Scientific-technical library

The library has more than 700000 copies of books and other materials in all trend of educational and scientific activity of the University in Byelorussian, Russian and several foreign languages.

The readers have three reading - halls at their disposal: scientific, humanitarian-economic and technical literature. There are branches of the library in the students' hostels (4 subscriptions). All the main processes in the library are automatized. The library is a part of the information system of the University.

1. Describe your experience of working in a library.

2. Prepare a dialogue with your group mate visiting a library.

3. Be ready to speak about the necessity of libraries for University students.

Text 4

Read and translate the text.

Polotsk State University.

Students' life at the University is vibrant and varies in types of activities that students can take part in. The combination of history and classical orientation of the University education on the one hand and technology-focused training and up-to-date research on the other makes the life of the University students various in ways. It comes true not only for students' academic life but also for their leisure. Students have at their disposal a very large Library which is now a state-of-the-art resource centre with an exhibition hall. There is also Students' Club with an assembly hall holding up to 600 people and a Youth Leisure Centre. Students who want to go in for sports can do it on the regular basis in the three gyms and a set of training grounds that the University offers. Students are invited to attend a fully equipped Students Centre and an Internet Centre. All these facilities alloow students to have an active sort of leisure for their own benefit and the benefit of the University. Coming to live in Novopolotsk or in Polotsk is indeed an enjoyable experience, and students will have the continued support of all the staff in the University's support services. Special priority is given to students with special needs and students who live far away from the University. Five hostels have fitness training and tennis halls, rooms for studies and recreation rooms. The University also has a leisure centre for outings called "Chernoye" for 50 people altogether. The Centre offers camping facilities, a sauna, sports-grounds for both students and the University staff. The place lies in a picturesque area on the shore of a lake which is surrounded by low hills. PSU students have a possibility to address social support which is provided at the University. In order to give material support for successful students, who actively participate in the University life, the University Board awards nominal and municipal grants on the annual basis. A great part in the University students' life, in the realization of many of its manifestations (self-governing, patriotism, forming a way of life, realization of creative skills) is reflected by the students' press. This is the reason why the University administration supports the publication of the students' newspaper titled "Nastezh". The popularity of students' newspaper in PSU cannot be doubted. At the University there are extensive opportunities for sport and recreation, supported by a team of staff who provide activities to suit all ability levels at the University's sports centers. There are excellent sport facilities at the University. A very active work is being done on physical education and sport. Two departments "Physical education and sport" and "Theory and methodology of physical education" act also as a base for the Sport Club at PSU.

There are groups of sport perfection in basketball (men), volleyball (women), aerobics, track and field athletics, weight lifting and skiing. There also exist 32 sport sections according to students' interests such as volleyball, unarmed self-defense, karate, table tennis, gymnastics, tourism, arm wrestling, aerobics, groups of general physical training, etc. Students can also have a chance to attend sport clubs in the two cities -Polotsk and Novopolotsk.

Every year the Sport Club together with the Department of Physical Education and Sport organizes University Sport Competitions among the faculties in 15 kinds of sport. These sport events are very popular with the staff and students.

University teams in different kinds of sport annually participate in the national students' competitions where they have become prize-winners and not once in the history of the University. The greatest success has been achieved in skiing, track and field athletics, chess, orienteering, judo, basketball and volleyball. Among graduates and students there are Olympic Games and World champions. World's Student Games champions.

The University has at its disposal sports grounds, several sports gyms for various sports activities, a ski lodge. All these are supplied with modern sports equipment. A sport centre "Mara" situated on Lake Chernoye comprises a network of sport installations, such as a ski-route, a biathlon stadium, a tennis-court, and sports grounds.

1. Ask 10 special questions to the text.

2. Prepare a dialogue with your group – mate about Social life at Polotsk State University.

3. Be ready to speak about sport activities at the University.

Unit 4

Leasure and Holidays.

