The english language

Though there are almost three thousand languages in the world, English is the most universal. It is the official language in over forty countries. We use English in international business, science and medicine. About 400 million people speak English as a mother tongue (700 million speak Chinese, 200 million speak Russian and 100 million speak German).

Even in the countries where English is not the first language, a number of English words are used. Words from no other language are borrowed more often than from English. Hundreds of words borrowed from English can be found in other languages such as soda, hotel, golf, tennis, jeans, OK, baseball and others. Many words are used as they are. Others are changed to make them more like native language, easier to say and remember.

English is everywhere. It is on signs, clothing, soft drinks and other goods around the world. In spite of their popularity, the English words and phrases are not always welcome. Some people think that the use of the English words is dangerous for the purity of their native language. But it goes without saying that English is still an international language. Some people believe that business would ruin more smoothly if everyone spoke the same language.

Languages have changed and disappeared throughout the history. This change is inevitable. But English words will continue to pop up everywhere, whether some people like it or not. English nowadays is the language of business, diplomacy and international relations. Most educated people speak English fluently. In most schools children start to learn English just from the first grade.

Join the people who want to speak English perfectly and you will gain a great advantage over others.

Vocabulary exercises:

1. Pronounce correctly:

Though, thousand, diplomacy, medicine, Chinese, advantage, an official language, international, German, science, a foreigner, inevitable, hotel, business, signs, an accent, to read, first, clothing, popularity, dangerous, advantage.

2. What is the Russian for?

To speak English as a mother tongue, a language teacher, to get a good working knowledge of a language, to be good at pronunciation, to speak English fluently and perfectly, to be borrowed, to be a language expert, to make a mistake, to learn a language, aspects of English (phonetics, lexicology, grammar).

3. Translate into Russian paying attention to the new words and expressions:

1. There are many words in Russian which are borrowed from the English language.

2. You’ll gain a great advantage if you are good at English.

3. Some people don’t want to lose the purity of their native language.

4. Linguistic schools have got all teaching aids: good libraries, language laboratories and listening centres.

5. It goes without saying that English is an official language and is used everywhere: in business, science and medicine.

6. A lot of English courses are glad to welcome you and give good knowledge of English.

7. Nowadays you can choose different language courses: they can be either for adults or for children.

4. Make up 5 own sentences in English using new words and word combinations.

5. Fill in the blanks with a suitable word, expression or word combination: fluently, teaching aids, is used, are borrowed, in spite of, laboratories, popular, courses, a great advantage, popularity, listening.

1. The English language is very … .

2. … many textbooks in English, it is not easy to find a good one. A lot of new words … from English.

3. English … everywhere. Its … is obvious.

4. If you can speak English well, you gain … over others.

5. Our department of foreign languages has various …: language … and … centres.

6. Do you go to any English …?

7. Can you speak English …?

6. Paraphrase the following sentences using new words and expressions from Vocabulary Notes:

1. Our language centre uses various teaching facilities.

2. Some people are sure that English is doing more harm than good to the Russian language.

3. My friend is in better situation: he can speak English well.

4. These English lessons are for adults.

5. Many medicine terms are taken from the English language.

7. Translate inti English:

1. Английский – официальный язык во многих странах мира.

2. Английский язык используется везде: в бизнесе, науке, медицине.

3. Если вы пользуетесь лингафонным кабинетом и другими средствами обучения, вы будете говорить по-английски бегло.

4. Несмотря на мою занятость, я посещаю лингвистические курсы два раза в неделю.

5. В русском языке много слов, которые были заимствованы из английского языка, например: сода, теннис, аэропорт и другие.

6. Некоторые люди думают, что использование английского языка является опасным для чистоты русского языка.

8. Match the two parts of the sentences:

1. English is the official …

2. Today English is the language of …

3. If you want to speak English fluently, you can …

4. Words from no other language …

5. Hundreds of words borrowed from English …

6. In most schools children start …

7. Nowadays you can find English …

8. Some people believe that a great number of borrowings …

9. But, no doubt, English …

10. It goes without saying that business …

11. In spite of the popularity of the English words, they …

12. Join the people who want to learn English …

1. are borrowed more often than from English.

2. business, diplomacy and international relations.

3. to learn English from the first grade.

4. everywhere: on signs, clothing, soft drinks and other goods.

5. is still the international language.

6. are not always welcome.

7. join different English courses.

8. would run more smoothly if everyone spoke the same language.

9. can be found in other languages.

10. can be dangerous for the purity of the native language.

11. language in over forty countries.

12. and you will gain a great advantage over others.

9. Complete the sentences:

1. The English courses have the most …, … and highly … teachers.

2. The foreign language courses have got the latest … … , such as language … and … centres.

3. You get the … in English families and hotels.

4. We offer: … English for adults, secretarial courses, … holidays courses for adults, … English courses for children.

5. You get a lively and … atmosphere for learning English.

10. Answer the following questions:

1. How many languages are there in the world?

2. What is the most important thing to learn in English?

3. Do you think it is possible to learn a foreign language perfectly?

4. Do you agree with the statement that English is everywhere?

5. How long does it take to get a good working knowledge of a language?

6. How important is it to speak correctly?

7. Do you think that musical people are good at learning pronunciation?

8. What is the best way to learn pronunciation (grammar, vocabulary)?

9. What is the most difficult (the easiest, the most interesting, the most boring) aspect of English for you? Why do you think so?

10. Can you think of anything in English that is not important to learn?

11. Why do some people think that English is dangerous for their native language?

12. What words which are borrowed from English can we find in Russian?

13. From what form do children start learning English?

14. Where can you study English besides schools?

15. Why are linguistic courses good for mastering fluent English?

16. Do you prefer British English, American English, or another kind of English? Why?

11. Read the dialogue between the participants of the conference “English is around us” in parts and prepare your own dialogue on the topic:

Mr. Black: You insist on the idea to use English everywhere if possible: even to substitute some Russian words with English ones.

Mrs. Mock: Yes, you are right. English has become the most used language in the world. I’d like to point out that nowadays every educated person speaks English fluently. All respected companies employ people only with the English language knowledge.

Mr. Black: We’ve got a bit of problem here, you see. English is not our native language and we mustn’t drop down our own words. There are a lot of labels, advertisements, announcements which are given to us, the Russians, in English. What is the idea of it? I’m sorry to disagree with you but it’s ridiculous.

Mrs. Mock: Ridiculous? Not in the least. English is an international language. It is soft and beautiful. Besides this language helps us to be in the centre of the world’s activity …

Mr. Black: Look, I’m sorry to interrupt you, but English popularity is dangerous for the purity of the Russian language. I’m sure we even must eliminate English as the official language and save our native one.

Mrs. Mock: I have to say it, but we look at this problem from different points of view. We don’t share our thoughts on the question. That’s why our further conversation is out of the sense, isn’t it?

Mr. Black: Oh, all right. Let’s go to our colleagues and join them.

12. Write a business letter (not less than 15 sentences) on one of the following topics (See Appendix 2):

1. The role of English in the modern world. Why learn English?

2. The problem of English words borrowed into Russian. Is it good or bad?

3. The problem of teaching English at schools. What school age is the most appropriate for starting English?

4. My experience in learning English.

5. How are you going to use English in your future work?