MY FUTURE PROFESSION (A TEACHER OF PRIMARY SCHOOL)

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ

ЧАСТЬ 1 Устная практика

1. Моя биография. Моя семья  (My Biography. My Family)

2. Мой рабочий день (My Working Day)

3. Мой университет (My University)

4. Мой родной город (My Native Town)

5. Республика Беларусь (The Republic of Belarus)

6. Великобритания (The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

7. США (The United States of America)

8. Моя будущая профессия. Учитель начальной школы (My Future Profession. A Teacher of Primary School)

9. Моя будущая профессия. Филолог (My Future Profession. Philologist)

10. Моя будущая профессия. Историк (My Future Profession. Historian)

11. Моя будущая профессия. Биолог (My Future Profession. Biologist)

ЧАСТЬ 2 Тексты и упражнения для обучения чтению

1. Цель школы (The Purpose of School)

2. Значение образование (The Value of Education)

3. Почему мы изучаем английский язык (Why Do We Study English)

4. История и историография (History and Historiography)

5. Терроризм (Terrorism)

6. Генетические нарушения (Human Genetic Disorders)

7. Кофеин (Caffeine)

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to be born, to be married, hard-working, to study by correspondence, to enter the University, a favourite subject, to be a first-year student, to be fond of, sociable, to be attached.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

MY BIOGRAPHY. MY FAMILY

I am Olga Kovaleva . I was born on the twenty fourth of February 1991 in the town of Krichev, Mogilev region. I live there with my parents. I am not married. My father is a driver. He is 48. He is very hard-working. My mother is a kindergarten teacher. She has much work about the house and I always help her. I have a younger sister. She is a pupil. She is lovely. I also have an elder brother. He is an engineer. Our family is very united.

When I finised school I decided to enter Mogilev State University named after A. Kuleshov. I did well at school, my favourite subjects were Literature and Languages. Now I am a first-year student of the Faculty of Pedagogic and Psychology of Childhood (the Pedagogical Faculty, the Faculty of Slavonic Philology, the Historical Faculty, the Faculty of Natural Sciences). I study by correspondence. Besides, I work at school because I love children and want to become a good teacher.

I can add that I have a wide circle of interests. I have not much time to watch TV but sometimes I spend an hour or two watching an interesting film or a news programme. In the evening I often read newspapers or magazines. I am also fond of reading books and listening to music. My hobbies are knitting and embroidery.  I  like fresh air and exercise, too. I’m sorry I have not much time for doing sports. But some aerobics in the morning, a swimming-pool twice a week, a ski-walk on a frosty day are of great help. I’m very sociable, I have many friends. We spend much time together, go out to the cinema or to the disco party, discuss our problems. But most of all I like my family. We all are great friends and deeply attached to each other.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

закончить школу, широкий круг интересов, смотреть телевизор, читать книги, вязание, вышивание, бассейн, обсуждать проблемы.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. What is your name?

2. How old are you?

3. When and where were you born?

4. Where do your parents live?

5. What are they?

6. Where do you study?

7. Do you work? Where?

8. How do you spend your free time?

9. What are your hobbies?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to take examinations, to get up, to make one’s bed, to do morning exercises, to wash oneself, to have breakfast (dinner, supper), lectures and practical lessons, credit tests, to work hard, to go out for a walk.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

MY WORKING DAY

I study at Mogilev State University named after A. Kuleshov. I’m a first-year student of the Faculty of Pedagogic and Psychology of Childhood (the Pedagogical Faculty, the Faculty of Slavonic Philology, the Historical Faculty, the Faculty of Natural Sciences). I study by correspondence. Twice a year I come to the University to take examinations. This time is very busy for me.

 We have our classes in the morning. I get up at 7 o’clock. I make my bed, do my morning exercises and wash myself. After bathroom I dress myself. Then I have breakfast. I leave home and go to the University. It takes me twenty minutes to get to the University. I often come on time because I don’t like to be late fo classes.

We have three lectures and practical lessons every day with short breaks between them. At the lecures we take notes. At practical lessons we study and discuss different problems. Besides, we have credit tests and examinations. We work hard.

