In class:
Attendance: Анна Манченкова, Олеся Гольдина, Андрей Шур, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Александра Гордонова, Анна Перепелицына, Огородов Демьян

Getting acquainted, discussing our co-operation pricilples:

• mutual respect (don’t be silent but don’t hush others down)
• good attendance,
• stay tuned,always keep notes,
• work in class and at home, it’s a continual prosess
• learn a language and learn to learn a language
• meet deadlines, go digital @
• welcome to advanced learning technologies: our group’s wiki, personal wikies, voxopop, etc
• students as teachers (collaboration in educational projects)

Allow a moment to look through TEAMWORK PRINCIPLES and see if you are doing fine!

Introuducing our virtual classroom:

• check the on-line class of the previous year
• learn about site navigation
• explore task types
• look at students’ YOUTUBE project

NEW PROGRESS TO PROFICIENCY. UNIT 6. SEE THE WORLD!

HOME ASSIGNMENT
ATTENTION! The initial pages of your textbook are attached to this page — see below

1) Study the vocabulary from 6.1 В and C. Be ready to use these words in your travel stories in class
3) Reading. 6.2 A,B,C- Follow the instructions in the book.

Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Анна Манченкова, Олеся Гольдина, Андрей Шур, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Александра Гордонова, Анна Перепелицына, Огородов Демьян, Дмитрий Ефимов

DISCUSSION: virtual classroom — how is it going so far?
logo competition (masterclass of wiki editing due on Friday)

VOCABULARY — blackboard game based on ex 6C
ex 6 B as a sample of the leaflet describing your fav spot on this planet that you are going to compile at home by Friday

GRAMMAR — 6.3 The ways to talk about the Future
TALKING POINT — YOUR DIALOGUESabout the future plans.


Home assignment:

1) Write your own description of your favourite place in the world taking ex. 6.1.B as an example.
2) Watch the following episodes from a famours BBC documentary series «An Idiot Abroad».
Be ready to discuss the culture shock that Karl encountered in Russia.
What are the reasons for major misunderstanding between foreigners and locals? Give your reasons

Russian Taxi

Banya

On the train

Best bits of Karl’s journey in Russia (don’t miss!)

Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance:

PART 1

LEARINING TO LEARN: In-class tutorial on editing and updating our wiki’s pages. Room 505 13.00
logo competition results
SOLVING TRAVEL QUOTES QUIZ

Back to room 310
DISCUSSION: The words of wisdom on travel — what idea did the autor try to convey?
GRAMMAR — Future tesnses check — dialogue practice.
EXAM PRACTICE — Homonyms Textbook page 67
Handing in the leaflets on your favorite place in the world.

PART 2

What do you know about the famours BBC documentary series «An Idiot Abroad»?
Why are such programmes so popular with the public? Which TV series of this kind do you know? What do you like/dislike about them?

Let’s discuss the culture shock that Karl encountered in Russia.
What are the reasons for major misunderstanding between foreigners and locals? Give your reasons

Home assignment:

1) Work in small groups — Write a project of a new travel programme for Russian TV. Justify your plan, outline all the pros of the concept, think what kind of hosts you’d choose and why. What destionations are on your top-list?
2) textbook 6.9 part A and B

Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Анна Манченкова, Олеся Гольдина, Андрей Шур, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Александра Гордонова, Анна Перепелицына, Огородов Демьян, Дмитрий Ефимов

TEAVEL QUOTES QUIZ result — And the winner is…. Anna Perepelitsyna and Alexandra Bednenko (14/18).
Damien Ogorodov and Dmitry Lyukmanov (13/18)
Alexandra Gordonova and Olesya Goldina (12/18)
Maria Gorshenina, Anna Manchenkova and Dmitry Efimov (11/18)

More travel quotes for you to know:

DISCUSSION — a brief course of e-mail etiquette

PRESENTATION: Team work. Allow a moment to look through TEAMWORK PRINCIPLES and see if you are doing fine!
Your projects of a new travel programme for Russian TV. Justify your plan, outline all the pros of the concept, think what kind of hosts you’d choose and why. What destinations are on your top-list?

LISTENING and making notes — How to travel on the cheap

HOME ASSIGNMENT
Print out the following files OR keep them in your tablets. ))) Solve all the vocabulary exercises. I mean it!
Make good use of TRAVEL IDIOMS in your presentations on TRAVEL PROGRAMME PROJECT.

Unit 6. See the world!

In class:

Attendance: Анна Манченкова, Олеся Гольдина, Андрей Шур, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Александра Гордонова, Анна Перепелицына

No Show Дмитрий Люкманов, Огородов Демьян, Дмитрий Ефимов

VOCABULARY WORK checking home assignment on Accommodation types and Travel Idioms
WRITING — booking accommodation on-line/ contacting your travel agent or friend on finding a good deal. Send to mail ipjulia@yandex.ru

A room with a view — Fawlty Towers — BBC

ORAL PRESENTATION — presenting your TV TRAVEL projects. Our «vocab-nazis» will count the new idioms used in each presentation.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) READING and PRESENTATION Look through online libraries and find a short story of a world-known author — devoted to travelling. Upload the link to our virtual classroom USEFUL LINKS page with a short reference. Be ready to retell this story in class.
2) REVISE your vocabulary notes for a written quiz.

Unit 6. See the world!

In class:
Attendance: Анна Манченкова, Олеся Гольдина, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Александра Гордонова, Анна Перепелицына, Демьян Огородов, Юлия Огородова, Дмитрий Ефимов

No Show: Андрей Шур

VOCABULARY QUIZ. Are you srteetwise with travel idioms? Press HERE to download the Quiz.
ORAL PRESENTATION — presenting your TV TRAVEL projects. Our «vocab-nazis» will count the new idioms used in each presentation.
READING and PRESENTATION — Retelling travel short(???) stories of world-known authors.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
Watch the film «Around the world in 80 days.1989» — available on Youtube. Be ready to discuss the journey of Phileas Fogg and his resourceful valet, Passepartout.
Those who failed to get ready with the previous home assignment, please check our NEWSBOARD page.

