английский язык для общих целей

Subscribe to a magazine which deals with a subject like literature, the arts, drama or music or a mixture thereof. Read articles from this magazine on a regular schedule. One a week, two a month, or whatever your schedule will allow. Follow leads presented by the articles you read. Every once in awhile one of the articles you read will inspire you to go further with a subject. If you read a great article about Mozart, take the article to a store where you can buy CDs and ask the counter attendant to direct you to some Mozart CDs that you might like. Buy a few or borrow some from the library, take them home and listen. If you read an article about an artist who sounds interesting, look online to find out which museums feature paintings by this artist. Then plan a visit! Maybe you will read about a play or a musical. Scan your newspaper and see if a local college or high school is showing this play soon and buy tickets.

3. Read the text for general understanding. Do you find all the pieces of advice useful?

(B) Write. You can write poetry or short stories or even books and plays. Being cultured means to respond to culture, and the best way to do this is to create your own. You should try it.

Watch films. It is very important to not only restrict yourself to books, but watch films regularly. There are many films, and you may be unsure as to which watch.

Word-of-mouth is the best way to watch films of today's culture. You may remember your friends talking about a certain film. Go to the video store and scan the shelves to find names you may recognize.

Look up the reception of a film on Wikipedia before you watch it, just to make sure you're not wasting your time (if you're pressed for time). However, remember sometimes critics' opinions are not always right.

It is important to do your research. If you don't understand a certain film, you have to look it up on Wikipedia or somewhere on the internet. Sometimes the film will contain references to other older, classic films which you could not pick up on.

This is a great segue to other recommended films! Watch these films next time, and you will soon be able to appreciate more films than you could previously.

Don't restrict yourself to English-language films. There are many other films out there worth watching, they are just in a different language.

Watch TV. While TV shows can be time-consuming to watch and finish, watching an episode of something a day is not so. There is much to be learned from TV shows. It is as significant a medium as any, and often provides social commentary.

Look up good TV shows that you think you might enjoy. There are many types, ranging from sitcoms to drama. Wikipedia usually has reception for more popular TV shows. You can look up ratings or just ask around.

Don't forget to be open-minded. TV shows you thought you might not like might turn out to be your favorite show. It has happened. If you really like a TV show and you think you'd watch it again, you ought to buy the DVDs. Watch TV channels like Discovery and the History Channel. This is a painless way to get involved in topics such as the origins of impressionist art or the history of English kings.

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4. Scan the text. Define the main idea. Do you agree with the author about the role of music in raising a person’s cultural awareness?

(C) Broaden your musical horizons. Many people are very narrowminded when it comes to music, but a person of culture knows how to enjoy even the niche music genres. For example, while it is very well-intended that a person enjoys songs with noncliché lyrics, it is also important that one is able to enjoy music without lyrics at all, just for the mood it can set, or the story it tells, needless of words.

The ability to appreciate classical music is not as daunting as it seems. Just listen to some famous musical pieces and you will most definitely understand why.

Be very open-minded. There is a lot of music out there which may not fit into any genre, but you may enjoy it. Don't deny yourself music just because it does not fit into your image or genre.

Listen to albums, not just singles. They may have better songs on their albums which they left out of mainstream because they wouldn't be popular with the main market. This is not to say you won't enjoy those songs.

Listen to bands. Many bands go back quite a lot, even though some of their music is still fresh. This will give you access to older music, and you'll be able to hone an appreciation for older music altogether.

Listen to music from other countries and in other languages. You'll be surprised.

Learn a musical instrument. Once you listen to some good music, it will be natural for you to try and learn an instrument and create your own.

Participate in Internet culture. Don't forget that past culture, such as 80s music, was once present culture. Those who paid attention are now well-rounded about it, while those who ignored it, are not. The digital age is very important and a huge milestone for society. We are living in history! Don't let it pass you by. You ought to follow all latest achievements.

While you may feel like you already know a lot about the Internet, learn about the history of the Internet, and check out memes and viral videos so that you have a greater understanding of it.

Set your homepage to Wikipedia and read an article each day about something which seems "cultured" to you. In a very short time, you will know quite a bit more than you know now.

Take a deeper interest in art. Art is a universal language. It is sometimes considered the most potent form of communication. Whether it actually is, is up to you. You are to chose.

The only advice that can be given here is to do research and engage in art by going to galleries (which, contrary to popular belief, are free).If there is one art form you particularly like, such as dancing or sculpting, then become practiced in it.

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5. Read the text for general understanding. Say what is the best way to learn foreign language. What role can Internet play in your language and cultural development? How do you personally use it to develop yourself?

(D) Learn a new language. The best way to do this is by immersion...

