THE ADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA

BY TATIANA ROMANOVA

Last time we discussed the risks of signing up to social media. Today we are going to consider the other side of the double edged sword. What are the advantages and opportunities of using Tweeter, FB and other social networks?

Watch TED Video «The Art of Asking»
https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking/transcript

VOCABULARY ITEMS:
liberal arts — гуманитарные науки
harassed (adj) — встревоженный, изнуренный
to harass (v) — беспокоить, изводить
rotating smorgasbord of weird – smorgasbord /ˈsmɔː.ɡəs.bɔːd/ многообразие; разнообразие; шведский стол
neti pot – устройство для промывания носа
crew – команда, экипаж
wireless – радио
punk squats –
van – автофургон
pull up – притормозить, остановиться
tortilla — /tɔːˈtiːə/ тортийя (мексиканская лепешка)

DISCUSSION:
Answer the questions:

1. Have you seen living statues while traveling? Do you feel excited to see their performance or do you feel sorry for them?
2. What did she maintain the prolonged eye-contact with some passers-by?
3. Why was she harassed by some people? What helped her to get over it?
4. In your opinion , why was that sense of direct connection to people so important for her?
5. How do social media help her to promote her art show?

Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Катя, Гуля, Лена Ш, Лена Ч, Юля, Наташа
Absent Erik

SKILLS:
a) Look through the page USEFUL LINKS and see what kind of links may be of help for your classes. Browse the internet and send your teacher a sample link with a brief description (before sending see (b). Be ready to justify your choice.
b) Have you read your teacher’s advice on netiquette on NEWS-BOARD page? Please send the link via e-mail ipjulia@yandex.ru, following the guidelines.

SPEAKING: Exchanging the stories of your travel experiences.

VOCABULARY:
1 Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passage below.
high / off the beaten track / hitch-hiking / leisure /off-peak /resort / youth hostels / travel agents /cut-price tickets / package holiday

People have more money and more (1)…………… nowadays and even young people can afford to go abroad. These days few people seek the help of (2)………. ……. If you have just a smartphone and Internet connection, you will have no problem finding cheap (3)………….. for flights to all parts of the world. So youngsters can avoid the crowded well known places and get to less famous areas which are (4)……………. using public transport. They can travel by (5)…………….. and stay at (6)……………… . However, still many people prefer some kind of a (7)…………… …………at a popular (8)……….. , which means that everything is arranged for them and the price they pay includes transport, food and accommodation. Try to avoid taking your holiday during the busy (9)…………….. season. It’s overcrowded and expensive. If possible, choose a quieter (10)………… period.

2 Put each of the following words in its correct place in the passage below. Some words can be used more than once.

trip / travel / journey / cruise / tour / voyage / flight

1. For general travel advice turn to a ……. agent.
2. One day I would like to do the …….. by train and ship across Russia to Japan.
3. We’re going on a ………… of Europe, visiting 11 countries in five weeks,
4. We went on a three-week ……………..round the Mediterranean. The ship called at Venice, Athens, Istanbul and Alexandria.
5. He once went by ship to Australia. The ……….. took 3 weeks.
6. I’m going on a business ……….. to Paris next weekend.
7. Air France ……………. 507 from Paris to New York will be taking off in ten minutes.
8. The …………….. from Heathrow Airport to the centre of London takes about 45 minutes by underground.
9. On our first day in New York we went on a three-hour ………….of the city by bus, which showed us the main sights.
10. During our stay in London we went on a day ……… to Oxford, and another to Windsor.

Put one of the following words in each space in the sentences below.
in/ at/ by/ on

(a) We went …. car.
(b) She arrived …. London …. midnight
(c) We went …… John’s car..
(d) We went ….. a journey,
(e) She arrived ……..the hotel.

HOME ASSIGNMENT
1) Learn travel vocabulary from this class
2) Read all TRAVEL QUOTES and be ready to interpret the actors’ ideas in class.
3) Study carefully the travel vocabulary below, look all the new words and expressions up in your dictionary, do the exercises.

Travel quotes
What did the author mean?
«A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.» (Tim Cahill)
«A tourist is a fellow who drives thousands of miles so he can be photographed standing in front of his car.» (Emile Ganest)
«He travels fastest who travels alone.» (proverb)
«He who would travel happily must travel light.» (Antoine de St. Exupery)
«If God had really intended men to fly, he’d make it easier to get to the airport». (George Winters)
«Most travel is best of all in the anticipation or the remembering; the reality has more to do with losing your luggage». (Regina Nadelson)
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” (Lao Tzu)
“Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” (Mark Twain)
“I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.” (George Bernard Shaw)
“I love to travel, But hate to arrive” (Albert Einstein)
“I love waking up in the morning not knowing what’s gonna happen or who I’m gonna meet, where I’m gonna wind up.” – said Jack in “Titanic”
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” (Robert Louis Stevenson)
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” (Augustine of Hippo)
“To travel is to live.” (Hans Christian Andersen)
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” (Gustave Flaubert)
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money”. (Unknown)
“Wherever you go, you take yourself with you.” (Neil Gaiman)

4) In your DISCUSSION section write just a couple of sentences about your most horrible trip ever.

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Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Эрик, Гуля, Лена Ш, Юля, Наташа
Absent: Катя, Лена Ч

SPEAKING: Taking part in an Internet discussion — can it be dangerous? Speak up and then write your opinion in our DISCUSSION section.
VOCABULARY: Explanation game. Take one vocabulary item from your previous class and try to explain to your neighbor what you have in mind.
MORE VOCABULARY WORK: See you home task on page 14 September.
SPEAKING: Let’s go on interpreting TRAVEL QUOTES:

«If God had really intended men to fly, he’d make it easier to get to the airport». (George Winters)

«Most travel is best of all in the anticipation or the remembering; the reality has more to do with losing your luggage». (Regina Nadelson)
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” (Lao Tzu)
“Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” (Mark Twain)
“I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.” (George Bernard Shaw)
“I love to travel, But hate to arrive” (Albert Einstein)
“I love waking up in the morning not knowing what’s gonna happen or who I’m gonna meet, where I’m gonna wind up.” – said Jack in “Titanic”
“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” (Robert Louis Stevenson)
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” (Augustine of Hippo)
“To travel is to live.” (Hans Christian Andersen)
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” (Gustave Flaubert)
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money”. (Unknown)
“Wherever you go, you take yourself with you.” (Neil Gaiman)

HOME ASSIGNMENT
1) Learn the vocabulary you have discussed in class.
2) Make a One-page leaflet entitled «YOUR MUST-SEE DESTINATION»

• It should be a ONE page Word-document: text + picture. For inspiration see the extracts of a tourist brochure in your textbook (page 70, ex 6.6A)
• It should be a persuasive slogan-like text explaining to your clients why they must visit the destination in the picture.
• The trick is to advertise the destination that is off the beaten track, some faraway spot in the middle of nowhere )))
• You should use many items of our topic vocabulary without being over the top.
• Send me your leaflets at ipjulia@yandex.ru BEFORE out Tuesday class.

3) Textbook work — Page 66, ex. 6.3 A and B
4) Write short comments in today’s Discussion below.

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Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Катя, Гуля, Лена Ш, Лена Ч, Юля, Эрик

Absent: Наташа

INFO: Travel Quiz:
Юля 17/18
Эрик 0/18
Лена Ч 17/18
Лена Ш 17/18
Гуля 18/18
Катя 17/18

GRAMMAR: Future Tenses (Theory and Exercises)

VOCABULARY: Write an e-mail to your friend, asking him her for help in planning your future trip in their country. Send it to ipjulia@yandex.ru

DISCUSSION:
Watch the «Russian episode of the Idiot Abroad, be ready to describe Karl’s exploits and comment on his culture shock. You need to watch min 7.32 — 44.21

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
0) Write your entries in today’s Discussion.
1) Read and translate the text below:

Studying Abroad: Culture Shock

For those who want to study abroad (or stay long-term) one thing to be aware of when you first enter the country is culture shock. Culture shock is natural, expected, and unavoidable. No matter how much films you watch, no matter what you do to prepare, there are going to be things about the culture that are just foreign and alien to you, whether it’s the language, food (which can be weird sometimes), climate, and even just everyday actions of different people.
At first you will probably feel only excitement and anticipation as you explore the various sights, eat street food, take lots of pictures, etc. However, after several weeks in this new environment, you may find yourself with less energy and even less enthusiasm. Maybe you do not have many friends yet and start miss home.
The good news is that disorientation is temporary and the feelings of depression will pass. However, this will only happen after you accept your new culture, including the good and the bad parts. However if you want to speed up the process of getting over culture shock some activities that can help include: keeping up a journal, making friends, talking with other international students/advisors, improving your language skills, developing a hobby, joining a club, or traveling.
Another thing to be aware of, is that it happens in reverse as well. After getting fully integrated with your new culture, coming back home creates reverse culture shock! This is especially prevalent for those who study abroad for a full year. All of a sudden you are frustrated with how things are back at home and long to return to your host country. Applying the same techniques as for the initial culture shock also apply here, particularly talking with other students who have studied abroad before.
The good news for vacationers is that this really doesn’t apply to you. You will still be on the pre-culture shock high for pretty much all of your vacation unless you plan on spending over a month in Japan. So enjoy yourself, and for those who plan to stay longer, hang in there, it gets better!

2) Be ready to discuss the picture below:

3) Practice the use of future tenses:

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Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Лена Ш, Лена Ч, Катя, Гуля, Юля, Наташа, Эрик

DISCUSSION:

• «Say NO to plagiarism!»
• How to solve communicative tasks effectively.
• Analysis of your task «Letter to your friend».
• Learning to read and follow the guidelines.

CULTURE SHOCK (see your home assignment of the 5th of October)

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) Comment on the following picture.

