Writing

Ex. 1. Read the text about the importance of English. What was your main difficulty when studying English at school? State your preferences in learning English.

I found out the importance of knowing English when I first came to Great Britain on an exchange visit. Whenever I went to the post-office to mail a letter, or to take a bus, or to buy something I had to communicate in English. It was quite difficult at first to understand fluent speech but soon I got accustomed to it and things went more smoothly. I really think the best way of learning English is going to the English speaking country.

One should agree that English is not an easy language to learn. There is a big problem of spelling, of large number of exceptions to any rule. This language is very idiomatic and the prepositions are difficult to remember. English is one of those languages which may seem easy in the beginning, but then the bridge between basic knowledge and mastery takes a long time to cross. But if you do cross this bridge it will give you great satisfaction. You will forget about grammar and will be able to speak to people from other countries, to read foreign authors in the original, which makes your outlook wider. It is not surprising that many intellectuals and well-educated people knew many foreign languages.

Ex. 2. Write a short essay on one of the topics below.

1. My language learning biography (a biographical summary of learning English).

2. My most significant intercultural experience.

3. My expectations from the university English course.

SUPPLEMETARY READING

Ex. 1. Read the dialogue and say if Alex and Kate like English.

Language Learning Problems

Alex: Kate: Alex: Kate: Alex: Kate: Alex:

And what shall we talk about now? Let's talk about learning English. Do you like it? Well, I do. But I am a kind of afraid of English classes. I have to admit I have never been good at English. At school I did my best to please my parents and to receive a good school-leaving certificate and to be later admitted to a university. But I have never been really fluent in English. I feel confused when I try to communicate. English words slip my mind, and then, whatever I say, eventually happens to be wrong in grammar, phonetics, or vocabulary. Really? I have never heard you complaining about anything. Probably there is something in it. But I am afraid you are exaggerating. Your English is good, and our teacher seems to be quite happy with your answers. Do you think you are too demanding to yourself? Well, I don't know. But in any other subject but English the results of my work are much more obvious. It's very discouraging. Alex, but you should not expect rapid success. Mastering a foreign language is a very long and tedious process for an adult. To get a better command of the language you should just work regularly. To improve your listening comprehension skills you may go more often to the Academy's Language Media Centre or borrow tapes and disks there to work at home. If you fall behind in Grammar, there are many Grammar books at your disposal, both in English and Russian, as well as Internet resources. And don't forget to do a lot of reading. To improve your conversation skills and to make the English words on the tip of your tongue, you should speak. And if you need someone to speak with in English, I will be glad to be your partner. That's very sweet of you, Kate. I will be delighted to. I really want to get a better command of the English language. Many thanks for your good advice and help.

Ex. 2. Read the text and choose the best statement for the main idea.