About myself and my background

First, let me introduce myself. I am [first name; (family) name or surname]. To begin with I’d like to give you a brief description of my background [your previous studies and work].

I graduated from Siberian State University of Railway Engineering in Bridge Engineering /…... I was awarded my degree (diploma) in Civil Engineering [Railway Engineering / Bridge Engineering / Tunnelling/ Environmental Engineering/ Economics…] at the faculty (department) of Railway Track Construction ….

After graduation I started my full time (part-time) work as a [student teaching assistant/instructor/laboratory assistant/programmer] at … I was offered a position of … at the department of [laboratory of / business firm called “…”].

I decided to combine my work and research in … and was supported by …

I work in the (or for the) [an organization /a research organization …], in [the city of Novosibirsk].

I work on [the area of your specialization]. I am interested to know…

The main direction of my research is [the particular subject of your research].

The subject of my research is …

Let me now go into some detail regarding my research guided by the subject I have mentioned.

The topic of my thesis is “ ….. ”

It is a [brief description of subject area]. It deals with exploration [investigation/analysis/development/integration] of … These problems … are widely discussed (treated) in literature.

The list of my published papers includes ….

I have [the number of your scientific papers published in Russian and foreign scientific journals]. Most of them are dedicated to [the particular subject of your research] In my paper I will try (have tried) to give a simple description/definition of …. I have analyzed the …. of this …. and tried to show that there are ….

Besides my theoretical work, I [your experiments for the evidence of your working hypothesis]. The experimental part of my research will mostly consist of tests to be conducted on … I may hope that the results of my study will be of practical significance because … It may have good potential to improve (enhance/ alleviate the problem /eliminate the need for/ increase)…

My scientific advisor’s name is …. He/she is a famous scientist in our university.

From time to time, I attend scientific forums and present results of my work and exchange ideas with famous experts in [your scientific area].  When they agree with my ideas and results, I feel very happy. Also I listen to reports of foreign experts. Each conference gives me much experience.

Answer the following questions:

1. Were you a top student? Did you receive any honours or awards (academic distinctions)?

2. What is the area of your specialization? Were you admitted to any programmes during your final year at the University?

3. What undergraduate university degree have you got (gained)?

4. Did you gain honours in English?

5. Did you pass your exams with honours?

6. Are you currently enrolled as a full-time candidate student? (Having passed special exams I became a full-time candidate student in engineering, economics, law … I was judged on my merits in an open competition …).

7. Are you a first year candidate student?

8. Why have you chosen this candidate degree programme? (The purpose of graduate level is to upgrade knowledge and to acquire new skills and styles of teaching).

9. What are the areas of study which you would like to pursue (to carry out, to be engaged in)?

10. What are your personal aims you hope to reach by researching (name the field of researching)?

11. Do you get a post-graduate scholarship?

12. What is an annual tuition fee?

13. How would you characterize yourself? (Please list your interests (hobbies). What are your personal aims (ambitions)? Please describe a time in your life when you were faced with a difficult or challenging situation? What did you do? How was the problem resolved?)

14. What is your place in the future? Please describe your prospects by giving the freedom to your active exploratory mind.

15. What do you think of your opportunity to participate in the process of working together with researches from European or Asian Universities?

16. Have you ever met any proposal from foreign Universities to discuss some joint efforts for researching in your field?

17. Are you going to take a personal interest in International Scientific Cooperation?

Exercise 2.1.3

Speak about your research activities following the suggested plan

1. Give the title and brief description of your thesis. You should state your hypothesis concisely and completely.

2. Describe your research objectives and how you plan to achieve them by conducting research.

3. Describe research work you have already conducted and how it is related to research planned in future.

4. Cite published research on your topic and relevant colleagues whose research is in the same area.

5. List publications in scholarly journals/periodicals (title, publisher, city, year…)

6. Indicate any academic honours received.

7. Describe what you are doing now or plan to do to increase your English proficiency.

Exercise 2.1.4

Brush up your knowledge of English Grammar and choose the right answer paying attention to appropriate verb forms in Passive Voice

1. - Is there any bridge like this in your city?

- Yes, but it ___________ at the moment

A. ?     is still been built

B. ?     is still being builed

C. ?    is still being built

D. ? is built

2. - Did you enjoy last lecture?

- Yes, although some issues __________rather poorly.

A. ?     has been presented

B. ?     was presenting

C. ?    had presented

D. ? were presented

3. Paper __________ by the Chinese long before its use __________ in Europe.

A. ?    invented ------ known

B. ?    was invented --------- were known

C. ?    invented ------ was known

D. ? was invented ------ was known

4. As soon as everyone __________ the examination __________, the test papers were given out.

A. ?    taking ------ was seated

B. ?    took ------ seated

C. ?    taking ------ seated

D. ? taken ------ was seated

5. Higher education __________ available to all high school graduates in this country.

A. ?    have been made

B. ?    has been made

C. ?    has made it

D. ? have made it

6. I __________ my watch at home, so I don't know what time it is.

A. ?    have left

B. ?    have been left

C. ?    was left

D. ? am left

7. The British __________ to be very good at researching.

A. ?    says

B. ?    say

C. ?    is said

D. ? are said

8. Although Mr. Smith is __________ a famous researcher, he talks very little about himself.

A. ?    known about

B. ?    known for

C. ?    knowing as

D. ? known as

9. Once the plan __________ , a postgraduate student may get as much as $1,000 as travel expenses.

A. ?   gets approved  

B. ?   approved 

C. ?   was approved

D. ? gets approving

Exercise 2.1.5

Using the expressions from the English text, translate the Russian text into English. Use the Passive Voice in the Present Simple Tense. Check up the standard pronunciation of the words which are difficult to you. Tell this information in English.

Мне предложили место в аспирантуре после защиты дипломной работы, так как мой интерес к систематическим исследованиям был замечен преподавателями во время учебы на старших курсах. Область моих исследовательских интересов определилась на последнем курсе.

Мне сказали, что для поступления необходима серьёзная подготовка к вступительным экзаменам по специальности и иностранному языку. Английский язык изучался на младших курсах, поэтому мне пришлось много заниматься. Было прочитано несколько текстов по специальности на английском языке, выписаны основные термины, проанализированы грамматические трудности. На экзамене меня могли спросить о проблемах, которые должны исследоваться в моей диссертационной работе.

Много было сделано во время подготовки и мои ожидания оправдались – мой уровень знаний был оценен на «хорошо».