2) VOCABULARY: TRAVEL IDIOMS
Complete each idiom in bold with an appropriate word from A, B or C. Each idiom is explained in italics after each sentence.
1. Despite a huge variety of restaurants selling excellent local dishes, many tourists prefer to eat ……………………….. food. (fast food / convenience food such as hamburgers, pizzas, etc, which are not very healthy for you) A. rubbish B. junk C. garbage
2. He’s always going on holiday to interesting and exciting places. He’s such a globe-
……………………….. (somebody who travels a lot) 
A. runner B. hopper C. trotter
3. Many tourists staying in the area are kept in tourist
……………………….. where they rarely get a chance to meet the local people and experience local culture. (an enclosed resort surrounded by high fences, etc, designed to keep local people out and tourists in) 
A. ghettoes B. slums C. dives
4. This hotel is dirty and uncomfortable. It’s a real ………………………! (a dirty, uncomfortable and, usually, cheap hotel) 
A. doghouse B. fleapit C. chicken coop
5. The resort was in the middle of ……………………….., so there was nothing interesting to see or do. (isolated from any towns, villages, etc) 
A. everywhere B. somewhere C. nowhere
6. I hadn’t been anywhere for years, and then suddenly I got ……………………….. feet and decided to do some travelling. (a desire to travel and see different places)
 A. itchy B. scratchy C. tickly
7. I always try to travel ………………………. when I go on holiday. I just take a very small suitcase and nothing else. (to take very little luggage with you when you travel) 
A. light B. gentle C. easy
8. I don’t like staying in busy resorts. I prefer to go somewhere that’s off the ………………………. track. (away from popular areas) 
A. beaten B. well-walked C. tramped
9. When I arrive in a foreign city, I can’t wait to ……………………….. the sights. (to go sightseeing) A. run B. play C. do
10.Passengers flying from Britain to Australia often ………………………. the journey for a day or two for a stopover somewhere like Hong Kong or Singapore. (stop somewhere for a short time during a long journey) A. split B. crack C. break
11. One of the biggest problems anyone faces when they travel abroad is culture ………………………… (confusion or anxiety that travellers experience when visiting a different country)
 A. surprise B. shock C. daze
12.Applying for a visa often involves dealing with a lot of ……………………….. tape. (bureaucracy) A. blue B. white C. red
13.£15 for a hamburger and a plate of fries? What a ………………………. -off! (something that costs too much) A. rip B. tear C. pull
14.Don’t eat in that restaurant. It looks nice from the outside, but it’s a real tourist ………………………. (a place that is in a good location to attract tourists, but is overpriced and generally provides poor service)
 A. pit B. trap C. trick
15.Last year we went on a ………………………. visit to Europe: we did seven capital cities in seven days! (a very short visit) 
A. running B. flying C. hurrying

3) Read the paragraphs below, and try to explain the meaning of the idioms in bold type.

A.
You should always read between the lines when you look in a holiday brochure. I chose a hotel that was described as being in a quiet location a stone’s throw from the beach. That was true only to a certain extent. You see, the hotel was in the middle of nowhere, and it was on a cliff looking down at the beach two hundred feet below!

B.
Prices for long-distance flights are usually high. However, competition between airlines has brought prices downrecently, and if you shop around you can usually get a good deal, especially if you go to search on the Internet. I managed to get a cut-price flight to Edinburgh — £350 return! — but the flight left Washington at an unearthly hour and went round the houses (we flew via Calgary, Rome, and Hamburg) before we reached our destination!

C.
We had a guest staying at our hotel last week. She was a very tough customer, always complaining and picking holes in everything. Anyway, when she checked out, she demanded a refund, but our manager calmly and politely explained that this was out of the question. She flew off the handle and stormed out of the hotel without paying! On top of everything, when maid went to clean her room, we also discovered she had nicked the towels!

D.
I really recommend the cafe on the corner. You always get your money’s worth. The foodis good and plentiful, and the staffis friendly and cheerful. The place is popular with the natives, so that’s a good sign. The restaurant next door is a tourist trap and food there will cost you a pretty penny!

F.
The Aphrodite Hotel in Cyprus is out of this world, and if you stay there you’ll know that you’re in good hands. When I was there, the staff went out of their way to make me feel welcome, and the manager did his best to make sure everything was perfect. He knew I was dog-tired when I arrived, so asked all his staff to keep the noise down, and of course I slept like a log.

4) GRAMMAR: Future Tenses (see your home assignment of the 5th of October)

Unit 7. Spending your money
Attendance: — everyone!
In class:

READING: Your Textbook. Ex.7.2 Money fit to launder

LISTENING: Watch the video of the Bank of England devoted to the issue of a new 10 pound polymer note on the 14th of September 2017. Write down the answers to the questions below:

1. What are the advantages of polymer over paper?
2. What are security features introduced for?
3. Make a list of the key security features of the note.
4. What is the tactile feature introduced for?

READING and WRITING: Read the the article The World’s Weirdest Banknotes and write its short summary in up to 150 words.

HOME ASSINGMENT:

A) LISTENING AND VOCABULARY WORK: Watch the video THE EVOLUTION OF MONEY and fill in the gaps in the sentences from the text:

1. What is money? Small pieces of metal or paper, passed from person to person, …………… for food, or clothes, or robotic vacuum cleaners.
2. Before money existed, humans relied on a system of ……….. .
3. According to writings from the time, early Roman soldiers were paid in salt, which is where we get the word ‘…………….’
4. The first …………… issued in Lydia in about 600 B.C. were made of Electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, and made King Croesus extremely wealthy.
5. When the British Empire colonised America, the government restricted the colonists from …………….. ……………. so they wouldn’t be able to declare independence.
6. During the American civil war, both sides issued huge amounts of government backed ………….. …………… to fund the war as there wasn’t enough gold.
7. Money finally entered the digital age in the 1980s with the introduction of ………….. …………. …………. (ATM) – or …………… …………. , ………………. …………Numbers, and ………. cards.
8. In more recent times a new phenomenon has evolved – ……………… You may know it better as …………
9. These days banks are becoming increasingly less important to our daily finances — we started with a cashless society, and with the rise of chip and pin and …………. ……………., cash is on the decline.

B) VOCABULARY:

C)
The customary design of banknotes in most countries is a portrait of a notable citizen (living and/or deceased) on the front or on the back of the banknotes. Browse some reliable sources and prepare a brief overview on the subject «WHO is WHO of the
(the country of your choice) banknotes». Make sure to tell your group mates some exciting facts and don’t forget to explain the reasons to honor the people on the banknotes. You are to deliver your story as a short speech (you may consult your notes though).

Unit 7. Spending your money
Attendance: Лена Ш, Лена Ч, Гуля, Эрик, Катя
Absent: Юля, Наташа
In class:
TRAVEL TEST RESULTS: Best papers — Lena Sh, Natasha, Julia (pic description),

PRESENTATION: «WHO is WHO of the banknotes».

VOCABULARY:

LISTENING AND VOCABULARY WORK: Watch the video THE EVOLUTION OF MONEY and fill in the gaps in the sentences from the text:

1. What is money? Small pieces of metal or paper, passed from person to person, …………… for food, or clothes, or robotic vacuum cleaners.
2. Before money existed, humans relied on a system of ……….. .
3. According to writings from the time, early Roman soldiers were paid in salt, which is where we get the word ‘…………….’
4. The first …………… issued in Lydia in about 600 B.C. were made of Electrum, a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, and made King Croesus extremely wealthy.
5. When the British Empire colonised America, the government restricted the colonists from …………….. ……………. so they wouldn’t be able to declare independence.
6. During the American civil war, both sides issued huge amounts of government backed ………….. …………… to fund the war as there wasn’t enough gold.
7. Money finally entered the digital age in the 1980s with the introduction of ………….. …………. …………. (ATM) – or …………… …………. , ………………. …………Numbers, and ………. cards.
8. In more recent times a new phenomenon has evolved – ……………… You may know it better as …………
9. These days banks are becoming increasingly less important to our daily finances — we started with a cashless society, and with the rise of chip and pin and …………. ……………., cash is on the decline.

READING: Read the article below:

Study shows money makes us worry
A new study from the BBC shows that looking after money isn’t easy. Over 109,000 people took part in the BBC’s Big Money Test. It was one of the biggest ever studies on money psychology. One of the biggest findings is that money makes many people feel bad. Researchers say over 40 per cent of us always worry about spending money; a third of us constantly worry about money; and the same percentage feel guilty when spending money on themselves. The study found that women like to go shopping to make themselves feel better about life, while men are more likely to save their cash. Women are more generous with their money and are also more likely to suffer from money problems.
The researchers also looked at ways shops try and make us spend our money. It showed how stores are continually looking at new ways to make us buy things on impulse. It asks why candies and chocolate are always by the checkout in supermarkets; why «everyday essentials like bread and milk are at the back of the shop so you have to walk through as many aisles as possible to reach them;» and why the perfume and jewellery sections are always at the front of a department store. The test says that buying things on impulse can be bad for our finances: «People who bought goods impulsively were three times more likely to go bankrupt, and four times more likely to run out of money by the end of the week.»

Source: /www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/21360144

DISCUSSION: (be ready to justify your answers providing the examples from your own experience)

1. How do shops make us buy things?
2. Do you always believe adverts that tell us why we need something?
3. What things have you bought on impulse? Were you happy after?
4. Have you ever bought something and felt guilty?
5. Do you need everything you buy?
6. How does shopping make you feel?

WATCHING and WRITING:
Watch the clips on shopping. Answer the questions IN WRITING. Write in your notebooks.

1) What seemed to be Vivian’s problem while she went shopping?

2) Explain why Vivian’s second shopping session was much more successful.

3 ) Why is the customer clearly dissatisfied with such ‘excellent’ service? Have you had a similar experience in shops?

4) Why did the person at the cash register dislike Michelle Pfeiffer’s heroine? What was her vendetta? Have you ever felt the same in shops?

5) Do you know what shoplifting is? Have you ever had an experience of the kind? In your opinion, why do shoplifters steal things? What measures should be taken to prevent this?

6) What sort of people do you see at the meeting? Why do they get together? Why does Rebecca’s monologue spoil the whole game? Where does she keep her credit card? Why? What other ways to look after your money do you know?

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) Learn (and do it very well!) the vocabulary of this lesson — all of it.
2) In writing answer the questions to the videos above. Write the answers which you did not submit in the end of last lesson. For those absent — write all answers.
3) Read the extract «Bridget Jones on shopping». Be ready to read, translate and discuss this text in class.

