Theme 9. The role of foreign language

Роль иностранного языка в будущей профессии.

Text 1. English is the International Language

Language is a systematic means of communication ideas, or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs of sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings.

Language is one of the most important aspects of culture for it is the means by which ideas and concepts are transmitted within or between groups. It is one of the most important means of preserving a way of life from one generation to another.

English is part of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family of languages. It is spoken as a native language by around 377 million and as a second language by around 375 million speakers in the world. Speakers of English as a second language will soon outnumber those who speak it as a first language.

Around 750 million people are believed to speak English as a foreign language. English has an official or a special status in 75 countries with a total population of over 2 billion.

The domination of the English language globally is undeniable. English is the language of diplomacy and international communications, business, tourism, education, science, computer technology, media and Internet. Because English was used to develop communication, technology, programming, software, etc, it dominates the web. 70% of all information stored electronically is in English.

British colonialism in the 19th century and American capitalism and technological progress in the 20th century were undoubtedly the main causes for the spread of English throughout the world.

The English language came to British Isles from northern Europe in the fifth century. From the fifteenth century, the British began to sail all over the world and became explorers, colonists and imperialists. They took the English language to North America, Canada and the Caribbean, to South Africa, to Australia and New Zealand, to South Asia (especially India), to the British colonies in Africa, to South East Asia and the South Pacific.

The USA has played a leading role in most parts of the world for the last hundred years. At the end of the 19th century and first quarter of the 20th, it welcomed millions of European immigrants who had fled their countries ravaged by war, poverty or famine. This labor force strengthened American economy. The Hollywood film industry also attracted many foreign artists in quest of fame and fortune and the number of American films produced every year soon flooded the market. Before the Treaty of Versailles (1919), which ended the First World War between Germany and the Allies, diplomacy was conducted in French. However, President Woodrow Wilson succeeded in having the treaty in English as well. Since then, English started being used in diplomacy and gradually in economic relations and the media.

The future of English as a global language will depend very largely on the political, economical, demographic and cultural trends in the world. The beginning of the 21st century is a time of global transition. According to some experts, faster economic globalization is going hand in hand with the growing use of English. More and more people are being encouraged to use English rather than their own language. On the other hand, the period of most rapid change can be expected to be an uncomfortable and at times traumatic experience for many people around the world. Hence, the opposite view, that the next 20 years or so will be a critical time for the English language and for those who depend upon it. The patterns of usage and public attitudes to English which develop during this period will have long-term effects for its future in the world.

Text 2. Real English

How many different types of English do you know? Of course there’s British English, American English, South African English, Australian English, New Zealand English and many types like that. They give us special expressions based on features of their geography and the plant and animal life in those countries (koala, coyote, kiwi, etc) and also based on features of their heritage and lifestyle (a braai is a barbecue in South Africa and a dorp is a small town, a tinny is a can of beer in Australia and Dijeridy is an Aborigine instrument, the Haka is a war dance in New Zealand and a kumara is a sweet potato and so on). They have different accents, different intonation patterns, and some different grammar structures.

Million of people speak these varieties of English, and you can hear them in films, in songs and music, on TV in popular programmes. If you are planning to travel to those parts of the world, or to do business with people who live there, it’s very useful for you to be aware of them.

Some books, maybe even some teachers, give the impression that language is fixed, that there is one right way to say something. But language isn’t like that. Even relatively simple things like that. Even relatively simple things like saying ‘hello’ to your friends. Language always changes –less than ten years ago no-one talked about texting, sending an SMS, spam emails, blogs, search engines, and many other terms that we all use nowadays. These words are necessary now because of technology ­­– that has changes because people enjoy being inventive with language. We would get bored saying the same things in the same way forever.

Text 3. The value of knowing a foreign language in today’s job market

The more varied and the more developed one’s skills, the broader one’s job options. Knowledge of a foreign language is an important aspect of the basis preparation for a wide variety of careers. The student who misses an opportunity to learn a foreign language is, in short, closing doors to himself and limiting his career opportunities.

Children should start learning a foreign language in kindergarten and continue through high school. Many high schools are offering such courses as Commercial English or Scientific English. Career-related foreign language courses are offered more and more in high schools across the country, providing a taste of many career opportunities for a language student. Learning languages also increases listening ability, memory, creativity and critical thinking. Starting early can translate into an advantage in the workforce, too. Employers are looking increasingly for people, who can speak languages at a sophisticated level. This is not limited to the corporate world.

