Complete the open dialogue using the vocabulary of the unit. Dramatize it. Work in pair

A: – Excuse me, lady. Can I ask you some questions?

B: – Sure.

A: – Can you tell me about higher education in GB?

B: – Well, ___________

A: – In Russia our academic year lasts two terms. What about the Universities?

B:__________________

A: – Yes, I’ve heard only about two English Universities: Oxford and Cambridge. Are all English Universities as old as Oxford and Cambridge?

B:__________________

A: – What does it mean “Redbrick University”?

B:__________________

A: – I see. And which Universities do you call “Concrete and glass”?

B:__________________

A: – Do you have any Polytechnics in GB?

B: __________________

A: – Some pupils in Russia leave schools at 16. What about your country?

B: __________________

A: – Thank you very much.

EXERCISES

1. Read three different descriptions of early school memories. What are the memories about? Are the memories happy or unhappy? Note down three memories for each speaker

speaker 1It's odd, you know, because, I can't remember very much about my first year at school, but I remember very clearly the first time I went to kindergarten. My mum drove me there in the morning, and I think I was only supposed to stay a few hours -anyway that's what she told me later. Well, I can clearly recall the place. We went up an outdoor staircase with a sort of concrete balcony at the top. There was, there was a glass door with another half door leading into the main room. I can still picture a big, bare room with toys scattered on the floor. I, I can't recall there being any other children there, but I suppose there must have been. Anyway, mum stayed for a bit and played with me and then she left. Oh, I remember that moment as clearly as if it was yesterday. I ran to the door at the top of the steps and hung on to the handle, screaming and sobbing hysterically. I have no idea how long I stayed there, but it seemed like forever. Anyway, then mum came to fetch me and I never went back there again.

speaker 2I'll never forget my first riding lesson at school. I must have been four or five perhaps. We had to choose between riding and piano. I chose riding. I recall the journey to the riding stables. I was tremendously excited. A lady called Mrs. Jenkins, came to fetch us in a sort of mini-bus and she took us to her farm a few miles away. She was a very loud lady, but very friendly and I don't recall being at all frightened. Then I tried on riding hats until I found one my size. I can even remember the feel of the elastic under my chin and the marvellous smell of the saddles. I can't remember much about the ponies on that first day, but I can clearly recall being covered in mud when I got home. I can also remember enjoying that very much too! It is one of my most vivid memories and I'm sure that wonderful first impression made me fall in love with riding.

speaker 3I have a very blurred memory of my first day at school, so I suppose it can't really have upset me very much. What I remember most were the new smells, and in particular, the smell of my new blouse. It was a sort of soft cotton with a very distinctive smell. I can also recall struggling to do up my tie. Apart from that, I can't even picture my teacher's face or those of the other children. One particular memory has stuck in my mind, and unfortunately it set me against the school for a long time. One morning, when the bell went, the headmistress called us all into assembly and held up an empty bag of sweets. She waved it about and then said that she had left it on the hall table and someone had stolen the contents. She said that she knew who the culprit was and would give her two minutes to own up. Everyone went very quiet. Nobody said a word. Then, she called me out to the front, grabbed my arm and said to the rest of the school that not only was I a thief, but 1 was also a coward. I remember being completely bewildered and humiliated. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I had never stolen anything in my life and I couldn't understand why she was accusing me of stealing the sweets. From that day I hated her and the school.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 841