Ex. V. Speak about the role English plays in the world as a means of communication
Unit I
Oral Practice: English in the 21st Century
Ex. I. Answer the questions:
-Which language has the most words?
-Which language in the world is spoken by most people?
-How long has English been an international language?
Ex. II. Read the following text:
The world is in various stages of social, economic, and demographic transition. Economically and politically, the world has changed more rapidly in the past few years than at any time since 1945. The emerging global economy is both competitive and interdependent. It reflects the availability of modern communications and production technologies in most parts of the world. English continues to be the world standard language, it is the most widespread, with 400 million speakers. (Mandarin Chinese is spoken by 700 million speakers, 70% of the population of China).
The global spread of English over the last 40 years is remarkable. It is unprecedented in several ways: by the increasing number of users of the language; by its depth of penetration into societies; by its range of functions. It has the largest vocabulary with approximately 500.000 words and 300.000 technical terms.
Worldwide over 1.4 billion people live in countries where English has official status. One out of five of the world's population speaks English with some degree of competence. And one in five — over one billion people is learning English. Over 70% of the world’s scientists read English. About 85% of the world's mail is written in English. And 90% of all information in the world’s electronic retrieval systems is stored in English. By 2010, the number of people who speak English as a second or foreign language will exceed the number of native speakers.
Today, the information age has replaced the industrial age and has compressed time and distance. This is transforming world economics from industrial production to information-based goods and services. Ignoring geography and borders, the information revolution is redefining our world. In less than 20 years, information processing, once limited to the printed word, has given way to computers and the Internet. Computer-mediated communication is closing the gap between spoken and written English. It encourages more informal conversational language, and has resulted in Internet English.
English has been an international language for 50 years. If the pattern follows the previous language trends, we still have about 100 years before a new language dominates the world. However, this does not mean that English is replacing or will replace other languages as many fear. Instead, it may supplement or co-exist with languages by allowing strangers to communicate across linguistic boundaries. It may become one tool that opens windows to the world, unlocks doors to opportunities, and expands our minds to new ideas.
Active Words and Phrases:
| transition | перехід, перехідний період | retrieval | пошук |
| competitive | конкуруючий | store | зберігати |
| availability | придатність, корисність | exceed | перевищувати |
| penetration | проникання | supplement | доповнювати |
| billion | більйон, мільярд | boundary | кордон, межа |
| competence | уміння, компетентність | tool | знаряддя |
| поштова кореспонденція | expand | розкривати |
Ex. III. What do the following numbers in the text refer to?
20, 2010, 40, 70%, 1.4 billion, 85%, 1500, 50.
Ex. IV. Work in pairs. Do you think the following statements are true or false?
1. Modern communications and production technologies are available in every part of the world.
2. One out of five of the world’s population speaks English fluently.
3. English is used for more purposes than ever before.
4. There is no difference between spoken and written English any more.
5. Because English is the means for international communication, it is replacing other languages.
Ex. V. Speak about the role English plays in the world as a means of communication.
Ex. VI. Discuss in groups. Why is it important to know foreign languages? Describe the problem in as many aspects (practical, cultural, educational, etc.) as you can.
Ex. VII. Here is a set of guidelines for learning a foreign language:
The secret of success is to work towards your goal slowly, steadily and regularly.
· Take the opportunity to listen to English whenever and wherever you can. Watch TV programs and films, listen to radio programs and English language tapes – even songs in English on tape. Have as many conversations with native English speakers as you can, and practice in English as often as possible with your non-native English-speaking friends.
· Try to read texts in English at least once every day. You should always be in the process of reading a book in English – a page or two each night before bedtime is an excellent plan. Read newspapers, magazines, and novels written for your English level (available from good language bookshops). Always carry English texts with you, so you can read when you have spare time that would otherwise be wasted.
Do not worry about understanding every word. Read some articles in detail and some for speed.