After classes I go to the canteen and have dinner there. After dinner I usually go to the reading-hall where I get ready for my practical classes or write a report.Then I go home and have a short rest. I read books and newspapers, make telephone calls, go out for a walk, visit my friends, watch TV, listen to music. As a rule I have very little free time on my week-days. But when I have some spare time I do some work about the house: do the shopping and the cleaning.

On week-days I usually go to bed at eleven o’clock.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

учиться заочно, приходить вовремя,  столовая, читальный зал, готовиться к занятиям, свободное время,  ходить в магазин, ложиться спать.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. Where do you study?

2. How often do you come to the university?

3. When do you get up on week-days?

4. What do you usually do in the morning?

5. Do you come on time to the University?

6. How many classes do you have every day?

7. What do you do at the lectures and practical classes?

8. What do you do after classes?

9. When do you go to bed?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

              one of the oldest higher educational establishments, to be named after, to be founded in, to last for, to be divided into, exams and credit tests, daytime and correspondence departments, an extra-mural student,to dream about, to come true.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

OUR UNIVERSITY

              I study at Mogilev State University. It is one of the oldest higher educational establishmentsin Belarus. It was founded in 1913. Our University is named after A. Kuleshov, a rather famous Belarusian writer.

              At present, our University is the largest educational, scientific and cultural centre in the eastern part of our republic. There are 11 faculties, the lyceum, scientific laboratories and an experimental block. The University course lasts for four or five years. Professors and lecturers give lectures and conduct practical classes. An academic year is divided into two terms, each ending in examination session that includes exams and credit tests.

 The University has daytime and correspondence departments. More than 50 per cent of our students study by correspondence. They are extra-mural students. They are given instructions how to study and work on their own.               

              As for me, I am an extra-mural student. I study at the Historical Faculty. Our Faculty trains teachers of History, archaeologists as well as specialists in spheres of politics and religion.

              I have always dreamed about getting a higher education. Now my dream is coming true. In some years I shall receive a diploma and start working in the field of education.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

учиться в университете, быть названным в честь, научная лаборатория, студент-заочник, учиться и работать самостоятельно, получить высшее образование, получить диплом, работать в сфере образования.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. What university do you study at?

2. Where is it situated?

3. When was it founded?

4. How many faculties are there at your university?

5. Are you an extra-mural or a daytime student?

6. What faculty do you study at?

7. Why did you choose this department?

8. Do you work?

9. Is it connected with your specialty?

10. Where will you plan working after getting higher education?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to visit, a version, a grave, a regional city, to lie on, picturesque, industrial enterprises, synthetic and artificial fibres, a lyceum, places of interest.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

MY NATIVE TOWN

There are many beautiful cities and towns in the world. I would like to visit some of them, but there is no place like home.

My native town is Mogilev. It was founded in 1267. There are many versions about the origin of its name. One of them says that Mogilev took its name after a young man Masheko who was very powerful, as powerful as a lion. After his death, people made up a hill over his grave and called it “The Lion’s Grave”. Maybe the name of Masheko gave rise to the name of the city Mogilev.

Present Mogilev is a regional city of the republic Belarus. It lies on the picturesque river Dnieper, Eastern part of Belarus. Its population is about 450 thousand people.

Mogilev is an industrial town. A great number of industrial enterprises produce automobiles, agricultural machines, scrapers, lifts, electric devices, synthetic and artificial fibres, silk fabrics, footwear and other goods.

 Cultural life is rich enough for the regional centre. There are two theatres, several museums, big libraries, many cinemas and clubs in the town. Mogilev is an educational centre. There are many general and vocational secondary schools, colleges, gymnasiums, lyceums and several higher educational establishments. Mogilev is a beautiful town. There are many places of interest in it: the Complex of St. Nicolas Church, St. Stanislav Cathedral, Sovietskaya Square (Trade Square), Leninskaya Street (Vetrenaya), Gorky park, Mogilev Drama Theatre Local Law Museum, Belynitsky– Birulya museum and etc. 

I love my native town. I was born here and live with my family and it is a wonderful place to live.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

родной город (деревня), дать название городу, население, культурная жизнь, образовательный центр, прекрасное место, любить город, жить в городе (деревне).

