Английский язык для студентов магистратуры = English for master's degree students. В 2 частях. Ч. 1. Учебное пособие

growth [ɡrəʊθ] — рост

to create [tə] [kriˈeɪt] — создавать purpose [ˈpɜːpəs] — цель

benefit [ˈbenɪfɪt] — привилегия advantage [ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ] — преимущество

to access [tʊ] [ˈækses] — получить доступ

to promote [tə] [prəˈməʊt] — содействовать, поддерживать to evaluate[tu] [ɪˈvæljueɪt] — оценивать, определять purely [pjʊəli] — только, исключительно

lack of clarity [læk] [əv] [ˈklærəti] — отсутствие ясности

to be available [tə] [biː] [əˈveɪləbl] — быть доступным, иметься в наличии

scope [skəʊp] — пределы, масштаб

to gain [tə] [ɡeɪn] — получать, приобретать field [ˈfiːld] — поле, площадка, область, сфера experience [ɪkˈspɪəriəns] — опыт

to change [tə] [tʃeɪndʒ] — изменять(ся), менять

Task 2.2. Translate the words and word combinations without the dictionary:

universal form of communication, a journal, historical progression of English, Latin, discipline, physics, chemistry, dominance, a global leader in technology, economic, culture, universal language, a result, challenge,

Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, a democratic process.

TEXT 2. ENGLISH AS A LANGUAGE

OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

READING

Task 2.3. Skim the text and find out:

1.Why is English considered to be the universal form of communication in science?

2.What is the most obvious advantage of having a universal language?

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1English is the universal form of communication in science. Although many countries still publish journals in their native tongue,

English is currently the best way to share one’s research findings with scientists in other parts of the world. But how did this come about?

• Historical progression of English as a language of science.

During the Middle Ages, Arabic was the language used for science in all Islamic2 countries, while Latin was the primary form of communication among scientists in Europe. Later, German, French, Italian, and English were all used in their respective countries, and often came to be associated with a particular discipline, e.g., German with physics or chemistry. The dominance and use of these languages changed over time, depending on the growth and decline of science, which was dependent on the economic state and culture in each country.

Thus, French declined after WWI3 as German became more dominant, and after WWII English replaced German. As the U.S. became a global leader in technology and research, English remained the primary form of communication among scientists. During the 1920’s, the need for a universal language was proposed, and a new language, Esperanto, was created for this purpose. But it was somewhat impractical and never caught on. Instead, English became a universal language of science, technology and business.

• Benefits vs4 disadvantages.

There are of course many benefits to having a universal language. The most obvious advantage is that results can be more widely accessed, and scientific exchange between countries is significantly enhanced. However, we must also consider the drawbacks. Primarily English as a language of science and technology puts non-native English speakers at a clear disadvantage compared with native speakers when it comes to writing and promoting interest in their research. It also makes it more

1 (From “Language Connections”. — URL: https://www.languageconnections.com/blog/ english-the-universal-language-of-science/).

2Islamic [ɪzˈlæmɪk] — исламский, от Islam [ˈɪslɑːm] — Ислам, мусульманство.

3WWI — World War I — Первая мировая война.

4vs [ˈvɜːsɪz] — по сравнению с … .

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challenging to evaluate a scientific study based purely on the findings. Lack of clarity can take away from even the most interesting study.

Imagine Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, for example, to be available only in a poorly translated version for non-German speakers!

• Conclusions.

The use of a universal language to communicate in science is unavoidable. Although English has gained its status without going through a true democratic process, having a universal form of communication does allow for a wider scope and better understanding which ultimately leads to scientific progress. English as a language of science and technology will continue while the U.S. dominates research in those fields, but as we know from past experience, this situation could very well change again.

VOCABULARY WORK

Task 2.4. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following Russian words and phrases:

a)универсальная форма общения в науке; издавать журналы на своем родном языке; лучший способ; поделиться результатами своих исследований с учеными в других частях мира; историческое развитие английского языка; язык науки; Средние века; арабский был языком, используемым в науке в то время; основная форма общения между учеными в Европе; ассоциироваться с определенной дисциплиной; в зависимости от роста и упадка науки; экономическое состояние и культура; французский язык пришел в упадок после Второй мировой войны; мировой лидер в области технологий и исследований; основная форма общения между учеными; необходимость создания универсального языка; универсальный язык науки, техники и бизнеса;

b)преимущества против недостатков; широкий доступ к результатам; значительное расширение научного обмена между странами; недостатки; носители английского языка; носители языка; оценка научного исследования; основанный на полученных результатах; отсутствие ясности; интересное исследование; теория

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относительности Эйнштейна; обеспечивать более широкий охват и лучшее понимание; вести к научному прогрессу; доминировать в исследованиях в этих областях; ситуация может снова измениться.

Task 2.5. Find in the text sentences with the following expressions and read them aloud. Translate these sentences into Russian:

to be the universal form of communication in science to publish journals in their native tongue

to share one’s research findings with scientists in other parts of the world

to be the language used for science in all Islamic countries

to be the primary form of communication among scientists in Europe to be used in their respective countries

to be associated with a particular discipline

to become a global leader in technology and research to be created for this purpose

to become a universal language of science, technology and business to consider the drawbacks

to put non-native English speakers at a clear disadvantage to makes it more challenging to evaluate a scientific study

to be available only in a poorly translated version for non-German speakers

to allow for a wider scope and better understanding to lead to scientific progress

READING AND SPEAKING

Task 2.6. Read the text again for detail and answer the questions:

1.What languages were used for science in Islamic countries and in Europe during the Middle Ages?

