Разговорный английский для инженеров. Тренинг навыков устной речи. Учебно-методическое пособие по английскому языку

V. Read the text.

BODY LANGUAGE AROUND THE WORLD

When you are abroad, you must be careful how you express yourself with your body.

The handshake

Even the simple handshake can vary from culture to culture. Western culture typically perceives a strong handshake as authoritative and confidential, where as many parts of the Far East perceive a strong handshake as aggressive, and usually bow instead. In Fiji, people shake hands for a very long time. Don`t worry if this continuous for all of your conversation – it`s normal.

In parts of Northern Europe, a quick firm handshake is the norm. In parts of Southern Europe, Central and South America, a handshake is longer and warmer, with the left hand usually touching the clasped hands or elbow. Beware that in Turkey, a firm handshake is considered rude and aggressive. Men in Islamic countries never shake the hands of women outside the family.

In recent years, the handshake has become less popular in some countries because people worry, they might catch germs if they shake somebody`s hand. Many are choosing a

‘safe shake’ like touching elbows or bumping fists.

Eye contact

In most western countries, eye contact is a sign of confidence and attentiveness. We tend to assume that if someone looks away while we are talking to them, they’re disinterested and looking for someone else to talk to.

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In many Middle Eastern countries, same-gender eye contact tends to be more sustained and intense than the western standard. In some of these countries, eye contact beyond a brief glance between the sexes is deemed inappropriate. In many Asian, African, and Latin American countries, however, this unbroken eye contact would be considered aggressive and confidential. These cultures tend to be quite conscious of hierarchy, and avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect for bosses and elders. In these parts of the world, children won’t look at an adult who is speaking to them, and nor will employees to their bosses.

Silence

Though it can feel like a break in communication, silence can be very meaningful in different cultural contexts. Western cultures, especially North America and the UK, tend to view silence as problematic. In our interactions at work, school, or with friends, silence is uncomfortable. It is often perceived as a sign of inattentiveness or disinterest. In other cultures, however, silence is not viewed as a negative circumstance. In China, silence can be used to show agreement and receptiveness. In many aboriginal cultures, a question will be answered only after a period of contemplative silence.

Some countries have different ways of saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’.

In Greece and Bulgaria, people shake their head for yes and nod for no. This can be confusing, so it`s probably better to learn the words for yes and no.

However, there is one international expression that everybody understands. If you are having problems and you don`t know what to say, the best thing to do so is to smile.

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VI. Give the answers to the following questions according to the text:

1)How does body language help you to communicate?

2)What actions are friendly?

3)What actions are not allowed?

4)Do people shake hands when they meet in your country? Are there any handshakes you don't like?

5)Do people in your culture normally touch each other when they speak?

6)Eye contact is important in communication, but there are different ways of maintaining it, including a constant, fixed, contact, or looking people in the eye for a moment and then looking away. What sort of eye contact do you use/prefer?

7)Can people express their thoughts effectively by using only non-verbal communication? Why/Why not?

VII. Match the gestures with their possible interpretation:

Present your answer according to the model:

I think/believe that avoiding eye contact means/shows that a person is … .

Module 5. SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT

I. Answer the questions using your own ideas:

1)Do you like science?

2)What science subject did you like the most in school? Why?

3)What do you find most interesting about science?

4)Is there anything that you do not like about science?

5)What's the most difficult part of studying science?

6)What sources of information about science do you use?

7)Do you often read books about science and technology?

8)Do you like watching science fiction films?

9)Have you ever carried out any scientific experiments? Were they successful?

10)Have you ever written scientific articles?

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II. Give a short talk about scientific development. Choose one variant A or B and use the plan:

Variant A

Describe an invention that changed human lives. You should say:

What is it;

Who invented it;

When was it invented

and explain how did it change human lives.

Variant B

Talk about some technology that you have started using fairly recently. You should say:

What it is and what it does;

How it makes life better or easier;

How it is different to other similar technology

and say whether you think you will still be using it in ten years’ time or not, and why.