Travel. Reading about other cultures as opposed to experiencing them is like colour being explained to a blind person. Travelling introduces you to the many differences and similarities between cultures, and opens up your mind. A lot of the prejudices we have about a culture (good and bad) are grossly

misplaced, and the only way to find out is to go and see for ourselves.

Get hobbies. Ask your friends what their hobbies are. Most of them will be art forms or sports. As a cultured person, it is important to be experienced in as much as possible, so next time your friend goes water-skiing, ask if you can come along.

Visit places where you can receive an education in a fun way. Go to the zoo, visit museums, even go camping to learn more about wildlife.

Educate yourself. Nowadays with the Internet, almost all information is accessible. You should take full advantage of this and learn all those things that you never understood before. You should aim to be reasonably educated in these topics:

•World history. This is probably the most important, since it provides pathways into other domains of knowledge and contextualizes its discoveries.

•Geography. Again, a person of culture should not be ignorant of where countries or famous landmarks are.

•Basic Sciences: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. Unless you want to follow a career in the sciences, a refined knowledge in the sciences isn't completely necessary. Instead, make sure you have a sound understanding of the sciences at a high school level.

•Economics. This is very relevant in understanding today's world.

•Psychology. A note about misconceptions: there is a huge misconception that Psychology is not a science, or that it is bogus. Read up on experimental methodology and actually educate

yourself about it before believing those claims. Psychology is of extreme importance in today's society, becoming increasingly more so as the world becomes more complicated.

Free yourself from ignorance about other cultures. Develop a natural curiosity. Delve deep into things you don't understand.

Part of becoming cultured is learning about other cultures, not just your own. Try to free yourself from ignorance and media-fed stereotypes you have about other societies/religions.

Always try to empathize with all parties while learning. It is very important to challenge your prejudices. No one is inherently good or evil; instead you should aim to understand the motives for actions. Otherwise you will not understand other cultures.

( How to Become a Person of Culture from http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Person-of-Culture)

Think for yourself. Don't let others dictate your opinions.

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Reading and vocabulary

1. Explain in English by matching A and B parts. Make up sentences.

2.Read the text again. Make a short list of recommendations, using the titles of main parts of the text. Prioritize them according to their importance.

For ex. Read more. Educate yourself. Study languages.etc.

Fill in the following table. Use expressions from the text and add some of your own.

Why it is so important to educate yourself? What do you do to learn more? Make one more column about education and development. Add three items from the text and make up a list of yours.

3.Scan the text and pick up the key words that can help you to express its general idea. Give the summary.

4. Find out in the text compound adjectives and make your own sentences with them.

Grammar spot

Modal verbs. Modal verbs are used to express ideas like ability, possibility, certainty etc. The same ideas can be also expressed in other words such as: be able to, be obliged to, it’s possible that, it’s unnecessary to. Modal verbs can refer to ability: can/be able to, inability: can’t/unable to/not be able to. Modal verbs can refer to possibility and certainty: may/might/could. Modal

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verbs can be used when giving or refusing permission: can/may, can’t/mustn’t. Modal verbs also can refer to obligation or responsibility: must/have to/have got to/ought to.

1.Use the appropriate modal verb according to information from the text in the sentences below.

1)You … want to look up books in other genres which may catch your fancy (may/ought).

2)You … take full advantage of this and learn all those things that you never understood before (should/can).

3)If you read a great article about Mozart or other composer, take the article to a store where you buy CDs and ask the counter attendant to direct you to some Mozart CDs that you might like (can/must).

4)A person of culture … be ignorant of where countries or famous landmarks are ( should not/can not).

5)You …write poetry or short stories or even books and plays (must/can).

6)You … take full advantage of this and learn all those things that you never understood before (should/to be to).

7)You …aim to be reasonably educated in these topics: world history,geography,basic sciences, psychology, economics (can/should).

8)Famous singers have better songs on their albums which they left out of mainstream because they wouldn't be popular with the main market (should/ may).

2.Make up 10 sentences using different modal verbs describing what should/ought to/must a person learn and know to be a man of culture in modern society.

Speaking

Discuss the following

What kind of person is a cultured one?

What books should be read to develop personality culturally?

What basic sciences should educated and cultured person be aware of?

What kind of music do you like? Do you like classical music?

Writing

Write a small essay “How to survive in foreign culture? Recommendation and advice”.

Discussion

Pair work. Discuss the issues raised in the questions below.

1.What does living interesting “cultural life” mean to you?

2.What are the aspects of the "cultural life" for you? In your opinion, what things should a person possess to say that he lives a life of a “cultural “man?

3.Would you include both material and spiritual things into the concept of "cultural life"? Explain why “yes” or “no”.

4.Can you think of somebody to model your life on?

5.Do you think that you are a representative of Russian cultural society? Explain why “yes” or “no”.

6.What is to be “cultural”, to be “uncultured” from Russian point of view?

