III Speak to your teacher. You begin the conversation.

You want to do a course of English at a language school. You are phoning a language school to find out about the courses they offer. Ask questions about the location of the language school, how long the courses are, how much the courses cost, what is necessary to do to register for the courses.

CARD 2

I Read the text and answer your teacher’s questions.

DIFFERENT ENGLISH 5 minute English

English is spoken as a first language by several countries including Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. While all of these countries share the same mother tongue, there are some differences in the way they speak and write.

The first difference is in the accent. Each country has its own accent. And within each country there are a variety of accents called regional accents.

Another difference is the spelling of some words, like ‘color’ and ‘colour’, or ‘theater’ and ‘theatre’.

And a third difference is that some of the words are not the same at all. For example, Americans say restroom, Canadians say washroom, and the British say W.C. (water closet.) But all of these words have the same meaning (the room where the toilet is located.)

So which English is the best English to learn? Well, there is no best English. They are all equally good and correct. But two things may help you decide which one is best for you to study.

First of all, where do you live? If you are from South America, for example, you will probably have more exposure to North American English. If you live in Europe, most likely you will be more exposed to British English.

But no matter where you study English or whether it's British, American, Australian, or whatever, it's good to know a little about English in other countries. (1123)

Questions:

1. Where is English spoken as a first language?

2. What are some differences in the way people speak and write in these countries?

3. What can help a person from another country decide which English is best for him (her)?

4. Which English is taught at school: British English or American English?

5. Do you know any other words which are different in British English and American English?

II Read the text and say what the first human music was like. Say if music is your hobby. Speak about your bobby (hobbies).

Early Music

There was music before there were people to listen to it. Birds sang. Wind whistled, and ocean waves crashed in a steady rhythm. People have probably made music since their earliest days on earth too. Maybe the first human music imitated the sounds of nature. Humans may have created songs in imitation of the sounds of other creatures. As people had words to speak, maybe they also had words for songs. Simple hunting tools might have served as early percussion instruments. Simple flutes made from hollowed bones have been found that date back to 10,000 BC Archaeologists have found evidence that music was played in ancient civilizations including ancient Egypt and Babylonia. As early music was not written down, the earliest evidence of music is in the form of pictures showing musicians and musical instruments.

Questions:

1. What was the first human music like?

1. What objects were used as instruments?

2. How do we know that music was played in ancient civilizations?

3. Does music play an important role in your life? Why?

4. Do you enjoy going to concerts?

5. What else do you prefer to do in your spare time?

6. Do you like watching TV? What are your favourite programmes?

7. Do you use the Internet for fun and entertainment? How many hours a day do you surf the web?

8. How often do you go to parties and discos?

10.Are you fond of sport? What sports have you tried?

11.Some people say that books are best friends. Is it true for you?

12.Who do you prefer to spend your free time with? Why?