Unit II Modern means of communication

Part A Surf the Net!

Ex.1. a) Listen and mark the statements as T (true) or F (false).

• The Internet was started in 1990._____

• The Internet links computers _____

• To visit a web site, you simply enter the telephone number _____

• The main use of the Internet is to find mistakes _____

• Using the Internet is getting more expensive _____

b) Listen again and correct the false statements.

Ex.2. Read the information leaflet about the Internet, and match the questions (a-f) to the numbered spaces (1-6).

1. What exactly is the Internet?

2. What do I need in order to use the Internet?

3. How do I "surf the net"?

4. That's the same thing as the Web, isn't it?

5. What can I use the Internet for?

6. What is a web site, and how do I visit one?

The Internet:

Frequently Asked Questions

The Internet is without doubt one of the most important inventions in history. It was started in 1968 by the US government, but at first it was used mainly by scientists. Since 1990, when the World Wide Web was created, it has changed the world, and its uses are growing every day.

1 ..

The Internet is a network (several networks, in fact) of millions of computers around the world, connected by phone lines, satellite or cable, so that all the computers on the net can exchange information with each other.

2

Not quite. The Internet links computers, and the World Wide Web is a system, which links the information stored inside these computers.

3

A company or organization stores its information in electronic documents on one of the Internet computers, somewhere in the world. This computer space - the company's web site - has an address, in the same way that every telephone has a number. To visit a web site, you simply enter the address. Your computer is connected to the web site, a document is downloaded, and a page appears on your computer screen.

4

When you visit a web site looking for information, some words on the page may be underlined, showing that there is more information about the subject in another document. If you click on .one of these words, the Web automatically connects your computer to a new document or web site, even if this is stored thousands of kilometers away. You're surfing the net!

5

The main use of the Internet is to find information - for your schoolwork or job, or just to find out more about your hobbies, sports or current events. You can also use the Internet to read newspapers and magazines, play games, plan your holiday or buy things from your favourite shop. E-mail makes it possible to send electronic messages anywhere in the world in seconds, and you can use the Internet to 'chat' with people and make new friends.

6

If you don't already use the Internet, all you need to get started is a computer, a modem and a phone line. Using the Internet is getting cheaper and easier all the time.

Are you ready to surf the net? There's a whole exciting Internet world out there waiting for you!

Ex.3. Fill in a, an or the where necessary.

1. Is learning how to surf ....... net easy?

2. She told me....... very unusual story.

3. Most ....... children today know how to use....... computer.

4. Has Tom ever sent you ....... e-mail message?

5. Do....... Smiths have....... computer?

6. If you want to visit....... web site you have to enter....... address.

7. When was....... Internet invented?

8. I read ....... excellent book last week. ....... book tells .......story of ....... young

girl who was born in ....... China.

Ex. 4. a) Match the words/phrases (1-6) to the definitions (a-f).

1	the Internet	a	moving from one document or web site to another, to find information
2	the Web	b	copying information from a web site to your own computer
3	a web site	c	a network of computers all over the world, joined by phone lines, satellite or cable
4	surfing the net	d	a system linking millions of documents stored on Internet computers around the world
5	e-mail	e	the place on the Internet where a company/organization/etc stores its documents
6	downloading	f	electronic messages sent to someone over the Internet
7	word-processed	g	opportunity to use sth
8	on line	h	computer programs
9	software	i	typed using a computer
10	access to	j	linked to a computer system

b) Make up sentences of your own using the words/phrases from ex. 4.

Ex. 5. In pairs, ask and answer questions about the Internet. Try to use some of the following speech patierns: In my opinion; To my mind; It seems to me; I consider (think); As far as I remember (understand, know).

Ex.6. a) Fill in the words from the list, then make sentences using the completed phrases.

web, surf, exchange, computer, change, get, electronic(2), enter, current , digital, visit, phone, important

	...................... inventions		to...................... the address
	to ...................... the world		a ...................... screen
	...................... lines		to ...................... the net
	to ...................... information		......................mail
	...................... documents		to ...................... started
	a ...................... site		to ...................... a web site
	...................... messages		...................... events

b). Fill in the correct prepositions, then make sentences using the completed phrases.

	........ doubt;		information ........ sth
	exchange information........ each other;		to click ........ sth
	........ the world;		waiting ........ sb
	appear ........ the screen;		stored ........ a computer
	........ the page;		find out ........ sth

Ex. 7. Use the words/ phrases below to make sentences. Try to use these speech patterns whenever possible: In my opinion; To my mind; It seems to me; I consider/think; As far as I remember/know, It’s common knowledge:

surf the net, e-mail address, exist, 'chat' friends, join a newsgroup, visit a web site, download a document, save time, in search of, current events, without doubt, can be solved.

