Exercises

1. Say what we call the place where:

– we buy tickets for a train;

– passengers wait for their trains, planes, etc.;

– we get all necessary information at the railway station;

– we leave our luggage;

– we live when travelling by ship;

– passengers stay in a strange place.

2. Discuss with your group-mates the advantages and disadvantages of travelling by:

– air;

– sea;

– rail way.

Chapter 5. Future profession

Text. Oleg’s future profession

Read the text and do the exercises that follow it.

Study the following vocabulary before reading the text:

a flash – вспышка

in mastering smth. – визучениичего-либо

integral – неотъемлемый

attitude – отношение

responsibility – ответственность

to bring up – воспитывать

to succeed – преуспевать

Oleg is a first-year student of Mozyr State Pedagogical University. He studies at the faculty of Physics and Mathematics. In future after the graduation from the University he’ll become a teacher of Mathematics and Information Science.

He made his choice long ago. The choice of this occupation didn’t come as a sudden flash. During his school years mathematics was his favourite subject. He decided to devote himself to the training of children in mathematics. It is necessary to introduce pupils to scientific mathematical concepts. There are many things which depend on mathematics. Practically everything in our modern life is based on mathematical calculations.

In cooperation with science mathematics made possible our big buildings, railroads, automobiles, airplanes, subways, bridges. He is sure in future mathematics will have a wider application than it has now.

Information science is not less important subject. Oleg understood how it was important to give pupils a certain amount of knowledge, skills and habits in mastering computers. The ability to operate a computer is an important basic skill today, as it is an integral part of the curriculum in schools and Universities.

Oleg knows that teaching is a very specific and difficult job. The teacher is a person who is learning as well as teaching all his life. Teachers do not only teach their subjects. They bring up the younger generation, develop their pupils’ intellect, form their views and characters, their attitude to life and to other people. It is a great responsibility and the teacher must be a model of competence himself.

It’s not as easy as it may seem at first. But Oleg thinks that love for children combined with the knowledge that he will get at the University will be quite enough to succeed in his work.

Exercises

1. Answer the questions on the text.

1. When did Oleg make his choice?

2. What will Oleg be after graduation from the University?

3. What was his favourite subject at school?

4. What subjects is he going to teach?

5. Why is it an important speciality for Oleg?

6. Do teachers only teach their subjects?

7. Is teaching an easy or difficult job?

8. What is necessary to succeed in this work?

2. Speak on:

– your choice of the speciality;

– its significance;

– your views on upbringing of a younger generation.

3. Be ready to speak about your future profession. Use the text as a help to your topic.

Additional texts for reading

Text 1. School teacher

Read the text using a dictionary and answer the questions that follow it.

Teaching is a very responsible and specific job. Not everyone has enough courage to accept this responsibility. Most young people prefer to choose a more rewarding and better paid job. However there are many young people who consider teaching as a career. For them the main attraction is not money, but job satisfaction and the belief that education is of vital importance for the success and progress of any society.

The success of educating and upbringing of children depends to a great degree on the personality of the teacher, his professional skills, moral principles, erudition and cultural background. This noble and challenging profession demands from a teacher constant creativity, enthusiasm, understanding of children and love for them, complete dedication to his cause.

The teacher must be a model of competence, so he is a person who is learning as well as teaching all his life. Most jobs can be done within the usual office hours, but teacher’s work is never done and evenings are mostly spent marking exercise-books and preparing for the next lesson. It is also a stressful job because you have to encourage your pupils and keep them interested. A  good teacher treats his pupils with respect and values them as individuals. He understands that each child is a unique and has special talents and capabilities. He helps children to develop their critical and creative thinking. He teaches them to work independently and cooperatively, to be helpful and useful.

A good teacher will do his best to bring up honest and considerate, patient and tactful.

Answer the questions on the text:

1. What establishments train teachers in our country?

2. Are teachers trained only on one subject?

3. What can you say about Mozyr State Teacher’s Training University?

4. Teaching is considered to be a very demanding and challenging job, isn’t it?

5. What does this profession demand from a teacher?

6. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of this profession?

7. What makes many young people take teaching career?

8. What personal qualities and moral principles should a teacher have?