Unit 6. See the world! (Final class)

In class:
Attendance: Анна Манченкова, Олеся Гольдина, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Александра Гордонова, Анна Перепелицына, Демьян Огородов, Юлия Огородова, Андрей Щур

VOCABULARY QUIZ RESULTS. Are you srteetwise with travel idioms? Press HERE to download the Quiz.
READING and PRESENTATION — Retelling travel stories of world-known authors.

DISCUSSION Around The World in 80 Days.1989

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
Those who failed to get ready with the previous home assignment, please check our NEWSBOARD page.

Unit 16. Look after yourself.

16.1 A B — be ready to read, translate and discuss the text

16 C D vocabualry work (consult the dictionary)

Unit 9. A Learning curve

Attendance: Олеся Гольдина, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Анна Перепелицына, Демьян Огородов, Arianna Scroccaro, Martina Bergamaschi, Анна Манченкова, Александра Гордонова

IN CLASS:
WORK IN SMALL TEAMS
TEAM A. An overview of the UK school system (based on the education vocabulary quiz)
TEAM B. An overview of the US educational issues (based on the newspaper article «What Colleges will teach in 2025?»
TEAM C. An overview of Australian education system (based on the selection of articles below)
TEAM D. An overview of Russian educational issues (based on your group’s joint project EDUCATION IN RUSSIA)
TEAM E. A popular view on Russian schools (based on a popular blogger’s post)

Unit 9. A Learning curve. TO CHEAT OR NOT TO CHEAT

Attendance: Олеся Гольдина, Дмитрий Люкманов, Мария Горшенина, Анна Перепелицына, Дмитрий Ефимов, Arianna Scroccaro, Анна Манченкова, Александра Гордонова

IN CLASS:
Dear students, please check your personal mailboxes to find your Halloween spooky stories with my notes. You can also find some words of praise in STUDENTS’ PAPERSpage. JL

«Is Internet Cheating Really Cute?» (integrity in education). Download the files below:
READING, TRANSLATION AND BACK TRANSLATION, DISCUSSION, WORD GAME

Home assignment
Learn the vocabulry from the study pack on CHEATING AND INTEGRITY
Render the newspaper article «В последнее время использование…» into English — in writing
Translate the final text of the study pack into Russian — in writing.
Read the selection of articles on the subject. Be ready to sum up the contents of each article. Pick up the key vocabulary.

Unit 9. A Learning curve. TO CHEAT OR NOT TO CHEAT


 

Attendance: 



IN CLASS:

READING Best Halloween spooky stories 

TRANSLATION See your home assignment

MAKING A SUMMARY See the articles on cheating you were to read at home.

ON-LINE QUIZ



HOME ASSIGNMENT:

ATTITUDES AND IMPRESSIONS. WE DON’T NEED NO EDUCATION!



Watch the video and write a 300-word RESPONSE ESSAY *. 




RESPONSE PAPERS are usually requested by teachers so that you’ll consider carefully what you think or feel about something you’ve read/watched. The following guidelines are intended to be used for reacting to a reading although they could easily be used for reactions to films too. A good response is persuasive; therefore, it should cite facts, examples, and personal experience that either refutes or supports the material you’re responding to, depending on your stance. The following questions might help you to structure your paper:

• How do you feel about what you are reading?
• What do you agree or disagree with?
• Can you identify with the situation?
• What would be the best way to evaluate the story?

Unlike a summary, a response is a subjective opinion about the piece and, as such, can include opinions and personal experiences as long as they are supported. The key to writing a good response is to always be specific and support all points made.

Критерии оценивания эссе

Высший балл «20» ставится, если соблюдены ВСЕ нижеследующие условия.

В зависимости от степени соблюдения условия, вы можете выставить оценку от 1 до 3 баллов 

• 1 БАЛЛ Решение коммуникативной задачи – предлагаемый текст представляет из себя Response Essay, а не работу иной стилистики.
• 1 БАЛЛ стиль изложения соответствует ситуации и учитывает получателя сообщения, в данном случае – нейтральный (отсутствуют как чересчур разговорные, так и слишком официальные, «канцелярские» выражения);
• 2 БАЛЛА автор продемонстрировал способность изложить свои мысли последовательно, выстраивая логическую цепочку рассуждений;
• 3 БАЛЛА автор продемонстрировал богатый лексический запас (Владеет тематически релевантной лексикой, позволяющей полностью раскрыть тему и точно передать мысль, не прибегает к повторам, Владеет синонимическими рядами, умеет использовать слова в нужном контексте).
• 3 БАЛЛАВ эссе умело используются идиомы и фразовые глаголы, причем балл снижается и за их отсутствие, и за их чрезмерное присутствие или неуместное употребление.
• 3 БАЛЛА текст эссе содержит правильные и разнообразные грамматические конструкции (Правильно употребляет глаголы (залог, грамматическое время и наклонение), неличные формы глагола (инфинитив, герундий, причастие), существительные (число, падеж, номинализация), прилагательные, наречия, местоимения),
• 2 БАЛЛА автор использует сложносочиненные и сложноподчиненные предложения (правильно строит и простые и сложные предложения, владеет репертуаром союзов и союзных слов, уместно использует средства выделения (инверсия, расщепление предложения и т.д.).
• 2 БАЛЛА в тексте эссе нет орфографических и пунктуационных ошибок, соблюдены среди прочего простые правила синтаксиса, предложения начинаются с большой буквы и завершаются точкой, и даже Дима Люкманов дописывает каждое слово до конца.
• 3 БАЛЛА автор проявил оригинальность мысли и творческий подход к ответу на вопрос.

