- •Gender issues in communication
- •Speech Patterns
- •Exercises
- •I.Study the speech patterns and translate the examples into Ukrainian.
- •II.Come up with three sentences of your own with each speech pattern.
- •III.Fill in the gaps with suitable speech patterns:
- •IV.React to the statements below by using the appropriate speech pattern:
- •V.Translate the sentences below from Ukrainian into English using speech patterns:
- •From man, woman and child
- •Commentary
- •Essential Vocabulary
- •Vocabulary Notes
- •Word Combinations and Phrases
- •Vocabulary Exercises
- •V. Match the words on the left with their antonyms on the right:
- •VI. Fill in the gaps with word combinations and phrases given after the vocabulary notes:
- •VII. Paraphrase the following sentences using the Essential Vocabulary of the unit:
- •VIII. Translate the following sentences into Ukrainian. Pay special attention to the words and word combinations in italics:
- •IX. Translate into English with the help of words and word combinations from the Essential Vocabulary:
- •Exercises to the Text.
- •VIII. Reread the text to answer the questions below on its style and composition:
- •IX. As a newspaper Agony Aunt columnist write an answer to one of your readers offering strategies of coping with a certain family problem or conflict. Use your experience and imagination.
- •X. Write an essay of 350 words on one of the following topics:
- •XI. Comment on the following sayings and quotations:
- •Topical Vocabulary
- •Text 2 The Art of Listening
Text 2 The Art of Listening
As a man learns to listen and interpret a woman's feelings correctly, communication becomes easier. As with any art, listening requires practice. Each day when I get home, 1 will generally seek out Bonnie and ask her about her day, thus practicing this art of listening.
If she is upset or has had a stressful day, at first I will feel that she is saying I am somehow responsible and thus to blame. My greatest challenge is to not take it personally, to not misunderstand her. I do this by constantly reminding myself that we speak different languages. As I continue to ask "What else happened?" I find that there are many other things bothering her. Gradually 1 start to see that I am not solely responsible for her upset. After a while, when she begins to appreciate me for listening, then, even if I was partially responsible for her discomfort, she becomes very grateful, accepting, and loving.
Although listening is an important skill to practice, some days a man is too sensitive or stressed to translate the intended meaning of her phrases. At such times he should not even attempt to listen. Instead he could kindly say "This isn't a good time for me. Let's talk later."
Sometimes a man doesn't realize that he can't listen until she begins talking. If he becomes very frustrated, while listening he should not try to continue-he'll just become increasingly upset. That does not serve him or her. Instead, the respectful thing to say is "I really want to hear what you are saying, but right now it is very difficult for me to listen. I think I need some time to think about what you have just said."
As Bonnie and I have learned to communicate in a way that respects our differences and understand each other's needs, our marriage has become so much easier. 1 have witnessed this same transformation in thousands of individuals and couples. Relationships thrive when communication reflects a ready acceptance and respect of people's innate differences.
When misunderstandings arise, remember that we speak different languages; take the time necessary to translate what your partner really means or wants to say. This definitely takes practice, but it is well worth it.
(from Men are from Mars Women are from Venus by J. Gray)
I.Whose point of view is presented in the text? Is it related to your or your friends’ experience?
II.Be ready to discuss the qualities of a good listener. Are you a good listener?
III.Pick from the text adjectives characterizing the emotional state or behavior of spouses, find their Ukrainian equivalents, define their evaluative connotations, note down whether they are related to female or male partner or both. Use them in your own examples.
IV.Find in the text verbs related to perception and analysis of partners’ actions in the process of listening. Present the step- by-step scheme of this process suggested by the author.
V.Formulate the strategies recommended by the author for improving communication in a relationship. Suggest your own ones if you have any.