- •Предисловие
- •Unit 8. National stereotypes
- •8.1. Listening Development
- •8.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •8.3. Reading Improvement
- •The English and the French
- •The English through English Eyes
- •The English through French Eyes
- •The Americans and the Japanese
- •Americans through American Eyes
- •Americans through Japanese Eyes
- •8.4. Writing Enhancement
- •8.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Active vocabulary Unit 8. National Stereotypes
- •Unit 9. Countries and capitals
- •9.1. Listening Development
- •9.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •9.3. Reading Improvement
- •8 Wonders of belarus
- •Isle of tears
- •9.4. Writing Enhancement
- •9.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •London versus Minsk
- •Unit 9 active vocabulary
- •Unit 10. Business trips. Travelling
- •10.1. Listening Development
- •10.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •If you want a good room, you should ……… .
- •I’d like ……… .
- •10.3. Reading Improvement
- •Passengers panic over false crash alarm
- •All aboard the flight from fear
- •10.4. Writing Enhancement
- •How to make a complaint
- •What to say in your complaint
- •Template letter
- •10.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Interviewing business travellers
- •Active vocabulary Unit 10. Business trips. Travelling
- •Idiomatic expressions
- •Unit 11. Holidays
- •11.1. Listening Development
- •11.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •11.3. Reading Improvement
- •11.4. Writing Enhancement
- •Inquiry letter brecon boating holidays
- •11.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Active vocabulary unit 11. Holidays
- •Hotels and Accommodation
- •Idiomatic expressions
- •Unit 12. The theatre and cinema
- •12.1. Listening Development
- •12.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •Anthony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre 1998
- •12.3. Reading Improvement
- •Jobs in cartoon animation
- •12.4. Writing Enhancement
- •Outline for a review
- •Introduction
- •Paragraph 2
- •Paragraph 3
- •Is the film recommended?
- •12.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Active vocabulary Unit 12. The Theatre and Cinema
- •Unit13on the phone
- •13.1. Listening Development
- •1) Imagine you are calling a company and want to speak to someone who works there. Can you think of any phrases you might use, or that you might hear? Put down these phrases.
- •13.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •Telephoning
- •Note: Giving numbers
- •13.3. Reading Improvement
- •Unfortunately there's a problem...
- •Telephoning across cultures
- •13.4. Writing Enhancement
- •13.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Active vocabulary Unit 13. Telephoning
- •Unit 14. Business correspondence
- •14.1. Listening Development
- •14.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •14.3. Reading Improvement
- •Job search email etiquette
- •14.4. Writing Enhancement
- •14.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Active vocabulary Unit 14. Business Correspondence
- •Unit 15. Meetings and negotiations
- •15.1. Listening Development
- •15.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •15.3. Reading Improvement
- •15.4. Writing Enhancement
- •15.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Meeting - agenda setting quiz
- •Active vocabulary Unit 15. Meetings and Negotiations
- •Useful English Phrases for Participating in a Business Meeting
- •Introducing the Agenda
- •Unit 16. Presentations
- •16.1. Listening Development
- •16.2. Vocabulary Enrichment
- •16.3. Reading Improvement
- •One size fits all?
- •16.4. Writing Enhancement
- •Presentation Scheme
- •16.5. Speaking Reinforcement
- •Active vocabulary Unit 16. Presentations
- •Introduce another speaker
- •Verbs to describe movements and trends
- •References
- •Contents
8.3. Reading Improvement
Assignment 1. Read the following abstract from The Cultural Imperative by R.D.Lewis. Then write a similar passage on how you see the Belarusians (the Belarusians through Belarusian Eyes) outlining the main points: Values and Core Beliefs, Communication, Social and Business Behavior, Other (at your discretion).
The English and the French
The English through English Eyes
Values and Core Beliefs. The English are a calm, reasonable people who believe in fair play, good manners, old traditions, the monarchy, cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis, and the Church of England. Fond of dogs, cats, horses, sheepdog trials, queuing, and garden parties, we are casual and laid-back, can laugh at ourselves, and are occasionally eccentric. We support underdogs and have kind hearts that are concealed by a reluctance to appear emotional. We are reliable in a crisis, maintaining a "stiff upper lip." We admire reserve and conservatism and are occasionally vague. We often think laterally and are frequently inventive.
Communication. When communicating with others, the golden rule is "Do not rock the boat." Boasting is taboo; understatement and modesty show good form. Being too frank or brutally honest is not always appropriate. Humor, stalling, even a sprinkling of white lies emphasize diplomacy at the expense of truth. Coded speech is a good way to convey feelings without revealing criticism, anger, disappointment, or even approval too directly. We are good listeners and like to offer useful feedback and debate.
Social and Business Behavior. The English invented Good Manners, which peaked during the reign of Queen Victoria. We avoid voicing strong opinions and prefer to influence events through behind-the-scenes connections.
Initial formality at business meetings soon gives way to informality and first names. Humor and storytelling are necessary ingredients in business. As managers we are diplomatic, tactful, laid-back, casual, reasonable, helpful, willing to compromise, and inventive. We conduct business with grace, style, wit, eloquence, and self-possession. We regard meetings as occasions to seek agreement rather than to issue instructions.
Other. Punctuality is admired, but one needn't arrive on the dot. Distance of comfort is 1.2 meters. The continuing polarization of society constitutes an English "cultural black hole" (see chapter 6).
The English through French Eyes
Values and Core Beliefs. The English are a rather closed, undemonstrative lot who believe they have a monopoly on impartiality and good manners. They are somewhat old-fashioned and cling to old traditions like the monarchy, cricket, croquet, country dancing, and "five o'clock tea." They are slow to modernize and in the last twenty years have fallen behind the French in technology. They are reluctant members of the European Union and may one day be thrown out. Their famous quality of reserve often leads them to be obtuse in international exchanges. They are obstinate and often very cool with Latins in general, the French in particular. They have shared a lot of history with France, but they don't seem to have learned much from it. They lack panache.
Communication. Unlike the French, who are direct and precise communicators, the English are woolly, unclear, and often devious. They think slowly and reply to our questions with phrases such as "I'll have to think about it," "It's a moot point," or "I'm not quite with you on that one." They rarely say what they mean (and often say the opposite of what they mean). They are condescending toward French people and tell us funny stories to distract us. They avoid precision or commitment.
Social and Business Behavior. The English are much less formal than we French, often wanting to use first names much earlier than we do. They become familiar too soon and lack respect for our position. They think they dress well, but we know better. They pride themselves on their table manners but hold a fork the wrong way up and think we are uncivilized when we (sensibly) wipe gravy off a plate with a piece of bread.
They want to follow agendas strictly and dislike discussing important points that we want to revisit. They say things like "That was settled earlier." They like to appear laid-back during business meetings but often fail to give adequate attention to important matters. They pretend business is a kind of game that can be won by excelling at humor. They are always trying to pin us down ("Could we please write down what we have agreed upon?") when we obviously wish to discuss vital issues further.
Other. The British stand well away from interlocutors and seem uncomfortable when Latins get close to them. They shake hands less than we do. They like frequent "tea breaks."