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. What is your native city (town, village)?

2. Where is it situated?

3. When was it founded?

4. What legends connected with your native place do you know?

5. Is your native town an industrial one?

6. What do you know about cultural life?

7. What is your favourite place in your native town?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to be born, to be situated, to border on, to be divided into, a capital, science, a refrigerator, to be well off, cattle breeding, to be noted for.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

Belarus is my homeland. It is the place where I was born. Belarus is situated in the Eastern part of Europe. It borders on Latvia and Lithuania in the North, Russia in the East, the Ukraine in the South and Poland in the West.

The climate of Belarus is continental with a comparatively mild winter and warm summer. There are 3000 rivers, flowing over the territory of Belarus. The longest rivers are the Dnieper and the Neman. The republic has over 10000 lakes. The largest of them is Naroch.

The population is over 10 million people. The territory of Belarus is divided into 6 regions: Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev. The capital of the republic is Minsk. It is the biggest scientific, cultural and industrial centre.

Modern Belarus is a large economic region. It has developed machine-building and chemical industries. It also produces tractors, lorries, motorcycles, metal-cutting machines, electric motors, potash fertilizers, paper, refrigerators and freezers, TV and radio sets, bicycles and textiles. Agriculturally, Belarus is well off in cattle breeding. We have a strong emphasis on flax growing. Grain and potatoes are among the main field crops.

To complete the picture, I'll say that Belarus is noted for its high-skilled manpower trained at the Republic's universities, institutes, vocational and specialized colleges and schools. Our scientists’ achievements in the fields of mathematics, physics, nuclear power engineering, chemistry and biology are known the world over.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

родина, мягкая зима и тёплое лето, самая длинная река, областной центр, машиностроение, химическая промышленность, сельское хозяйство, быть известным во всем мире.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. What is your native country?

2. Where is it situated?

3. What countries does Belarus border on?

4. What is the climate in our country?

5. Is Belarus a country of rivers and lakes?

6. How many regions are there in Belarus?

7. Prove that Belarus is a large economic region.

8. What can you tell about education and science in Belarus?

9. What do you know about ecological situation in your native country?

10. What places of interest in Belarus do you know?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

official name, to be situated, to consist of, to be washed by, mild, fabrics, the head of the state, the Queen, the House of Lords, the House of Commons.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

GREAT BRITAIN

The official name of the country is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is situated on two large islands called the British Isles. The larger island is Great Britain, which consists of three parts: England, Scotland and Wales. The smaller island is Ireland and there are about five thousand small islands.

The United Kingdom consists of 4 parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The country’s shores are washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Irish Sea. The English channel separates Great Britain from the continent.

The total area of the U.K. is 244.00 square kilometers with a population of 56 million. It is one of the most populated countries in the world. The greater part of the population is urban. About 80 percent of people live in numerous towns and cities.

The surface of the British Isles varies very much. There are many mountains in Scotland, Wales and northwest of England but they are not very high. Ben Nevis in Scotland is the highest mountain. The northern part of Scotland is mountainous and is called the Highlands. Scotland is also famous for its beautiful lakes, which are called Lochs.

There are many rivers in Great Britain but they are not very long. The Thames is the most important river in the country. The longest river is the Severn.

The climate of Great Britain is damp. Winters are mild and summers are cool and rainy. There is much rain and fog in autumn and winter.

Great britain is a highly developed industrial country. Its industry produces automobiles, vessels, fabrics and other goods.

London is the capital of the country. It is the biggest industrial, cultural and political centre.

The head of the state is the Queen. The British Parliament consists of two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

остров, берег, общая площадь, население, самая длинная река, мягкая зима и прохладное лето, промышленный центр, производить.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. What is the official name of the British state?