Unit 7. Spending your money
Attendance:
In class:
MONEY VOCABULARY QUIZ
YOUR PAPERS ASSESSMENT (VIDEO CLIPS ON SHOPPING)
VOCABULARY: What are the english equivalents of the following vocabulary items:
КАССА, КАССИР, СЧИТАТЬ КОД ТОВАРА, ПРОДАВЕЦ, ПОКУПАТЕЛЬ, БУМАЖНИК, ОЧЕРЕДЬ, СТОЯТЬ В ОЧЕРЕДИ, ВЛЕЗТЬ БЕЗ ОЧЕРЕДИ, ПРИЛАВОК, ВИТРИНА, ПРИМЕРОЧНАЯ, ПРИМЕРИТЬ, ТЕЛЕЖКА, ТОВАР, ЦЕННИК, ЧЕК, ВЫПИСАТЬ ЧЕК, РАСПРОДАЖА, ДАТЬ СКИДКУ, ПЛАТИТЬ НАЛИЧНЫМИ, ЗАМЕНИТЬ ТОВАР, ВОЗВРАТИТЬ ТОВАР, БРАКОВАННЫЙ ТОВАР, ПОЛУЧИТЬ ДЕНЬГИ НАЗАД, УНИВЕРСАМ, УНИВЕРМАГ, ТОРГОВЫЙ ЦЕНТР, БЛОШИНЫЙ РЫНОК, СПЕЦИАЛЬНОЕ ПРЕДЛОЖЕНИЕ, СПИСОК ПОКУПОК, «МАГАЗИННАЯ ТЕРАПИЯ», БАНКОМАТ, РАЗГЛЯДЫВАНИЕ ВИТРИН

CASH REGISTER/ TILL/DESK, CASHIER, TO READ BARCODE, SHOP ASSISTANT, CUSTOMER, PURSE, QUEUE/LINE, TO QUEUE UP, TO JUMP THE QUEUE, COUNTER/SHOP BOARD, SHOPWINDOW, CHANGING/FITTING ROOM, TO TRY ON, TROLLEY/CART, GOODS/ MERCHANDISE/ARTICLE , PRICE TAG, RECEIPT, MAKE A CHEQUE, WRITE OUT A CHEQUE, SAIL, GIVE A DISCOUNT, TO REPLACE/EXCHANGE, TO RETURN, TO GET MONEY BACK, FAULTY STUFF, TO PAY CASH, SUPERMARKET, DEPARTMENT STORE, SHOPPING MALL, FLEA MARKET, SPECIAL OFFER, SHOPPING LIST, RETAIL THERAPY, ATM/HOLE IN THE WALL,window shopping

CONVERSATION PRACTICE:
In just 5 minutes make up a short funny dialogue making use of at least 10 words or words combinations from the list above

READING, TRANSLATION, DISCUSSiON
Bridget Jones on Shopping

Bridget Jones on X-mas Gift Exchange

SHOPPING QUOTES

The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her. ~Marcelene Cox
I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist. ~Tammy Faye Bakker
I’ve been shopping all my life and still have nothing to wear. ~Author Unknown
Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. ~Oscar Wilde

Unit 7. Spending your money
Attendance:
In class:
DISCUSSION: your RESPONSE ESSAY 250-300 words to describe your attitude to one of O’Henry’s stories.

• ‘One Thousand Dollars,’ by O. Henry
• Mammon and the Archer
• Lost on Dress Parade
• While the Auto Waits

Learning to meet the requirements of your task. Do you have an idea of what a DEADLINE is?

SPEAK UP: Money Talk
Practice your skills of dialogue and monologue.

DISCUSSION: STUDENTS’ EXPENSES AROUND THE WORLD
1) COST OF LIVING IN KOREA | Exchange student

2) PERTH’S COST OF LIVING: What our students say

3) Students’ expenses in Canada

4) The cost of living and student residence life in Lund

5) The cost of Living in JAPAN

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
A) Read the text below and write down all the key words and expressions.

B) Do the vocabulary exercises and be ready for discussion on the text:

UNIT 16. Look after yourself

IN CLASS

LISTENING: Doctor Doctor Jokes
VOCABULARY: Unit 16.C — D vocabualry work
DISCUSSION: Unit16 A -B

1. What impression did this story make on you?
2. Do you think the plan described in the story is going to work with most people? Why? Why not?
3. What do you think about the personality of the doctor and the author of the book?
4. Do you think such books are written to help people? What other reasons might there be?

READING FOR VOCABULARY
Examination Fever
For most of the year, most of us had been allergic to work; apparently there had been a history of such allergies in the school.Throughout the spring there had been quite a few cases of ‘Exams are stupid’, which proved highly contagious among friends.Then in late May, one or two of us suffered a mild attack of ‘Gosh, is it really next month?’ and we seemed to give that to the others rather rapidly. You could tell how it was spreading from improved attendance at lessons. An even more serious outbreak was that of the very infectious ‘I don’t know a thing’ two weeks before. At about the same time everyone seemed to catch ‘You’re no good!’ from the teachers. Then there was about “don’t really care” followed by a few chronic casesof ‘My parents will kill me’. This again proved very catching; half the class was down with it in the week leading up to the exam itself, and it had reached epidemic proportions by the Friday before.By this time, those who had been suffering from‘It’ll be easy for me’ had made a total recovery. That Friday there was a ‘What if I’m suffering from amnesia?’ scare, and this had developed by Monday into a touch of I can’t even remember my own name’.There were also, of course, the normal isolated cases of ‘My pen doesn’t work’ and several pupils had a sudden fit of ‘Where’s the toilet?’ Afterwards there were a couple of complaints of I know I’ve failed’, but generally the worst seemed to be over. Such diseases are rarely terminal!

LISTENING AND WRITING: In your notebook, write the answer to the following questions
1) What can you say about the patient judging by her looks? 2) Describe the examination the doctor has given her. Look up the words in the dictionary if necessary!3) What health problems did he discover?

4) Why did the doctor finally run away in horror?

LISTENING: A visit to doctor
Listen for general info and some details:
1. What sort of health problem does the patient have?
2. When was the patient injured?
3. What was the patient doing when he supposedly got his injury?
4. What sort of treatment does the doctor have in mind?
5. Do you think the patient has got a serious health problem? Justify your opinion.
6. Does the doctor appear to be sympathetic/unsympathetic/helpful?
Listen again and find the words and expressions which correspond to the following:

• Думал полегчает, а стало хуже
• Думаю, ребро сломал…
• Ну, и что Вас беспокоит?
• Принимать болеутоляющие средства
• Само пройдет!
• Сделать рентген
• Сильно болит, правда!
• У меня ужасно болит…

SPEAKING: Using the words and expressions given above, make short dialogues describing your own visits to doctors.

HOME ASSIGNMENT

1. Learn the key vocabulary — there will be a quiz!
2. Listen to the extract from Jerome K.Jerome’s «Three men in a boat» UP TO min. 4.20 (!!!) and be ready to retell it.

3. Translate the Doctor-Doctor Jokes below from Russian into English, trying to keep the essence of the joke! Do it in writing in your notebook.

UNIT 16. Look after yourself

IN CLASS
VOCABULARY:
A) Quiz
B) Write a comment in today’s discussion, using at least 3 vocabulary items
C) Doctor Doctor Jokes Translated

MORE VOCABULARY:
Study the ‘case history’ below.
A) ‘You’re in perfect health… as fit as a fiddle … there’s nothing wrong with you.»I feel a bit off-colour … rather under the weather… I do feel funny… I really don’t feel well… I think I’m sickening for something … I feel feverish … ‘
B) ‘He’s been taken ill… he’s in a coma… fighting for his life … still critically ill… in a very critical condition … no change … still seriously ill… still hasn’t regained consciousness …C) ‘He’s no better … he’s getting worse … his condition is deteriorating … he’s getting weaker … he’s slipping away … fading fast… his life is hanging by a thread … it’s just a matter of time … he could go at any second!’D) is responding to treatment… off the danger list… making progress … his condition is satisfactory … he’s come out of the coma…. he’s turned the corner … he’s on the mend.’E) ‘We all wish you a speedy recovery … get well soon … we’re glad you’re over it.’F) ‘The worst is over … he’s almost completely recovered … he’s practically cured … he’s coming along nicely … he’ll be on his feet again soon … he’ll be out and about again in a few days.’G) ‘He’s made a miraculous recovery … he’s as good as new … as right as rain … he’ll live till he’s a hundred.’
DISCUSSION: Do we really suffer form illnesses or do we simply overreact (After Jerome K.Jerome)
READING:29 October 2017

Battle to encourage healthier lifestyles — Changing behavior is not easy.

By Nick TriggleHealth reporter, BBC News
Whether it is smoking, drinking, eating or exercise, most people are aware of what they need to do. And yet they do not do it.
Take smoking, for example. The link to lung cancer has been clear for decades, while evidence is mounting for a host of other conditions.From the 1960s to 1990s the numbers fell dramatically. But progress has been much slower since then, with smoking rates hovering stubbornly above 20%. Obesity rates have risen over the past decade too, with the country on course to have more obese adults than non-obese by 2050. What is more, an increasing number of Britons are turning to drink.
There is a big challenge now because of the recession. During economically tough times smoking and drinking rates tend to rise. Anxiety and stress will be problems as well. We need a good public health service more than ever.
But the key question, as always, is over money. One of the government’s flagship public health projects, free swimming for children and pensioners, was scrapped soon after the coalition government was formed. This has prompted fears there will be little money available to push for the local projects, from cycling lanes to cookery classes, that are the bedrock of public health.
Nevertheless changing behaviour is not easy. People can try to make the healthy choice, but that is not always possible when you see the amount of fat, sugar and salt already in some processed foods.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UNIT 16. Look after yourself

IN CLASS
PART 1: HEALTHY LIVING
VOCABULARY QUIZ RESULTS
SPEAK UP: Make a short speech containing your active vocabulary items (no less than 7):
— a doctor talking to kids at school
— a quack trying to pick up more clients
— a politician talking about healthcare
— a patient telling about his condition
— a pensioner complaining about his/her poor helath
— a fringe medicine addict
— a person criticizing the situation the situation with medicine supply in his country

DISCUSSION: What do you do to be in good health? Your quiz on Healthy Living

https://ru.surveymonkey.com/r/PX7NT5S
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-OMIcijRoTREhVhh-M2P-bPPCmWP5mtOJ5FpFWgJElQ/mobilebasic

PART 1: YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

VOCABULARY:

READING. Read the extract from the article
Why Shrinks Have Problems? — and answer the question posed in the title.