7.Is language a part of national culture? What is Russian language for you?

8.What’s your attitude towards knowledge of English language in Russian “cultural” society?

9.How many languages should a man of culture speak? Understand? Learn?

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Project Work“Cultural Banner”.

Work together to create a “cultural banner” expressing values, traditions, activities, and places important in their families and friends.

Step 1.

1)Write the word culture in the center of a piece of chart paper and circle it.

2)Brainstorm associations with the word, record the words and phrases that come up on the chart paper, and connect them to culture, creating a web.

3)Discuss the web and agree on a definition along these lines: culture is the values, beliefs, and traditions shared by a group of people.

Step 2. Introduce Cultural Banners

1)Take paper and markers or crayons.

2)Write your name on the banner and any symbols (words or pictures) that show values, traditions, activities, and places that are important for their family. Use words or drawings to represent holidays, foods, sports, flags and so on.

3)After you have created the banners, pass the banners to your neighbors and keep doing so until everyone has had a chance to see every banner. Share your banners with each other.

Step 3. Discussion

1)How was this activity for you? What did you learn from doing it?

2)What are some of the cultures represented in the group?

Unit 4. What is Xenophobia?

Lead in

Do you know any scientific definition of the “unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers”? Skim the following text about xenophobia.

What is your personal attitude towards this phenomenon?

Can you give any examples you have ever heard, seen, experienced?

Reading and vocabulary

1. Read the text for general understanding . Pay attention to the words in bold?

What is Xenophobia?

Xenophobia refers to the fear and/or hatred towards foreigners or people with

different nationalities, culture, ethnicity, or background. Many people also use the term “xenophobia” and casually inter-change it with “racism” although there is quite a big difference between the two terms. Racism may almost always mean some form of anger or hatred towards people of different nationalities, while xenophobia may or may not involve hatred. Sometimes, xenophobia may just manifest itself as a feeling of fear or unease and anxiety towards “foreign” or “strange” people.

The fear involved in xenophobia may come from different aspects. Some people experience illfeelings toward other cultures and nationalities because of a fear in losing one’s identity. Some also are extremely suspicious of other people’s activities and personalities that they resort to either “withdrawal” from the unpleasant situation or “aggression” towards the foreign people involved. Others have this extremist type of feeling that his/her culture or background is superior over the others with accompanying prejudice to other groups of people as inferior.

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To further distance the word “xenophobia” from “racism”, many experts point out that the fear involved in xenophobia is irrational. This means that people who have this condition do not actually have control over their emotions and prejudices on people and situations. Unlike in racism, where much of the thoughts and actions involved are pre-determined, purposeful, and done at a person’s own free will. Another point is that xenophobia does not only involve feelings of fears towards foreigners or people with different nationalities. Fear may also be experienced with people who seem to be “foreign” or who are labeled as strangers. And since these feelings are uncontrollable, xenophobic have a chance to get better through behavioral and

psychotherapies.

2. Explain in English by matching A and B parts. Make up sentences.

3.The word Xenophobia comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φβος (phobos), meaning “fear”. There are a lot of words possessing the stem meaning “fear”. Find the meaning of the following words, using on-line dictionary:

-acrophobia is a fear of…..

-aerophobia is a fear of….

-agoraphobia is a fear of…

-Anglophobia is a fear of…

-claustrophobia is a fear of…

-homophobia is a fear of…

-hydrophobia is a fear of…

-negrophobia is a fear of…

-photophobia is fear of…

Read and discuss

1. Read and translate the text about forms of Xenophobia. Try to give your own definition to the word. Have ever experienced xenophobia yourself? Anywhere for anyone? Do agree that

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Xenophobia can also be directed simply to anyone outside a culture, not necessarily one particular race or people? How do you think Xenophobia may be expressed? Skim the text about two main forms of Xenophobia and say what is the main difference of these two forms?

Two forms of Xenophobia

The first is a population group present within a society that is not considered part of that society. Often they are recent immigrants, but xenophobia may be directed against a group which has been present for centuries, or became part of this society through conquest and territorial expansion. This form of xenophobia can elicit or facilitate hostile and violent reactions, such as mass expulsion of immigrants, pogroms or in other cases, genocide. The second form of xenophobia is primarily cultural, and the objects of the phobia are cultural elements which are considered alien.

Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory. A contemporary use of the term in English is in the phrase male chauvinism. Because "chauvinism" is most often heard in this context, it is often mistakenly believed to refer exclusively to "male chauvinism" such as anti-feminism and sexism.

Chauvinism as nationalism

Chauvinism is an almost natural product of the national concept in so far as it springs directly from the old idea of the "national mission." ... A nation's mission might be interpreted precisely as bringing its light to other, less fortunate peoples that, for whatever reason, have miraculously been left by history without a national mission. As long as this concept did not develop into the ideology of chauvinism and remained in the rather vague realm of national or even nationalistic pride, it frequently resulted in a high sense of responsibility for the welfare of backward people.

