already fixed his eye on the undisciplined young pup called Jimmy with a view of trying out the
problem of seeing whether he can't be driven after all.
(From "College
Days" by S. Leacock)
b) Answer the questions below:
1. How does the author characterize two opposite types of "British father"? 2. Why, in
Leacock's view, the "old-fashioned" type is more acceptable for a schoolmaster? Would you prefer to
have Jack or Jimmy for a pupil? 3. How did the acquaintance with the fathers influence the
schoolmaster's attitude to the boys? Do you find it natural? 4. Do you think the problems raised in
the text are outdated? Justify your answer. 5. In what way should teachers and parents cooperate in
educating the child?
XVI. Act as an interviewer. Let the rest of the group speak about why and how
they decided to qualify as a teacher of languages. Find out:
1. if anybody or anything influenced their choice;
2. when they finally made up their minds;
3. what attracts them in the work;
4. what they consider its advantages and disadvantages.
XVII. Interview a teacher at the school where you have school practice. Ask
him or her the questions from Exercise XVI and also try to find out:
1. how long he or she has been in teaching;
2. if he or she ever regretted having taken up the job;
3. what is the most notable feature of teaching;
4. what advice he or she can give to a teacher trainee.
Discuss the interviews in class.
XVIII. Comment on the picture. You may find these phrases useful:
a Teacher-Parent Association meeting; to keep discipline in the classroom; to use traditional
(new) methods; to be in the habit of giving orders; to be strict with the pupils: to tell the pupils off; a
bossy teacher.
"I will now explain the progressive methods by which your children are taught — so keep
quiet, sit up straight and don't fidget."
XIX. Film "Mr. Brown's Holiday" 10. Film segment 1 "An Unexpected Turn'' (London),
a) Watch and listen, b) Do the exercises from the guide to the film. 11
STUDIES OF WRITTEN ENGLISH I
Clarity, interest and emphasis are marks of good writing. Good writing is also based on
selection of words in a sentence, on organization of sentences in a paragraph, and on unity of a
written passage. These are the main objectives of the second-year studies of written English.
Patterns of written prose. When writing you may choose to describe the facts or events, to
tell a story about them, to argue about them or to explain them according to your understanding.
These verbs correspond to four basic forms of treating a topic: description, narration,
argumentation, and exposition (explanation).
Paragraph is a single sentence or a group of related sentences expressing and developing a
basic idea, or a particular phase of thought. The paragraph is a practical device in writing. Its
purpose is to indicate the beginnings and endings of a thought unit. The beginning of a paragraph is
indicated by beginning a line a little in from the margin.
Here is a short paragraph describing a well-known portrait: "Mona Lisa (Gioconda) is
represented sitting in front of a marble balcony. The left arm rests on the arm of the seat, and the
fingers fold over the end of it. The right hand, perhaps the most perfect hand ever painted, lies lightly
over the left hand and wrist. On sleeves and bodice the pleats of the satin dress take the light" ( From
"Leonardo de Vinci" by E. Mc. Curely)
The author presents his impressions of the portrait and describes it in detail.
Here is another example of a paragraph telling a story: "A rather dreadful thing happened in
the car as they were driving up from the beach to the ancient town, once a Norman port, but now left
high and dry by the receding sea." (From "The Wind" by A. Bennett)
Here is an example of a paragraph of argumentation: "I am here to say a very few words or»
the whole question of the treatment of animals by our civilized selves. For I have no special
knowledge, like some who will speak to you, of the training of performing animals. I have only a
10 «М-р Браун в отпуске». Авторы сценария: Е. Сергиевская, А. Морозова, А. Штаден. Научные консультанты: Е.
Кириллова, Н. Федотова Режиссер А. Штаден. «Леннаучфильм», 1977.
11 Кириллова Е.П., Сергиевская Е.Г. Методические рекомендации к учебному фильму на английском языке «М-р
Браун в отпуске" 1978.
certain knowledge of human and animal natures; and a common sense which tells me that wild
animals are more happy in freedom than in captivity — domestic animals are more happy as
companions than as clowns." ( From "On Performing Animals" by J. Galsworthy)
The author tries to convince the reader of his point of view: he dislikes the idea of turning
domestic animals into performers in the circus.
The expository paragraph below makes it clear what politeness is: "It isn't only with
acquaintances and friends that politeness counts so much. Half the trouble in marriage and other
family relationships begins with the throwing of politeness overboard. Politeness is often little more
than the exercise of self-control, which is as valuable a quality in friendship as kindness itself."
(From "Effective English and Personal Efficiency Course")
Note: These patterns of writing seldom occur alone, more often they are joined together.
Assignments:
1. Read the text "Anne Meets her Class" and point out the paragraph» of
description, narration, argumentation and exposition. What does the author like to
describe in this episode? What is he telling the reader about? What argument is
Anne thinking of to manage the class? What is Miss Enderby trying to explain to
Anne?
2. Search Texts А, В (Р. II) for the basic forms of treating the topic "On
Teaching" and prove your selection of paragraphs.
3. Write a paragraph describing the picture suggested by the teacher.
4. Write a short paragraph about your visit to a former schoolmate.
5. Write a paragraph supporting or arguing Jane's and Bob's idea about
teaching. (See the Dialogue.)
LABORATORY EXERCISES (II)
1. a) Listen to the additional text "What's Your Line?" on the topic "Choosing a
Carrer", mark stresses and tunes, practise reading the text.
b) listen to the dialogue and learn it by heart.
2. Respond as in the models. Check your replies.
3. Write a spelling-translation test, check it with the key.
4. Write the dictation "Five Hundred Years of English Language Teaching",
check your spelling with a dictionary.
5. Translate the sentences into English, check your translation with the key.
6. a) Listen to the text and find English equivalents to the given words and
word combinations.
b) Check the words and word combinations.
c) Listen to the text again and do the tasks after it.
UNIT TWO
SPEECH PATTERNS
la. It would have been natural if the boy had gone to sleep.
