I study at the University. The academic year begins, as a rule, on the 1st of September and ends in June. It lasts ten months: September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May and June. The academic year has two terms: the autumn term and the spring term. The autumn term begins in September and ends in December. The spring terms begins on the 7th of February and ends as a rule early in June. Both terms last for about four months. Each term ends with examinations which take place in January and in June.During the academic year students work hard. As a rule they are very busy and have a lot of to do, but when they have their exams they work harder.
We have two holidays a year: winter holidays and summer holidays. Summer holidays are longer than the winter holidays. They last two months. The winter holidays are short. They last only two weeks. During the holidays we do not study, we have a rest.
We go to the University every day except Sunday. On week-days we work hard. On Sundays we have a rest as a rule. Classes at our University begin at eight o’clock in the morning and end at half past three in the afternoon.
All the students learn some foreign language - English, German or French. I learn English. We have two English classes a week, on Tuesdays and on Fridays. On Tuesdays we have our English class in the morning, on Fridays - in the afternoon. When the teacher comes into the room we stand up and greet the teacher. We say: “Good afternoon” if it is afternoon. We say “Good morning” if it is morning. We say: “Good evening” if it is evening.
Then we sit down and our lesson begins. We check up our homework. We ask and answer questions, we read English texts and translate sentences from Russian into English, or from English into Russian. We describe pictures and speak on various topics. During the English class we do a lot of exercises, we speak, read and write English. We do not speak Russian in class. We speak Russian before and after classes.
As I want to speak and to read English better, I am very attentive in class and I always prepare my homework. English is not difficult for me because I work at it regularly. As I live in the hostel, I always do my lessons together with a friend of mine. Her English is as good as mine. We learn new words and do exercises. We ask each other questions and answer them. We also listen to the recorded tapes in the English language laboratory of our University. We are fond of English and we want to master it, that’s why we never miss classes and work hard.
At the end of each class the teacher gives us our homework. She says:”The homework for your next English class is to read a new text, to learn new words and to prepare the topic “My University”. I also want you to listen to the tape in our laboratory. This time take Laboratory Work Eight, please. Our next English class is on Friday at twenty minutes to twelve. Don’t be late. Good buy.”
Exercise 2. Give English equivalents:
во время учебного года, жить дома, до и после занятий, друг друга, заниматься регулярно, жить в общежитии, в конце урока, в конце недели, учить новые слова, около двух дней, овладеть английским языком, происходить (иметь место), первый и последний урок, на этот раз, в следующий раз, один раз в месяц, как правило, короткое слово, длинный рассказ
Exercise 3. Fill in the blanks with the prepositions where it’s necessary.
1. Our classes begin … 8 o’clock. 2. … the holidays we do not study, we have a rest. 3. … week-days Kate works hard. 4. … our English classes students read texts and translate them … Russian … English. 5. They don’t speak … Russian … class. 6. Don’t forget to answer … the questions. 7. … the end … each class the tutor gives us our homework. 8. My sister is fond …studying.
Exercise 4. Complete the sentences according to the Text.
1. The bell rings and … …. 2. Students have two holidays a year: … …. 3. The academic year begins … and ends …. 4. The winter holidays are …. They … only … …. 5. We sit down at our desks and … …. 6. At English classes the students … pictures, … various topics, … a lot of exercises, …questions and … them. 7. English is not difficult if you … ….
Exercise 5. Make a detailed plan of Text 2.
Exercise 6. Render the text (in turns).
Text 3
Exercise 1. Look at the pages of Masha’s and Kate’s diaries. These pages tell us about the girls’ week. Read pages and say what Masha/Kate usually does on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday …
Example.: Monday is Masha’s cleaning day. She cleans her things on Monday. But Saturday is Kate’s cleaning day.
Masha’s Diary Kate’s Diary
Monday – cleaning day Monday – the longest Institute day
Tuesday – washing day Tuesday – reading day
Wednesday – cooking day Wednesday – swimming day
Thursday – swimming day Thursday – library day
Friday – library day Friday – TV day
Saturday – shopping day Saturday – cleaning day
Sunday – visiting day Sunday – resting day
Exercise 2. It’s a page either from Masha’s or Kate’s diary. Read it first to yourself and say whose page it is. Give reason for your opinion (Ex. 1 can help you). Find in the text the sentences to prove your opinion.
WHOSE DIARY IS IT?
October 20, Wednesday.