Unit 9. A Learning curve

Education vocabulary quiz key:

*I took into account the fact that some optional answers were possible and accepted those too, but not in case when it had been previously discussed in class. JL



Education vocabulary quiz results:

Гордонова Александра 27/31

Семейство Огородовых

Бедненко Александра 26.31

Горшенина Мария 26/31

Гольдина Олеся 26/31

Arianna Scroccaro 25/31

Анна Перепелицына 23/31

Martina Bergamaschi 23/31

Анна Манченкова 22/31

Дмитрий Ефимов 0/31



Dear students, 

These days you should be busy writing your RESPONSE ESSAYS (see HOME ASSIGNMENT from the 17th of November)

Please bear in mind that each paper (uploaded on the STUDENTS’ PAPERS page) is to be assessed by each member of the group according to the criteria given below!

Критерии оценивания эссе

Высший балл «20» ставится, если соблюдены ВСЕ нижеследующие условия.

В зависимости от степени соблюдения условия, вы можете выставить оценку от 1 до 3 баллов

• 1 БАЛЛ Решение коммуникативной задачи – предлагаемый текст представляет из себя Response Essay, а не работу иной стилистики.
• 1 БАЛЛ стиль изложения соответствует ситуации и учитывает получателя сообщения, в данном случае – нейтральный (отсутствуют как чересчур разговорные, так и слишком официальные, «канцелярские» выражения);
• 2 БАЛЛА автор продемонстрировал способность изложить свои мысли последовательно, выстраивая логическую цепочку рассуждений;
• 3 БАЛЛА автор продемонстрировал богатый лексический запас (Владеет тематически релевантной лексикой, позволяющей полностью раскрыть тему и точно передать мысль, не прибегает к повторам, Владеет синонимическими рядами, умеет использовать слова в нужном контексте).
• 3 БАЛЛАВ эссе умело используются идиомы и фразовые глаголы, причем балл снижается и за их отсутствие, и за их чрезмерное присутствие или неуместное употребление.
• 3 БАЛЛА текст эссе содержит правильные и разнообразные грамматические конструкции (Правильно употребляет глаголы (залог, грамматическое время и наклонение), неличные формы глагола (инфинитив, герундий, причастие), существительные (число, падеж, номинализация), прилагательные, наречия, местоимения),
• 2 БАЛЛА автор использует сложносочиненные и сложноподчиненные предложения (правильно строит и простые и сложные предложения, владеет репертуаром союзов и союзных слов, уместно использует средства выделения (инверсия, расщепление предложения и т.д.).
• 2 БАЛЛА в тексте эссе нет орфографических и пунктуационных ошибок, соблюдены среди прочего простые правила синтаксиса, предложения начинаются с большой буквы и завершаются точкой, и даже Дима Люкманов дописывает каждое слово до конца.
• 3 БАЛЛА автор проявил оригинальность мысли и творческий подход к ответу на вопрос.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:

Dear students,

By Monday, the 24th of November your Response essays should be ready. That gives you 3 days for mutual assessment.

Please score each paper according to the criteria and send it to Ann Manchenkova. 

Ann, please put the scores into the table and calculate the total score.

JL

Unit 7. Spending your money. SHOPPING

Attendance: Олеся Гольдина, Дмитрий Люкманов, Александра Бедненко, Мария Горшенина, Анна Перепелицына, Демьян Огородов, Юлия Огородова, Дмитрий Ефимов, Arianna Scroccaro, Анна Манченкова,





In class:

READING AND DISCUSSION: On Christmas shopping (extract from Bridget Jones Diary)

Textbook Unit 7 (Vocabulary)



Home Assignment

Watch the clips on shopping. Be ready to answer the questions.

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) Render the content of the two scenes in the shops into English (up to the minute 3.29). Be ready to retell the episodes in class. Make sure to mention the relevant details making these episodes so funny.





7) 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?

DISCUSSION:

• What does the word ‘creativity’ mean to you? Give your own definition
• Who are some of history’s most creative people?
• Do you know any creative people? In which ways are they creative?
• Is creativity something people are born with?
• Did you have a good imagination when you were a child? What creative activities did you do as a child?
• What conditions does a person need in order to be creative?
• Does the education system in your country encourage creativity? How?
• Do you think it is good for people to daydream?
• Can you think of a device that would make people’s life easier? Do you like the idea of Snoozatron?
• Why is creativity important?
• Are you good at thinking outside the box?
• Are you a creative person? What is the most creative thing you have ever done?
• How can creativity be fostered?

WRITING:
Use the correct cause and effectconnector to fill in the blank.
Translate these sentences into Russian.
stem from, is caused by , can be traced back to, , has its roots in ,
is a direct consequence of, can lead to, may result in

1. The first attempts of humans to express themselves in a creative way can be ……………………….. to the cavemen times.
2. These days we are all a part of a global network, and as a …………………. we possess the same information, which could ……………. to the lack of diversity of ideas.
3. We should “go out of the box” because staying “in the box” can ……………. in stagnation of mind.
4. Some people’s inability to try something new ……………. from the lack of self-confidence.
5. Our initial uncertainty about innovations is ………………. by the fact that they may bring instability and are generally unpredictable.
6. Creativity is not so much about the quantity of what you know. Creativity is a direct ………………….. of taking a piece of knowledge you possess and remixing that piece with something new to create a different outcome

DISCUSSION: Body Language
HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) Write an answer to the question:

• How can creativity be fostered? in an non-NSE format! Just your thoughts. Try to edit yourself and make no mistakes. REQUIREMENTS: Size — about 150 words, good use of active vocabulary — see the class of 11 February. Type it and send to your tutor via e-mail.

2) Read the text Surviving Valentine’s Day when you are single and write your opinion in the DISCUSSION below.
3) Your textbook, page 44, ex 4.1.B — vocabulary work, use the dictionary!page 53 all 4.9 — make — do

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 of being 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
DISCUSSION 1: St Valentine’s Day — Pros and Cons

DISCUSSION 2: Cause-result test common errors

• can be tracED back — passive voice
• to get out of the box — выйти за пределы/рамки привычного/обыденности

The fact that almost all our students got bad marks is caused by their inability to pay attention to details.
Your insufficient writing skills can be rooted in the lack of practice and may result in many problems at work.
The lack of concentration in class might lead to many mistakes while you are doing your home assignment.

