Steps in Speaking English (Шаги в разговорном английском)

Елена Вениаминовна Волкова

Представлены практические задания и лексический материал, направленные на развитие и активизацию коммуникативных навыков у слушателей. Предназначено для студентов, получающих дополнительную квалификацию «Переводчик в сфере профессиональной коммуникации» в период летней переводческой практики, а также для слушателей курсов, желающих совершенствовать разговорный английский язык.

Е. В. Волкова

Steps in Speaking English (Шаги в разговорном английском)

Lesson I. Topics: Age groups, Life stages, Habits

Vocabulary. Age groups and corresponding institutions.

Baby, toddler[1 - toddler – ребёнок, начинающий ходить], child, pupil, teenager, school leaver[2 - school leaver – выпускник школы, абитуриент], student, high school graduate[3 - high school graduate – выпускник университета], bachelor/graduate student[4 - bachelor/graduate student – бакалавр], master[5 - master – магистр], Doctor of Philosophy/PhD[6 - Doctor of Philosophy/PhD – доктор наук], grown-up, adult, middle-aged, pensioner, old/elderly, nursery school, school, kindergarten, college university, institute, academy, job, army, pensioner's house

Mind the difference:

Institute – an organization having a particular purpose, especially one that is involved with science, education, or a specific profession

University – a high-level educational institution in which students study for degrees

Academy – a society or institution of distinguished scholars and artists or scientists that aims to promote and maintain standards in its particular field

Exercise 1. Answer these questions:

1. What do you think the age range for each time of life is?

2. What is the difference between a baby and a toddler?

3. What is the difference between a child and a teenager?

4. What is your life stage now?

5. What life stage is the happiest?

6. What life stage is the worst?

7. What institutions do people of different age groups attend?

Vocabulary. Life stages.

have children, buy a car, rebel against your parents, get a job, get engaged, have your first kiss, look after your grandchildren, build a house, retire, get married, graduate from university, earn a good salary, learn to drive a car, get a place of your own, army, education, career, family, win a competition, leave school, get the first job, to give birth to a child, to be in love at the first sight

Exercise 2. Answer these questions:

1. What is the typical age in your country to do the things above?

2. Have you ever rebelled against your parents? Why? In what way?

3. What is the ideal first kiss for you?

4. In what age do people usually learn to drive a car?

5. Why don’t young men want to go to the army?

6. What is the best age for having a child?

7. What marks did you leave school with?

8. What should you do for getting a job and earning a good salary?

9. How many children would you like to have?

10. What is more important: family or career?

11. What should be done earlier: getting a place of your own or getting married?

Exercise 3. Speak to other students and find someone who:

– is an only child

– isn’t married

– has got a summer cottage

– has got a car

– hasn’t got children

– lives in an apartment

– doesn’t like chocolate

– can act as a teacher

– can’t play a musical instrument

– enjoyed reading as a child

– can build a house

– gave birth to a child

– can swim

– has a pet

Exercise 4. Read the text.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell is a British supermodel and actress. She did numerous fashion and beauty campaigns for big brands like Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, H&M, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and others. She is estimated to have acquired a wealth of US$28 million from modeling. But Naomi Campbell was not always rich and famous.

What sort of life did Naomi have as a child?

Naomi Campbell was born in 1970 in Streatham, South London.

In accordance with her mother's wishes, Campbell has never met her father, who abandoned her mother when she was four months pregnant. During her early years, Campbell lived in Rom