It’s a nice day today. The weather is warm and sunny. We’re not having our English class now as our tutor, Mrs. Lebedeva, is ill. My fellow-students are in the class-room. Everybody is happy, they are smiling and laughing. Some of them are talking about their problems, other students are reading something. Nick is speaking on the phone. My diary is with me today so I can write down some words. Today I’m going to come home earlier than usual. I have a lot of time before swimming. My friend asks me to go shopping with her. I don’t like to do the shopping but it’s fun to go there with her. I can’t say I often help her with the shopping, but I always help her about the house. We do it on Monday. I can’t imagine how she can do it on Monday – it’s our longest Institute day. Oh, here she is. I have to go.
Exercise 3. Tell us what you are going to do (in short):
a) on week-days;
b) at the week-end.
Text 4
Exercise 1. a) Read the text and be ready to do the tasks.
b) Optional task: make written translation of the text
Notes: The merry-go-round of college life – карусель институтской жизни
Fascinating, fantastic, fabulous experience – пленительный, чудесный (нереальный), сказочный (невероятный)
Irrespective of the fact … – независимо от факта …
To turn from an applicant who has passed entrance exams into a first-year student – превратиться из абитуриента, сдавшего вступительные экзамены, в первокурсника
I entered! I got in to the University! – Я поступил! Я студент университета!
A solemn ceremony in front of the university building – торжественная церемония перед зданием университета
To make speeches – произносить речи
Hey, lad, do you happen to know … – Эй, парень! Ты случайно не знаешь …
So many new subjects to put on the timetable – так много новых предметов в расписании
The curriculum seems to be developed especially for geniuses – рабочая программа, кажется, разработана специально для гениев
Home preparations – подготовка д/з
A real avalanche of homework – настоящая лавина д/з
If one can not cope with the work load of college he or she immediately starts lagging behind – если кто-то не справляется с нагрузкой, он немедленно становиться отстающим
It is easier to keep pace with the programme than to catch up with it later – проще не отставать от программы, чем потом её наверстывать
Everyone tries hard to be, or at least to look, diligent – все пытаются, или, по крайней мере, делают вид чтобы казаться прилежными
First successes and first failures – первые успехи и поражения (провалы)
A long-awaited– долгожданные
Translations checked up and marked – проверка и оценка переводов
To play truant – прогуливать
I had a good excuse for missing classes – веская причина для пропуска занятий
Works handed in and handed out – работы сдают и возвращают
I have never cheated – я никогда не обманывал
No cribs. – никаких шпаргалок
I just crammed. – Я просто поправился (наелся).
A degree in English – по специальности англ. яз
COLLEGE LIFE
The merry-go-round of college life is something that one never forgets. It’s fascinating, fantastic, fabulous experience, irrespective of the fact whether one is a full-time or a part-time student.
Who can forget the first day at the university when one turns from an applicant who has passed exams into a first-year student? I didn’t! I entered; I got in to the university! A solemn ceremony in front of the university building and serious people making speeches. Hey, lad, do you happen to know who they are? Who? The rector, vice-rectors, deans, subdeans … and what about those ladies? Heads of departments and senior lecturers? Okay. Some of them must be professors, some … associate or assistant professors, but, of course, all of them have high academic degrees. And where are our lecturers and tutors? Oh, how nice …
The monitors hand out student membership cards, student record books and library cards – one feels like a real person. First celebrations and then days of hard work. So many classes, so many new subjects to put on the time-table! The curriculum seems to be developed especially for geniuses. Lectures, seminars and tutorials. Home preparations; a real avalanche of homework.
If one can not cope with the work load of college he or she immediately starts lagging behind. It is easier to keep pace with the programme than to catch up with it later. Everyone tries hard to be or at least to look, diligent. First tests and examination sessions. The first successes and first failures: “I have passed!” or “He has not given me a pass!” Tears and smiles. And a long-awaited vacation.
The merry-go-round runs faster. Assignments, written reproductions, compositions, synopses, papers. Translations checked up and marked. “Professor, I have never played truant. I had a good excuse for missing classes”. Works handed in and handed out. Reading up for exams. “No, professor, I have never cheated – no cribs. I just crammed.”