2.When and where did German, French, Italian and English begin to be used for scientific communication?

3.What discipline was German associated with?

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4.Why did the dominance and use of these languages change over time? Give examples from the text.

5.Why was Esperanto created?

6.How did it happen that English became the universal language of science, technology and business?

7.What drawbacks of having English as a language of science and technology are mentioned in the text?

8.How long, according to the text, will English remain the language of science and technology?

TRANSLATION

Task 2.7. Translate the sentences into English using the vocabulary of the text:

1.Английский язык — универсальная форма общения в науке.

2.Этот журнал издается на русском и английском языках.

3.Участие в международной конференции — это лучший способ поделиться результатами своих исследований с учеными из других стран мира.

4.Латынь была основной формой общения между учеными в Европе в Средние века.

5.Широкий доступ к результатам исследований и расширение научного обмена между странами — очевидные преимущества использования универсального научного языка, которым является английский язык.

6.Общая теория относительности — часть обширной физической теории относительности, созданной физиком немецкого происхождения Альбертом Эйнштейном.

7.Эсперанто — это искусственный язык, созданный в 1887 году польским окулистом Л.Л. (Людвиг Лазарь) Заменгофом и предназначенный для использования в качестве второго международного языка.

8.История науки описывает развитие науки с течением времени.

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9.В Средние века и вплоть до сравнительно недавнего времени латынь была языком, наиболее широко используемым на Западе для научных целей.

10.Немецкий язык в свое время был самым важным языком науки во всем мире. Сегодня публикации в области естественных наук делаются почти исключительно на английском языке.

INTRODUCTION TO TEXT 3:

Before reading the text answer the following questions:

1.When did you begin to learn English?

2.Was it difficult for you?

3.Who / what helped you to learn English?

TEXT 3. ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE STUDENTS

READING

Task 3.1. Read the text and compare how the narrator learnt English with your own experience in this field.

1I was in the sixth grade when my teacher suddenly called me for a typical class reading and asked what the definition of science was. I stood in awe2. In other words, I didn’t know the answer at all. It was a shameful moment for someone to be asked with such a “difficult” question to a young child I was.

The next day I finally found the definition of science in the dictionary and memorized it. Even before the science class officially started, I raised my hands and challenged3 my teacher to ask me the same question the day before. Impressed and surprised, he granted to ask me the same question again and gave him my definition. Still unsatisfied, he

1From “Outpost pub”. — URL: http://www.blogtopsites.com/outpost/.

2to stay in awe [ɔː] — стоять в страхе, изумлении.

3to challenge [ˈʧælɪnʤ] — бросать вызов, (зд.) предложить.

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asked me what “systematized”, “body of knowledge” and “based on facts” meant. I was already ready for that. I confidently explained to him what those words meant and explained the essence of the matter in detail. The class was overwhelmed1, and so was my teacher. How do you like such a good recovery?

When I come up to the topic of learning English with the help of science, with all due respect to my experience, it was something worth thinking about. It made my English skills sharpened and gave me the opportunity to overcome my limitations and become great, for that matter. Indeed, at some point science and English go hand in hand.

Studying natural sciences in English strengthens the foundation of the student and allows him to expand his language abilities. Studying natural sciences not only improves reading, comprehension and vocabulary, but also teaches you to ask questions, research, report and communicate. So, my experience is really “based on facts”. I know that there are many children and young adults who have succeeded in learning English when they also strive to be excellent in science.

So English skills will not only be enhanced when you learn English at language school. But if you are currently enrolled to an institution2 where English is taught, this alone can be your tool to improve your language skills. Make the most of what you have, especially when it comes to language learning. Start developing your English skills as early as now.

It’s a thought to ponder3.

SPEAKING

Task 3.2. Answer the questions:

1.Why do you think the text is called “English for science students”?

2.Do you like how the boy got out of a difficult for him situation? What did he do for it?

1to be overwhelmed [əʊvəˈwelmd] — быть ошеломленным, потрясенным.

2if you are currently enrolled to an institution — если вы в настоящее время зачислены в учебное заведение, to be enrolled [ɪnˈrəʊld] — быть зачисленным.

3It’s a thought to ponder [ˈpɒndə] — Над этой мыслью стоит поразмыслить.

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3.Do you agree that studying natural sciences in English strengthens the foundation of the student and allows him to expand his language abilities? Is it the same with you?

4.Tell the class about your way of learning and mastering English.

Task 3.3. Speak about some interesting and useful ways of learning a foreign language.

Task 3.4. Match the English idioms in the left column with their meaning in the right column. Use them in a proper context according to the model:

Model: Plain English means to speak or write in clear, simple language. For example, when we read something written with unnecessarily difficult words we can say “Why can't they write these instructions in plain English?”.

Note: An idiom is an expression that conveys something different from its literal meaning, and that cannot be guessed from the meanings of its individual words.

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Task 3.5. Comment on the following quotations. Stick to the structure of the comment presented in table 1. Learn useful phrases and expressions, they will give you time to think, and also act as signposts which help listeners to follow your arguments.

Table 1

Structure of the Comment

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