Leasure

By W.B. Davies

What is this life, if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare, No time to stand beneath the boughs Anstare as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. No time to see in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty's glance, And watch her feet, how they can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this is if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

Vocabulary notes

Leasure – отдых

opportunity – возможность

determine – определять

manage – управлять

host – хозяин

advertisement – рекламное объявление

reply to the ad – ответить на объявление

inquire – спрашивать

accommodation – размещение

fabulous – сказочный

vacancies – свободные места

routine – повседневность

vary – отмечаться

appreciate – ценить

assential – существенный

sunburn – загорать

countryside – сельская местность

Text 1

SUMMER SCHOOLS AND CAMPS FOR STUDENTS

Summer schools in England for foreigners have become quite popular and there are many of them all over England. It's be­cause England is a very good place to learn English, there the students have many opportunities to practise the language they have learnt in class.

The most famous of these schools is in Stamford, 90 miles north of London.

The students may live at the school hostel or with a family, in town. Most students prefer to stay with a family.

Students going to the Summer School should have been lear­ning English for at least one year. At the beginning of each course every student takes a test the result of which determines the level of the class.

There are three lessons (50 minutes) every morning. The lessons aim at improving the student's mastering of the lan­guage (mainly speaking and understanding English). At the lessons the students get some knowledge of Britain, its people and history. They also teach students how to manage

ordinary situations.

Those who study at Stamford Summer School are interested in sport, especially soccer, cricket, hockey, tennis, volleyball, basketball, rugby and handball.

Other activities are: discos, table tennis, competitions and films (video). During the course excursions to London, Cambridge and other places are organized.

Students who live with a family are supposed to spend the evenings together with thier hosts. At the same time they are welcome at the school, too.

Students coming from all over Europe have two things in common, their interest in sport and in English. You've been thinking what to do for your holiday this summer and a friend has just sent you the postcard below from the USA and this advertisement from a newspaper. You're quite interested in the job and would love to spend a month in America. You don't particularly want a tough holiday, though.

Reply to the advertisement in about 200 words giving all the information they request and inquiring about the things that worry you, e.g. money, accommodation and working hours. Then write a quick postcard of no more than 50 words to your friend thanking him/her and letting him/her know your plans.

Well, here I am in the USA working on a summer camp. It’s fabulous – beautiful place, lots of sport, easy work – just organizing people doing games and sports and things, nice people – what more can I say except come and join me ? I’m sending you an ad for the vacancies they’ve got here in case you’re interested. Hope to see you soon. P.S The pay is pretty hopeless, you sleep in bare dormitories and there’s hardly any free time, so don’t come if you want to get rich quck or have a luxurious, relaxing holiday.

US Summer Camps Are you interested in spending a month in the mountains of Vermont, USA? organising and supervising adults doing games and sports? free board and lodging? Applicants should be aged 18-30, energetic, good at/qualified in a number of sports. Apply by letter giving relevant details of experience, qualifications and personality to: The Recruitment Manager, Vermont Summer Camps, 189 Wilton Way, Vermont 10098, USA.

1. Discuss with a partner what are typical leisure activities for each of the following age – groups.

Eating and drinking out, active sport, formal entertainment, gardening, open-air outings, family holidays, sightseeing, clubs, holidays abroad, gardening reading, sightseeing, holidays Age 17-20 Interests:…………………………………… Sports: ……………………………………. Age 21-25 Interests:…………………………………… Sports: ……………………………………. Age 25+ Interests:…………………………………… Sports: …………………………………….

2. Think of five different leisure activities and add them to this list.

3. Say what you consider to be the five most popular activities. Compare your answers with those of a partner.

4. Discuss some of the following statements about leisure. Which do you agree with, and why?

Leisure is the opposite of work.

Leisure is essential to good health.

Leisure is a modern concept developed during the XXI th century.

Leisure is big business nowadays

Text 2

Read the following text using a dictionary if necessary.