УМК ин.яз.(английский) БТФ

speak and hear it there, you may forget all about it between lessons? So each new lesson begins...um...with time spent trying to remember what you did in the last lesson, doesn’t it, Julie?

JULIE: Yes, but I think it’s true to say that the reality for most people is that they have to learn foreign languages in classes in their own country. It takes a very long time to learn a language. I...I don't really think that many people can just travel to the country where the language is spoken and live there. The point is that most people have to continue their studies, or earn a living, they...they can’t afford to take time off living in another country for as long as it takes for them to learn the language, can they, Tom?

TOM: No, but with a foreign language you never stop learning. You never reach a point w7here you can say: ‘At the end of this course I’ll know English and I can stop learning it.’ It’s a process that goes on and on - you can reach a certain level, or you can pass an exam or even get a university degree. But you still remain a learner all your life.

Match the phrases the speakers use to introduce their opinions.

It seems to me that; the point is that; I don’t really believe; you know what I think, I think that; I think it’s true to say that; I mean don’t you agree that; I don’t really think that.

Grammar Test

I. Open the brackets using the correct tense-form (Present Simple, Present Continuous, Past Simple, Past continuous) in the following sentences.

1. Buying the house nowadays (to become) more and more expensive all the

time.

2.I (realize) that someone (to steal) my wallet when I (to feel) their hand in my back pocket.

3.If you (not to listen) to the radio, Why (not / to switch) it off?

4.The traffic (to make) so much noise that I (not/ to hear) what he (to say).

5.He (to play) a tennis match on Friday.

6.Dogs (to make) very good pets.

7.She (to sell) her car last month.

8.About 100 people (to queue) outside the theatre for tickets when we (to get) there.

9.You (to need) another blanket or you (to feel) warm enough?

10.I wear my sunglasses today because the sun (to be) very strong.

11.She (to dress) very well.

12.I (to like) cowboy films when I was a child, but now I prefer dramas.

13.I (to hear) you (to leave) for your honeymoon next week.

14.I (to use) John’s mobile phone because I have left mine at home.

15.The shop (not/ to open) till 9.00.

16.Nobody (to watch), so the little boy (to take) some sweets from the shelf and (to put) in his pocket.

17.When the curtain (to rise), we (to see) a group of workers. They (to picket) a factory gate.

18.Pay no attention to Jack! He just (to be) sarcastic again.

19.This time last week I (to lie) on the beach and (to have) a great time.

20.When Jane (to be) at school, she always (to lose) her things.

21.I (to cash) a cheque every month.

22.I (to hope) that he (to return) soon.

23.The children were frightened because it (to get) dark.

24.Every year I (to visit) Britain to improve my English.

25.Please, be quiet! You constantly (to interrupt).

II. Fill each of the gaps with an appropriate question tag.

1.I am always running late, …?

2.She’d like to stay and play a little, …?

3.You never say what you are thinking, …?

4.He used to enjoy skiing, …?

5.Don’t bother to call me again, …?

6.Let’s try one more time, …?

7.He can hardly speak Chinese, …?

8.That is the postman, …?

9.Nobody called yesterday, …?

10.There’s little coffee left, …?

III. Translate the Russian fragments into English.

1.His (старшая) sister got married last year.

2.Ronaldo is a far better player than any (другой) member of the team.

3.There are faults from which (никто)of us is free.

4.I wonder which of you has got (меньше всего) mistakes.

5.Will there be anybody else we know at the party (кроме) Mary and Kate?

6.I’ll do my best but I can’t promise (ничего).

7.James had (немного) experience in this matter, so he could give hints what to do.

8.There will be (намного меньше) jobs in industry in future.

9.(Ни один из) of the twins hopes to become a computer programmer.

10. Andy is so absent-minded: he is wearing one green sock and (другой) –

blue.

IV. Give derivatives of the verbs in brackets.

1.Most people have the -------- to learn a foreign language. (able)

2.They simply need constant ------- in order to overcome their fears. (encourage)

3.Even the most outgoing students are sometimes --------- to speak. (reluctance)

4.------- seems to be the most difficult aspect for some students. (converse)

5.Students may also be --------- of their accent. (shame)

V. Insert it is (was), there is (was) in the spaces.

1.Why don’t you go for a walk? … … a pity to stay in when … … so nice

outside.

2.… … very wet yesterday: … … impossible to go out.

3.… … a strong possibility that my mother-in-law will make the longest speech at the wedding.

4.… … no good feeling sorry for yourself: what’s done is done.

5.Don’t you think … … any chance at all that she will marry him?

VI. Correct the mistakes where necessary.

1.I think I am recognizing the woman wearing a red hat.

2.What is that word meaning?

3.Was that the doorbell or am I hearing things?

4.He hardly ever leaves the house, doesn’t he?

5.I am having a great time here!

6.There’s no use trying to get round him, he is very strict.

7.Who is this coat belonging to?

8.Do you have plenty of friends?

9.He took a little exercise and wasn’t very fit.

10.Neither of these books are very new.