Junior students become senior. Still all of them are one family – undergraduates. Students’ parties in the students’ club. Meeting people and parting with people. You know, Nora is going to be expelled and Dora is going to graduate with honours. Yearly essays, graduation dissertations, finals …
What? A teacher certificate? You mean, I’ve got a degree in English? I am happy! It is over! It is over … Is it over? Oh, no…
A postgraduate course, a thesis, an oral and a degree in Philology. The first of September. Where are the students of the faculty of foreign languages? Is it the English department? Oh, how nice …
Exercise 2. Read the text and complete the sentences:
- College life is something like a … …. 2. To be a student you have to … ….
3. All the professors, associate or assistant professors have … … …. 4. Every student has a … … …, a … … … and … … to feel like a real person. 5. There are a lot of new subjects to put on the … …. 6. Junior students become …, 7. Winter and summer vacations are always … ….
Exercise 3. What do you think of your first months at the University?
Text 5
Exercise 1. Read the text about students’ attitudes towards the work, and say what “type”-student you are.
Most people who have trouble with schoolwork don’t lack intelligence – instead. Rather, they are trapped by their own attitudes towards the work. One attitude that gets in many students’ way is the “I can’t do it” syndrome. Instead of making an honest effort to do the work, the “I can’t do it” type give up before they begin. Then there’s the “I’m too tired” excuse. Students with this problem give in to the temptation to nap whenever there is work to be done. Another common excuse for achievement is “the instructor is boring”. These students expect every cause to be highly entertaining and claim they can’t be expected to learn anything otherwise.
Exercise 2. Give the Russian equivalents of the following proverbs and be ready to discuss them:
a) All things are difficult before they are easy.
b) Live and learn.
c) To learn is never late.
d) What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
Text 6
Exercise 1. Read the dialogue and get ready to do the exercises.
At the Dean’s Office
Notes:
To expect – ожидать
To be engaged – быть занятым
Wouldyou mind waiting? – Вы не подождёте?
A teaching method class – занятие по педагогике
To make an appointment – назначить (договориться) о встрече
In circumstances – при данных обстоятельствах
To make a note – записать
To ask smb. to confirm – уточнить с к-то
Secretary: Good morning. Can I help you?
Student: Yes, I’d like to see Pr. Belov, please.
Secretary: Is professor expecting you?
Student: No, I’m afraid not.
Secretary: Could I have your name, please?
Student: Kuznetzov, Nikita Kuznetzov.
Secretary: Professor Belov is engaged at the moment, I’m afraid. He is in the conference.Would you mind waiting?
Student: Well, how long will it be?
Secretary: He’ll be free in about 30 minutes.
Student: Oh, that’s too long. I’m having my teaching methods class at 11.00.
Secretary: Perhaps you would like to make an appointment for some other time?
Student: Yes, I suppose that’s the best idea in circumstances. Let it be Friday, at 10.30.
Secretary: O’K. I’ll make a note of that and ask professor to confirm.
Student: That’s all right. Thank you.
Secretary: You are welcome. Good-bye.
Student: Good-bye.
Exercise 2. Find in the dialogue English equivalents for these words and word combinations:
договориться о встрече; ожидать кого-то; быть занятым; быть на конференции; возможно; при данных обстоятельствах; сделать запись; подтверждать
Exercise 3. Complete the dialogues:
A.
S1: …. … … …?
S2: No you can’t. The Dean is at the meeting now.
S1: When is he coming back?
S2: … ….
S1: Well, I’ll come later.
S2: … ….
B.
S1: Let’s go out for dancing tonight.
S2: … …. I have much work to do.
S1: … ….
S2: O.K., then. If you help me, I’ll go.
C.
S1.: What are you discussing?
S2: We are speaking about the new subjects we’re having in the next term.
S1: … …?
S2: They are Lexicology, Theoretical Grammar, Stylistics, Country Study and General Linguistics.
S1: … …. I guess we’ll be much more busier than this term.
Exercise 4. Make up your own dialogue using the following word combinations:
Hello; How are you?; to have classes; to give a lecture; interesting; I’m afraid; to make notes; not to like to use my friends’ notes; to discuss; several; to be sorry; if; to have to; to miss
Text 7
Exercise 1. You will listen to the text. Before it look through the list of notes.
Notes:
Campus Sports Center – студенческий спортклуб
Membership form – анкета, заполняемая при вступлении в клуб
to spell – назвать по буквам
type of membership required (half year, full year) – срок действия абонемента (на полгода, на год)
sports played – виды спорта, которыми увлекается студент
Exercise 2. Listen to the text and fill in the form.