«…In 1899 Sigmund Freud got a new telephone number: 14362. He was 43 at the time, and he was profoundly disturbed by the digits in the new number. He believed they signified that he would die at age 61 (note the one and six surrounding the 43) or, at best, at age 62 (the last two digits in the number). He clung, painfully, to this bizarre belief for many years. Presumably he was forced to revise his estimate on his 63rd birthday, but he was haunted by other superstitions until the day he died—by assisted suicide, no less—at the ripe old age of 83. That’s just for starters. Freud also had frequent blackouts. He refused to quit smokingeven after 30 operations to correct the extensive damage he suffered from cancer of the jaw. He was a self-proclaimed neurotic. He suffered from a mild form of agoraphobia. And, for a time, he had a serious cocaine problem.
Neuroses? Superstitions? Substance abuse? Blackouts? And suicide? So much for the father of psychoanalysis. But are these problems typical for psychologists? How are Freud’s successors doing? Or, to put the question another way: Are shrinks really «crazy»?»
When, years ago, my mom told me that her one and only session with a psychotherapist had been disappointing because «the guy was obviously much crazier than I was,» I assumed, or at least hoped, that she was joking. Mental healthprofessionals have access to special tools and techniques to help themselves, right?
Sure, Freud was peculiar, and, yes, I’d heard that Jung had had a nervous breakdown. But I’d always assumed that—rumors to the contrary notwithstanding;—mental health professionals were probably fairly healthy.
Turns out I was wrong.»

LISTENING: WAS FREUD A FRAUD?

Write down the English equivalents for:

• одурачить, обмануть, ввести в заблуждение
• это просто чушь, ерунда!
• предоставить кого-л. самому себе
• непрофессионалы, любители
• состряпать историю
• поставить неверный диагноз
• неэффективное лечение
• оговорка по Фрейду ( be ready to give an example)
• «бессознательное»
• «мутные» туманные разглагольствования
• препятствовать тщательным клиническим испытаниям
• наживаться на доверчивость публики
• разрушить мифы

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
Write an essay: Can a psychiatrist (or psychoanalyst or psychotherapist) help someone with their problems? Express your own opinion!

UNIT 16. Look after yourself

IN CLASS
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
You have listened to the interview with professor Carl Abrahams talking about Sigmund Freud.
What are the English equivalents for:

• одурачить, обмануть, ввести в заблуждение
• это просто чушь, ерунда!
• предоставить кого-л. самому себе
• непрофессионалы, любители
• состряпать историю
• поставить неверный диагноз
• неэффективное лечение
• оговорка по Фрейду ( be ready to give an example)
• «бессознательное»
• «мутные» туманные разглагольствования
• препятствовать тщательным клиническим испытаниям
• наживаться на доверчивость публики
• разрушить мифы

You have watched the video Phobia Workshop. Answer the questions below:

1. What fears do the members of the workshop have?
2. What makes the whole thing look so funny?

Watch the clips below and be ready to reason and discuss the following: In your opinion, do such practices help people suffering from psychological problems feel better? Why/Why not?

1) ANALYSE THIS!

In your opinion, what is wrong with the doctor?

2) Austin Powers Group Therapy

What famous American TV show is ridiculed in this movie? What are the general features of this kind of programmes?

3) Anger Management — Don’t go there

Do you think this man managed to deal with his angry ways? Why?/Why not?

4) Anger Management — Who you are scene

Why is the patient getting more and more nervous?

5) Freaky Fridy/ Therapy scene

Having watched this comic scene, do you think shrinks need to distance themselves from their patients in order not to go mad?

SPEAK UP: Can a psychiatrist (or psychoanalyst or psychotherapist) help someone with their problems? Express your own opinion!

READING: TIME TO HELP YOURSELF — DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?

HOME ASSIGNMENT
1) Revise the vocabulary for your Test on Health and Illness (vocabulary items from the text about the programme of self-healing and exercises after it, idioms and set expressions, the dialogue Doctor-Patient and the interview about Freud — to sum up, see the previous lessons on the subject)
2) Type your essays and send up0load them on the STUDENTS’ PAPERS page
3) Read the article Why Procrastinators Procrastinate and answer the questions:
1. What is a very simple definition of “Procrastination”?
2. Who are fake procrastinators and why is it easy for them to avoid this bad habit?
3. What are real procrastinators like?
4. How did the author hand in his papers at college?
5. In what way is the brain of a Rational Person different from one of a Procrastinator?
6. What suggestion does the Instant Gratification Monkey give to the Procrastinator?
7. Why shouldn’t the Instant Gratification Monkey be in charge of decisions?
8. What is a Dark Playground and why is the fun one has there completely unearned?
9. Look at the picture and speak about the activities at the Dark Playground. Which of them are you involved in from time to time?
10.When does the Panic Monster usually arrive? How do you usually deal with your own Panic Monster?
11.What are the reasons why we should fight Procrastination?

UNIT 16. Look after yourself

TIME TO HELP YOURSELF — DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?
Why Procrastinators Procrastinate
October 30, 2013 By Tim Urban

*Tim Urban has become one of the Internet’s most popular writers. With weired illustrations and occasionally epic prose on everything from procrastination to artificial intelligence, Urban’s blog, Wait But Why, has gathered millions of unique page views, thousands of patrons and famous fans like Elon Musk.

TED TALK: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator
ARTICLE HERE:

WARM UP:
1. Are you good at time-management?
2. Do you use daily/weekly planners?
3. What do you think of the people who plan ahead for years and decades (i.e. they try to figure out when exactly they are going to start a family, have kids, buy a new house, etc)?
4. Do you procrastinate from time to time?
5. Do you feel guilty and how do you resolve the situation?

VOCABULARY:
Give the synonyms or explain the following:
VERBS

• to delay
• to avoid
• to struggle
• to accomplish
• to coexist
• to berate
• to mope

NOUNS

• deadline
• guilt
• anxiety
• regret
• predicament
• consequence
• embarrassment

ADJECTIVES

• unbridled (freedom)
• optional
• insane
• rational (decisions)
• dormant
• well-earned (leisure)

Fill the gaps with prepositions:
1. We have to hand …….. papers from time to time.
2. Let’s start ……..understanding a non-procrastinator’s brain.
3. Rational Decision-Maker in the procrastinator’s brain is coexisting ……..an Instant Gratifcation Monkey.
4. Who should be in charge ……..decisions?
5. In the monkey world, your Instant Gratification Monkey has got it all figured ……..: you eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired, and don’t do anything difficult.
6. The fun you have in the Dark Playground is completely unearned and the air is filled ……..guilt and anxiety.
7. Sometimes the Rational Decision-Maker puts his foot ……..and refuses to let you waste your time.
8. As it turns …….., there’s only one thing that scares the Instant Gratification Monkey.
9. The Instant Gratification Monkey is terrified ……..the Panic Monster.
10.Sometimes, the person who couldn’t write a paper’s introductory sentence for two weeks can stay ……..all night and write eighteen pages.
11.Some lucky procrastinators don’t even respond ……..the Panic Monster.
12.The procrastinator ultimately ends ……..underachieving and fails ……..reach his potential.

READING COMPREHENSION:
Read the article and answer the questions:
1. What is a very simple definition of “Procrastination”?
2. Who are fake procrastinators and why is it easy for them to avoid this bad habit?
3. What are real procrastinators like?
4. How did the author hand in his papers at college?
5. In what way is the brain of a Rational Person different from one of a Procrastinator?
6. What suggestion does the Instant Gratification Monkey give to the Procrastinator?
7. Why shouldn’t the Instant Gratification Monkey be in charge of decisions?
8. What is a Dark Playground and why is the fun one has there completely unearned?
9. Look at the picture and speak about the activities at the Dark Playground. Which of them are you involved in from time to time?
10.When does the Panic Monster usually arrive? How do you usually deal with your own Panic Monster?
11.What are the reasons why we should fight Procrastination?

In class render the following into English using the key vocabulary items:
Прокрастинация – это такой недуг, от которого трудно излечиться. Простой совет «Избегайте прокрастинации!» выглядит как насмешка. Давайте посоветуем страдающим ожирением людям избегать переедания, депрессивным людям — избегать апатии, и кто-нибудь, пожалуйста, скажите китам, выброшенным из воды на пляж, что они должны избегать пребывания вне океана.
«Избегайте прокрастинации!» — это хороший совет только для ложных прокрастинаторов, которые говорят: «Я заходил в Facebook несколько раз на работе, ах как же много времени я потратил впустую!». Эти же люди скажут истинному прокрастинатору: «Просто перестань прокрастинировать, и ты будешь в порядке». Они не понимают, что настоящая прокрастинация – не дело выбора, а тяжкая зависимость.
Принимающий Рациональные Решения в голове прокрастинатора сосуществует с Обезьяной Мгновенного Вознаграждения, и эта самая обезьяна не даёт ему делать работу.Она не в состоянии отвечать за принятие решений. Она думает только о настоящем, игнорируя все уроки прошлого и будущее вообще. Её заботит только то, как максимизировать удовольствие прямо сейчас. В мире обезьян всё понятно — вы едите, когда голодны, спите, когда устали, и не делаете ничего сложного. C безумной обезьяной в голове, прокрастинатор тратит кучу времени в месте под названием Тёмная Игровая Площадка. Веселье на Тёмной Игровой Площадке — вовсе не веселье, потому что оно абсолютно незаслуженно, а человек там испытывает вину, беспокойство, ненависть к себе и страх.
Иногда Принимающий Рациональные Решения настаивает на своем и отказывается напрасно тратить время. Но потом Обезьяна снова берет вверх и бедный Принимающий Рациональные Решения мучается от сожалений, хандрити отчитывает себя за слабость. А тут еще появляется Панический Монстр, который сначала дремлет, но просыпается, как только приближается дедлайн или возникает опасность общественного порицания, краха карьеры или другие пугающие последствия.
Безусловно, так жить нельзя. Даже для прокрастинатора, которому изредка удаётся добиться успеха, что-то должно измениться. И вот почему:

• Лучше потратить время на наслаждение удовлетворением от проделанной работы, а не на панику.
• Прокрастинатор слишком часто проваливает попытки раскрытия своего потенциала.
• Разобравшись с прокрастинацией можно найти время делать потрясающие вещи: прийти в хорошую физическую форму, больше читать, научиться играть на гитаре, написать книгу, готовить сложные блюда, и даже круто поменять карьеру!

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
A) WRiTING: Read the Article HOW TO BEAT PROCRASTINATION and write the gist, summing up the main ideas of the author.

B) SPEAK-UP:
Looks at the pictures and be ready to comment on them.

C) CREATIVITY Follow the link and get ready for discussion:

CREATIVITY
You were supposed to find on YOUTUBE a short inspirational video that illustrates «out of the box» concept and make a 2-3-minute speech containing your the analysis of the clip and your emotional response. Use key words and expressions!

