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

manuals, hardware-installation guides1 and product fact sheets2 of popular consumer electronics and entertainment devices usually are available in English first before being made available in other languages.

In universities and colleges in Great Britain, the Unites States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, which attract the greatest number of international students, the primary language of instruction is English. Most of the top business schools, medical centers and advancedstudy institutes are located in North America and Great Britain, and English is the language used in every activity at these institutions of higher learning. Most peer-to-peer3 journals and technical periodicals that give international acclaim to scientists, engineers, technologists, and technocrats are printed in English.

The influence of the United States and Great Britain on political affairs and international relations for the past 100 years has ensured the proliferation and acceptance of English as the primary spoken language in many countries. The widespread acceptance of American pop culture also has contributed to the primacy of the English language. A working knowledge of English is important for diplomats and high-ranking officials in such major countries as Germany, Japan, France, South Korea, Brazil, Italy, and Russia so they can better understand the nuance and craft of global affairs4 and international diplomacy.

Text D. How learning a new language changes your brain5

By Carley Spence

People learn a new language for all sorts of reasons — to work or study in another country, move abroad, or simply for pleasure. No matter the motivation, many students find that the experience of studying a new

1hardware-installation guide — руководство по установке оборудования.

2product fact sheets — информационные бюллетени о продукте.

3peer-to-peer — одноранговый (основанный на равноправии участников).

4the nuance and craft of global affairs — нюансы и ремесло глобальных дел.

5From C. Spence “How learning a new language changes your brain”. — URL: https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/.

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language enriches their lives. But did you also know a language changes your brain at a physical level?

Numerous studies have examined how learning a new language at different ages can make a difference to the way your brain works. Let’s take a look at how learning a second language affects your brain.

• A neurological perspective on language learning.

Bilingual people, who have learned two languages side by side from early childhood, have been studied by scientists for decades. They are keen to understand how speaking two languages fluently affects people on a cognitive level. And with the advent of MRI technology, researchers are now able to see on a very visual level the differences between monolingual brains and bilingual brains.

Everyone’s brain is made up of neurons, which have a cell body, and dendrites, which are the connections between neurons. This is what we call “grey matters”. Bilingual people have more of these neurons and dendrites compared to people who speak only one language. This means that their grey matter is denser.

Bilingualism also has an impact on white matter — that is, a system of nerve fibres which connect all four lobes of the brain. This system coordinates communication between the different brain regions, helping your brain to learn and function.

Bilingual adults have increased white matter integrity compared to adults who only speak one language. Their second language experience actually boosts their brain’s reserves.

• What about people who learn a language later on?

Students who are learning a second language later in life can still benefit from some of the neurological changes that happen to speakers of second languages, no matter what level they are at. Having new experiences (novelty) is an important factor in forming new connections in the brain and strengthening nervous system links. These links and connections are maintained through regular practice.

Studying a new language combines novelty with practice. For example, students learn new words and grammatical constructs and spend

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time reviewing and building on their previous knowledge as part of the learning process.

This combination is one of the reasons that language learning is such an effective brain workout and protects older learners against dementia and other degenerative neurological conditions.

But everyone can benefit from language learning. It is arguably one of the most complex mental activities you can do. So, it’s a powerful way to exercise your brain.

• How language learning boosts other skills.

Given the measurable impact of language learning on the brain, it’s no surprise that these physical changes are accompanied by the improvement of certain other skills such as communication, creativity, recall and concentration.

1. Better academic performance.

In a meta-analysis of 20 studies examining language learning and its impact on academic performance, the majority of studies (90 %) showed that language learners perform better across a range of academic subjects than students who don’t study a second language. Learning another language also boosts student literacy, which gives learners an advantage in core school subjects like mathematics and science.

2. Improved concentration.

Just one week of learning a new language has a positive impact on students’ levels of alertness and focus. This improvement was maintained with continuous language study of at least five hours a week.

Moreover, this study encompassed learners from the age of 18 to 78, and the improvement in attention span was noted across all age groups. So, studying a new language will boost students’ concentration, no matter what age they are.

3. A more powerful memory.

Studying a language engages memorization skills (learning new words and rules) as well as recall (producing new language in-class activities). So it’s no surprise that people who regularly use a second language have more powerful memories.