The University language course may also provide an effective career preparation, especially since University students are specializing in one field and can relate to very specific career needs. Many Universities have introduced interesting career-related courses into their language curricula, some of which can count toward a major in foreign languages. In other cases a double major or minor in foreign languages can be useful in terms of career goals. Combining a minor in English or German with a major in merchandizing, world economy, or finance would be a good preparation for many of the job areas in a "non-language" career.

Language study is fun and useful as it makes you familiar with the mentality of a foreign country and as it gives you an insight into the nature of the language itself as well as it enables you to communicate with people from different cultural background. Language also allows you to enjoy literature, music, and movies of a foreign country more. In addition, it helps experiencing a country differently when you travel there. Also the social interaction is then possible with people who don’t speak your native language. By combining career aspirations with the humanizing and broadening effects of the study of foreign languages and culture, one can make a sound investment in a stimulating and rewarding future.

Task 1. Read the texts. Translate them into Russian, and render them.

Task 2. Memorize the key terms, concepts, expressions and their meaning:

native language	родной язык
2. second language	второй язык
3. foreign language	иностранный язык
4. official language	официальный язык
5. branch	ветвь, филиал
6. to outnumber	превосходить по количеству
7. undeniable	неоспорим, бесспорен
8. throughout	сквозь
9. to flee	бежать, спасаться бегством
10. to ravage	разрушать, опустошать, разорять
11. poverty	бедность
12. famine	голод
13. labor force	рабочая сила
14. in quest of	в поисках чего-либо
15. fame	слава, известность
16. fortune	счастье, фортуна
17. to conduct	вести, руководить, дирижировать
18. trend	тенденция
19. treaty	договор
20. transition	переход. переходный период
21. pattern	характер, образец, особенность
22. attitude	отношение
23. long-term effects	долгосрочные последствия

Task 3. Answer the questions. Solve the problems. Do the tasks.

1. What language do you study? Speak? Write? Read?

2. Do you like English?

3. What can you do by means of English?

4. Language is one of the most important aspects of culture, isn’t it?

5. What family of languages does English belong?

6. What were the main causes for the spread English throughout the world?

7. How did the English language come to the British Isles?

8. What role has the USA played in spreading English in diplomacy, economic relations and the media?

9. What friends does the future of English as a global language depend on?

10. How can you estimate English Speak for Purpose?

11. How many different types of English do you know? What do they give us?

12. Language always changes, doesn’t it? Will you give examples?

13. What is the value of knowing a foreign language in today’s job market.

Task 4. Speak about the value of knowing a foreign language in today’s job market.

Task 5. Do the test. Icons of England. Icons are symbolic – they represent something in English culture, history or the English way of life.

1. One on the main runners for the best English Icons is a

a) cup coffee b) cup of tea c) cup of milk d) cup of juice

2. The famous clock tower ‘Big Ben” is called

a) St Peter’s b) St Paul’s c) St Stephen’s d) St Patrick’s

3. The national flower of England is the ___. No wonder so many people voted it a national icon

a) daffodil b) rose c) leek d) shamrock

4. ___is the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world.

a) Wiltshire b) Winchester c) Windermere d) Wimbledon

5. The end of an Era: London loses its beautiful big red________.

a) buses b) trams c) cars d) taxis

6. When two Englishmen meet, their first talk is of the weather. Why?

a) to ask personal questions b) to fill the gap

c) to be silent d) to be rude

7. Of all Britain’s historic places, it is the prehistoric sites that are the most evocative – the legacy of ancient cultures whose lifestyle remains a mystery.

a) Snowdon b) Cenotaph c) Bull Ring d) Stonehenge

8. The spiritual leaders of the Celts were

a) Romans b) Druids c) Caesar d) Beakers

9. What Corner is located in Westminster Abbey?

a) Speaker’s Corner b) Poet’s Corner

c) Queen’s Corner d) Writer’s Corner

10. This name denotes the universities, both founded in the medieval period

a) Scottish universities b) Oxbridge c) Newer Civic universities d) campus universities

Answer key:

1 b; 2 с; 3 b; 4. d; 5 a; 6 b; 7 d; 8 b; 9 b; 10 b.

THEME 10. THE PRESENTATION OF A COMPANY.

Презентация компании.

Text 1.

A company is an organization that provides services or makes or sells goods for money.