Кадамбоева Гуласал

Юлиана Мекрюкова и Наталья Калабина

Чепок Елена

Лобачус Эрик

Екатерина Рыбина

UNIT 4. Let’s Talk

ONE MORE OCCASION OF MISUNDERSTANDING: Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is a book written by American author and relationship counselor John Gray, after he had earned degrees in meditation and taken a correspondence course in psychology. The book states that most common communication problems between men and women are a result of fundamental psychological differences between the sexes, which the author exemplifies by means of the metaphor: that men and women are from distinct planets—men from Mars and women from Venus—and that each sex is acclimated to its own planet’s society and customs, but not to those of the other. One example is men’s complaint that if they offer solutions to problems that women bring up in conversation, the women are not necessarily interested in solving those problems, but mainly want to talk about them.

Watch the video and comment on the difference in Male-Female approach to communication:

Study the feedback that other students gave on this video:

VOCABULARY: Do you think you know enough words and expressions to speak about communication? Study this list of COMMUNICATION VOCABULARY.

BRAINSTORM: Speak about different ASPECTS of communication and all possible causes of communication problems.

DISCUSSION: Recall your past experiences and the situations you have witnessed and be ready to make a 2-3 min speech in class.

=

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Stop Looking At Your Phones (‘The Britishes’)

Watch the video and give the English equivalents to the following:

1. положить конец цивилизованной дискуссии
2. получить важный звонок
3. оставить сообщение
4. жить в режиме многозадачности
5. «только здесь ловится сигнал»
6. перезвонить
7. «брать трубку»

What phenomena of the modern life are the authors making fun of? How do they manage to create the humorous effect?

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
READING:
Mobile Phones

To text or not to text?
Read the article Is Texting the Death of Small Talk?

1. What issues does the author bring up?
2. Who is more likely to lose oral communication skills and why?
3. Analyse the talking versus texting table.
4. What can we do to ensure that texting isn’t the death of small talk?

HAPPY VALENTINE!
In your opinion, which approach is more justified?

SURVIVING VALENTINE’S DAY IF YOU ARE SINGLE

For many, St. Valentine’s Day is the climax of the romantic year. It is a time for loved ones to exchange all manner of gifts, including chocolates, flowers, cuddly toys and cards loaded with mots d’amour. It is the day of the year when you feel wanted. A pink sugar-coated happy day that brightens up the dullest part of winter… However, for many boys and girls, men and women, bachelors and spinsters, it can be the most cruel date on the calendar. So what to do with this day? Batten down the hatches, hide under the blanket and emerge anew on the 15th? Here’s what we suggest:
Talk Yourself Out of it

Survive Valentine’s Day by simply ignoring any significance it might have. This is easy enough in the modern world where it’s just another excuse for companies to attempt to get you to buy large quantities of overpriced, badly made goods (which are also usually pink and heart-shaped). It’s all an attempt to make us feel guilty ofbeing alone. In life we need food, shelter, water, oxygen, clothing, transport and each other. And we need all those things all the time not only on the bloody Valentine’s Day! In fact, we should just boycott Valentine’s Day altogether! Those people who find themselves single on this particular day can comfort themselves thinking that they are saving money, time and effort when all around the world; people are struggling to cope with tokenism and thingism.
DO something ELSE…
… Ignore the whole thing. The best way to succeed is to involve yourself so completely in something that has nothing to do with Valentine’s that you don’t have time to realize that it is Valentine’s Day until it’s already over. Such activities could include making MP3 music collections, carving a really nice fork, knife and spoon out of wood with a dull penknife, or other suitably frustrating but time-consuming and finally “useful” activities.
A Few Alternatives:
One friend came up with this idea: I have the best alternative ever – Valentine’s Day just happens to be my dog’s birthday, so we celebrate THAT instead. Go for a long walk, share a meat pie and watch a movie together, it’s much nicer. Other than that you can just get drunk and watch violent action movies. OR — Do something good, for someone who needs it. You will like yourself as a result. Do it several times and you will like yourself a lot, and sweethearts will be standing in a queue at your door.
Celebrate Being Single
Sometimes it seems that if we don’t have an opportunity to sit opposite someone in a nice restaurant looking all shiny with love, then we feel bad, like something is missing in life or in us. We can spend all of our single life wishing to be in a couple, and then, ironically, when we do find someone, we start thinking how cool it would be to have some of our single life back. Enjoy being single, make the most of it! Do something on Valentine’s Day that celebrates your independent status. In this life you have to be happy with yourself first…
Cheat!
Or you could really go for the made-up mysterious admirer scenario. A few days before Valentine’s Day, place an order for flowers, chocolates and Champagne to be delivered to you at work. Have the card attached marked ‘Your secret admirer’. When the presents arrive, fake ignorance and surprise, and claim not to be able to guess who the gift has come from. Your office colleagues will rack their brains for you all day and will give you lots of attention.
Think International
Fortunately, in some countries Valentine cards and gifts are not only exchanged between sweethearts, but also between close friends. So send flowers and a card to a friend on Valentine’s Day. Or you could move to a country where they don’t celebrate it. Or at least go for a holiday there for the 14th of February, and counter all questions about Valentine’s Day when you get back with long descriptions of what you did, where you went and what you ate, until the uncomfortable moment is over. Russia is a good choice for this. Technically it’s not celebrated there, though the day is fashionable among young people (so avoid schools/colleges). Also if you hang around until the 8th of March, if you are a woman, you will be given flowers and chocolate whatever your marital status. And you’ll get a day off work, too.
Public Holiday
And while we’re on the subject of days off — the Government should solve everybody’s problems by declaring 14 February a national holiday. That way couples can enjoy a guilt-free day together in lovey-doveydom, or argue their way round a supermarket, whatever best suits them. And single people can avoid the outside world by staying at home, reflecting over why exactly nobody has sent them a card. Or spend the day at a free museum with a friend, or go to the pictures, or call their mothers… That way everybody wins.

UNIT 4. Let’s Talk TRANSLATION:Translate the following into English:Есть опасение, что повсеместное использование гэджетов для общения может положить конец цивилизованной дискуссии. В былые времена общение было устным, голосовым, и даже в телефонном разговоре можно было подчеркнуть свои эмоции. Вы могли выйти из себя и накричать на кого-то, могли заикаться; могли услышать нежное мурлыканье или даже шепот. Как важно было получить нужный звонок! Брать или не брать трубку, перезвонить или нет — это был иногда трудный выбор.В наши дни мы все живем в режиме многозначности, и вместо моментального ответа всегда можно отправить мессадж «когда-нибудь потом» или даже игнорировать его. Для молодежи чаты становятся естественным и единственным способом общения. А вот старшие члены семьи часто обижаются, когда детки за семейным обедом не выпускают мобильный из рук. Прекратите смотреть на мобильники! — кричат они. Даже чтобы понять, что этот текст не совсем серьезный, автор поставил в конце смайлик. 🙂
Here is another example of communication problem. Watch the video and speak about the reason why Bridget couldn’t get what she wanted in the drugstore.

HOME ASSIGNMENT
1) Read the texts about mobile phones and texting. We are going to discuss them in much detail. 2) TEAMWORK: Make a survey of your own. Ask other students about their attitudes to texting-talking communication. Ask them to give their reasons why they find either way more comfortable. Sum up the results in a short (2-2.5 min) video blog entry (blog). By 20.02.2018 the script should be ready.

UNIT 4. Let’s Talk
VOCABULARY AND DISCUSSION:
Communicating across cultures (See the class of the 6th of March)

READING: Read the following article written some 10 years ago by an American working in Russia.

1. Sum up his attitude in a few sentences.
2. Are there any statements you disagree with? Why?
3. Do you think something has changed since the early 2000s?

GAINING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE – It’s important to have a “sherpa” in the Russian market. Just as you wouldn’t try to climb Mt. Everest without a sherpa, so too should you not try to go it alone in Russia. At a minimum, companies entering the Russian market need to carefully recruit and retain experienced and talented Russian personnel in their industry. In certain industries, a Russian partner, either active or silent, will be helpful in dealing with government and regulatory issues. At most, even establishing a partnership or joint venture may speed market entry, but realize too that such partnerships come with risks, especially the almost inevitable time when there is a difference of opinion between the Western and Russian members of management. This can paralyze a company and create rifts, which are often difficult to resolve. A clear delineation of management control at the outset is critical to a successful joint venture. Solid legal advice from either multinational law firms or Russian firms catering to Western clients is essential.
PACE OF ACTIVITY– Progress is often slow in Russia. Western businesses should not plan on market development taking place as quickly as when entering other new markets. Product certification and other regulatory requirements need to be planned for and included into any project schedule.
COSTS – As with longer times required, investors should expect that actual expenses will be 2-3 times the anticipated budget amount.
FLEXIBILITY – When entering any new market, there are always unanticipated events and frustrations. New investors need to anticipate a higher than normal amount of frustrating delays in the Russian market and plan these into their project schedules. Some delays will never be fully explained either. Staying flexible and keeping ones sense of humor is essential.
SENSITIVITY TO NEW IDEAS– Because Russia was isolated from the West for such a long period, Russian business practices evolved differently, and Russians created novel ways to approach certain business decisions. While Russia has rapidly adopted Western business practices, and many Russian business managers have earned MBAs in the West, there are still key distinctions, which Western managers would do well to acknowledge. Who better knows and understands the Russian marketplace than Russians?
THE PERSONAL FACTOR– Relationships can make or break a business in Russia. Building the right relationships, even friendships, with key Russian partners and senior managers is essential. While relationships in Western business practice are important, they are magnified in Russia. A good relationship can cover a multitude of sins and ensure honesty and trustworthiness from both the Russian and Western partner. A strong relationship will also help both parties feel comfortable discussing problems and sensitive issues that can impact the business. Spend time with your Russian partners and key employees, take trips together, go to each other’s homes, get to know each other’s families. Not only will it enrich you personally, it will enhance your business.
RULE OF LAW / STABILITY OF CONTRACT– Quite often, contract signing with Russian counterparties is only another step in the never-ending negotiation process. Be prepared for regular attempts to re-negotiate agreements as factors change or as local partners sense they have gained enough knowledge to press their Western partners for better terms.
BUSINESS ETHIC. There is different business ethic in Russia than in the West. The “Anglo-Saxon” ethic of the UK or the US tends to be a bit more transparent, more “open-book”. In Russia because the legal system is still developing, people are much more “closed” and there is a lot more proclivity to lie, and gain the advantage by holding information and hiding essential things. That’s one of the key cultural differences.
DILIGENCE. Due to the factors mentioned above due diligence process has to be rigorous. You can’t expect that all the information will be presented to you from the very first time. When you are doing due diligence before working with Russian business partner you have to make sure that you’ve done a complete thorough investigation. Before making big investments due diligence is critical. It has to be proper and thorough. You have to go and see things yourself.
PERSONAL. The catchphrase “nothing personal – just business” DOES NOT WORK in Russia! With Russians business is a lot more personal. They have to genuinely like the people they are doing business with, before they have the level of trust to be partners. So if you are going to establish a joint venture or have Russian partners the relationship side is key.
PRIDE. Russians are very proud. Those businessmen who have survived during the chaotic period in Russian business, those who have been able to build their businesses and to attract western investment – have obviously done a great job – so they deserve a pat on the back! Just going in and dropping money on the table will not help to win friends or influence people. Russians would many times take a deal that on its face is less valuable in terms of cash or remuneration upfront so that they could have a partner they are comfortable with.
MARRIED TO BUSINESS. Russians are very attached to their businesses. They have to struggle so much for their business – they are very protective of it, they nurse it like a little child. The emotional draw is stronger in Russia than it is in the West. Russians are very good specialists in particular areas and they focus a lot on what they are doing. In the West people tend to do a wider range of things. So Russian businessmen can easily be hurt even in case you make some constructive criticism to their business because they treat it as their own child. Too much criticism may set negotiations back – you’ll have to go back to sooth over and repair ruffled moments and hurt feelings before you can move on again.
CRISIS RESOLUTION.If there is a misunderstanding or even a crisis in relations with your Russian partner, the main thing to do is to get it solved immediately. Don’t let it fester. Come to Moscow, come to wherever it is located in the region and spend time together. They relationship may never be the same but it can at least be repaired to the degree of being cordial again.
BUSINESS AND POLITICS. Every country has relations between politics and business; in most Western countries the political connection to business is very large; in Russia this connection has always been present especially in strategic industries and it has grown in the last couple of years as the Russian government has moved to get state control over gas, mineral deposits and other industries. The relationship is going to be very tight between politics and significant business in Russia. So there is no way you can do business there without knowing what’s going on and looking at the trends. Oil and gas are probably the most politically connected of the major industries.

WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

(From not bad to quite good, how trait of being polite stops us from saying what we really mean)
See the full article article HERE

«Ever been told by a new neighbour ‘You must come for dinner’ then spent weeks waiting for a follow-up invitation that never arrives?
Or been thrilled when the boss said he’d bear your ‘very interesting’ idea in mind and been surprised when it was never mentioned again.
Then you’ve been victim of the uniquely British trait of being too prim and polite to say what we really mean. And if it can be baffling for us, imagine what it must be like for foreigners who take our every word at face value.»

Looking at the table below make up short dialogues between British and Russian partners in business. Try to illustrate the situation with cross-cultural difference.

MORE READING:
Read the article and express your opinion — do you share Dr.Melia’s approach? Why? Why not?

Myth VS. reality

Dr Matthew Melia, a senior lecturer in Performance and Screen Studies at Kingston University, who teaches about cultural linguistics and stereotypes, told The Independentthe truth behind what we say and what we really mean may depend a little on individual — and regional — characteristics.

«I’m from Liverpool and we just say what we mean,» he said. «I teach television and in our first year classes we talk about how meaning is constructed and how an image can show you one thing and say something else.
Dr Melia also said that the kind of language we use may depend on our career or the kind of business we’re involved in.
«When I’m with my students and giving them feedback I tend to be direct,» he said. «If it’s bad, it’s bad – if it’s good then it’s good. As a lecturer and tutor I have a duty to be direct with students, whereas in business there’s likely to be a whole lexicon of sayings and language, such as the phrase, ‘blue sky thinking’.
«As someone who works within academia, I don’t think it’s good to be indirect. Students need to be able to be on the same page and you can’t give them mixed messages. For me, the same rules apply with friends and family, which is probably why my mouth gets me into trouble sometimes!»
Dr Melia criticised the chart, however, for propagating an «us vs them» mentality.
«By labelling these columns, ‘what the British say’ and making it appear differently to those from other parts of the EU, very much marks it out as an ‘us vs them’ mentality,» he said.
«Whereas what we say depends very much on the situation, and I would question how applicable this chart is to a wider set of social interactions.

UNIT 4. Let’s Talk

WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

(From not bad to quite good, how trait of being polite stops us from saying what we really mean)
See the full article article HERE

«Ever been told by a new neighbour ‘You must come for dinner’ then spent weeks waiting for a follow-up invitation that never arrives?
Or been thrilled when the boss said he’d bear your ‘very interesting’ idea in mind and been surprised when it was never mentioned again.
Then you’ve been victim of the uniquely British trait of being too prim and polite to say what we really mean. And if it can be baffling for us, imagine what it must be like for foreigners who take our every word at face value.»

Looking at the table below make up short dialogues between British and Russian partners in business. Try to illustrate the situation with cross-cultural difference.

MORE READING:
Read the article and express your opinion — do you share Dr.Melia’s approach? Why? Why not?

Myth VS. reality

Dr Matthew Melia, a senior lecturer in Performance and Screen Studies at Kingston University, who teaches about cultural linguistics and stereotypes, told The Independentthe truth behind what we say and what we really mean may depend a little on individual — and regional — characteristics.

«I’m from Liverpool and we just say what we mean,» he said. «I teach television and in our first year classes we talk about how meaning is constructed and how an image can show you one thing and say something else.
Dr Melia also said that the kind of language we use may depend on our career or the kind of business we’re involved in.
«When I’m with my students and giving them feedback I tend to be direct,» he said. «If it’s bad, it’s bad – if it’s good then it’s good. As a lecturer and tutor I have a duty to be direct with students, whereas in business there’s likely to be a whole lexicon of sayings and language, such as the phrase, ‘blue sky thinking’.
«As someone who works within academia, I don’t think it’s good to be indirect. Students need to be able to be on the same page and you can’t give them mixed messages. For me, the same rules apply with friends and family, which is probably why my mouth gets me into trouble sometimes!»
Dr Melia criticised the chart, however, for propagating an «us vs them» mentality.
«By labelling these columns, ‘what the British say’ and making it appear differently to those from other parts of the EU, very much marks it out as an ‘us vs them’ mentality,» he said.
«Whereas what we say depends very much on the situation, and I would question how applicable this chart is to a wider set of social interactions.

SPEAK UP: Here are some examples illustration the ambiguities of some Russian expressions. Try to explain them to our Italian student.

LISTENING: BBC. The Rise of emoji
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-170323

1. What is the difference between the emoticon and emoji? Give examples.
2. What connotation comes across your mind when you see the title of Professor Evans’ book?
3. What does Prof Evance say about emoji?
4. How many hours per week do adults spend online in the UK? In your opinion, do teenagers spend more time on line? Why& How much more?
5. What is empathy?
6. What is digital communication and how different is it for face-to-face communication?
7. What are «non-verbal cues»? Give examples.
8. The author says that without adding the emoji to a text message it is hard to detect the emotional state of the sender. Do you agree? To what extent?
9. What is a typo?
10. When was the first emoticon used?

Remember the words and expressions used in the audio:

1. a vital tool for communication
2. to clear sth up
3. good point
4. to convince smb
5. to enable people to express emotions
6. empathy
7. digital communication
8. face-to-face interaction
9. to interact
10. non-verbal communications
11. social media
12. non-verbal cues
13. facial expression
14. body language
15. to round up

Express your own attitude to emojis. How often do you use them and under what circumstances.

Unit 10. Mother Nature

Let’s face it, every time you take up the topic ENVIRONMENT while studying English you are horribly bored! Would you like to use a study-kit like this? Why? Why not?

BRAINSTORM: Work in group and make a list of the biggest environmental issues of today. Do you know facts and figures to speak about them?

LISTENING: Watch the clip and write down the English equivalents of the following words and expressions:

1. будущие поколения
2. быть слишком погруженными в свои дела
3. находить оправдания
4. джунгли Амазонки
5. очищать воду
6. не думать о завтрашнем дне
7. думать о выгоде больше, чем о людях
8. жадность важнее потребностей
9. использовать природу как безлимитную кредитную карточку
10. истребление животных
11. отравить океаны
12. мировоззрение
13. иметь наглость назвать разрушительную деятельность прогрессом
14. изменение климата
15. изменение уровня воды в морях
16. смыть целые острова и страны
17. носить маски против загрязнения воздуха
18. мы можем изменить ход событий
19. смотреть в корень
20. от нас зависит судьба этой планеты
21. изменить атмосферу в наших душах
22. мы — часть природы
23. предать природу — предать самих себя
24. защищать права животных
25. сократить объем загрязнения окружающей среды
26. стать самими частью решения проблемы
27. когда пересохнут реки и исчезнуть деревья, люди осознают, что деньги есть или вдыхать невозможно!

Try to reproduce the speaker’s words, using the key expressions.
LANGUAGE PRACTICE: Study the kit ENVIRONMENT form onestopenglish.com to built up the topic related vocabulary and get more aware of the contemporaryissues. Do you think it covers all the sensitive issues?

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) Do the language exercises from the study-pack environment — see above.
2) Learn the topic-related vocabulary from the video SORRY and study-pack ENVIRONMENT — there will be a QUIZ.
3) Write an entry to the DISCUSSION below.

=+++++++++=+++++++++=+++++++++=+++++++++=+++++++++=

Unit 10. Mother Nature

CLASS 1
VOCABULARY: key words and expressions chain story.
ONESTOPENGLISH ENVIRONMENT:
Reading, Language point
SPEAK-UP: Using the vocabulary from the study-pack, make a short speech on one of the issues illustrated by the pictures.
READING and DISCUSSION Read two Guardian articles devoted to Environmental issues (The solar-powered town: a dream for the environment – or a wildlife nightmare?
 and
We must cut food waste by a quarter) and tell your classmates about the main points under discussion.
HOME ASSiGNMENT:
Read the text:

Western Harbour is not just an imaginary place described in a textbook/ It’s real! Read more about its lifestyle here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5413960.stm

Look at the picture below. What are the visible results of the citizens’ efforts to make their environment greener?

Watch the video below and and write down the answer the questions:

What ecological issues are described in the clip?
What solutions have been found so far?
What kinds of animals have for the green light now? How can they cross the road?

Watch the video in which Sigourney Weaver narrates this first look at the world of Pandora, as portrayed in James Cameron’s epic new motion picture, Avatar.

