Bernard Berg

Bernard Berg started as an English Language teacher. He was always good at languages at school, so he decided to take his degree in French and German first. When he finished his university studies in Oxford he began teaching in a secondary school in England. Two years later, however, he met someone by chance who offered him a job teaching English to foreign students during the long summer holidays. His students were adults and he enjoyed the work greatly. He soon found he was interested in languages of different countries. Since then he has specialized in this work.

First he went to Africa for two years and then he spent a year in Spain. After that he went to Italy where he worked for three years. He hasn't been to South America yet but he plans to go there next. He has taught men and women of all ages and of all nationalities. He has also learnt to get on with people of all walks of life. Now he is a writer but his interest in foreign languages never lessens.

(from "Function of English," G. Cones)

to take a degree — одержати ступінь

by chance — випадково

adults — дорослі

to get on with people — ладити з людьми

people of all walks of life — люди зі всіх станів суспільства

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The Film Producer's Commentary

Shirley Pearl's career is at its peak. She's married, with two children, needs only six hours sleep per night and is working harder than ever. She will star in the new film.

She also has plans for records, tours and TV work. What makes Shirley a star? Her voice? Her looks? Her elegance? Her ability to make you feel emotion? Shirley Pearl herself doesn't know the answer. She usually says: "The only thing I know I'm still here and I'm still working."

(from "Functions of English," 0. Gones)

ability to make smb. feel emotion — здатність викликати у когось емоції

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Success at the Interview Stage

In today's job marketplace, the interview is increasingly a structured event, with each candidate being asked the same predetermined questions, rather than a process guided by whatever questions happen to float into the minds of the panel. A growing number of interviews are also situational, with candidates being asked questions such as "What would you do if...?", or "How would you deal with a situation where ...?". This approach lets them provide practical examples of how they would tackle particular situations, whether or not they have had any direct experience of them. Despite their increasing rigour, interviews are also generally becoming a lot less formal, reflecting the decreasing importance attached to hierarchy within organisations. It has been found that despite all these efforts to bring the interview process up-to-date, employers frequently make the wrong choice — but although the interview may be a highly unreliable predictor of a candidate's suitability, it remains the centerpiece of most organisations' selection procedures.

From the point of view of the candidate, there are important pointers towards maximizing the possibilities of success at the inter- view stage. One of the most important is good preparation, both in personal appearance and in knowledge of what the job entails. Confidence gained in this way will enable the candidate to feel at ease, and to avoid the traps of either false modesty or overconfidence when answering questions in the interview.

(from Jacky Newbrook and Judith Wilson)

tackle — енергійно братися (до чогось), битися, працювати (над чимось)

rigour — суворість, ретельність

hierarchy — ієрархія

what the job entails — у чому полягає робота

to feel at ease — почувати себе невимушено

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