DISCUSSION 3: Your written papers on CREATIVITY
Well-done, should be just slightly improved and published on our site!

VOCABUlARY: Textbook exercises

HOME ASSIGNMENT
Edit your essays and UPLOAD them on STUDENTS’ PAPERS PAGE

UNIT 4. LET’S TALK

VOCABULARY: Cause- Effect
(A)
The Freshman Five
Read Context
Why do students in the first year of college gain on average five pounds? Recent studies have followed freshman students through their first year in college. In these studies, health professionals measured students’ food intake, analyzed their diet, and tracked their physical activity.
A number of things seem to affect student weight gain such as – college meal plans, buffet-style dining, unbalanced food choices, irregular eating habits, increased alcohol consumption, stress, and less exercise. Health professionals are doing their best to educate students to make better choices and to start healthful habits.

1. (Since Because Consequently Due to) students were gaining weight in their first year of college, health professionals decided to study the problem of the «Freshman Five», also called the «Freshman Fifteen»!
2. First, they saw that students had easy access to food (So due to because of because) college meal plans.
3. The cafeterias usually offer buffet style food with a wide variety of food, including junk food. (Consequently, Because So that For this reason,) students may make less healthful choices.
4. (Because The reason is Due to Consequently) students are used to eating balanced meals prepared their parents, they don’t know how to balance meals by themselves when they go away to college.
5. An irregular schedule will often cause a student to skip a meal. Then, the student will binge (in order so that due to consequently) to satisfy his or her hunger.
6. Increased alcohol consumption is another problem. (As a result of Since Because Due to) there are a lot of calories in a small drink, students don’t realize how many calories they are drinking.
7. Often students feel (so stressed that such stressed that so much stress that) they eat a lot of snack food.
8. Finally, (owing to because of due to the fact that because) students get less exercise, they don’t burn enough calories.
9. Students eat more and exercise less during their first year in college (, so so that ; consequently , as) they gain an average of 3.5 – 4 pounds (1.6 – 1.8 k) of weight.
10. Health professionals at colleges and universities are helping to educate incoming students (, so so in order to as) they will avoid the «freshman five «.

Correct or incorrect?
1. For one month, February to March 2004, Morgan decided to eat a junk-food diet in order he find out what it would do to his body and mind.
2. Morgan ate three meals and 5,000 calories per day at McD’s restaurant, so he could find out the effects.
3. Morgan resulted by gaining twenty-four pounds.
4. The affect on his mental state was moodiness and irritability.
5. His liver was unhealthy due to collecting fat.
6. In fact, Morgan gained so much weight that it took him fourteen months for lose the weight and get back to normal.
7. Later, Morgan made a documentary movie called, Super Size Me, because he showed the truth about junk food.
8. The reason for his movie was the increasing rise in obesity in the U.S., so he made the movie.
9. Due to the increasing problem of obesity in the U.S, the government began to require fast food restaurants to use healthier ingredients (food) in their menus.
10. As a consequence, Morgan’s experiment, people now have healthier choices on menus of fast-food restaurants.

LISTENING: Digital Interpreter — Pros and Cons

DISCUSSION: Translators, Interpreters, Languages Teachers and their role in international communication.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:1) Do the exercise on cause-effect

2) Listen to the interview

Deanne about learning languages

http://www.elllo.org/english/0651/T658-Deanne-Job.htm

a) Write down the key-words and expressions:

1. человек, говорящий на многих языках
2. продвинутый в языке
3. англоговорящий
4. иметь склонность к языкам
5. уделять как минимум час занятиям
6. общаться в чате устно и письменно
7. участвовать в международных программах
8. культурный обмен

b) Answer the questions in writing:

1. What languages does Deanne speak? Why does she like each of them?
2. How did she learn languages?
3. What language is she learning now?
4. What advice does she give to language learners?
5. How does she use the Internet? What are the potential dangers of Internet communication?

Working with Languages

https://web.archive.org/web/20060621102423/http://elllo.org:80/06pages/658M-Deanne-Job.htm
b) Answer the questions in writing:
What’s the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
What languages is she an interpreter for?
What languages is she comfortable with and why?
How can one become an interpreter? What’s the fun of this profession?

3) MINI RESPONSE ESSAYWatch the video and write about 100-150 words answering the question (send the essays to your tutor BEFORE the class):
WHAT COMMUNICATION PROBLEM DOES THIS CLIP DESCRIBE?
Follow the pattern:

• I have just watched the video entitled….
• In the video (briefly describe what is happening)
• I consider the clip to be mind-blowing and here is what I think…

Valery:I have just watched the video entitled «It’s not about the nail». I consider the clip to be mind-blowing, and here is what I think. There is one quote in the clip that can describe the main communication problem: «Don’t try to fix it. I just need you to listen.» It is very important for people (not only for women, but also for men) to gain the ear. The size of your friend’s problem should not matter for you, it could be a broken vase or a nightmare. You just need to know: for that person it can be a problem of his/ her entire life. And when you see «a nail» in your friend’s head, it only symbolizes that the person is trying to get as much your attention as possible.
There are just three things that you should follow: don’t judge, don’t try to fix your partner’s problem, just listen carefully.

Kate:
I have just watched the video entitled «It`s not about the nail» . In the video we can see a young couple talking about something. During their conversation the woman is trying to describe her problems to her boyfriend and at the same time, for the man the problem and solution seem completely obvious. But for the woman it is not so important to find the roots of her problems…
I consider the clip to be mind-blowing and here is what I think: frankly speaking, this video really mirrors my own problem because I often find myself saying similar words to my boyfriend or parents when I just want to be heard and understood. The same situation is described in the video: it seems clear that this poor woman`s headaches can be resolved by simply taking that nail out of her forehead but that is not what she is asking for. She just wants to be heard! The problem is that women and men have the different views of life. The advice for men in such situations is: don`t try to fix the problem, just be there for her emotionally.