Companies may be divided into some groups, e. g.:

1. business is a company that makes or sells goods or provides a service, especially one owned and run by one person or a small group of people she left to start her catering business;

2. firm is a company , especially one providing professional or financial services: a large New York law firm; a firm of architects/management consultants ;

3. co-operative is a company that is owned and run by all the people who work for it: a food co-operative;

4. corporation is a large company that employs a lot of people: the state-run sugar corporation;

5. multinational is a large company that operates in many different countries: an advertising agency with several multinational clients;

6. subsidiary is a company that is owned by a larger company : Electronics giant Panasonic is a subsidiary of Matsushita ;

7. plc is a large British company that members of the public can invest money in;

8. conglomerate is a large company made up of several smaller companies and often having a wide range of business activities: one of the world`s largest media conglomerates, with interests in television, magazines, books, and the Internet.

Text 1.

We’re a multinational company with a quarter of a million employees and there are over a hundred and twenty subsidiaries worldwide. The group has a turnover of thirty one thousand, six hundred and twenty six million ECUs and our holding or parent company is located in the Netherlands.

About half our sales are to the consumer market and half are to the professional and industrial markets. Altogether we manufacture and sell over a million different electrical products.

The group is also working in joint ventures with other partners. For example, we’re expanding our activities in China at the moment, developing business ventures with the People’s Republic.

Text 2.

We carry over 30 million passenger a year and we fly to 41 destinations in 25 foreign countries. We also provide a domestic service that has 48 routers and serves 20 cities.

Safety is our number one priority and at the moment we are installing “FANS” in our aircraft – that is Future Aircraft Navigation Systems. These devices are improving communications and reducing air traffic congestions by making use of satellite links.

Text 3.

We have a turnover of over sixty-two billion dollars and there are two hundred and fifteen thousand employees worldwide. We manufacture and sell advanced information processing products and we’re the market leader in micro electronics, data storage, communications and many other fields. It’s the most exciting industry in the world and its changing fast. And we’re changing too. We’re throwing out bureaucracy and developing a new company culture. We’re introducing new system that encourage speed, risk taking and personal leadership.

Text 4.

McDonald’s Corporation, a giant selling billions of hamburgers, has experienced a history of growth and profits. In spite of its huge size, McDonald’s success is based on product consistency and uniformity. A customer can expect the same level of quality from one purchase to the next at the local McDonald’s store.

McDonald’s stores open somewhere in the world each day. There are now over 14,000 McDonald’s stores worldwide and sales are over $23 billion. So how do they do it? What are the company’s strengths?

The company prescribes strict standards for personnel. Men must keep their hair short and their shoes black and highly polished. Women are expected to wear hair nets and to use only very light makeup.

McDonald’s uses a well-defined hierarchy. Field service managers visit each store regularly. An inspector will observe each store for three days, timing the counter operations, and checking cooking procedures. Grades of A through F are given for cleanliness, quality, and service.

Each store has a refined division of labour and qualified personnel. Assistant managers are assigned to cover each shift, and crew leaders are responsible for specific periods, such as breakfast and lunch. Cooks and waitresses know exactly what to do. Trainers teach new employees the exact procedure for greeting customers and taking orders. Hostesses are assigned the task of helping young children and old people, and they coordinate birthday parties and make sure customers are comfortable.

Value. Mc Donald’s keep prices low. They concentrate on increasing market share.

Advertising. McDonald’s spend $1,4 billion annually on marketing, more than any other company in the world.

Training. Every employee receives at least two or three days’ training and all managers attend regular courses. The company even has its own Hamburger University in Oakbrook, Illinois.

Face-to-face meetings. The company headquarters don’t have an e-mail system and there’s no computer in the GEO’s office but ideas still fly around. There are regular meetings between people in the same region and people in the same line of work.

Close relationships with suppliers. McDonald’s work closely with their suppliers to make sure they can meet the McDonald’s specifications.

Cultural sensitivity. Before they enter a new country’s market, they research the culture thoroughly. And they employ local staff if they can.

Customer service. The restaurants are clean, the service is quick and every McDonald’s burger comes with a smile.

Human Resources

Production

Marketing

Finance

Human Resources

Production

Marketing

Finance

Training

Production

Marketing

Buying

Personnel

Packaging

Sales

Customer Accounts

Wages and Salaries

Distribution

After-sales Service

Financial Services

Quality

Advertising

Maintenance

Figure 1. Organization: departments.

The Company Structure