Speaking Practice

Task 1. Read the text about ecotours in Canada. Discuss the resources for ecotourism in Canada and approaches practiced there.

Task 2. Enumerate the principles of ecological tourism, stated in the definition given by UNESCO

Task 3. Make a list of activities practiced in ecotourism destinations in Canada. Discuss with your partner which of them could be used to advantage in your region.

Task 4. Role play: Round table discussion.

1) You are an ecotourism expert from Canada. You are invited to make a research of the state nature preserve “Stolby” and give recommendations:

• how to develop ecotourism in this region;

• give examples of ecotours practiced in nature reserves and National Park in the world.

2) You are a director of the state nature preserve “Stolby”.

- give factual information about the nature preserve (history, territory, species of animals and plants);

• dwell on problems the preserve faces.

3) You are the head of ecological education department of the state nature preserve “Stolby”.

Make a presentation about the work made by your department to enhance ecological awareness of people.

4) You are a biologist. Express your burning indignation at the plans of the city administration to attract more tourists to the state nature preserve “Stolby” and to make it an international tourist destination. Try to persuade everybody that it will disturb fragile natural balance and encroach on animals and protected areas.

5) You are a representative of the city administration. Make a report what is done and what is planned to be done to make the state nature preserve “Stolby” a popular tourist destination.

6) You are a head of ecological education department in National Park of Atlanta. One of your responsibilities is to organize work of volunteers conducting environmental field studies. Dwell on positive experience of volunteers for both people and nature as well.

7) You are a foreign traveller with rich ecotourism experience. You have had a chance to make a tour of the state nature preserve “Stolby”. Share you impressions of the reserve. Express your point of view what can be done to attract foreign tourists to the reserve.

8) You are a representative of tourists, regularly hiking in the state nature preserve “Stolby”. Formulate the merits and demerits of ecotours organized in the reserve. (but stress positive items: the beauty, closeness to the city, traditions, etc)

9) You are a stolbist (a regular rock pillars climber). You support the idea of making the state nature preserve “Stolby” known in the tourist world and are eager to organize climbing shows for tourists, and help beginners climb the rocks for some fee. Make a list of activities the stolbists can offer to attract the tourists and to get economic benefits from ecotourism.

10) You are the leader of the round table discussion. Make everybody express his / her position and exchange opinions. Keeps the discussion going. In the result of the discussion you should make a program of ecotourism development in the state nature preserve “Stolby”.

Task 5. Watch the episode: “Living with Wildlife”

a) Tell which topics were not mentioned in the episode:

• value of nature for people;

• new non-consumptive approach towards nature;

• circulation of elements in nature;

• reproduction cycles;

• selection and adaptation;

• interdependency of all elements of nature communities.

b) Say which statements are true and which are false (according to information given in the episode). If the statement is false – give correct one:

1. People value nature only for economic benefits they get using its resources.

2. New non-consumptive use of wildlife is fast growing

3. People should try to understand how animals live in nature; to understand their relationships; to exploit the nature more skillfully.

4. The balance between predators and prey is very delicate.

5. Scavengers destroy delicate balance existing in nature.

6. Survival of animal species depends on adjusting to changing conditions.

7. All animal species stand separately in nature communities.

c) Make a dialogue: Discuss the value of nature for people. Use information from the episode and your life experience.

d) Make a report: Describe circulation of elements in nature

e) Make a list of nature non-consumptive activities mentioned in the episode and in the text “Ecotourism in Canada”.

f) Explain the mechanism of natural selection and adaptation in nature. Illustrate your explanation with examples.

g) Make a report about interdependency of all elements in nature communities. Give examples.

h) Watch the episode: “Living with Wildlife” without sound. Render the information.