Lisa:

I have just watched the video entitled “It’s not about the nail”. In the video we may see the young couple sitting on the sofa and talking about something. In general, it is the girl who is talking during the whole clip: she has a problem, and she needs somebody just to listen to her! At the same time her boyfriend is trying to draw her attention to the nail in her head, but she doesn’t want to follow his logical advice.
I consider the clip to be mind-blowing and here is what I think. The main point of this video is that both men and women perceive things differently. This situation is familiar to every woman: we have a problem, we know about it, and we need to share it. And when a man tries “to fix it” at once, we are getting irritated because it’s important for us, women, to be listened to and understood.

Dasha:

I’ve just watched the video entitled “It’s not about the nail”. In the video a woman has a nail in her head and is telling her man about all the difficulties and problems in her life. The man is trying to explain to her that if they take it out she will be able to live a normal life.
I consider the clip to be mind-blowing and here is what I think. When the woman started talking about her problems the man tried to help her, he offered her to solve all the problems together – to get rid of the root of the problems. Then the woman started complaining that he didn’t want to listen to her which means to me that she didn’t want the problems to be solved and she just wanted to make him feel sorry for her. Thanks to this video I’ve understood how stupidly I behave sometimes in such situations.

Mishel:

I have just watched the video entitled «It`s not about the nail». In the video we can see a young couple having a conversation. During their dialogue the woman is trying to tell her boyfriend about her problems. The man thinks that it’s easy to find a solution to the problem. But the woman doesn’t want to understand that.
Everybody reads the reality differently, me, you, but sometimes it’s really important to listen to people who are near you. As for me, I always try to understand my partner, but it rarely happens from the other side. Please, listen to each other.

UNIT 4. LET’S TALK
DEAR STUDENTS! I DON’T WANT YOU TO BE LIKE THIS! JL

TROUBLESHOOTING: The use of articles in the English language.
THEORY:

PRACTICE: ЭТО ДОМАШНЕЕ ЗАДАНИЕ — ВДУМЧИВО РАССТАВИТЬ ВСЕ АРТИКЛИ!

UNIT 4. LET’S TALK
0) The news: progress assessment table — see the NEWS-BOARD
1) Articles — home-assignment and a brief test in class
2) Reason-Result — home assignment ex
VOCABULARY — words describing communication:
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-64655.php

3) LISTENING — Learning a language

4) DISCUSSION: making mini opinion polls A) How did you come to learn foreign languages? B) How are you going to use your mastery of languages in your professional life?

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) READ a wikipedia article about Non-verbal communication — Follow the link below
Emoticons 😉
2) Read the article about the origin and the meaning of emoticons. Be ready to answer your teacher’s question and start a discussion on the effective use of emoticons in today’s communication.
Smiley, frown and wink face: Are we all victims of a great emoticon trick?
3) WRITE a 100-word answer to the question: In your opinion, do emoticons replace normal emotional communication or do they help people to convey feelings and emotions in writing? Use Reason-Result connectors, for example, Now that we…./ Because (of)/
Send your paper to me before next Wednesday! JL
4) Придумать два творческих вопроса-истории на тему LET’S TALK c 2 про общение между людьми и поиски взаимопонимания и misunderstanding в разные эпохи.
НИЖЕ ПРИМЕР:

The famous summit meeting of Churchill and Roosevelt had great historical significance — the decision was taken to demand the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy and Japan. German counter intelligence planned an operation to disrupt the negotiations but the plan failed because of a linguistic mistake. The thing is that German intelligence service intercepted a cipher message written in Spanish, in which it was said that Churchill and Roosevelt were planning to meet on January 14, 1943 in a particular secret place. The Germans, being a very pedantic nation, translated the name of this place literally.
Why did they try to intercept Churchill on his way to the White House USA while Winston Churchill was smoking his cigars in Morocco?

Unit 8. Have I got news for you!

DISCUSSION: Unit 8 section 8.1

VOCABULARY: News and media vocabulary

READING:

CHEQUEBOOK JOURNALISM
A journalistic interest in the sensational is as old as newspapers themselves, but in the 1980s the intensity of tabloid competition pushed British titles to the point at which readers, and those concerned with the long-term health of the British press, were losing patience. Key factors in the growing disappointment of the British reader with his or her tabloid included the rise of ‘cheque book journalism’ – when newspapers paid the relatives of convicted criminals large sums of money to reveal personal details. In the case of Sonia Sutcliffe, wife of the mass murderer Peter Sutcliffe (the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’), payment was made for personal details. In many cases, including this one, the payments received by criminals’ relatives and friends exceeded the criminal injuries’ compensation paid out to victims and their families.

A second feature of tabloid output which caused increasing concern during this period was its increasingly intrusive nature. Journalists have acquired the habit of entering people’s homes and gardens without permission, rummaging through dustbins for evidence of sexual deviance, and even ‘setting up’ public figures with prostitutes. Frequent victims of intrusion have been the Royal Family, most notably the Princess of Wales, who was photographed secretly while on holiday and very obviously pregnant. Other targets include rock stars and soap opera actors, who frequently find their personal lives becoming the subject of intensive newspaper coverage.

A third element in the increasingly heady tabloid mix was the more primitive tool of fabrication. After the Falklands War the Sun fabricated an interview with Mrs. Maria McKay, the widow of a soldier killed in action. Collecting information from other sources, and inventing what could not be collected, the Sun manufactured an ‘exclusive’, though largely fictious, story of Mrs. McKay’s personal bravery, which she disowned completely when it appeared in print.

checkbook journalism

1. «журналистика чековой книжки»; практика приобретения прав на издание сенсационного материала, особ. воспоминаний преступников, дам полусвета и т. п.