2. Chose the most appropriate word for the sentences below:

A. Xenophobia comes from the Greek word meaning… .

a)strength and health; b) stranger and fear; c) faith and belief.

a)“national mission”; b) national idea; c) national identity.

men; c) attitude that men are superior to women.

b)are superior to all men; c) attitude that men are superior to women.

3.Using the dictionary and the Internet find the definition for “discrimination”. Are there any general or specific forms? What are the specific forms of discrimination? What is your personal attitude towards different forms of it? Have ever been a victim of discrimination? Are there any ways to fight against it?

4.Prove your feelings writing six sentences expressing your attitude towards:

Xenophobia, Racisms, Discrimination, Genocide, Chauvinism, Prejudice.

1)_________________________________________________________

2)_________________________________________________________

3)_________________________________________________________

4)._________________________________________________________

5)_________________________________________________________

6)_________________________________________________________

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5. Mark each statement as T(True) or F (or False). If false, make corrections.

T F

1)Xenophobia refers to the fear and/or hatred towards foreigners or people with different nationalities, culture, ethnicity, or background.

2)Xenophobia always involve hatred.

3)Racism always means some form of anger or hatred towards people of different nationalities

4)Xenophobia may manifest itself as a feeling of fear or unease and anxiety towards “foreign” or “strange” people.

5)The fear involved in xenophobia may come from only one aspect.

6)Some people experience ill-feelings toward other cultures and nationalities because of a fear in losing their personal dignity.

7)Most of the people also are extremely suspicious of other people’s activities and personalities that they resort to either “withdrawal” from the unpleasant situation or “aggression” towards the foreign people involved.

8)Few people have an extremist type of feeling that his/her culture or background which is superior over the others with accompanying prejudice to other groups of people as inferior.

9)Xenophobia is irrational

10)Xenophobia can also be exhibited in the form of an "uncritical exaltation of another culture" in which a culture is ascribed "an unreal, stereotyped and exotic quality".

11)A xenophobic person has to genuinely think or believe at some level that the target is in fact a foreigner

12)Racism is based on xenophobia.

13)Xenophobia can be directed simply to anyone outside a culture, not necessarily one particular race or people.

14)Xenophobia can be expressed in two forms: social and cultural. 15)Chauvinism is a strong belief in God.

16)Chauvinism is an exaggerated belief in national superiority and glory. 17)Chauvinism is an almost natural product of the national concept of the

old idea of the "national mission”.

18)Male chauvinism is a term used to describe the belief that one nation is superior to another.

19)Male chauvinism refers to the maintenance of fixed beliefs and attitudes of male superiority, associated with overt or covert depreciation of women.

20)Racism in Russia appears mainly in the form of negative attitudes and actions by some Russians towards people who are not considered ethnically Russian.

Pair work.

Ask your partner about his attitude towards foreigners (English speakers, for example).Does he or she fear any of them? Explain why yes or no. Does he or she know about the definition of the word, meaning “ irrational fear of foreigners”? What is hia personal idea of this phenomenon? Share your ideas with the class.

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Grammar spot

1.State verbs. There are certain groups of verbs that are usually only used in the Present Simple. This is because their meanings are related to states or conditions which are facts and not activities. This is a feature of the use of the Present Simple. The groups of verbs are:

Verbs of thinking and opinions Believe,think,understand,suppose,expect,agree,doubt,know,remember,forget,mean, imagine, realize, deserve, prefer

I believe you.

Do you understand?

I know his face, but forget his name.

Verbs of emotions and feeling

Like, love, hate, care, hope, wish, want, admit

I like coffee.

Do you want to go out? I don’t care.

Verbs of having and being.

Belong, own, have, possess, contain, cost, seem, appear, need, depend on, weigh, come from, resemble

The book belongs to Jane. How much does it cost? He has a lot of money.

Verbs of the senses

Look, hear, taste, smell, feel

The food smells good.

When the subject is a person, we often use can.

Can you see that house?

Can you smell something burning? I can hear someone crying.

2.Some of these verbs can be used in Present Continuous, but with a change of meaning. In the Continuous the verb expresses an activity, not a state.

I think you are right.(opinion)

We are thinking of going to the cinema. (mental activity) He has a lot of money. (possession)

He is having a bath. (activity)

I see what you mean. (understand)

Are you seeing Nigel tomorrow? (activity) The soup tastes awful. (state)

I am tasting the soup. (activity)

3.Complete the following pairs of sentences using the verb in italics. Use the Present Simple for one and the Present Continuous for the other.

Come

1.Alec and Mary are Scottish. The … from Glasgow.

2.The will be here very soon. They…by car.

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