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Learning Foreign Languages Becomes More Popular in Russia

Learning a foreign language isn't an easy thing to do. It is a long and slow process that takes a lot of time and efforts.

Nowadays it is especially important to know foreign languages. Some people learn them, because they need them for their work, oth­ers travel abroad, and some people study languages as a hobby.

Eve­ryone who knows foreign languages can speak to people from other countries, read foreign authors in the original and that makes your out­look wider.

As for me, I learn English because English is the most popular language. Though there are almost three thousand languages in the world, English is the most universal. It is the most used language in international business, sci­ence and medicine. Approximately 400 million people speak English as a mother tongue.

Even in the countries where English isn't the first language, a great number of English words are used. Words are borrowed from English more often. Hundreds of words can now be found in other languages, such as soda, hotel, golf, tennis, jeans, O.K., baseball and airport. Many words are used just as they are. Others are changed to make them more like the native lan­guage, easier to say and remember.

English is everywhere. It is on signs, clothes, soft drinks and other goods around the world. The names of pop groups, computer software and magazines are often presented in English. Some people think English is stylish, even when the English on the designed items makes no sense. In spite of the popularity of the English words and phrases, they are not always welcome. Some people think that the use of English words is dangerous for the purity of their native lan­guage. Some countries tried to eliminate English as their official lan­guage in order to save their native language.

Learning English is important for me because I want to know what is going on around me in the world. With recent advances in technology the world is changing rapidly in many fields, such as business, arts and medicine. These changes will affect me soon and it is important for me to read and keep up with these changes. In fact, learning English and other foreign languages is the answer to a lot of things that I need and want to know.

Vocabulary

1. to be an easy thing to do – легко сделать

2. to take a lot of time- занимать много времени

3. out­look – кругозор

4. аpproximately – примерно

5. a mother tongue – родной язык

6. the first language – первый язык

7. to borrow – заимствовать

8. sense – разум

9. in spite of – несмотря на

10. to eliminate- исключать

11. official lan­guage – официальный язык

12. recent advances – последние достижения

13. field – поле (область)

14. to affect- действовать на

15. to keep up - не отставать

Ответьте на вопросы

1. What process is learning foreign languages?

2. Is it important to learn foreign languages?

3. What are three main reason for learning foreign languages?

4. What opportunities does knowledge of foreign languages give?

5. Why people should learn English?

Составьте диалог на одну из заданных тем:

1. Your friend doesn't want to learn English and he (she) thinks that it's just a waste of time. You are the best student in your Academy and you are absolutely sure that this language will be very useful for your future ca­reer. You friend doesn't care about this. So, try to find another reason to convince him to learn English.

Ваш друг не хочет учить английский язык, и считает, что это пустая трата времени. Вы – один из лучших студентов Академии и уверены, что знание языка будет полезно для Вашей будущей карьеры. Ваш друг не придает этому значение. Постарайтесь найти доводы, чтобы переубедить его выучить английский язык.

2. Two teachers are discussing the problem of learning foreign languages in kindergartens. The first thinks that it is very early to master any foreign language. The second believes that every kid should start learning foreign language as early as possible.

Двое учителей обсуждают проблему преподавания иностранных языков в детских садах. Один считает, что не следует начинать обучать иностранному языку с такого раннего возраста. Второй уверен, что каждый ребенок должен начинать учить иностранный язык как можно раньше.

3. Do you think that the use of English words is dangerous for the purity of our native Russian language?

Как Вы думаете опасно ли использование английских слов для чистоты русского языка?

4.Use your own experience: "Computers help us to learn foreign language."

Выскажите свое мнение на тему “Использование компьютера в изучении иностранного языка”.