VII. Translate from Russian into English

изучать английский, смотреть слова в словаре, просматривать, отвечать одним словом, тратить напрасно (время), убедиться, узнать (информацию), исправить, получить возможность практиковать, сдавать - раздавать (контрольные работы), мертвый язык, живой язык, оставаться на том же уровне, освободиться от, обладать хорошим слухом, простота, гибкость.

HIGHER EDUCATION IN BELARUS

Topical Vocabulary

1. Consult the dictionary and translate the following words and word combinations:

campus

catch up (with) cheat

cram crib

dean's office

devote much time to studies fall (lag) behind

final exams (finals) freshman (Am.) full-time student part-time student holidays (vacation) improve

make progress (in smth.) oral

paper play truant

record book

(students' record book) rector

dean subdean library card

students' membership card specialize in smth synopsis, pl. -es

tutor undergraduate vice-rector

2. Think and give definitions of the following words and word combinations:

•curriculum;

•to educate;

•examination (exam);

•to pass an exam;

•to fail an examination in smth.;

•a hostel;

•faculty;

•scholarship

•to cram;

•play truant;

•a freshman;

•holidays (vacation).

3. Make up sentences with the new words.

1.Read the following text and comment on the following quotation: Higher education is one of the highest privileges of the day in our society.

HIGHER EDUCATION IN BELARUS

A)Knowledge is very important in modern life; it helps young people to choose a profession according to their abilities, to be active, useful citizens of the country, to develop the national economy. Only highly qualified specialists can solve the most complex problems facing our society.

The basic principle of the organization of national education in Belarus is an equal opportunity for all its citizens. It should conform to the spirit and requirements of the time we live.

Belarusian system of higher education consists of universities, academies, institutes, and higher colleges. Altogether there are 52 higher educational establishments, of which 43 are state owned and 9 are private.

All higher educational establishments are subordinate to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus. The oldest higher educational institutions of the country are the Belarusian Agricultural Academy; the Belarusian, Mogilev and Vitebsk State Universities; the Belarusian Polytechnic Academy; Vitebsk Veterinary Medicine Academy.

B)Higher educational establishments provide a two level system of higher education. The 1st- level (stage) education is completed by passing the examinations. The students, who successfully complete the education, are issued a

diploma and awarded a qualification (a Bachelor’s Degree). A more stringent selection and much more advanced 2nd- stage curriculum (for obtaining the Master’s Degree) allow perfectly educated intellectual elite of the country to be formed.

C)It is not easy to become a student. High demand for higher education led to high entrance competition regardless of the form of study or specialty. Students can study at the budget cost (get free education) or on their own account (pay tuition fee).

Higher educational institutions offer full-time (day) and part-time (night and correspondence) programs.

D) A higher educational institution is headed by the Rector. The institution is divided into faculties, headed by Deans. All faculty members are organized according to their specialty into departments called kafedry (sub-faculties).

The academic year begins on September 1 and is divided into 2 semesters (terms), each ending in examinations. The students attend lectures and practical classes and have every opportunity to develop their talents and gifts. Those who study well receive scholarships. Excellent students receive an increase to their scholarship. The course of study culminates in a state profile exam and/or defense of a thesis. Students who graduate with honors are awarded a so-called "red certificate".

F) But higher education in Belarus does not only mean lectures, seminars and exams. In addition Belarusian students participate in international scientific conferences and competitions, student exchange programs. Belarusian teams take first places at competitions in mathematics, economy and programming. However, organization of the educational process is not the only concern of the Higher

School. Much attention is paid to students’ living conditions, providing nonresidents with hostel accommodation. University administration renders assistance in conducting leisure activities of students (sports meetings, festivals, tourist programs).

Under the new socioeconomic conditions, higher education is increasingly charged with the task of restructuring the curricula, diversifying the educational process, and adapting it to the requirements of the market economy. The most popular and competitive programs are in management, economics, law, and foreign languages.

1. Choose the right preposition.

1) The basic principle of the organization of national education in Belarus is an equal opportunity for/by/at all its citizens.

2)Belarus’ system of higher education consists in/of/ up universities, academies, institutes, and higher colleges.

3)A higher educational institution is headed at/by/of the Rector.

4)The academic year begins at/on September 1 and is divided of/into 2 semesters (terms) , each ending by/in examinations.

5)Students who graduate with/on honors are awarded a so-called "red certificate".

6)Belarusian students participate in/at/into international scientific conferences and competitions, student exchange programs.

2. Complete the sentences:

1)Knowledge is very important in modern life; it helps young people to….

2)The oldest higher educational institutions of the country are …

3)Higher educational institutions …… programs.

4)The academic year begins on ….

5)In addition Belarusian students participate in ….

6)Much attention is paid to students’ …

3.Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

1) высоко квалифицированный специалист; 2) частный; 3) подчинятся Министерству Образования; 4) посещать лекции и практические занятия; 5) завершить обучение с отличием; 6) принимать участие в международных научных конференциях и соревнованиях.

4.Answer the following questions:

1)How important is knowledge in modern life?

2)What is the basic principle of the organization of national education in

Belarus?