III. Train your pronunciation. Find the word with an odd sound:

1)start – cart – part – patch – article

2)burn – her – first – service – fist

3)money – connect – ton – come – love

4)stage – gym – give – change – gentle

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IV. Match the English words with their Russian equivalents, then choose 5 words and make up sentences with these words:

V. Read the text.

ROBOTICS

Robotics is the interrelation of science, engineering and technology that produces machines, called robots. These machines substitute for human actions. Robots are gaining intellectual and mechanical capabilities. Robots have become to play a widespread and crucial role in many industrial operations today. The work that robots do can be divided into three major categories: in the assembly and finishing of products; in the movement of materials and objects; and in the performance of work in environmentally difficult or hazardous situations.

As technology progresses, so too does the scope of what is considered robotics. In 2005, 90% of all robots could be

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found assembling cars in automotive factories. These robots consist mainly of mechanical arms tasked with welding or screwing on certain parts of a car. Today, we’re seeing an evolved and expanded definition of robotics that includes the development, creation and use of bots that explore Earth’s harshest conditions, robots that assist law-enforcement and even robots that assist in almost every sphere of healthcare.

All robots have some general characteristics. Firstly, robots consist of some sort of mechanical construction. The mechanical aspect of a robot helps it complete tasks in the environment for which it’s designed. For example, the Mars 2020 Rover’s wheels are individually motorized and made of titanium tubing that help it firmly grip the harsh terrain of the red planet. Secondly, robots need electrical components that control and power the machinery. Finally, robots contain at least some level of computer programming. Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would just be another piece of simple machinery. Inserting a program into a robot gives it the ability to know when and how to carry out a task.

We’re really bound to see the promise of the robotics industry sooner, rather than later, as artificial intelligence and software also continue to progress. In the near future, thanks to advances in these technologies, robots will continue getting smarter, more flexible and more energy efficient.

They’ll also continue to be a main point in smart factories, where they’ll take on more difficult challenges and help to secure global supply chains.

VI. Say if the statements are True or False according to the text:

1) Robots acquire intellectual and mechanical capabilities.

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2)In industry robots don`t play an important role.

3)The work that robots do can be divided into seven major categories.

4)In 2005, 90% of all robots could be found assembling cars in automotive factories.

5)In automotive factories robots consist mainly of mechanical arms.

6)All robots need electrical components that control and power the machinery.

7)Few robots contain some level of computer programming.

VII. Read the sentences with predictions about the future and agree or disagree with them according to the model:

Model: Robots will also continue to be a main point in smart factories. – That’s exactly how I feel. / Nothing of the kind.

1. You will check email with your contact lenses. 2. Mars will get rings like Saturn. 3. We will be communicating with thoughts. 4. Artificial intelligence will replace artists. 4. We will discover another 2,000 planets this year. 5. You will have a robot butler. 6. Your every move will be monitored by dust spies. 7. We will have prosthetic brains.

Module 6. TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS TODAY

I. Answer the questions using your own ideas:

1)How do most people travel long distances in your country?

2)What kinds of public transport are there where you live?

3)Are there any problems with the public transport system in your town/city?

4)Do you prefer public transport or private transport?

5)Are too many people dependent on cars as a means of transport in your country?

6)Is a bicycle a good means of transport?

7)Do you think that transport problems are worse in urban or rural areas?

8)What is the most unusual method of transport you've ever used?

9)Has the way people travel changed much in the last few decades?

10)What measures could be taken to reduce problems of congestion in cities?

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II. Give a short talk about transportation systems. Choose one variant A or B and use the plan:

Variant A

Describe a method of transport that you enjoy using. You should say:

What kind of transport it is;

How often you use it;

Where you travel using it

and explain why you enjoy using it.

Variant B

Describe an interesting journey you have been on. You should say:

Where you went;

How you travelled there;

Who you went with

and explain what was so memorable about the journey.

III. Train your pronunciation. Find the word with an odd sound:

1)note – cast – mode – load – local

2)gap – go – big – agent – get

3)sign – sing – long – king – wing

4)white – where – wheat – who – why

IV. Match the words with similar meanings, then choose 5 words and make up sentences with these words:

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