Access to the World of Business and Professional Communication. Study Guide for Blended Learning. Step I (Modules I and II). Учебное пособие-1

Раздел 4. Письмо / Section 4. Writing

1.2. Write a semi-formal email for the situation.

You are going on a short training course (Financial Management, 4 weeks) at a business college. You need to book a room in one of the students’ residences or in a shared apartment.

Complete a semi-formal email (100–120 words) to the accommodation officer at the college including the following:

–explain your situation;

–describe the room you require;

–mention the period you will need it.

Use the words given in the table below to fill in the blanks:

А.such an apartment

В.a private studio apartment

С.my accommodation arrangements

D.a bed, a desk, a TV, an Internet connection, a kitchen and a bathroom

E.from you

F.my upcoming training course

From:

To:

Cc:

Date:

Subject:

Yours sincerely,

Jack Win

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

1.3. Write a semi-formal email for the situation.

You have received a semi-formal email from a long-time partner inviting you and your team to an end-of-project party at his place. The date of the party coincides with the date of your spouse’ 30th anniversary, so you will not be able to attend.

Write a semi-formal e-mail (100–120 words) in response and include the following:

–thank your partner for the invitation;

–express regret and give your explanations why you will not be able to attend;

–open and end the message appropriately.

РАЗДЕЛ 5. ГОВОРЕНИЕ / SECTION 5. SPEAKING

Требования к результатам освоения раздела (Section acquisition requirements)

Компетенция: Способность строить монологическое высказывание (сообщение, доклад, презентацию, и другие) в ситуациях повседневного, делового и профессионального общения и участвовать в диалоге с партнерами общения.

Основные результаты обучения:

–иметь знания языковой системы (фонетические, лексические, грамматические и стилистические), необходимые для продуцирования высказывания в ситуациях повседневного, делового и профессионального общения в монологической и диалогической форме;

–знать принципы построения публичной речи, методы изложения информации (индуктивный, дедуктивный, концентрический, ступенчатый, исторический), лингвистические особенности всех разновидностей публичной речи, а также фразы, характерные для публичной речи;

–знать речевые формулы, используемые для выражения различных коммуникативных намерений в процессах речевого общения, а также этические и этикетные нормы речевого поведения;

–уметь быстро и адекватно реагировать на высказывания партнеров общения в вербальной или невербальной форме;

–уметь ориентироваться в ситуации повседневного, делового или профессионального общения и определять стратегию построения высказывания;

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Раздел 5. Говорение / Section 5. Speaking

–уметь структурировать свое сообщение, логически последовательно излагать его содержание, используя средства внутритекстовой связности;

–уметь использовать весь спектр коммуникативных задач от информирования до убеждения аудитории;

–уметь эффективно использовать наглядные средства (графики, гистограммы, таблицы и др.) и адекватно интерпретировать представленную информацию;

–уметь выражать свое мнение и отношение к предмету речи,

атакже убедительно аргументировать свою точку зрения;

–владеть навыками говорения в режиме монолога и публичной речи;

–владеть навыками участия в диалоге.

Цель: формирование навыков, связанных с продуцированием монологического и диалогического речевого высказывания в ситуациях повседневного общения.

Навык 1. Навык говорения в режиме монолога (сообщения, короткие выступления, небольшие доклады страноведческого характера).

Навык 2. Навык участия в диалоге в различных ситуациях повседневного общения.

Тематика:

Человек и общество (политическая система и средства массовой информации, правовые и социальные аспекты, экономическое развитие и бизнес):

–политическая система;

–средства массовой информации;

–правовые и социальные аспекты;

–экономическое развитие и бизнес.

Topic 2. People and society

5. Political system

Producing a monologue

5.1. Speak about the following:

–How many types of political systems do you know? Give examples of countries with different types of political systems.

–What are the traits of democracy?

–What is the difference between monarchy and constitutional monarchy?

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

–What is the role of the Queen in the political system of the Great Britain?

–What are the peculiarities of socialism? Consider the Northern Korea and China.

5.2.Speak about a famous politician in the world history. Explain the reasons for your choice.

5.3.Choose the country and comment on its political system.

5.4.Speak about advantages and disadvantages of democracy.

5.5.Read the statements and express your opinion.

–Politics is for adults.

–It is very important to have the head of state who is democratically elected.

–Management has nothing to do with politics.

–All politicians sometimes tell lies.

–Monarchy would be the best type of political system for Russia.

Participating in a dialogue

Dramatize the following situations:

5.6.You are a student and you have to prepare a report on the political system of the United Kingdom. You need a consultation of your British friend. Call him and ask your questions.

5.7.Imagine that you are a politician and you have to take part in political debates. Be ready to answer the questions of your opponent. Prepare the questions you will ask him.