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In fact, research shows that people who speak a second language regularly perform better on memory tests than monolingual people. It makes no difference whether they learned the language as a child or as an adult, either. What’s more, language learning improves both short term and long-term memory.

4. Stronger communication skills.

Early studies on language learning found evidence that it boosted learners’ empathy. More recent research has found that empathy is a key trait for success in learning a second language.

Speaking a second language can help to improve students’ ability to see things from another perspective. In turn, this can have a positive impact on their communication skills.

In addition, the practice of academic skills involved in language study, such as active listening, can improve learners’ communication skills in their everyday lives.

5. More creativity.

Bilingual children exhibit more creativity in problem-solving and flexibility than their monolingual peers. The same holds true for learners of a second language.

Researchers across different studies have found that studying a language seems to unlock students’ creative abilities. This could be the result of the thought processes involved in language learning. These include translation, language switching and disciplined study, along with a willingness to learn and adapt.

Language learning skills will help learners in all areas of their lives, improving their mental abilities, and helping them with problem-solving and decision-making. Ultimately, this all goes towards enriching their personal, social and professional relationships.

So, whether you’re a learner or a teacher of other languages, you’re building skills, exercising your brain and building your cognitive reserves every time you speak a second language!

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Text E. English for specific purposes: what it is and why it matters1

By Danny Ballan

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a specialized form of English language instruction that focuses on teaching students how to use English in a specific field of study or professional context. Unlike General English, which is designed to provide students with a broad foundation of English language skills, ESP courses are tailored to meet the specific language needs of a particular group of learners.

The origins of ESP can be traced back to the early 1960s when the need for English language instruction in specific fields began to emerge. At that time, there was a growing demand for English language instruction in fields such as business, medicine, engineering, and technology, as English became the international language of communication in these industries.

As a result, ESP courses were developed to meet the specific language needs of learners in these fields. The first ESP course was developed in 1962 by John Munby, a British linguist, who created a course specifically for engineers. This course became the model for future ESP courses and led to the development of other specialized courses in fields such as medicine, law, and aviation.

ESP courses are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, they provide learners with the language skills needed to succeed in their chosen field of study or profession. For example, medical professionals need to be able to communicate effectively with their colleagues and patients, and they need to be able to understand medical terminology. An ESP course in medicine would provide them with the specialized language skills needed to do this.

1 From D. Ballan “English for specific purposes: what it is and why it matters”. — URL: https://englishpluspodcast.com/english-for-specific-purposes-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/#:~:text.

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Secondly, ESP courses help learners to become more confident and proficient users of English. When learners are able to communicate effectively in English in their chosen field, they are better able to succeed in their studies or career. This can lead to greater job opportunities and career advancement.

Thirdly, ESP courses are important for universities and employers. Universities want to ensure that their students are able to communicate effectively in their chosen field, and employers want to hire individuals who have the language skills needed to succeed in their jobs.

There are a number of different types of ESP courses, depending on the needs of the learners. Some common types of ESP courses include:

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

EAP courses are designed for students who plan to study at an English-speaking university or college. These courses focus on the language skills needed to succeed in academic settings, such as writing essays and research papers, participating in classroom discussions, and giving presentations.

• English for Business and Commerce

Business English courses are designed for individuals who work in business or commerce. These courses focus on the language skills needed to communicate effectively in a business setting, such as writing emails, making presentations, negotiating, and socializing with colleagues.

• English for Specific Professions

ESP courses for specific professions are designed for individuals who work in a particular field or industry, such as medicine, law, engineering, or aviation. These courses focus on the language skills needed to communicate effectively in that field, such as using technical terminology, communicating with colleagues and clients, and writing reports.

• English for Tourism and Hospitality

Tourism and hospitality courses are designed for individuals who work in the tourism and hospitality industry, such as hotel staff, tour

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guides, and travel agents. These courses focus on the language skills needed to communicate with tourists, such as giving directions, answering questions about tourist attractions, and making reservations.

• English for Science and Technology

ESP courses for science and technology are designed for individuals who work in fields such as engineering, computer science, and biotechnology. These courses focus on the language skills needed to communicate effectively in these fields, such as using technical terminology, reading and writing technical documents, and giving presentations.

