MY ATTITUDE TO LEARNING ENGLISH

Though there are almost three thousand languages in the world, English is the most universal. It is official language in over 40 countries. A truly educated man should know at least one foreign language, read books in the original, use personal computers, take part in cultural and educational exchanges with other countries.

English is everywhere. It is on signs, clothing, soft drinks and other goods around the world. Approximately 400 million people speak English as a mother tongue and nearly twice as many use it as a second language. Half of the world's scientific literature is in English. It is the language of computer technology. You will hardly be able to find a good job unless you master the English language.

Knowledge of foreign languages helps to promote cultural educational and technical co-operation among nations. That is why one of the characteristic features of life in our country today is a great interest in the study of foreign languages - chiefly English. The use of English in diplomacy, commerce and science is evidence of its importance.

The statistics of the world's mail, its telexes and cables are in English. So are more than half of the world's technical and scientific periodicals. It is the language of sports and glamour: the official language of the Olympics and the Miss Universe Competition. English is the official voice of the air and the sea, and of Christianity: it is the ecumenical language of the World Council of Churches. Five of the broadcasting companies in the world (CBS, NBS, ABC, BBC, and CBC) transmit in English to audiences that regularly exceed one hundred million.

English is one of the ICAO languages. It is very necessary to have a good command of it because we are going to work for the Air Companies and at the big cities. We have to know not only General English perfectly well, but English phraseology as well. We will communicate with the foreign crews, understand them and give them the instructions.

Of course my English is still rather far from being perfect. But I know that everything depends on myself and I will do my best to know it well. I read a lot of literature in English, especially the literature, concerning my professional interests and knowledge, some magazines with interesting and amazing facts and so on.

English has no equals!

Questions:

1. Why is knowledge of English very important today?

2. Why should an educated person know at least one foreign language?

3. Why have you chosen English to study?

4. Do you agree that English is the world's most important language in politics, science and culture?

5. What do you like most about English?

6. Why is English the official voice of the air and sea?

7. Are you satisfied with your knowledge of the English language?

8. Are you going to continue studying English in future?

TRAVELLING BY AIR

Millions of people all over the world have at their disposal various means of transport. It is always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

Most travellers take a camera with them. They take pictures of everything that interests them - the sights of a city, old churches and castles, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, waterfalls, forests, different kinds of trees, flowers, plants, animals and birds.

People travel by train, by boat, by ship, by car, by plane and so on. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. People choose one according to their plans and destinations.

Some people prefer travelling by air because it is more comfortable, more convenient and, of course, very much quicker than any other means of transport. Whenever you want to go somewhere by plane, you should book a ticket (a seat) on a flight for a certain date. You may book a single, return or open return ticket. When booking a ticket you should mention what class you are going to travel: first, business or economy class.

Before boarding the plane you should check-in (= register) your luggage at a check-in desk. Here you are required to have your luggage weighed and then a uniformed clerk attaches a special label to it and gives you a boarding pass. There is no need to worry about your luggage. If your luggage weights more than allowed (it has overweight), you should pay for the additional weight. Then you must go through the security check where your luggage is checked.

Then you may wait in the departure lounge.

The announcer will announce when and at what gate your flight is boarding or he/she may announce a delay on your flight. Flight delays very often due to weather conditions. In this case you can obtain a voucher for refreshments. When you board a plane the stewardess greets you by radio before the plane takes off and gives the passengers all the information about the flight.

Questions:

1. What do people travel for?

2. Why do people choose different means of travel?

3. What do most travellers take a camera with them for?

4. What are the advantages of travelling by air?

5. What should you do first when you want to go somewhere by plane?

6. Why is it necessary to register your luggage?

7. What do people usually do in the departure lounge?

8. Why do we sometimes have the delays?

9. What is "voucher for refreshment"?

10. Do you like travelling?

1l. How often do you travel?

12. How many countries (cities) have you visited?

13. What kind of travelling do you prefer?

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 948