2. Робота з текстом Business Communication

Basics of Intercultural Business Communication

As Bill Davila knows, the first step in learning to communicate with people from other cultures is to become aware of what culture means. Our awareness of intercultural differences is both useful and necessary in today's world of business.

Understanding Culture

Person may not realize it, but he belongs to several cultures. The most obvious is the culture he shares with all other people who live in the same country. But this person also belongs to other cultural groups, such as an ethnic group, a religious group, a fraternity or sorority, or perhaps a profession that has its own special language and customs. So what exactly is culture? It is useful to define culture as a system of shared symbols, beliefs, attitudes, values, expectations, and norms for behavior. Thus all members of a culture have, and tend to act on, similar assumptions about how people should think, behave, and communicate. Distinct groups that exist within a major culture are more properly referred to as subcultures. Among groups that might be considered subcultures are Mexican Americans in East Los Angeles, Mormons in Salt Lake City, and longshoremen in Montreal. Subcultures without

geographic boundaries can be found as well, such as wrestling fans, Russian immigrants, and Harvard M.B.A.s. Cultures and subcultures vary in several ways that affect intercultural communication:

• Stability. Conditions in the culture may be stable or may be changing slowly or rapidly. • Complexity. Cultures vary in the accessibility of information. In North America information is contained in explicit codes, including words, whereas in Japan a great deal of information is conveyed implicitly, through body language, physical context, and the like.• Composition. Some cultures are made up of many diverse and disparate subcultures; others tend to be more homogeneous. • Acceptance. Cultures vary in their attitudes toward outsiders. Some are openly hostile or maintain a detached aloofness. Others are friendly and co- operative toward strangers. As you can see, cultures vary widely. It's no wonder that most of us need special training before we can become comfortable with a culture other than our own.

Difficulties of Intercultural Business Communication

The more differences there are between the people who are communicating, the more difficult it is to communicate effectively. The major problems in inter-cultural business communication are language barriers, cultural differences, and ethnocentric reactions.

Language barriers Cultural differences Religion and values Roles and status, Concepts of personal space Body language Social behavior and manners

LET'S HAVE A CHAT

Ex. 1. Answer the following questions.

1. Why is it important to understand cultural differences when you do business with people in other countries?

2. How can businessmen develop understanding doing business with people from other countries?

3. It is necessary to learn the principles of international communi­cation and apply them globally. However, we face cultural dif­ferences in different countries.

Ex. 2. True or False.

Cultural differences influence business strategies and operations. Understanding them is difficult to overestimate.

Many of these cultures are complex and different from ours. To be successful in international business means to be good citizens of international community.

We should learn to honour and respect our own cultures and to develop tolerance and respect for other cultures.

No one can learn all there is to know about a foreign culture. But to show an interest means to create a climate of understanding and respect. The mere willingness to accept differences is of great impor­tance.

Робота над текстом за професійним спрямуванням.

The History of Basketball

I am going to tell you about one of the most popular games. It is basketball.

The game of basketball has evolved a great deal throughout the years. Basketball was invented on December 21,1891. The inventor of the game was a Canadian clergyman, James Naismith.

The game of basketball was fashioned from fragments of other games, seeking to eliminate flaws of rugby, soccer.

Basketball was first played in the United States. In fact, the first game was played at one training school, now called Springfield College.

Basketball is a simple game. The equipment used in the game is also very simple. In addition to the field itself, all that is needed for a game is a ball. The very first ball that was used was a soccer ball until 1894 when an actual «basketball» was invented. The basketball ball was slightly smaller, about 30 inches in diameter. The first baskets that were used, were two peach baskets hung from the balcony of the gymnasium.

In 1893, the backboard was invented. The first backboard was constructed out of wire mesh, then wood and now it is made out of glass so the backboard does not interfere with the viewing of the game. Around that time, there was no name for this game.

By 1906, the peach baskets were replaced by metal baskets with holes in the bottom. This was better than in the early days, when a ladder was used to climb and fetch the ball out of the basket. Finally, in 1913 a hoop with a net was invented. In my opinion, the invention of the hoop and net was a major step in the developing of the game of basketball. Due to the free falling ball, the game's tempo increased, which allowed the game of basketball to develop even more.

In 1921, one man named the game «basketball» and it has been called basketball ever since.

In the very beginning Naismith introduced thirteen original rules for the game of basketball, in which 12 out of the 13 original rules were still used up to 1934. The only rule, which changed, was that a player was now allowed to dribble a basketball. The rule of dribbling the basketball was first used in 1896 at a basketball game at Yale University. With the introduction of the 13 original rules, Naismith created four fundamental principals, which stayed in the game from 1891to 1937. These four fundamental principals stated, players with the ball must not make progress, the goal is above the head of the players, roughness is eliminated and a player may not receive the ball by use of contact.