3)What types of higher educational establishments do you know?

5)How many levels of higher education do higher educational establishments provide ?

6)What do you know about organization of higher educational institution?

7)How many higher educational establishments are there in Belarus?

8)How many years does training take?

9)Is it easy to become a student?

10)What are the main forms of learning?

POLESSKY STATE UNIVERSITY

Our government pays great attention to the educational system development. The existence of higher educational establishments, number of students, and the quality of education exactly characterize the progress of a country. Nowadays in the century of high technologies highly qualified professionals are extremely required. Traditionally higher educational establishments are located only in the capital and regional centers. But recently the development of relatively small towns has become the strategic target of our country. And one of its great steps was Polessky State University opening.

Polessky State University is up-to-date educational establishment formed in 2006 to train specialists for various fields of national economy. Six faculties provide training at the University: Banking Faculty, Economic Faculty, Healthy Way of Life Organisation Faculty, Biotechnological Faculty, Preparatory Training Faculty, Retraining and Qualification Upgrading Faculty. The University provides Master's Degree Courses. The total number of students, both full-time and parttime, comprises 4 500.

Educational process of Polessky State University provides students with conditions that would encourage them to work efficiently to become a staff of high educational moral quality. The core activity of different departments focuses on progressive training and development of student's creative abilities.

Numerous tutorial rooms, lecture halls, computer centers, 5 multimedia laboratories ”Sanako“ are at students' disposal. They can get higher education through full-time and part-time departments. Students attend lectures and practical

classes. They learn Economic Theory, Statistics, Accounting, Philosophy, Finance, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, etc. Students have access to up-to-date computer facilities (including Internet and extensive library allowing them to cope with the most complicated problems).

In the University students acquire profound knowledge, gain hands-on experience and are involved in innovative and research activities. Professional training is a systematic purposeful students' activity on mastering the chosen specialty aimed at ensuring theoretical knowledge, hands-on and creative skills at each stage of training.

Students who demonstrate superior academic performance, enthusiasm for intellectual exploration, exceptional achievements may apply for scholarships offered by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and other commercial banks.

The University supports relations with many domestic and foreign academic, financial, business institutions. Our international partners are:

University of Applied Sciences of the Deutsche Bundesbank; Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Germany);

The Academy of Finance (Russia);

St.-Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance (Russia); St.-Petersburg State University of Physical Training named after P. Lesgaft

(Russia);

Banking University of the National Bank of Ukraine.

We have also established contacts with educational establishments in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden.

Sport activities are also in high reputation. The University provides sport facilities and organizes sport competitions. Such activities as Sports Days, hikes, different competitions are aimed at improving students' health. There is a big modern well-equipped stadium, swimming pool and skating-rink at students' disposal. There is also a Medico-Rehabilitation Centre.

University provides modern accommodation. It has 6 well-designed up-to- date hostels with all modern conveniences where there are fitness gyms, billiards, also one may play table tennis, just relax in calm atmosphere.

Huge work has been done to open Polessky State University and a great deal is due to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.

Belarusian leader accentuated that ”...the development of our country, its independence and prosperity, depends in many respects on the quality of knowledge of future bankers and economists“.

1. Choose the right preposition.

1)Our government pays great attention to/at/on the educational system development.

2)Polessky State University is up-to-date educational establishment formed of/ in 2006 to train specialists for/at various fields of national economy.

3)The core activity of different departments focuses in/on progressive training and development of student's creative abilities.

4)The University supports relations with/for many domestic and foreign academic, financial, business institutions.

5)There is a big modern well-equipped stadium, swimming pool and skating-rink in/ at students' disposal.

6)The development of our country, its independence and prosperity, depends in/on many respects on/in the quality of knowledge of future bankers and economists“.

2.Complete the sentences:

•Nowadays in the century of high technologies highly qualified professionals are ...

•Polessky State University is …… 2006 to train specialists for various fields of national economy.

•The total number of students, both ….. and …., comprises 4 500.

•In the University students acquire profound knowledge, gain hands-on experience and are involved in …..

•Such activities as Sports Days, hikes, different competitions are aimed

….

•It has 6 …… with all modern conveniences where there are fitness gyms, billiards, also one may play table tennis, just relax in calm atmosphere.

3. Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

1) уделять большое внимание; 2) современное учреждение образования; 3)развитие творческих способностей студентов; 4) век высоких технологий;5) качество знаний; 6) обеспечивать современными условиями проживания.

4. Answer the following questions:

1.When was Polessky State University founded?

2.How many faculties are there at the University?

3.What facilities are at students’ disposal?

4.Who are our international partners?

5.Does Polessky State University provide modern accommodation for its students?

COLLEGE LIFE

The merry-go-round of college life is something that one never forgets. It’s a fascinating, fantastic, fabulous experience, irrespective of the fact whether one is a full-time or a part-time student.

Who can forget the first day at the university when one turns from an applicant who has passed entrance exams into a first-year student? I did it! I entered; I got in to the university! A solemn ceremony in front of the university building and serious people making speeches. Hey, lad, do you happen to know