- •4 Read the dialogues. Decide whether they are taking place in formal (f), semi-formal (s) or informal (I) situations:
- •5 Choose from Appendix 1c. Making introductions the most suitable phrases to introduce yourself to:
- •2 Practice the conversations with a partner. Match a line in a with a reply in b and a further comment in c.
- •1 How important are good manners for successful communication
- •In professional (business) situations
- •In everyday life?
- •3 Now read the text carefully and answer the questions.
- •4 Find words or phrases in the text which mean:
- •5 Use the text and choose the best words to complete the short conversations below.
- •Introductions, greetings,
- •1 Do you know rules of introduction? Fill in ‘your opinion’ column.
- •2 Read the text below and verify your answers. Fill in ‘basic rules’ column Text 1. Do you know the basic rules of introductions?
- •2 Read Text 2 to learn more about safe and unsafe subjects in conversation in the usa. Text 2. Safe and Unsafe Subjects for Talk
- •3 Did you discover anything that surprised you? Make the list of safe and unsafe subjects for small talk. Use the information from the text and add some ideas of your own. Reason your choice.
- •1 It’s good to have friends everywhere. Share your opinion with the others on your understanding of friendship.
- •Is it connected with life style and values accepted in the countries?
- •2 The text below introduces you into the concept of friendship in the usa. Read the text and write out all the peculiarities you will manage to find. Text 3. Friends in the usa
- •3 Do you see any differences in your understanding of friendship and American view? Just for Fun!
- •Unit 2 Making Your Own Presentations Language Learning Experience and Objectives for the Future
- •Vocabulary and speech patterns
- •2 Presenters can use different techniques to get their audience’s attention at the start of a presentation. Match the techniques below to the examples.
- •3 Address the audience, adding an opening sentence or two
- •6 Study the Useful language for Presentation given below and decide whether each sentence in the box is formal (f) or informal (I).
- •Useful Language for Presentations
- •Introducing the topic
- •I’m going to talk to you about our faculty (department, company). First, I’ll give you some basic information about... Then, ...
- •I’m going to tell you about the ideas we’ve come up with for the ad campaign.
- •I’ll give you the background and talk you through the results of the market study.
- •I’ve divided my presentation into three parts.
- •Inviting questions
- •If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to interrupt me.
- •If you’re not clear about anything, go ahead and ask any questions you want...
- •Welcome to University
- •2 Now read the text carefully and answer the questions on the presentation's content.
- •4 Interpret the ideas from the presentation. Give your opinion using the following expressions:
- •I think that ... I strongly believe that ...
- •I am sure that ... I am convinced that ...
- •1 Which three aims of learning English mentioned in the text «Welcome to University» are most important for you?
- •4 Set your personal goals of learning English.
- •Transition Words and Phrases
- •Giving Your Opinion
- •1. My Language learning biography.
- •2. My significant intercultural experience.
- •3. My expectations from the University course of English.
- •2 Study the examples of Internet sites which can help in your independent learning of English. Choose one of them or add some of your own choice.
- •1 Did you have any experience of making presentations of your projects?
- •2 Read the text and find out about cultural peculiarities of presentations. Text 1. Cultural hints for performing presentations
- •Text 2. Speeches of Introduction
- •1 Do you know why English has become the world language? Mark the following statements as true or false.
- •Text 3. Why English has become a world language
- •1 You have already read about smart as an acronym that can be used to help you set effective objectives or goals. Let’s be more specific about what these features mean.
- •Text 4. Smart Goal Setting Specific
- •Measurable
- •3 Formulate your life goals according to the smart criteria.
- •Case study: Organizing a Seminar
- •If you are going to take part in this seminar, please:
- •The participants of the seminar are expressing their opinions
- •1 Read the short text. In the exercise that follows it circle t (true) or f (false).
- •5 Write an appropriate question for these answers.
- •6 Fill in the correct word derived from the word in bold.
- •7 Complete the text with the verbs in brackets. Use them in the correct tense forms
- •8 Rewrite the extract below in two ways (a and b). Follow the direction in each step.
- •Rewrite the extract, changing “Jack” to “Betty”. Make all the other necessary changes. Your first sentence will say:
- •9 Rearrange the steps of a presentation to make it according to the accepted rules. Mark steps by numbers in boxes.
- •10 Arrange the phrases from a presentation below in a proper order. Mark the given phrases by numbers in boxes.