2. рекламная журналистика, особ. интервью, оплаченное интервьюируемыми

POPULAR NEWS — ENDLESS PARADE OF FANTASIES AND FREAKS
The relationship between truth and reporting has always been a tricky one. No scene remains undistorted as it passes the eye of the beholder, and none reaches the page exactly as it was. But while living with this discrepancy, many journalists struggle with a much baser temptation. What they really want to put into their copy is that extraordinary “fact”, that jaw-dropping story retailed by a single source down a cracking telephone line, which would earn them a banner headline if they could only stand it up.
Eddie Clontz felt this more than most, and he never resisted the temptation. As the deviser and, for 20 years, the editor-in-chief of Weekly World News, his delight was to run the wildest stories he could find. He described himself not as an editor but as a circus-master, drawing readers into his tent with an endless parade of fantasies and freaks.

The News for which he was hired, in 1981, was a sorry affair, a dumping ground for stories that failed to make the National Enquirer. It had been started mostly to make use of the Enquirer’s old black-and-white presses after the sister-tabloid had gone to color. Mr Clontz shook it up. Out went the tired celebrity gossip; in came space aliens, dinosaurs, giant vegetables, and a “Psychic” column in which his brother Derek would find readers’ car keys. Circulation soared. In a good week, it could reach well over a million.

Sheer chance seemed to bring Mr Clontz to this strange outpost of journalism. After dropping out of school at 16 and trying his luck as a scallop fisherman, he became a copy boy on his local paper in North Carolina. He moved next to a Florida paper, and from there to the disreputable corner office in the Enquirer building, in a run-down resort near Palm Beach, from which he was to entertain and terrify America.

Mr Clontz always denied that his staff made the stories up. It was subtler than that. Many tips came from “freelance correspondents” who called in; their stories were “checked”, but never past the point where they might disintegrate. (“We don’t know whether stories are true,” said Mr Clontz, “and we really don’t care.”) Many readers appeared to believe Mr Clontz’s stories. Letters poured in. When The News reported the discovery of a hive of baby ghosts, more than a thousand readers wrote in to adopt one. But the saddest tale was of the soldier who wrote, in all seriousness, offering marriage to the two-headed woman.

Useful links: Newspapers for the learners of English

1 ) www.thewclc.ca/edge/index.html — The Learning Edge — потрясающая интерактивная газета специально для изучающих английский как иностранный. Все статьи озвучены носителями, текст окрашивается синим, когда speaker его произносит. К каждой статье есть упражнения. Газета рассчитана для уровней Beginner — Pre-Intermediate (включительно).
2 ) www.cdlponline.org — Adult Learning Activities — сайт с озвученными статьями от калифорнийского проекта дистанционного обучения. Статьи разбиты по рубрикам. Созданы для уровней Pre-Intermediate-Intermediate. После каждой статьи есть интерактивные упражнения на закрепление ключевых слов из статьи и понимание информации.
3 ) www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/words .. — Words in the News — проект от BBC Learning English — озвученные статьи, которые можно скачать в mp3 и pdf форматах, с объяснениями слов.
4 ) www.breakingnewsenglish.com — сайт про сенсационные новости от Sean Banville с многочисленными, но не интерактивными упражнениями.
5 ) www.pbs.org/newshour/extra — PBS Newshour EXTRA — новости, специально для уровней Upper-Intermediate и Advanced.
6 ) www.learningenglish.voanews.com — новости от Voice of America for learning English. Подойдет для уровня Beginner и начального Elementary.
7 ) www.simpleenglishnews.com — очень короткие статьи для уровней Beginner и Elementary.

ДОПОЛНИТЕЛЬНЫЕ ПОЛЕЗНЫЕ РЕСУРСЫ:
1) englishtexts.ru — статьи с последовательным переводом на русский .
2) pbs.org — видео на английском с субтитрами (нужно нажать «СС») на самые разные темы.
3) newscientist.com — New Scientist
4) economist.com — the Economist

Unit 8. Have I got news for you!

QUIZ: Make a short text on the topic THE MEDIA using the key vocabulary
A) главный редактор, тираж, освещение прессе, передовица (редакторская статья), журналист-обозреватель (автор колонки), «горячие» заголовки
editor-in chief, circulation, press coverage, editorial, columnist, hot headlines
B) журналистика чековой книжки, сенсации, вмешательство в личную жизнь, подтасовка фактов, эксклюзивный репортаж
checkbook journalism, the sensational, intrusion into private life, fact fabrication, exclusive report
С) репортер, информация из первых рук, свидетели событий, происшествие, поразительная история, сплетни о знаменитостях, злословие (опорочивание доброго имени)
correspondent, firsthand information, eyewitness, occurrence, jaw-dropping story, celebrity gossip, libel/slander
D) свободный корреспондент, непредвзятая информация, заслуживающее доверия издание, надежный источник, объективное мнение, честность в освещении событий
freelance reporter, unbiased info, credible media, reliable source, objective opinion, integrity in news coverage

READING:
One in ten Britons cannot name a single world leader but can list up to five characters in television soap opera EastEnders, a survey suggests. The survey, called “Is Britain Dumbing Down?” also indicates that nearly 10 per cent of the population never watches, reads or listens to the news. The survey of 1,063 people aged 16 and over showed that half spent an hour a day watching news, compared with 86 per cent who regularly tuned into soaps, or reality TV shows.
When asked to name a national leader, 11 per cent of the viewers failed to come up with an answer, including the name of UK Prime Minister. Almost 42% of respondents could not name even one member of the British Cabinet.
The British Culture Secretary has expressed her concerns over the results and she is ready to urge the government to help improve the public’s knowledge. «We can only conclude from this report that Britain is certainly ‘dumbing down’,» she said. «The population has become fanatical about celebrities«. Many think that with major political and international newscontinuously on the agenda, the government still has a key role to play in encouraging people to become more interested in current affairs and the world around them.
However, members of the public claim that there are serious reasons why so few people are interested in international news. The information is so distorted these days that it is impossible for the average person to know what to believe. The dissatisfied viewers say that the current cabinet, apart from being called Labour, is no different to the Conservatives in their plastic attitudes, false promises, and failed agendas. People find it more socially rewarding to have a chat about the latest episode of EastEnders than to discuss the pompous speeches of the cabinet members.
Here is another respondent’s opinion: “I read once that the inventor of television said «I have just invented the world’s best time waster». Looks like we’ve proven him right. Television can be a great source of information, but nowadays it is mostly used to fill the gaps in people’s lives to stop them getting bored. Don’t get me wrong, I like a bit of harmless fun, but when the first thing you do when you walk in the front door is switch on the telly, you need to re-evaluate your life!”

