Summary Focus on Speaking

Step 1. Listen to the dialogue

Ex. 1. Listen to the dialogue again and make notes. What information have

you heard?

Ex. 2. Follow the transcript below. How different is the transcript from the dialogue you've heard?

Dialogue: Raubichi is a Wonderful Place!

Remember: Note the pronunciation:

for rent to crown folk art sauna pizzeria

напрокат венчать народное искусство

Pete: What are you doing this week-end?

John: Nothing particular. Why?

P.: You see, one of my British friends is coming to Minsk on Thursday.

I think, I'll take him to Raubichi. Would you like to join us?

J.: That would be great!. I've never been there myself. Is it far from

Minsk?

P.: About 20 km. In 1966 it gained a license’ to hold the highest level

competitions. There is much to see there. ^!

J.: They say it is a wonderful place. Some people even call it Belarusian

Switzerland.

P.: I've got some pictures of Raubichi at hand. Have a look! There are all

possible facilities for rest and rehabilitation here: six saunas, two

comfortable hotels, ski tracks, a skating roller ground ², tennis courts,

football, volleyball, basketball and handball grounds and even a

rowing channel³.

J.: Oh, the hotels look fantastic!

P.: Besides there are two restaurants, a pizzeria and two bars.

J.: How about exercising?

P.: There is a lot of sports equipment for rent.

J.: What are we going to do in the evening?

P.: I would like to invite you to a concert of one of Belarusian folk

groups. There is a concert hall in the Krestogorsk church, which crowns the highest Raubichi hill. The Museum of Belarusian folk art is located here too.

J.: Agreed. That sounds very attractive. I'm looking forward to this trip ⁴

'it gained a license — получил лицензию...

²a skating roller ground - площадка для катания на лыжероллерах

^Ja rowing channel - гребной канал

⁴Fm looking forward to this trip - Я с нетерпением жду этого путешествия.

Ex. 3. Read the dialogue in pairs. Trade the roles.

Ex.4, a) Note how Pete expresses invitation to visit Raubichi. Study the following possible ways of expressing and accepting (refusing) invitation:

Invitations: May I invite you to... I'd like to invite you to Would you join us for...... How about.....

Possible Replies: Thank you, I' d love to... Agreed. Settled. O.K. All right. I'm afraid, I can't. I'd be glad, but I can't

b) Make short dialogues with your group-mates inviting each other to:

a discotheque a theatre

a museum a sports ground

Ex. 5. Complete the dialogue. Give your questions according to the answers below:

A: Hi, Bob. What are your plans for the week-end?

B: Hi, Ann. I haven't decided yet. Let's think together.

A:.............................?

B: A good idea. I have never been to Nesvizh.

A:...........................?

B: I heard there is an interesting historical museum and two parks of the 18th century there. I am interested in Belarusian history, you know.

A:...........................?

B: Yes, I go in for recreational sports. A:..........................?

В: Of course I swim. I like to play table-tennis and football too.

A: Nesvizh has good leisure facilities. We'll have good time there.

Ex. 6. Write down five sentences you would like to ask your British friend about sports and sports facilities in his country

Step 2. Develop the topic

Ex. 7. Study the table and make your forecast: Belarusian Athletes' Performance at the Summer Olympic Games

Olympics	Belarusian participants	Number of sports events	Number of medals (total)	Gold medals	Silver medals	Bronze medals
Helsinki - 52	7	3	0	0	0	0
Melbourn - 56	9	3	1	0	1	0
Rome - 60	11	5	8	4	2	2
Tokyo - 64	10	5	. 4	3	1	0
Mexico - 68	15	7	11	6	3	2
Munich - 72	23	11	19	11	6	2
Montreal - 76	24	11	17	7	5	5
Moscow - 80	43	16	36	15	11	10
Seul - 88	51	16	27	17	3	7
Barselona - 92	56	18	27	17	4	6
Atlanta	155	22	15	1	6	8
Total

УБ – K