Answer the questions in writing:

1. How is Pandora described in the very first lines?
2. What makes Pandora’s atmosphere uninhabitable by humans?
3. What sort of rain forests are there in Pandora?
4. Describe the wide variety of Pandora’s animals.
5. What are Pandora’s humanoids like? What are they called?
6. «Hunter can become prey» — what does it mean?
7. Describe the magical flying mountains.
8. Why is unobtanium so important for the humans from the Earth? Why is it called so?
9. How are plants, animals and humanoids connected in Pandora?
10. Why is Pandora’s ecology compared to a nervous system?
11. Why is the Tree of Souls sacred to the Navi?
12. What connection is there between the name of the planet and Greek Mythology?
13. In your opinion, what is the filmmakers’ message to the people of Earth?

Unit 10. Mother Nature

READING: Read the text:

Western Harbour is not just an imaginary place described in a textbook/ It’s real! Read more about its lifestyle here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5413960.stm
Look at the picture below. What are the visible results of the citizens’ efforts to make their environment greener?

You have watched the video below. Give the answers to the following questions:

1. What ecological issues are described in the clip?
2. What solutions have been found so far?
3. What kinds of animals have for the green light now? How can they cross the road?

Watch the video in which Sigourney Weaver narrates this first look at the world of Pandora, as portrayed in James Cameron’s epic new motion picture, Avatar.

Answer the questions in writing:

1. How is Pandora described in the very first lines?
2. What makes Pandora’s atmosphere uninhabitable by humans?
3. What sort of rain forests are there in Pandora?
4. Describe the wide variety of Pandora’s animals.
5. What are Pandora’s humanoids like? What are they called?
6. «Hunter can become prey» — what does it mean?
7. Describe the magical flying mountains.
8. Why is unobtanium so important for the humans from the Earth? Why is it called so?
9. How are plants, animals and humanoids connected in Pandora?
10. Why is Pandora’s ecology compared to a nervous system?
11. Why is the Tree of Souls sacred to the Navi?
12. What connection is there between the name of the planet and Greek Mythology?
13. In your opinion, what is the filmmakers’ message to the people of Earth?

THE STARK REALITY

Read the article below.

Dozens of children poisoned by ‘chemical leak at rubbish dump’ in Russia

Some 57 children have been taken to hospital due to gas poisoning caused by a suspected chemical leak in the town of Volokolamsk. Health officials were working to evacuate children from the area where toxic chemicals had spread. Children affected by the incident complained of suffering from nausea and dizziness, the Moscow regional authority said. About 200 people gathered outside the Volokolamsk hospital on Wednesday. Several people were holding the signs reading: ‘We are suffocating! We so want to live you know.’ Another placard read: ‘Don’t kill our kids.’
The incident came weeks after Volokolamsk authorities declared a temporary state of emergency on March 7, saying the level of hydrogen sulphide in the air was recorded as 2.5 times higher and the level of nitric oxide was double usual levels because of a gas leak at the landfill. The Yadrovo landfill was opened in 2008 and is a dumping site for garbage from Moscow and nearby regions. Local residents have been staging protests, demanding the closure of the landfill for some time. Moscow regional authorities said earlier on March 23 that the landfill would suspend its operations until April 14, after which the old section of the dump would be closed. In the past, local authorities had promised to «modernize» the landfill but refused to consider closing it.
25 March 2018

ROLE PLAY a public consultation meeting between local authorities and the residents of the area.
Allocate the roles:
the Mayor,
a representative of the company in charge of the local landfill
a member of the Green Party
an environmental scientist
a local hotel owner
parents of the kids affected by gas emissions
police officer

HOME ASSIGNMENT:

ANIMALS AND PEOPLE

Gerald Darell is was a British naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author and television presenter. He founded what are now called the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Durrell Wildlife Park on the Channel Island of Jersey in 1959. He wrote a number of books based on his life as an animal collector and enthusiast.
READ the extract of his book where he speaks on zoos and safari parks. Sum up his opinion in 5-6 sentences.

Unit 5. Food for Thought

Follow the LINK and sign up to an exciting language contest!

«FOOD FOR THOUGHT»
As we humans have developed so has our love for food. It no longer provides us only with energy and nutrition, but is now important for business, art and health, in addition to being a pleasure to eat.

Throughout history food has played a major role in society. Whether as a part of a State Banquet, or in a simple gathering of friends, we try to make a favourable impression by serving elaborate meals presented on our best tableware. It is through such hospitality that we aim to create a good mood among those present. Great banquets often accompany important events, and are an opportunity to employ the best chefs, often with an international reputation for their culinary skills. These master chefs have gained an important place in society, and throughout history they have been granted high status and privilege at royal courts. However, the past also reveals several tragic examples of chefs who were unable to endure a decline in their professional status, and some even committed suicide. French chef Bernard Loiseau is said to have killed himself in 2003, because a famous restaurant guidebook downgraded his restaurant.

Foods like chocolate and champagne are linked to romance, while others are part and parcel of a traditional celebration, such as turkey at Thanksgiving or the typical hog roast at a large wedding meal. In fact, for many of us, it would be a bitter disappointment if the traditional food was missing from the dinner table on certain festive occasions.

Food reflects both social habits and our personal preferences, and different nationalities use food according to their local traditions and lifestyle. The fast food of the USA is indicative of the hurried life of North American society, with no time to stop and enjoy the eating experience. The more leisurely meals in France reflect the importance French people place on enjoying time with their family and friends. Some people will appreciate that eating can provide a natural break in their daily routine. Around the Mediterranean a late meal, after the heat of the day, is considered a traditional way of life. In many Northern countries there is a history of feasting before winter, in order to build up the body’s energy reserves to survive the long cold nights.

Not only has food been an occasion for celebration, it also has its darker side. Long ago in history, as in ancient Rome and before, the poisoning of food was seen as a convenient way for a villain to dispose of their enemy. In the days before we understood how to detect poisons in the body, this was a good method to remove an opponent without being detected. In stark contrast, contemporary gourmets might show their adventurous taste by choosing to eat Fugu-fish, this is an extravagant restaurant experience because this fish is lethally poisonous, if the toxic parts are not carefully removed during preparation.

Today, food has become much more than a mere necessity of life. It has developed into a form of entertainment and a leisure pursuit, something to enjoy for the taste, smell, appearance and how it stimulates our senses. At its best, food will be so enticing that our mouths will water in anticipation, as we imagine the pleasure it will be to eat what we see before us. Now, the table has been set, and we are hungry for the COMPETITION to begin.

Let the starter be served!

GUESSING GAME: Solve the tasks of the 1st Round of the Language Contest.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) learn the key words and expressions from the text above
2) write the answers to the questions of the 2nd round of our language contest. Send them to your teacher’s e-mail before 22.pm 16 April.
Textbook work
5.1 A Get ready to speak up in class
B1 — Learn the names of the types of food and WRITE in your notebook at least 3 examples of each of these types.
5.2 A and B Reading: the article Feel Free to Protest, fill in the gaps in the text.
Discussion — Be ready to give a short speech on EACH discussion point (Part B)

Unit 5. Food for Thought

5.1 B1 — Give the names of the types of food and give at least 3 examples of each of these types.
This might help you: https://www.speaklanguages.com/english/vocab/foods

CULTURAL BACKGROUND:
Do you know these dishes? In the lists of dishes belonging to different types of national cuisine identify the odd one. Can you add some more names to each list?
ITALIAN — focaccia, tortellini, polenta, couscous, minestrone, carpaccio, tirami-su
CHINESE — spring rolls, goulash, prawn wanton, egg friend rice, dim sum
JAPANESE — sashimi, teriyaki, tempura, miso, wasabi, falafel
FRENCH — beef bourginon, salad nicoise, bratwurst, escargots
SPANISH — tapas, pinchos, tortilla, paella, caviar, chorizo, jamón Serrano
GREEK — pitta, tzatziki, baklava, burritos, taramasalata, mese
RUSSIAN — beef-stroganoff, bliny, borsh, pelemeny, chicken tikka-massala, Chicken Kiev, kasha, kissel, kholodets

Watch the video and try to explain why these people tend to have problems with the dishes they taste.

WRITING:
Write a sample menu for a party with friends. Explain your choice of dishes. Think of a (1) Birthday party (2) Surprise party (3) Wedding party (4) Meet my b/f parents party (5) Tomorrow’s the exam party (6) Exams are over party )))

READING: 5.2 A and B the article Feel Free to Protest, fill in the gaps in the text.
DISCUSSION: Be ready to give a short speech on EACH discussion point (Part B)

SPEAKING: Comment on the pics below

Unit 5. Food for Thought

DISCUSSION: Do’s and Don’ts of creative writing (based on your answer to the 2nd Round Food Contest Questions).

• Always give a full and complete answer to the question. Don’t begin your phrase with THEY to HE. Name the character.
• Remember about the articles!
• There is a System of Tenses in the English Language. Used without any tense form, any verb loses its meaning.
• Don’t jump from past tenses to present tenses and back within one phrase.
• What you think in Russian does not necessarily sound the same in English. Look for a good translation of a phrase — don’t translate word by word!
• Always re-read what you have written. Maybe you have forgotten to finish the phrase. Also m check if it makes sense at all.
• Spell-checkers DO exist.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) Re-write your answers to the 2nd round questions and send them to JL.
2) Be ready to comment on the caricatures (see last lesson).
3)
A) Read the real-life complaint written by the dissatisfied customer (see above). Study the key words and pay attention to the style.
20 March 2011
My husband and I stayed in the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau in March 2011, twice for 1 night – on the way to and from our holiday in Long Island.
Outside, it’s a beautiful imposing building with a nice garden facing the seafront and an outside swimming pool. Inside, the rooms are small and very cold: for some reason, they set the air-conditioning at about 15 degrees Celsius, which is not a comfortable temperature for me. Even after switching off the air con it remained rather chilly.
The 1st room we stayed in was rather dark and had various things going wrong – fittings falling off, burnt out lights, a shower door that shuts only half-way. The second room (on the way back) was much better but we had to change it for a 3rd one, because it had a strange connecting door leading to the neighbouring room, and there was a rowdy crowd in that room, playing very loud rap music, which made our room uninhabitable. I should say that the lady at reception was very nice about it and gave us another room straight away.
The food in the hotel is not great, and very expensive, but compared to the truly appalling food that we found in town, it’s at least adequate. I should say that Nassau is a total desert if you’re in the slightest bit interested in what you put in your mouth; it’s a tourist hell catering grimly and remorselessly to the hordes of low-rent Americans stepping off the cruise liners every morning, and they certainly know their audience. Every ‘restaurant’ is a hellhole of high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar, high-MSG horror. Every calorie served is an empty one – at vast expense. Unless you’re the kind of visitor who likes this kind of scene, for God’s sake don’t stay in Nassau a second longer than you have to.
You have to pay an extra $10 for the “high speed” internet connection, which is very slow. Moreover, there is no wi-fi in the rooms, so you have to sit at the desk with a plugged in connection cable. Not what you would expect from a rather posh hotel in 2011.
But the staff are doing a good job, and, contrary to some opinions that I have read here, I think they were helpful and welcoming.
“A bad lunch experience”
Having spent 2 days in Nassau trying to find a decent place to eat (I’ll tell you at once, we failed this task miserably), we decided to try Conch Fritters for lunch. Easy to get to, just across the road from our hotel, good reviews on the net. Also, the place was very full, which is normally a good sign.
The first thing that strikes you is that everything is dirty: tables, menus, waiter’s clothes. But fair enough, we thought, the food may still be good. Well, it wasn’t. My chicken was almost cremated and covered with some kind of batter, so dry and tough that I feared for my teeth. The coleslaw had a lot of sugar in it. The baked potato must have been baking for hours, it was so dry and overcooked. My husband’s barbequed ribs were swimming in a very sweet artificial sauce which he hated. Basically, it was junk food at a very high price.
On the positive note, the service was good and quick, the waiters are friendly. One great thing is that they have free wi-fi! That’s the best thing about this place. Actually, make that the only good thing.