Look at the caricature below. What features of modern television does it reflect?

DISCUSSION:
Do you think the situation is quite the same in your country? Why? Why not?

LISTENING:
Listen to the record and do the exercise from textbook Section 8.4

DISCUSSION — THE PROS AND CONS OF A JOB OF A JOURNALIST
— see Textbook

GRAMMAR Section 8.2 Modal verbs
MODAL VERBS CHART

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
1) Download the exercises on modal verbs, print the pages out and do the task. MODALS EXERCISES
2) Open page 23 MARCH, watch the clips and answer the questions in writing.
3) LEARN the media vocabulary — see above!
4) NEW! Go to page JOURNALISTS SPEAK OUT, watch the interview with Oxford University graduate Miss Sophie Kinloch and make the tape-script. Attention! It’s a team job, which means you can divide the parts between the members of the group, or try to make a joint effort. The result should be a text written on the page BELOW the interview,

Unit 8. Have I got news for you!

0) mobile phone story assessment

1) MEDIA VOCABULARY QUIZ

2) Watch the clips below and answer the questions:

What two kinds of newsmen do you see in the clip?
In your opinion, why couldn’t Bruce utter a word first?
Does his behavior look strange to you? What is the reason of such actions on his side? Does he act professionally?
What should a good profi do when he faces some difficulties on air?

Definitely Bruce has some magic gift to spoil the life of his colleague who has taken his place.
What tricks does he play on the poor guy?

What sort of news channel does Cindy work at?
What kind of news do they cover?
What happens to the studio auto cue?
What would you do if you were a news anchor and your auto cue suddenly went mad?

3) DISCUSSION: Sophie’s interview tapescript

4) GRAMMAR: Modal verbs

Unit 8. Have I got news for you!

1) Media vocabulary quiz results
2) LISTENING: Journalists Speak out
3) GRAMMAR: MODAL VERBS

Speak about:
One thing that a good person OUGHT to do for his/her parents.
TWO things you CAN’t do in the morning.
Three things that you were able to do when you were a small kid but you can’t do them now.
Four things that one MUSTN’T do at the airport.
Five things that a bride SHOULD remember on her wedding day.
Six things that you HAVE TO do when your car is in service.

Let’s Talk — Classroom Discussion Topics

Media and Our World
CNN introduced us to 24-hour news. We can follow events in real time anywhere on the globe. Technology allows networks to broadcast from distant points like Bosnia and Rwanda. How has this instant access to news broadened our understanding of the world and global issues? How has this same media limited our understanding of other cultures? How can we be sure we get an accurate picture of world events?

News Just For You
In the not-too-distant future, your newspaper may be delivered electronically — over your television or cable line into a computer — and it will be just the news you want. You can request only local news and sports. You might choose entertainment news and weather. What are the advantages of having your newspaper tailored to your individual desires? What are the disadvantages?

Good Ads or Bad?
Many people see advertising only in a bad light — as a tool that makes people do things they don’t really want to do or buy things they don’t really want or need. Can an ad really convince you to purchase something you don’t really care about? Are there positive kinds of advertising? What about ads that encourage people to vote or to recycle? Could there be ads published «in the public’s interest?»

Checkbook Journalism
Reader interest in celebrities and sensationalism has led to fierce competition between print and electronic news organizations. Some tabloid newspapers and television shows pay individuals for their stories, whether those individuals are celebrities themselves or are connected to a sensational story. Domestic staff and business associates of celebrities accept money to give their stories. How does this practice of «checkbook journalism» affect the accuracy of news coverage?

Photo Makeover
Today, many news photos are prepared on computer screens. Once digitized, a photo can be electronically altered and the change is virtually undetectable. The computer allows the photographer to improve the photo by enhancing the color or altering the contrast, for example. However, the process also allows the photographer to alter the content of the photo. Unacceptable words or images can be removed from a t-shirt or sign in a photo. An individual can be moved from one photograph and placed in another. What guidelines should govern the altering of photographs? At what point should the reader/viewer be informed that a photo has been altered?

Life Without Advertising
Advertising is often portrayed as a negative force in media. Is that true? Imagine your life without any advertising of any kind. No more interruptions in your favorite television show. No distracting billboards along the highway. No pictures of food or clothing interspersed with your daily news. No sample perfumes falling out of your magazine. No pesky direct mail pieces in your mailbox. What strategies will you have to use to get the information previously provided by advertising? How will you learn about new products? How will you know when your favorite music group is appearing in your area? How will you learn about political candidates? What will you do to get comparative information on a CD player or camera? How will you know which department store carries the clothing you need? How will you know which grocery store has the best prices on soft drinks this week? What will you do to get the information you need to make purchasing decisions?

HOME ASSIGNMENT
1) Make a 2-3 min (no less!) speech on one of the topics above. Be able to present it in class
2) Write the translation of the sentences with the key words (see the classes of 16, 17, 23, 24 March and Journalists Speak Out page)

1. Главный редактор принимает решение о том, какого рода новости будет освещать издание, будет ли оно знакомить читателя со сплетнями о знаменитостях и разными странными происшествиями и «зубодробильными» историями, или во главе угла будут объективные репортажи с места событий, основанные на свидетельствах их первых рук.

2. Журналистика чековой книжки подразумевает вмешательство в личную жизнь известных людей для увеличения тиража издания, однако, во множестве стран существуют строгие законы, требующие соблюдения уважения к частной жизни.