Through the years of 1891 to the 1940's there were many rule changes as well as addition of rules to the game of basketball. By 1898, basketball leagues were starting to form in the United States. In 1898, professional basketball was being played. The league was called the National Basketball League (NBL). The National Basketball League was made up of four teams like New York, Philadelphia, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

By 1932 basketball was officially gaining international status with the founding of the International Amateur Basketball Federation in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1946, the Basketball Association of America was formed but it did not go far well because it was competing against the National Basketball League. But in 1949, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League joined together.

They changed their name to the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout the formation of the league there were many rules that were added to the game of basketball In 1930's, Kenny Sailor invented the jump shot. Also in the 1940's, Bob Kurland used block- shots. In 1952 the foul lane was widened and the three-second rule was put into affect, so centres could not station themselves in front of the basket all the time. During the 1950's the National Basketball Association was on the rise. During the 1970's and 198G's the expansion of the NBA had gone wild. In the mid 1980's and early 1990's Michael Jordan, who was one of the greatest players in NBA history, dominated the game and took it to a wholly new level.

At this time, basketball was increasing in popularity. Nowadays it is played by 176 nations.

Vocabulary:

to evolve — еволюціонувати

to invent — винаходити, створювати, придумувати

clergyman— священик

to fashion — створити, сформувати

to eliminate — усувати, виключати

flaw — недолік

rugby — регбі (тж. Rugby football)

soccer — футбол (за правилами Національної асоціації футболістів Великобританії)

basket — корзина

slightly — мало, трохи, несуттєво, трохи, злегка

inch — дюйм ( = 2,5 см)

peach — персик

to hang (past, hung, p.p. hung) — вішати, підвішувати

bottom — низ, нижня частина

ladder — сходи

to climb — підійматися, влізати

to fetch — дістати

hoop — кільце, обід

net — сітка

to develop — розвивати

due to — завдяки

tempo — ритм, темп

to increase — зростати, збільшувати(ця); рости

backboard — баскетбольний щит

wire mesh — дротяна сітка

to interfere — служити перешкодою, заважати

to dribble — вести м’яча

roughness — грубість

to gain — отримувати, придбавати; домагатися

amateur — любитель

Geneva — місто Женева

Switzerland — Швейцарія

to compete — змагатися

to join — приєднатися, об'єднатися

jump shot — кидок м'яча в стрибку

block- shot — блок-шот

foul lane — штрафна зона

to put into affect — ввести в дію, задіяти

rise — підвищення, підйом

expansion — поширення, експансія; ріст, розвиток

Questions:

1. When was the game of basketball invented?

2. Where was the first game of basketball played?

3. What was the first basketball ball?

4. When was an actual «basketball» ball invented?

5. When were basketball hoop and net invented?

6. How many original rules were there in the game of basketball when it was invented?

7. When was the first professional basketball match played?

8. When did the game of basketball officially gain its international status?

9. How and when did the National Basketball Association appear?

10. Who invented the jump shot?

11. When was the three-point line introduced?

Граматичний матеріал: Повторення вивченого матеріалу. Simple, Continuous Tenses.

Ex. 1. Complete the sentences using the following verbs:

cause(s)       connect(s)       drink(s)        live(s)       open(s)     speak(s)       take(s)

1.    Tanya  speaks  German very well. 2.    I don't often ____________ coffee. 3.    The swimming pool ____________ at 7.30 every morning.

4.    Bad driving ____________ many accidents. 5.    My parents ____________ in a very small flat. 6.    The Olympic Games ____________ place every four years. 7.    The Panama Canal ____________ the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Ex. 2.Read what Laura says about a typical working day: Yesterday was a typical working day for Laura. Write what she did or didn't do yesterday. 1. She got up at 7 o'clock.  2. She _______________ a big breakfast.  3. She _______________. 4. It _______________ to get to work. 5. _______________ at 8.45. 6. _______________ lunch. 7. _______________ at 5 o'clock. 8. _______________ tired when _______________ home. 9. _______________ a meal yesterday evening. 10. _______________ out yesterday evening. 11. _______________ at 11 o'clock. 12. _______________ well last night. 

Ex. 3. Complete the sentences with I'll + a suitable verb. 1. I"m too tired to walk home. I think   I'll take   a taxi. 2. 'It's cold in this room.'    'Is it? ______________ on the heating then.' 3. A: We haven't got any milk.     B: Oh, I forgot to buy some. ______________ and get some now. 4. 'Shall I do the washing-up?'    'No. it's all right. ______________ it later.' 5. I don't know how to use this computer.'    'OK, ______________ you.' 6. 'Would you like tea or coffee?'   '______________ coffee, please.' 7. 'Goodbye! Have a nice holiday.'    'Thanks. ______________ you a postcard.' 8.  Thanks for letting me borrow your camera. ______________ it back to you on Monday, OK? 9.  'Are you coming with us?'    'No, I think ______________ here.'

Домашнє завдання:

1. Опрацювати текст за професійним спрямуванням.

2. Опрацювати граматичний матеріал, виконати запропоновані вправи.