• English for Aviation

ESP courses for aviation are designed for individuals who work in the aviation industry, such as pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground staff. These courses focus on the language skills needed to communicate effectively in aviation, such as using radio communication, understanding aviation terminology, and writing reports.

There are several benefits of taking an ESP course, including:

• Improved language skills

ESP courses are designed to provide learners with the specific language skills needed to communicate effectively in their chosen field. This can help learners to become more confident and proficient users of English.

• Increased job opportunities

By developing specialized language skills, learners can become more attractive to employers in their chosen field. This can lead to greater job opportunities and career advancement.

• Enhanced academic success

For students planning to study at an English-speaking university or college, an EAP course can help them to succeed academically by providing them with the language skills needed to write essays, participate in classroom discussions, and give presentations.

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• Better communication

By improving their English language skills, learners can become better communicators in their chosen field. This can lead to more effective collaboration with colleagues and clients, and can help to avoid misunderstandings and mistakes.

English for Specific Purposes is an important area of language instruction that provides learners with the language skills needed to succeed in a particular field of study or profession. ESP courses are tailored to meet the specific language needs of learners in different fields, and are taught by teachers with expertise in those fields. By developing specialized language skills, learners can become more confident and proficient users of English, and can open up new job opportunities and career advancement.

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UNIT 2. BIOGRAPHY OF A SCIENTIST. AUTOBIOGRAPHY

“The secret of biography resides in finding the link between talent and achievement. A biography seems irrelevant if it doesn’t discover the overlap between what the individual did and the life that made this possible. Without discovering that, you have shapeless happenings and gossip”.

Joseph Leon Edel (1907–1997), an American / Canadian literary critic and biographer.

IN THIS UNIT YOU WILL LEARN:

–about the reasons to read biographies of famous people;

–about biography as a socio-cultural dimension of history;

–how to write an autobiography;

–how to write a CV.

INTRODUCTION TO TEXT 1:

1.Read, translate and comment on the quote by Joseph Leon Edel written above.

2.Write down 3 reasons why you should read biographies of famous

people.

3.Compare your reasons with those of your group-mates and make up a joint list of them.

TEXT 1. THE BENEFITS OF READING BIOGRAPHIES

By Samuel Blumenfeld

READING

Task 1.1. Skim the text and find out:

1.Why do people read biographies, autobiographies, memoirs and

diaries?

2.What practical lessons can be learned by reading biographies?

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3.What do we learn from biographies of famous scientists, explorers, musicians and other famous personalities?

4.What personalities are mentioned in the text? What do you know about them?

1The reason why people should read biographies, autobiographies, memoirs2 and diary3 is because they provide the most valuable lessons in life. People who write their autobiographies usually have an interesting story to tell about the trials and tribulations4 of their own lives. Every life has a beginning, middle, and an end, and how one has lived one's life should be of great interest to those who are still at the beginning.

It's instructive to know how others, both famous and not so famous, handled the crises in their lives, found their life mates, raised their families, and pursued their interesting careers, whether it be as a merchant, writer, artist, poet, politician, soldier, actor, attorney, inventor, scientist, engineer, physician, nurse, teacher, or any other career you can think of. Since you, the reader, will be choosing your own career or life calling, you will be enlightened by studying how others made their way on the stage of life. Every life serves a purpose, and discovering your own purpose can be aided by delving into the lives of others whose purposes have made our lives better or worse.

For those interested in science, the biographies of Thomas A. Edison, the greatest inventor of all time, who gave us the electric light that lit up the world, the phonograph, the motion picture machine, and countless other inventions; Alexander Graham Bell, who gave us the telephone; and Marconi, who invented the wireless radio, will provide inspiration and encouragement to the young inventive mind.

For exciting adventures in exploration and discovery, no life can match Christopher Columbus's. Also read about Magellan, Vasca da

1From S. Blumenfeld “The benefits of reading biographies”. — URL: https://www.home- school.com/Articles/the-benefits-of-reading-biographies.php.

2memoirs [ˈmemwɑːz] — мемуары.

3diary [ˈdaɪərɪ] — дневник, ежедневник.

4trials and tribulations — испытания и невзгоды, особенно те, которые испытывают мужество, выносливость, решительность.

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