2. Where is it situated?

3. What parts does the UK consist of?

4. What is the total area and population of the country?

5. What can you say about the surface of the country?

6. What is the climate of the state?

7. What are the most important rivers in the country?

8. What does its industry produce?

9. What is the capital of the country? 

10. Who is the head of the state?

11. What do you know about the British Parliament?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to strech, to border on, total area, to be situated, leading producer, manufacturing industries, the Senate, the House of Representatives, to consist of, to elect.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

THE USA

The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world (after Russia, Canada and China). It is also the biggest English-speaking country. The USA lies in North America and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. The USA borders on Canada in the north and on Mexico in the south. It also includes Alaska in the north and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The total area of the country is about nine and a half million square kilometres. The USA consists of 50 states and the District of Columbia where the capital of the country, Washington, is situated. The population of the country is more than 270 million.

If we look at the map of the USA, we can see lowlands and mountains. The highest mountains are the Rocky Mountains, the Cordillera and the Sierra Nevada. The highest peak is Mount McKinley which is located in Alaska.

America's largest rivers are the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Rio Grande and the Columbia. The Great Lakes on the border with Canada are the largest and deepest in the USA.

The climate of the country varies greatly. The coldest regions are in the north. The climate of Alaska is arctic. The climate of the central part is continental. The south has a subtropical climate. The climate along the Pacific coast is much warmer than that of the Atlantic coast.

The USA is a highly developed industrial country. It's the world's leading producer of copper and oil and the world's second producer of iron ore and coal. Among the most important manufacturing industries are aircraft, cars, textiles, radio and television sets, furniture and paper.

The United States is a federal union of 50 states, each of which has its own government. The seat of the central government is Washington, DC. The Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The head of the state is the President, elected every four years. The two main political parties are the Republican and the Democratic parties.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

англоязычная страна, столица, население, горы, климат, штат, правительство, глава государства.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. Where is the USA situated?

2. What countries does it border on?

3. What is its area and population?

4. What is the capital of the state?

5. What are the highest mountains in the USA?

6. What are the largest rivers in the country?

7. Does the climate of the country vary greatly? Prove it.

8. What are the main industries?

9. How many states are there in the USA?

10. Who is the head of the state?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to make a choice, an extra-mural student, a first-year student, a kindergarten, primary school, pedagogic and psychology, to graduate from, well-educated, to teach, to learn.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.

MY FUTURE PROFESSION (A TEACHER OF PRIMARY SCHOOL)

Choosing a career is probably one of the most important decisionsyou will ever make. And it is not easy to choose the right one of the hundreds of jobs. I didn’t make a blind choice. I came to this decision little by little.

 I’m a first-year student of the Pedagogical (the Faculty of Pedagogic and Psychology of Childhood) Faculty at Mogilev State University. I am an extra-mural student. In the near future I’ll graduate from the University and become a teacher of primary school (kindergarten).

The profession of a teacher has always been one of the most honourable and of great responsibility. A good teacher should have true interest in children and love for them. He must be also a well-educated man. He must be a strict but just and hard-working person. A teacher is a person who is teaching as well as learning himself all his life.

As for me, I’d like to teach my pupils to enjoy reading books, to encourage them in learning the Belarusian and Russian literature and language, Mathematics and Art. To become a good specialist one must know many sciences, such as children’s psychology, pedagogic, native and foreign languages, logic, etc.

 It is known that teaching is a very stressful job taking much time and efforts. I hope that my love for children will help me succeed in my work.

Exercise 3. Translate from Russian into English:

решение, моя будущая профессия, учитель начальной школы, детский сад, любить детей, трудолюбивый человек, выпускник факультета, высшее учебное заведение, интересоваться чем-либо, усилие, преуспевать в работе.

Exercise 4. Answer the questions:

1. Is there a great variety of jobs in our country? What jobs do you know?

2. Is it easy to choose a profession?

3. What faculty do you study at?

4. What professions can you get at your faculty?

5. Why did you choose this department?

6. Who helped you to make your choice?

7. What features of character should a good teacher have?

8. How can you explain the phrase “a teacher is a person who is teaching as well as learning himself all his life”?

9. Where can the graduates of your faculty work?

10. Will you describe an ideal teacher?

Exercise 1. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word-combinations:

to make a choice, an extra-mural student, a first-year student, to graduate from, honourable profession, well-educated, hard-working, to teach, to learn, to encourage.

Exercise 2. Read and translate the text.