Ex. 8. Answer the following question. Try to use some of the following speech pattrens: In my opinion; To my mind; It seems to me; I consider (think); As far as I remember (understand, know).

1. Do you use the Internet?

2. If not, would you like to?

3. Which of these things do you (or would you like to) use the Internet for?

(finding information, playing games, joining special internet chat groups, on-line shopping, sending e-mail, joining newsgroups, printing something from the net.) Add other activities to the list.

4. Which of the items interested you most. Why?

5. Which of the items are less interesting to you . Why?

6. Which have you done?

7. Do you enjoy using the Internet?

8. Do you find it useful?

Ex. 9. How do you print something from the net?

a). Put the instructions in the correct order.

1. .... Wait for the document to be downloaded and the page to appear on your screen.

2. .... Decide which part of the document you want to copy.

3. ....Click on the print symbol to print your selection.

4. .... Enter the address of the web site.

5. .... Wait for your computer to be connected to the web site.

b). Now explain to your partner how to print something from the net.

Ex. 10. a) Match the items in the two columns to form phrases, then make sentences using the completed phrases. Try to use these speech patterns as often as possible: In my opinion; To my mind; It seems to me; I consider/think; As far as I remember/know, It’s common knowledge.

	current		screen			download		sites
	World Wide		the net			web		Web
	e-mail		events			computer		message
	surfing		games			playing		information

b) Read the on-line dialogues and fill in the phrases from above. There are two phrases that you do not need.

-Wolf : Are you there, Gail?

-Gail : Hi Wolf - yes I'm here - did you get my ..................... ?

-Wolf : Yeah, I got it just now. Sorry I didn't have the chance to check my mail earlier - I was too busy ..................... .

-Gail : Did you find any good .....................?

-Wolf : Well, I found a great site called Music Mania. You can .....................on all the best groups. You can even download songs and video clips!

=====

-Flyer : Are you on-line, Aries?

-Aries : Hi Flyer - what have you been doing ?

-Flyer : I've been catching up on ..................... on the net. What about you?

-Aries - I've been doing boring housework. My ..................... was really dirty. At least I can see what you' re saying now!

-Flyer : Yuck! Housework! Surfing the net is much more fun, isn't it?

Ex. 11. Fill in the correct question tag.

1. At first the Internet was mainly used by scientists, ..............?

2. You don't need a CD to send e-mail, .............. ?

3. They've already got a web site, .............. ?

4. I can pay for my ticket through the net, .............. ?

5. Surfing the net for information is so exciting, .............. ?

6. She won't download all those documents, .............. ?

7. Bob likes sending e-mail to his friends, .............. ?

8. That isn't a computer virus, .............. ?

9. Yesterday Ann found a very interesting "chat group" ..............?

Ex. 12. Read the interview and use the prompts below to write questions with question tags.

- you/spend/a lot of your free time watching videos - you/have got/a lot of fans - your/fan-club web site/be/one of the most visited web sites on the net - you/not like/playing computer games - you/get engaged to/the singer Dee Brown last month

Laura: I'd like to welcome Chris Newton to the studio this morning. Your fans want to know all about what you do in your free time.

- Laura: 1) ... You spend a lot of your free time watching videos, don't you?

- Chris: Yes, I do. I prefer the cinema but I get followed by fans everywhere I go now. - Laura: 2)....

- Chris: Yes, I have. Sometimes I can't believe how much mail I get!

- Laura: 3)....

- Chris: Yes, it is. I love reading e-mail from my fans,

- Laura: 4)....

- Chris: No, that's not true. I love playing computer games. It's great fun.

- Laura: 5)....

- Chris: I'm sorry. I don't want to talk about Dee. That's private.

- Laura: Oh, okay. Well, thanks for coming into the studio to talk to us. Now, let's hear your latest song.

Ex. 13. Use the notes below to talk about the Internet. (You can read the information leaflet in ex. 2 again). Try to use these speech patterns as often as possible: In my opinion, It seems to me, As far as I remember know, As a matter of fact, I can’t but mention that, It is interesting to (necessary to, important to), As for me I think, It’s common knowledge, To tell the truth I am sure. In addition I’d like to mention, In conclusion I want to say that.

Internet =	network of computers around the world
You need:	computer, modem and phone line
To surf the net, you:	enter a web site address, connected to the web site, download document, a page appears on screen, click on underlined words, connected to new documents/web sites
You can use it to:	find information for schoolwork /job/ hobbies /sports /current events, make revising using the self-test programmes, play games, plan holidays, read newspaper s/magazines, send electronic messages (e-mail), 'chat' with people, make new friends, join special internet chat groups, buy things...