5.8.Your American friend thinks that the only country that has the real democracy system is the United States of America. Be ready to oppose him and prepare the examples of democracy principles in different countries.

6. Mass media

Producing a monologue

6.1. Speak about the following:

–What types of mass media do you know?

–What are their advantages and disadvantages?

–What type of mass media has the most influence on people’s minds in your opinion?

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Раздел 5. Говорение / Section 5. Speaking

–Why is the news on the Internet becoming more and more popular?

–What kind of newspapers and magazines do we call “yellow”?

6.2.Speak about the advantages and disadvantages of reading all the news only on the Internet.

6.3.Comment on the increasing influence of “the fifth branch of

power”.

6.4.Speak about the problems that an editor of magazine or newspaper can have with famous people or celebrities.

6.5.Read the statements and express your opinion.

–Printed versions of newspapers and magazines will soon become useless.

–Internet will be the only mass media in the future.

–If a politician wants to influence people’s minds, he has only to buy his own newspaper.

–Reality shows on TV are not so popular nowadays.

–Only elderly people listen to the radio.

Participating in a dialogue

Dramatize the following situation:

6.6.You are a student and you have to give a talk about one day of a news reporter. Ask your friend who works for a famous TV channel about his job. Invent the questions and make up a dialogue.

6.7.Imagine you are a famous Russian actor. You are invited to a talk show concerning the role of different mass media in celebrities’ lives. Answer the questions and give your own opinion on the topic.

6.8.You are applying for a job of a radio presenter. Give your reasons why you are interested in this job. Discuss your daily responsibilities with the director of the radio station.

7. Social and legal issues

Producing a monologue

7.1. Speak about the following:

– What is social security? What kinds of social security do the Russians have?

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

–Do people in different countries have the same kinds of social security? Give examples.

–What is social responsibility?

–How does the state control the order in the country?

–How can a person be punished if he / she breaks the law?

7.2.Speak about the dependence of criminal situation in a country on the absence or lack of social security.

7.3.Express your ideas about the problems that Russian police and fiscal systems face nowadays.

7.4.Speak about categories of residents of the country who should be on total social security.

7.5.Read the statements and express your opinion.

–It is equally important for a person to be socially and legally protected.

–A good social security system is the one that supports both residents and non-residents of the country.

–Globalization calls for the creation of the global legal system.

–Social security is the primary responsibility of the state.

–Police is the most reliable legal unit to keep law and order in the country.

Participating in a dialogue

Dramatize the following situation:

7.6.You are looking for a job and you have found the one which suits you very well. The only problem is a very poor social security scheme. You are discussing the problem with a friend of yours who had to give up his previous job for this very reason. Your friend is sure you have to reject the proposal, but you are in two minds.

7.7.You were arrested for shoplifting by mistake. Now you are free and would like to discuss the situation with your friend who is a lawyer. Explain the details of your arrest and try to find out if you can get any kind of compensation.

7.8.You are a member of the State Duma. You are considering the changes concerning Russian social security system. You are discussing the topic with your colleague. Make up a dialogue exchanging the opinions.

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Раздел 5. Говорение / Section 5. Speaking

8. Economy and business

Producing a monologue

8.1. Speak about the following:

–What branches of economy do you know? Which of them are highly developed in your region (city)?

–What branches of economy are rapidly growing in Russia now? Why?

–What economic problems are acute nowadays?

–What types of business do you know?

–To what extend should the government regulate economy and business within the country?

8.2.Speak about the branches of economy that Russia should develop in order to influence the global community.

8.3.Express your opinion about the co-dependence of economy and

politics.

8.4.Speak about the sanction that has been implied on Russia and comment Vladimir Putin’s words that “Russian economy should profit from sanctions”.

8.5.Read the statements and express your opinion.

–Economy should be economical.

–Manufacturing is the key to the successful economy.

–Economics as a science should be studied by everybody.

–Only highly-educated and organised people can set up their own company.

–Corporations are not things. They are the people who run them.

Participating in a dialogue

Dramatize the following situation:

8.6.Imagine that you are given enough money to start your own business. Talk about the type of business you would choose to open with your friends. Discuss your own business in terms of location, employees, and supplies.

8.7.You are a member of the planning committee, which must choose a location for the new factory. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of its location in Russia and in Europe.

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МОДУЛЬ II. ПЕРЕХОДНЫЙ ЭТАП / MODULE II. TRANSITION STAGE (COUNTRY STUDY)

8.8. You are the CEO of a large Russian importer. You are considering the sanctions that the European Union has implied on Russia. Discuss the situation with your business consultant and try to identify what measures should be taken in order to minimize the loss.

