljueit] – оценивать

Valuable ['væljuəbl] – ценный Evaluation [iֽvælju'eiə∫n] – оценка

Task 1. Read and translate the text

Marian Beane, Director of the International Student Office, in Charlotte, USA, described the major American values in the following way:

Individuality: Americans are encouraged at an early age to be in­dependent and to develop their own goals in life. They are encouraged to not depend too much on others including their friends, teachers and parents. They are rewarded when they try to reach their goals themselves.

Privacy: Americans like their privacy and enjoy spending time alone. Foreign visitors will find American homes and offices open, but what is inside the American mind is considered to be private. To ask the question "What is on your mind?" may be considered to be rude.

Equality: Americans believe that everyone "is created equal" and has the same rights. This includes women and men of all ethnic and cultural groups living in the U.S. Managers, directors, presidents and even university instructors are often addressed by their first name.

Time: Americans try to make the best use of their time. In the business world, "time is money". Being "on time" for class, an appoint­ment, or for dinner with your family is very important.

Informality: The American lifestyle is generally casual. Students go to class in shorts and t-shirts. Professors seldom wear a tie and some may even wear jeans. Greetings and farewells are usually short, in­formal and friendly. Students may greet each other with "hi", "how are you?" and "what's up?".

Achievement and hard work: A competitive spirit is often the mo­tivating factor to work harder. Americans often compete with them selves as well as others. Americans seem to always be "on the go", be­cause sitting and doing nothing means a waste of time.

Direct and assertive: Americans try to discuss their differences face-to-face and without a mediator. They are encouraged to speak up and give their opinions. This manner of direct speaking is often inter­preted by foreign visitors as rude.

Adopted from www.educationguide-usa.com/isg/culture.htm

Vocabulary:

in the following way – следующим образом

individuality – индивидуальность

to encourage – поощрять, побуждать

to reward – нагpаждaть

privacy – приватность

to consider – считать

rude – неприличный, гpyбый

equality – равенство

appoint­ment – встреча, назначение

informality – неформальность

lifestyle – образ жизни

casual ['kæ juəl] – неформальный, простой

achievement – достижение

a competitive spirit – дyx соревнования

to compete – соревноваться, конкурировать

to waste – терять, расходовать

assertive – уверенный в себе

mediator – посредник

to speak up – выступать

Task 2. Answer the questions:

1. Whose position is expressed in this text?

2. What is said about individuality?

3. Is privacy important for Americans?

4. Is sitting quietly and doing nothing something Americans like?

5. What is "direct speaking", according to the text?

6. Which values are important in business life?

Task 3. Translate the sentences into English.

1. Самые важные черты характера американцев это индивидyaльнocть, трудолюбие, равенство, и право нa частную жизнь.

2. C детства американцев поощряют ставить себе жизненные цели и быть независимыми.

3. Американцы верят в то, что все люди созданы равными.

4. К профессорам часто обращаются no имени.

5. Быть пунктуaльным, не опаздывать на встречу считается очень важным качеством для каждого американца.

Task 4. a. Compare American and Russian values, mark them in the table.

b. Mark your personal cultural values in the table.

Cultural values	American	Russian	My personal values
Individuality	
Privacy	
Equality	
Time	
Informality	
Achievement and hard work	
Direct and assertive	

Task 5. Answer the questions:

1. What are the differences between Russian and American values?

2. Do you have any of the values described above? What are they?

3. Are your values more Russian or American?

Task 6. Write an essay on the topic “Our values make us different”