Why do you learn English?

1. a) Read the texts below. Why do these people learn foreign languages?

1. Dominic, a college student from Brazil

“I’ve been studying English in London for 5 months now. I learned English at school in Brazil, so I know grammar very well. Personally I don’t like reading much, but I have found that watching the news is useful as the newsreaders speak slowly and clearly. Listening to music is a good way to learn. In my opinion, it is best to learn a language when you are a child.”

2. Pia, a college student from Sweeden

“ English is a foreign language for me. I started learning it in Sweden when I was eight years old. At first it was quite formal, but the teachers also made it fun, which I think is important. We used to watch films without the subtitles, read English magazines and listen to English music. I also joined the English club where we had a lot of fun. Now I’m trying to learn Latin, which is a very different experience, it’s too difficult and definitely not as much fun! I’ve been learning it for half a year already. I hope it will help me when I become a doctor.”

3

. Helen, a student from Poland

“

Well, I speak Belarusian well. I found it very easy to learn because I’ve got a lot of relatives in Belarus and I keep in touch with them by visiting them twice a year and by e-mail. I also learn English. I’ve been learning it for six years. I think it’ll be useful for travelling and for my future work. I’m a very sociable girl and I’ve got a lot of friends in many countries, so I often send them letters in English. It helps me to improve my writing skills.”

4. Michelle, a student from France

“I started learning German and English in the first form at school, they were the only options. It’s quite useful as I had to study in a German school for two years. It was easy enough for me to communicate with other people there. I think that once you know the basics of a language, it’s best to spend some time in the country like I did. It helped me a lot.”

5

. Natasha, a college student from Russia

“I learned a bit of basic English at school in Russia which gave me confidence. I want to be a secretary and work in some American company, so I need to be able to communicate in English, to get and send messages by e-mail, to sort incoming mail, to speak to visitors, to work on the computer and so on. I’ve been learning English at college in the USA for a year now, and it’s the best way to learn, as I can speak English to everybody! I also love watching TV and reading English magazines!”

1. Find synonyms in the texts corresponding to the following definitions:

a) people in television who present daily information. (text 1) _______________

b) a language which is not your mother tongue. (text 2) _______________

c) to become a member. (text 2) _____________

d) to send e-mails, letters or to visit someone regularly. (text 3) ______________

e) fond of being with others, friendly. (text 3 ) ________________

f) to share or exchange opinions, feelings or information (text 4) _______________

g) a spoken or written piece of information passed from one person to another (text 5) ________

h) to put letters or messages in order (text 5) _____________

3. a) Work in pairs. How long have these people been learning foreign languages? Fill in the chart

with the information from the texts. Use for or since.

	Dominic	Pia	Helen	Michelle	Natasha
learn English	for 5 months
learn German
learn Latin

b) In turns, ask and answer questions about these people.

Example: A: How long has Dominic been learning English in London? – B: He has been learning

English in London for five months.

1. A good way of learning English is travelling to an English speaking country. Dominic wanted to improve his English so he went to London. Read the postcard he sent to his dad and fill in the gaps with the words from the box.

Example: 1 - have been.

Hi dad!

I (1) ______ (be) in London for 5 months and I’m having a great

time. Last Sunday a friend of mine (2) ______ (invite) me to do

sightseeing – Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London,

and all the usual attractions. Most places absolutely (3)_______ (pack) with tourists (it’s the time of the year, I suppose). Yesterday I (4) ______ (go) to have a look round the shops and I (5)_______ (buy) a few souvenirs. Today I (6)________ (send) a parcel with my gift to you. I hope they (7) _______ (deliver) it to you in a couple of weeks.

I (8) ________ (keep in touch) with all my friends in Brazil since I came here. My letter-box is full of mail. Yesterday I (9) ______ (get) an e-mail from Amelia. She (10) ______ (congratulate) me on my birthday. l (11) ______ (have) a party at a restaurant: the food was fantastic. I’m afraid I (12)_______ (spend) a lot of money, but it was a great day and I (13) ______ (take) lots of photographs so you’ll be able to see for yourself when I get back home. All my friends here are sociable and friendly and we (14) ______ (communicate) only in English.

See you soon,

Dominic

5. How important is the English language nowadays?

Why do so many people learn English?

Write an article about the importance of this language in the world.

K E Y

Exercise 1.

They learn English for communication, traveling and future work.

Exercise 2.

A – a newsreader; B – foreign; C – join; D – keep in touch; E – sociable; F – communicate; G – message; H – to sort.

Exercise 3a.

	Dominic	Pia	Helen	Michelle	Natasha
learn English	for 5 months in London	since she was 8	for 6 years	since the first form	for a year in the USA
learn German				since the first form
learn Latin		for half a year

Exercise 3b.

1. A: How long has Dominic been learning English in London? – B: He has been learning

English in London for five months.

1. A: How long has Pia been learning English in Sweden? – B: She has been learning

English in Sweden since she was 8 years old.

1. A: How long has Pia been learning Latin? – B: She has been learning it for half a year.

2. A: How long has Helen been learning English? – B: She has been learning it for 6 years.

3. A: How long has Michelle been learning English and German? – B: She has been learning them since the first form.

4. A: How long has Natasha been learning English in the USA? – B: She has been learning it for a year.

Exercise 4.

1 – have been; 2 – invited; 3 – were packed; 4 – went; 5 – bought; 6 – have sent; 7 – will deliver; 8 – have been keeping in touch; 9 – got; 10 – congratulated; 11 – had; 12 – spent; 13 – took; 14 – communicate