Role plays Writing a business plan

Situation

You have to write a business plan for a company which makes thing made of wood: hand-made tables, benches, wood-carved window surrounds, summer houses etc. You have to include in your business plan the following points:

–name of your business;

–location of your business;

–target market;

–full description of your products with drawings;

–pricing policy according to the season of the year;

–distribution policy;

–structure of your business;

–description of the jobs and CVs of key staff;

–figures for the first year;

–profit and loss forecast for the first year;

–capital expenditure forecast for the first year.

Instructions

1.Work out and express your own suggestions about the points that are necessary to mention in the business plan. Give your reasons for each of them.

2.Listen to your partner(s)’s suggestions. Discuss them.

3.With your partner(s) work out a common business plan.

4.Report your business plan to the class.

5.Discuss all the business plans reported. Find instances of similarity and difference between them.

6.Ask each other questions about how the different points of the business plans were agreed upon, who dominated in the discussion, whether there was a lot of arguing or not, who made the suggestions chosen for the business palns, etc.

7.Choose the best business plan and the most interesting suggestions from each business plan that could serve as the basis for one common business plan of the whole class (group).

8.Working together, prepare one business plan.

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Раздел 5. Говорение / Section 5. Speaking

Resolving social issues

Produce a monologue explaining your partner your position on the problem given. Describe advantages and disadvantages of possible solutions to the problem. Consult your role card in order to get ready.

Role Card 1. Karl Kardith aged 53, psychiatrist.

You are very worried about the problem of gun control. As a psychiatrist you know that there are a lot of people who have psychological problems but can’t be prevented from buying guns. You think that the only reasonable solution was offered by New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan whose idea was to put an exorbitant tax on certain types of bullets. In your opinion, making bullets outrageously expensive can stop gun violence. Bullets that are used in target practice or hunting shouldn’t be taxed. You don’t think that the idea of selling smart guns that can be used only by their owner will be popular among the customers because most of the customers would prefer immediate access to a reliable gun without activating the gun with the fingerprints.

Role Card 2. Steve Darling aged 54, businessman.

You are Karl Kardith’s friend. Your classmate Dan Nesby was a police officer. He was killed in the line of duty with his own gun. You think that gun control is a serious problem. The only possible solution for stopping gun violence, in your opinion, is to use smart gun technology. The most popular technology utilizes fingerprints and only registered people can fire the gun. You don’t like the idea of raising tax on bullets because as a businessman you understand that in this case the government would be interfering with the free market.

Role Card 3. Lily Lian aged 43, housewife.

You live in the town with the high proportion of homeless people. You think that it is not safe for you and your family. But you feel compassion for these people because they are weak and vulnerable and most of them are homeless due to mental illness. In your opinion, the way out of the problem is to build permanent housing where people can live for free. Your husband works at the administration of the town and you know that permanent housing will be cheaper for the town than taking care of these people in homeless shelters.

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Role Card 4. Nataly Woods aged 41, journalist.

You are Lily Lian’s neighbour. You often work anti-social hours and are always very tired. But your salary is not very high. You think that the government should not give free houses for lazy people who don’t want to work. As a tax-payer you are strongly against this idea. You often travel about the USA on business and you know that there are a lot of abandoned houses in the USA, even in New York. These houses can be converted into housing for the homeless. You don’t want homeless to live in your town.

Role Card 5. Ned Robson aged 35, scientist.

As a scientist you are very interested in the problem of refugees. Now the Syrian refugee crisis is greatly influencing almost every country in the world. No matter where refugees end up, it will be a complicated problem for the housing country and for the refugees themselves. It is very difficult for refugees to start a new life. But you think they would live and work in countries where there is a demographical problem. In your opinion, it is the best way out of the situation. You don’t like the idea of creating a new special country for refugees of all nations because you don’t think there can be a compromise among nations with different views on political system.

Role Card 6. Brian Brick aged 28, computer programmer.

You are a relative of Ned Robson. You know that Ned is currently researching the problem of refugees. You think that giving refugees their own new country is a perfect idea. There is a lot of underpopulated and underdeveloped land in the world and this land can become a place where refugees can flee to and get their lives stated again. You suppose that a working nation with an economy, permanent housing and social services is much better than refugee camps in which people live for years without a job.

Role Card 7. Liza Bread aged 33, lawyer.

As a lawyer you know that in the USA the bail system has become a serious problem for people with low income. Under the law the judge imposes bail when someone is charged with a crime and the accused should give a certain amount of money as collateral to guarantee that they appear for their trial. People who can’t afford this should wait their trial in a country jail. You don’t think it’s fair. From your experience you know that while being in prison people often lose their jobs even without being convicted. Their families have to rely only on social benefits.

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