3. Софи считает, что главное качество для журналиста — обаяние, необходимое для того, чтобы создать лучший сюжет, вытянув из самого занудного политика или заносчивой знаменитости самые интересные факты, ведь это в интересах издания и публики, которая не хочет читать о повседневных вещах.

4. Освещая трагические события терактов в Париже, Софи считала, что это ее долг перед парижанами и всеми людьми мира — ухватить атмосферу города в беде, передать эмоции горожан, чтобы люди поняли, как прекрасна мирная жизнь города, в лучших ее проявлениях.

5. Говоря о важных для журналиста качествах, Джим Гарднер упоминает хорошее образование, грамотность и владение языком, а также решимость и упорство.

6. Строго говоря, журналистом может стать каждый, особый диплом для этого не требуется.

7. Однажды юного журналиста взяли на место практиканта в многотиражный женский журнал, и для него это была очень нервная работа, потому что он совсем не знал, что и как делать. Ему дали задание поработать в рубрике «осуществление мечты«, и в целом это была интересная и захватывающая работа.

8. Широкая публика любит читать сенсационные материалы о жизни звезд и обо всяких кошмарных происшествиях, потому что повседневная жизнь достаточно скучна и рутинна, а всем хочется чего-нибудь шокирующе-необычного, но предпочтительно, чтобы это случилось с кем-то другим.

9. Будьте особенно острожны в телефонной беседе с интервьюируемым — ведь он не диктор, начитывающий аудиокниги, он может картавить, шепелявить, мямлить, говорить с акцентом или шептать, он не имеет понятия о четкости и ясности речи, а если вы по ошибке измените потом в статье, основанной на расшифровке его слов, смысл на обратный, это может привести к крупному сканалу.

Unit 10. Mother Nature

IN CLASS: General discusssion

HOME ASSIGNMENT

1) Watch the video «Sorry!» (see last class), write down all the key words and expressions and learn them by heart.
2) Write your own entry into the Discussion section (See the 6th of April)

3) 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?

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

Read more about Western Harbour lifestyle here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5413960.stm

Read the text:

If you had to get green points for making your close environment more nature-friendly, what would you do? Make a list of measures.

Unit 10. Mother Nature

HOME ASSIGNMENT:

READING 1: Which examples from there article seem to illustrate mutual human-animal bonds? On the other hand, what instances just show us the way humans exploit animals?
The human–animal bond*
(this material is kindly made available by

Everyone knows the close bond between some animals and humans. We think of horses and dogs, for example, as domestic animals. We use horses for transport and dogs to look after sheep and guard houses as well as thinking of them as friends, but they were once wild.
One example of this close bond is with a bird known as a ‘honey guide’. This bird can easily find bees’ nests, but it cannot get inside without human help. The Maasai tribesmen can find more honey more quickly with the help of this bird. The honey guide makes a special call to guide the tribesmen to the bee hives. The Maasai can then get the honey and give the bird the honeycomb as a reward.
Another example is a group of dolphins in Brazil. The dolphins herd fish towards the fishermen. The dolphins leap into the air to signal when the men should throw their fishing nets. The fishermen catch the fish and the dolphins can then catch some of the fish that try to escape.
Most people don’t like rats, but they are very good at finding landmines as they have an excellent sense of smell, are very intelligent and like repetitive tasks. People train the rats to find the landmines by rewarding them with food. Rats are particularly good for this task as they are too light to set off the landmines, they are cheap to transport and it only takes about nine months to train them. So far they have cleared landmines from more than two million square metres in African countries.
An unusual example of the human animal bond is the ‘piranha pedicure’. With this treatment, you put your feet in a tank of water and the Garra Rufa fish gently nibble away at the dry skin on your feet. This provides the fish with food and the human with soft skin on their feet This treatment is not new. The Garra Rufa fish are native to Turkey, Syria, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East where there is a long tradition of using these fish to treat skin problems.
Recent research in Japan shows that dogs are very successful at detecting cancer, for example by smelling someone’s breath. Unfortunately it takes too long to train the dogs and it is too expensive now to use them commercially, but the findings could lead to a breakthrough in cancer detection in the future.

Glossary:
bond (noun) – a feeling of love, friendship towards other people bond (verb) domestic (adj) – a domestic animal is one that is kept as a pet or on a farm wild (adj) – a wild animal lives in natural conditions and is not raised by
hive (noun) – the place where bees live and make honey
set off (phrasal verb) – to make something explode
nibble (verb) – to eat something by taking a lot of small bites
breakthrough (noun) – a discovery or achievement that comes after a lot of hard work

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



WARM-UP: Look at the stories and pictures of your group mates in our team-project IT’S GETTING GREENER. Say what you like in the pictures and what can be done to to get green points for making your close environment more nature-friendly. Make a list of measures. Use key words and expressions.



DISCUSSION: Animal-human bond. Quote the examples from the text (see 13 April page) and answer the question:

Which examples from there article seem to illustrate mutual human-animal bonds? On the other hand, what instances just show us the way humans exploit animals?





LISTENING COMPREHENSION: Read the answers to the questions to the video Pandora Discovered

Unit 10. Mother Nature

CLONES ARE COMING?

HOME ASSIGNMENT:

A) Revise the material of Chapter 1 of the book on cloning. You may download the text HERE:

B) In your notebook, make a list of useful words and expressions from Chapter 1 — that could help you to speak on the issues of the interrelationship between people and the Nature.

C) Watch the movie «The 6th Day» — a 2000 American science fiction action film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Adam Gibson, a family man of the future who has been illegally cloned as part of a vast conspiracy involving a shady billionaire businessman. Be ready to discuss the moral and legal issues of cloning raised in the film.

D) By the 4th of May read ALL the texts from pages 25-31 (See the file below). Be ready to answer the questions from Task I (Did You Get It?), Do exercise II (gap-filling — pp 31-33):