Unit V. Functions of tv as a Mass Medium

READING

A. Pre-reading task. Answer the following questions:

1. Why do you watch television? Is there any one major reason?

2. What is the main function of TV in your opinion?

3. Do you use TV for professional or educational purposes? Can you think of other topics which can be taught better by using television?

4. Can you entertain without TV?

5. Does TV have a negative or positive influence over our life? Prove your view.

6. What role will TV play in the future? Will it have some more functions?

B. Read the text and translate it using the Active Vocabulary:

range различаться, охватывать

scientific научный

volcano вулкан

similarly похожим образом

remote отдаленный

thus поэтому

concept понятие

lack испытывать недостаток

obviously очевидно

Do you watch the programmes aired on channels like National Geographic, Animal Planet or Discovery? They give you a whole lot of information about a variety of topics ranging from the life of turtles to the scientific facts about volcanoes. Similarly, a news channel gives you information about events ranging from the local football match to the war in some remote place. Thus, providing information is one of the main functions of television.

D o you watch the programmes for children aired on Carousel or Disney Channel? Do they help you to understand your lessons better? Carousel is an excellent example of how television is used for educational purposes. Because of its visual nature, television can be an excellent source of instruction. A lesson about England can be made all the more exciting through a television programme on the country which can show you the sights and sounds of London. Thus, television can be an excellent educational tool.

Television can be used:

• to demonstrate processes or physical skills;

• to show movement;

• for those lacking reading skills;

• to make distance learning more personalized;

• to make teaching and learning more attractive and dynamic.

However, television has its limitations as an educator. In a classroom you can always ask your teacher your doubts. Also, the teacher can repeat a difficult concept. Obviously, a television set cannot do this due to practical constraints. A few limitations of television in the educational field are due to the fact that:

• it is primarily a one-way communication medium;

• both production and transmission of programmes are costly;

• the production process is very lengthy.

M any of us watch television to relax or to be entertained. Thus providing entertainment is one of the major functions of television. As a result, serials, talk shows, films or music based programmes are among the most popular television programmes. Television provides different kinds of programmes for different sections. Your brother might watch a football match while your sister may be more interested in a quiz contest.

C. After reading the text, answer the questions:

1. Name two functions of television.

2. Give an example where television is used for educational goals.

3. Name the most popular function of television.

4. Fill in the blanks with appropriate word/s:

1. _________ is an example of a channel which provides informative programmes.

2. Television can help to make distance learning _________.

3. The one way communication method of television _________ its role as an educator.

D. Retelling. Now retell the text using the words from the Active Vocabulary list.

WORD STUDY

A. Check the pronunciation in the dictionary and mark the stressed syllable in the following words:

variety, whole, scientific, volcano, process

B. Translate the following word combinations into Russian:

1. educational purposes

2. educational tool

3. to lack reading skills

4. to demonstrate physical skills

5. practical constraints

6. one-way communication

C. Match the words. Use them in sentences of your own.

1. Scientific 1. field

2. Major 2. instruction

3. Source of 3. function

4. Distance 4. fact

5. Educational 5. learning

D. Find out in the text the English equivalents to the following words:

1. a story that is broadcast or printed in several separate parts on television, in a magazine etc;

2. a television show in which famous people answer questions about themselves;

3. a method of study that involves working at home and sending your work to your teacher;

4. a teacher or someone involved in the process of educating people;

5. qualities that stop someone or something from being as good or as effective as you wish they could be;

6. a competition or game in which people have to answer questions.

E. Insert the proposition where it is necessary:

1. TV programmes give you a whole lot of information about a variety of topics ranging ____ the life of turtles ____ the scientific facts about volcanoes.

2. ______ its visual nature, television can be an excellent source of instruction.

3. A lesson about England can be made all the more exciting through a television programme ____ the country which can show you the sights and sounds of London.

4. Television has its limitations ____ an educator.

5. Obviously, a television set cannot do this _____ practical constraints.

6. As a result, serials, talk shows, films or music based programmes are ______ the most popular television programmes.

7. Your brother might watch a football match while your sister may be more interested ____ a quiz contest.

GRAMMAR STUDY