Part B Emails, faxes and letters

Ex.1. Do you write emails, faxes, or letters in English? If so

1. what do you write about?

2. do you have problems writing in English? If so, what problems?

Ex2. Do the quiz in pairs.Use information from Speech partterns

CORRESPONDENCE QUIZ:

1. What are these dates in British English and American English?

a) 11/4/03 b)12/8/02 c)3/5/04

2. Which is correct?

a) Dear Mr John Hunter b) Dear Mr Hunter

3. In correspondence with a woman, when do we use

a) Miss? b) Ms? c) Mrs?

4. What do these addreviations mean?

a) info. b) nos. c) attn d) asap e) enc.

5. Match the beginnings and endings.

a) Dear Mrs Marzan i) Best wishes/Best regards

b) Dear Sir/Madam ii)See you soon.

c) Dear Marco iii) Yours sincerely/Yours/Best regards

d) Hi iv) Yours faithfully

Ex.3 Read the emails and the letter. Which is

1. an apology and a request for information?

2. a message to a friend?

3. a reply to a colleague?

4. a hotel booking?

5. an invitation to meet?

A.

To Charles Hotel From Mark Grady

Subject Prague seminar. Attn Ms Eva Novotna

Dear Ms Novotna 2 August 20… Following our phone conversation today, could you please reserve ten single rooms and three twin-bedded rooms for our siminar participants for Friday 18 and Sarturday 19 September. I will send details of meal and refreshment requirements tomorrow. Best regards Mark Grady Partner, Global Training P.S. Please can you fax me a map of the city centre.

B.

To Charles Hotel From Vana Bell

Subject Prague seminar.

Attachments: Presentation summaries & Workshop 12 August 20… Hi Mark Thanks for you email and all the programme details. Sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday – too much work! I attach two files with everything you asked for. Let me know if you need anything else – I’m away for the next two days. See you in Prague. Vana

C.

KOH-I-NOOR a.s.

F.A. Gerstnera 3

CZ 703 00 Ostrava

Ceska Republika

Tel. +420 69 000 200

Fax +420 69 000 808

e-mail sovakp2koh-i-noor.cz

www.koh-i-noor.cz

Mr Mark Grady 28 July 20...

Partner, Global Training

17 Barley Road, Criswick

London W4 4GH

Dear Mr Grady

This letter is to thank you for the invitation to your Cross-cultural Training Seminar in Prague on 19 and 20 September. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as I will be away on business. Would you please tell me if you are planning to repeat the seminar at a later date as I would be very interested to attend.

Yours sincerely

Petr Sovak

Personnel Manager

D.

To Barry West From Marie Sirova

Subject Hello

Hi Barry 30 August 20… This email is to get in touch again after a long time. How are you? Are you enjoying your new job in Prague? I’m going to be in Prague soon, attending a seminar and staying at the Charles Hotel 18-21 September. I’d love to see you. Any chance of meeting on Sunday 20 after 1 p.m., or any time on Monday 21? Hoping to see you soon. Marie

E.

To jackwest@freeserve.co.uk From Jonesh@freeserve.com

Subject: Weekend?

Jack Hi, thanks for your email, how’re you? I’d love to meet up this weekend for a coffee, am in town. Give me a ring. Harry :-)

Ex.4 Complete the table with phrases from the correspondence in Ex.3

1. Starting

_________________(our phone conversation today …)

In reply to (your fax received …)

Thank you for (your fax of…)

_________________(your email…)

2. Saying why you’re writing

I am writing (to enquire about…)

I am pleased (to confirm…)

_________________(to thank you)

This fax is (to give you details of…)

_________________(to get in touch…)

3. Requesting

_________________(reserve…)

_________________(tell me…)

Please fax/email me (your mobile phone no.)

4. Attaching documents (email)

_________________(two files…)

5. Enclosing documents (letter)

I enclose (a copy of…)

6. Giving bad news

I am sorry (to inform you…)

_______________(I will not be able to…)

7. Apologizing

I apologize for (the delay…)

I’m sorry about (the mistake…)

_______________(I didn’t get back to you earier…)

8. Ending

Please contact me again (if you need any more information).

_______________(if you need anything else).

I look forward to (welcoming you…).