- •Grammar and vocabulary file
- • Grammar Focus: Basic Word Order. Word Order in Questions
- •1 Put the words in the correct order and write the statements.
- •2 Make questions from the following words. Use the pronoun you in each case. Add necessary auxiliary verbs. For example:
- •3 Fill in the spaces with the correct tag.
- •4 What questions would you ask in the following situations?
- •5 Think of some other questions you often need to ask in class. Make a list of such questions to remind you how to ask these questions.
- •1 Here are some more phrases that are often used with get. Check their meaning and write them into a correct place on the diagram
- •2 Match a first part (1-10) with a second part (a-j) to make correct sentences.
- •3 Complete the sentences using a phrase with get.
- •4 Translate the following sentences into English. Use the expressions with get.
- •Unit 2 Grammar Focus: Tenses
- •1 Choose the best variant.
- •2 Read about the experience of a Spanish girl in learning English. Underline the correct tense in the following sentences.
- •3 Write about your attitude to learning English. You may borrow the words and expressions from the text above.
- •1 Give English equivalents to the following phrases.
- •2 Here are some more phrases that are used with do, make. Check their meanings and give their equivalents in Russian.
- •3 Add the verbs do or make to the following words and word combinations.
- •4 Match the verb phrases with the meanings.
- •5 Complete the following sentences with an appropriate form of do or make.
- •6 Complete the questionnaire about your studies and future work. Use do or make when you write the answers.
- •7 Translate the sentences into English.
- •8 Discuss with a partner.
- •Appendix 1 Phrasebook
- •In a formal situation
- •In an informal situation:
- •Appendix 2
- •What is an essay?
- •How to organize an essay?
- •Hints for Success
- •Preparation for the presentation
- •Delivery of the presentation
- •Hints for Success
- •Tapescripts
- •References
2 Presenters can use different techniques to get their audience’s attention at the start of a presentation. Match the techniques below to the examples.
a) tell a personal story c) ask a question
b) offer an amazing fact d) state a problem
1. I wonder if any of you know the answer to this question: What is the most promising career today?
2. A few years ago when I was at high school I met a famous journalist (I don’t want to mention his name now) and I was so impressed with his extensive knowledge and fascinating stories that I decided ...
3. Let me give you a statistic: about 1200 students study at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Studies, majoring in four fields.
4. Many students are dreaming about a degree in web journalism. What is unique about web journalists?
5. The success in learning English greatly depends on your efforts and motivation. What recommendations can be given?
Developing communication skills:
Addressing the audience in a formal (semiformal) situations
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great honour to preside over this evening’s event ...
Dear friends,
I’m Cathy Smith. Today, I’m here representing the ... organization ... I’m going to outline the program we’ve developed for you for these days. First, ...
Honoured guests,
I am most pleased to be here today to participate in this important seminar and to discuss ...
Good morning everyone,
On behalf of myself and organizing committee, I’d like to welcome you ...
Dear colleagues,
It is a great pleasure for me to extend to you the warm welcome of our Organization. First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is ...
Esteemed Mr. Chairman, Esteemed delegates...
It would be very difficult, indeed, for me to express adequately my appreciation of the honour which has been conferred upon me by inviting me to address this great gathering …
Good evening.
This is Ronald Reagan, President of the United States. I am pleased to speak to you on the occasion of the New Year. (televised New Year’s Day address)
3 Address the audience, adding an opening sentence or two
1. An audience of students stating the purpose of your address
2. An audience of professors and students who have gathered for participating at Annual Students’ Conference
3. Members of official foreign delegation visiting BSU.
4. A group of high school students visiting the faculty on Open Day.
5. A group of high-ranking officials at the meeting of American-Belarusian Friendship Society.
4 Prepare four different openings using the techniques above. Practice the openings with a partner. Choose one of the presentation situations below.
You are talking to high school students. You want to persuade them that knowledge of English can be beneficial to any career.
Audience: high school students.
You are going to make a report at the International Seminar ‘The techniques of planning a presentation’.
Audience: participants of the conference, teachers and students of universities.
5 Discuss these points:
1. What is the problem with reading a presentation word for word? What alternatives are there?
2. How can you ‘break the ice’ at the beginning of a presentation?
3. Is it a good idea to tell the audience at the beginning what you will talk about and for how long?
4. Is it a good idea to summarize the main points again at the end?
5. Some people prefer to answer questions during the presentation, others at the end. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both methods?
6. What kind of audio-visual aids do you use in your presentations?
7. Can you give any other advice on how to give a successful presentation?