3 ) Visit the website given below and listen to a telecommunications expert talking about the most recent developments and current situation in this sector.

http://podcasts.britishcouncil.org/podcasts/prof-Web_telephony.mp3

4)* Listen to the recording once again and decide whether the statements are true or false

	True	False
1. Paul Carr is an expert in the IT sector.
2. Until Skype arrived VOIP technology was difficult to use.
3. Skype claims 85 million customers globally.
4. Skype spends a lot of money on advertising.
5. Skype has no competitors.
6. It is not possible to use Skype in the UK.
7. Fibre optics will change Internet use.

5) Discuss the following questions in pairs or in small groups

1. What do you think about development and current state of telecommunications?

2. Is it possible to say that telecommunications in Russia keep up to date?

3. How wide do you use telecommunications in everyday life / for education / in your sphere of science?

4. What do you think about possible innovations in telecommunications in the future?

Letter of request

Outline

Introduction

Paragraph 1

State reason(s) for writing

Main body

Paragraphs 2-3

Explain reasons for making the request

Paragraphs 4-5

State expected results / consequences

Conclusion

Final paragraph

Closing remarks

Full name

1) Study the following information about ways of writing a letter of request

A request letter is written to ask for a favor. Hence the language should be simple and polite. Introduce yourself and tactfully address the reader. Put forward reasonable demands as polite requests. Mention the exact point and be brief in communication.

The first paragraph should contain reason(s) for writing. The next several paragraphs explain reasons for making the request and possible results of this request. The last paragraph(s) should have information where the person can contact you for further details. If asking for a favor, mention your ways of returning it. Do not apologize for asking for the favor. Make it look like it will return another good turn. Ask for an appointment or a personal meeting if the favor is too big and requires the involvement of people in higher positions. Mention alternatives if the favor is too big or according to you maybe beyond the means of the addressee. Don’t forget to thank the person.

2) Imagine that you are a young scientist. You have been studying abroad for several years and now you have returned to Russia. Write a letter of request to your scientific supervisor and ask him / her about the changes occurred and current state in your sphere of science. Use appendix 7 for sample of letter of request and useful language given below.

Useful language for letters of request
Opening remarks	Formal	Informal
	I am writing to inquire about / in connection with / could you possibly / I would be grateful if you could / would it possible for you / I would appreciate some information about / another matter I need / I wondered if you could possibly do me a favour / I would be most grateful if you could	I want you to tell me / can you let me know / can you also find out / could you do something for me
Closing remarks	I look forward to receiving / I would appreciate it if you could inform me as soon as possible / I hope it is not so much trouble / thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter	Please let me know / tell me soon / I hope you can help me out