_______________(to see you soon).

_______________(in Prague).

Ex.5Formal and informal language

Look at the emails, the letter and Ex.4 again and find examples of the following:

A. Formal email

formal openning:_________________

formal ending:___________________

formal set phrases:________________

polite language___________________

formal vocabulary________________

B. Informal email

informal openning:________________

informal ending:__________________

emoticon (computer symbol):________

short forms of words:______________

direct questions:__________________

words missed out:_________________

Ex.6 Complete the fax, letter, and email with suitable phrases from the table in Ex.4

F.

17 Barley Road, Chiswick

London W4 4GH

Tel: +44 (0)20 8735 66 54

Fax: + (0)2087354420

Email: info@globaltraining.co.uk

Mr P. Sovak

Personnel Manager

Koh-i-noor a.s.

F.A. Gerstnera 3

CZ 703 00 Ostrava

Czech Republic

Dear Mr Sovak 29 July 20…

___________________________ your letter of 28 Julay. I was sorry to hear you will not be able to attend our seminar in September but I hope we can welcome you at a later date.____________________a copy of our company brochure and our programme of future seminars in Central European countries. ____________________if you need any more information.

Yours sincerely

Mark Grady

Partner, Global Training

Enc.

G.

FAX MESSAGE

Charles Hotel, Jungmannovo na’mesti 30, 110 00 Praha 1

Tel: +420 222 333 444 Fax: + 420 222 333 445

www. Charleshotel.com email: info@charleshotel.com

_______________________________________________________

To Global Training From Eva Novotna

Attn Mark Grady Date 4 August

Subject Room reservation No. of pages 2

Dear Mr Grady

_______________________your email received today.

_______________________the delay in replying.

_______________________to confirm we have reserved ten single rooms and three twin bedded rooms as rqusted, for Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September.

_______________________welcoming you to our hotel.

Best regards

Eva Novotna

PS I hope the map on page 2 of this fax is clear.

H.

To Vana Bell From Mark Grady

Subject Prague seminar

Hi Vana _____________________your email and attchments yesterday. I know you’re very busy and __________________ to give you more work but we need a handout on the two training videos you produced. _____________________ do a short one by the end of the week? See you soon Mark

Ex.7 Work in pairs. Look at the phrases in the table in Ex. Think of alternatives to the phrases in brakets.

Examples Following (our meeting last week…)

I am pleased (to inform you that…)

I attach (a translation).

Ex.8 Work with a different partner.

1. Write a fax to Mark Grady. Request a copy of Global Training’s brochure and information about cross-cultural seminars in your country.

2. Write Barry’s email reply to Marie. Answer the questions in her email and say you’d love to meet her in Prague. Suggest a time a place to meet.

Part C. Text Messages.

Read the text below and say what the main differences in sending formal and informal text messages are.

Texting may be less intrusive than making phone call, but texting when you have company is just as impolite. Like e-mails, text messages are easy to misunderstand, so be careful what you write.

If you have a formal relationship with the recipient, write formal messages. It’s acceptable to write messages in a lower case only. Note: a message all in capital letters can look as if you are shouting.

Most devices now have predictable text input software (T9), which often makes it easier to spell correctly than to use short forms. Check that the software has chosen the words you really want. For formal messages, write

Your message in full first. Shorten it only if you go over the 160 characters available for an SMS. Delete any words that are not necessary (Our first meeting will be at 10 o’clock).

For informal texts, learn popular phonetic number-and-letter combinations (CU =see you; b4 = before, 2moro = tomorrow).

You can leave out apostrophes, spaces and some letters in informal messages (I’m in a meeting = in mtg, sorry = sry, regards = rgds), but don’t turn your message into puzzle.

Make your message easier to understand by using common short forms and emoticons (f2t = free to talk, CUBL8R = call you back later, GR8 = great, and ;-) = a wink.

Finally make sure you have chosen the right recipient before you press send.

Ex.9 Look through the list and match the items 1-9 with the meanings a-i

3. I-O a) I’m angry

4. CUL8R b)I’m frowning

5. :-o c)by the way

6. BTW d)Are you OK?

7. :-C e)I’m yawning

8. TYVM f)I’m sad

9. :( g)Thank you very much

10. RU OK h)See you later

11. :-II i)Wow!

Ex.10 Read the notes below and write TWO e-mails in a suitable style.

1.You and your family are planning to visit England shortly for a few days. You have been asked to contact a hotel and to get some information about rooms for your family. You will be staying for three nights. You want to know whether there are any rooms available and how much they will cost. One possible hotel is the Cresta Lodge. The email address is crestalodge@freeserve.com. And the manager’s name is Miss Naomi Freeman.

2.The hotel you are planning to stay in is close to the house of a good English-speaking friend of yours. Write your friend an email saying when you are coming and suggesting that you meet up when you are over there.