C) WRITE in your notebook a REPLY to this complaint on behlaf of the restaurant’s management.
Explain IN DETAIL the reasons of the bad service and poor food quality.
Mention the measures that will be taken to resolve the problem and the benefits you are ready to give the clients to make them happy.
Use the samples and links below:
Sample apology letters

Unit 5. Food for Thought

VOCABULARY: Dictation-translation with key words and expressions.
WRITING: Checking your home assignment (your reply to the complaint of the dissatisfied customer).
Here is an example of the shortest one:

Dear Mr Doe,
I am so sorry that you were treated unhappily in my restaurant. I am trying hard to teach my staff that our customers are most important for the success of our restaurant. So, please come back and let us show you how well we can treat you. Give us another chance.
We offer you and your partner a complimentary glass of house wine when you visit us next time. Please let it be soon.
Yours sincerely,
Betty Bestcook, the Manager, owner

TEAM WORK: Write an anti-reply to the same complaint. Your task is to make the customer really mad at you and your business.
SPEAK UP: Comment on the caricatures — See the Lesson of 17 April.

LISTENING: The ways people enjoy eating out.
Listen carefully and write down key words and expressions.
Listen again and write down the number of people who took part in the survey. What can you say about the personality of each of them?

1. чудесная домашняя пища
2. дружелюбная обслуга
3. они знают мои вкусы
4. я чувствую себя как дома
5. мне не обязательно расфуфыриваться
6. это — «не моё»
7. первоклассное обслуживание
8. ожидать чаевых
9. вкуснейшая пища
10. есть, чтобы наесться
11. поход в ресторан
12. сделать заказ (столика)
13. роскошные рестораны
14. особое удовольствие
15. пробовать новые блюда
16. пригласить на свидание
17. создать атмосферу
18. рестораны самообслуживания
19. модные местечки
20. простая пища
21. острая пища
22. вкусная и свежая пища

SPEAKING: Using the words and expressions you have just learned, describe your favorite cafe or restaurant. What do you like to go there?

CLASS 2

READING:
Bizarre Food Festivals

What is our attitude to strange and exotic meals. What makes a particular food bizarre? The only difference between nasty food and tasty food is one letter. That’s it!
When we say «bizarre,» we have in mind festivals like the annual Bugfest at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. It’s not only the festival’s bug-filled fun for adventurous people of all ages that inspires us, but the «Cafe Insecta» featuring buggy-licious treats like stir-fry grasshoppers and sweet-and-sour worms.
When you’re ready to move up from bugs, go on to the Rattlesnake Hunt, held in Oklahoma, every April. If competing for the $150 prize for longest snake caught makes you hungry the organizers will provide you with deep-fried rattlesnake meat.
No festival celebrates a single food object quite the way the Gilroy Garlic Festival does. The festival takes place in California, the unofficial «Garlic Capital of the World». This fragrant fest attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually who consume more than two and a half tons of garlic. While most of the focus is on traditional uses, the unabashed love for garlic inspires some truly bizarre creations. Anyone hungry for garlic ice cream, garlic soft drinks and garlic lollipops?
Our second category includes foods that are regional or ethnic specialties. These include the Chitlin’ Strut of Salley, South Carolina, and the San Fernando’s Menudo Festival. Both celebrate parts of animals that most of us don’t consider eating. (Chitlins, if you don’t know, are pig intestines, and menudo is a traditional Mexican soup made of ox stomach.)
Such festivals are considered to be of great importance because they stress the nature of «nose-to-tail» eating, which reduces waste and is a more ecologically sound approach to food preparation and consumption than just eating the normal bits, so to speak. If the idea of such food doesn’t appeal to you, consider that a generation ago most Americans would have shuddered at the thought of eating squid tentacles. And yet today nearly every suburban supermarket offers calamari.
Last in our list comes Weird Food Festival, held during the week between Christmas and New Year in different locations around the Los Angeles area. Founded by a group of enthusiasts who enjoy trying exotic foods, the festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. It’s more of a fashionable private dining club than a food-show, the festival’s founders Marc Moss and Levi Ahlberg, are more than happy to share their enthusiasm for kangaroo stew, jellyfish in oyster sauce or any of the other surprises that plentiful and diverse ethnic markets of LA offer.

SPEAKING: What food festivals do you have in your country? What social aims do they serve? Work in groups and make a plan of an unusual food festival!

LISTENING: Do we live to eat or eat to live? That is the question.

Answer the questions, using these expressions:
lack of interest in food….taste buds……mortal sins…to regard food as an investment….to feel down….to draw energy away from your brain….to boost your mood and alertness…effect starts to wear off….to fight depression… to meet the goals…..to help preserve cognitive skills…to lead to fatigue…indulging in life’s little pleasures

1. How did the author feel about food when a child and how did his attitude change with years?
2. Explain the author’s words: «The world has seduced my taste buds and opened my mouth.»
3. According to the author, what roles does food play in a man’s life?
4. The author says: «it’s time to change and make food work for us.» What does he mean?
5. Why is consuming a bar of chocolate when you feel blue — NOT the best idea?
6. How can snacks do you good?
7. According to the author, how can taking control of your food help you take control of your life?
8. «A little of what you fancy does you good’. — Explain!

HOME ASSIGNMENT:

READING: Read the article and make a list of the main issues mentioned by the author (Find and write down the key phrases).

EATING TO PERFECTION

When I was at school, our teacher told the class ‘You are what you eat.’ My friends and I would laugh and call each other ‘hamburger’ and ‘biscuits’. But our teacher was talking about healthy eating…

When I was at school, our teacher told the class ‘You are what you eat.’ My friends and I would laugh and call each other ‘hamburger’ and ‘biscuits’. Our teacher was trying to show us the importance of eating the right food to stay healthy.

This was a few decades ago when there were big campaigns to make British people healthier. We decided to throw out our chip pan which we had used until then to make chips every day for dinner. We replaced our chips with boiled potatoes. We also started using semi-skimmed milk instead of whole milk in our cups of tea and bowls of cornflakes. At first I felt like I was eating my cornflakes in water and my potatoes had no taste at all. But after a while I started to prefer healthier food because I felt stronger and I didn’t get sick so often.

Japanese people are reputed to be the healthiest in the world because of the food they eat. The healthiest Japanese people eat rice and fish and vegetables every day. They drink green tea or water when they’re thirsty, and snack on dried fish, fruit or gingko nuts. The traditional Japanese diet is famous for helping you to live a longer and healthier life.

So we have proof that you become what you eat. Can you tell what your friends eat just by looking at them? When you know the effects of different types of food, you can use your knowledge well and eat what you want to become.

Food has an impact on our physical and emotional health. Have you ever heard any of the following advice?

Lettuce or milk can make you sleepy.

To stop feeling sleepy you should eat peanuts or dried fish.

To keep your teeth clean you should eat apples often.

Garlic helps you not to catch a cold.

Everyone has their own advice to give, which they have read about or have been told by older relatives. Some of these pieces of advice seem to contradict each other.

Eating chocolate makes you fat and gives you spots.

Chocolate contains the essential minerals iron and magnesium

What we need to figure out is what type of chocolate to eat to get the benefits and how much of it to eat. We can do this by reading the list of ingredients on the chocolate bar wrapper. Exactly how much real chocolate is in there? And how much of that do we need to eat to get the benefits of the minerals it contains?

Future restaurants might be named after the physical or emotional state they hope to create. Their menus will list the benefits of each dish and drink. Some restaurants have already started this concept, and list the nutritional content of their dishes on the menus.

Let’s take the restaurant Winners as an example. Their menu would list dishes specifically designed to help you win sports competitions. There would be ‘Night-before Vegetable Lasagne’, a pasta dish with extra layers of spinach pasta for slow-burning energy, rich tomato sauce full of vitamin C and soft, easy-to-digest vegetables. All this would be topped with a little fresh cheese – just enough to help you get a good night’s sleep, but not enough to give you nightmares!

Or you could choose the ‘Go-faster Salad’, which is a large bowl of mixed raw vegetables in a light salad dressing, giving you energy without making you gain weight. The vegetables are carefully chosen to include plenty of natural vitamins and minerals.

What kind of dishes do you think would be on the menu at the Clever Café (which sells food that’s good for your brain)?

So what’s going to happen to hamburgers and biscuits? Will the concept of eating food because it’s tasty go out of fashion? Of course not! Junk food is also changing. If ice cream is not good for children, can’t we give them fat-free, sugar-free tofu ice cream? Unhealthy food is going out of fashion, so brands are changing. We are told not to drink cola because of the sugar and caffeine content so cola companies are making sugar-free and caffeine-free drinks. We are told dried fruit is a healthier snack than biscuits, so some biscuit companies are making biscuits with added vitamins. Snacks might soon be changing their names to ‘Skinglow’ and ‘Chocomineral’! So in the future you might be able to eat your way to your idea of perfection!

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