SOPHOMORES

TERM I

MODULE I
CROSSING BARRIERS

1. English today. Specific features of English as the world’s linqua franca

2. Languages in the Internet. Problems and solutions
3. Means of communication. The usage of computers and mobile phones.
4. Email overload.
5. Text messages
6. The Internet and quality of communication.
7. A visit to the theatre. Theatre for the deaf

MODULE II
MOODS and FEELINGS
1. The mystery of happiness. The secrets of being happy.
2. The stress of commuting.
3. Body movements. Interpreting the feelings of other people.
4. What I like and dislike in people?
5. Applying for a job. Interview techniques.
6. Teaching English as a foreign language. Pros and cons.
7. Occupations. Problems and Benefits. Aspects to Value in the Workplace.

MODULE III
MAKING A LIVING
1. Buying accommodation. Factors to consider.
2. Renting an apartment. Factors to consider.
3. Houses with a difference. Pros and cons.
4. Feng Shui as arts of arranging your home.
5. Saving space in the house. Problems and solutions.
6. Living above the shop. Advantaged and disadvantages.
7. Setting your own business. Pros and cons.

EXAMINATION SITUATIONS
UNIT 1
CROSSING BARRIERS

1. It’s a common knowledge that the Internet is an excellent tool for learning and
communicating with others and there is no doubt we can’t imagine our existence
without it. Except of enormous benefits for worldwide communication and
education, are there any pitfalls in the use of the Net?

2. It is generally assumed that English is considered the world’s most widely

spread language dominating all spheres of people’s activity. What are special
 features of this language, its peculiarities and pluses and minuses we can
observe from the point of view of language learners, philologists and EFL
teachers- to-be?

3. It’s no doubt, we can’t imagine communication with other people without mobile
phones? They have become an indispensable part of our everyday existence.
What are pluses and minuses of this wonderful tool of communication?

4. It is generally assumed that English is considered the world’s most widely spread
language dominating all spheres of people’s activity. Except of enormous benefits
for worldwide communication and understanding, are there any drawbacks in the
dominating position of English in the Internet? What is the position of English
in the sphere of e-commerce?

5. It’s no doubt, we can’t imagine communication with others people without

mobile phones? They have become an indispensable part of our everyday
existence. What can you say about pluses and minuses of texting messages on
the phone ?

6. It’s a common knowledge that the Internet is an excellent tool for communicating
with others and there is no doubt we can’t imagine our existence without it. What
are pros and cons of E-mailing as a means of communication?

7. It’s a common knowledge that the computer is an excellent tool for learning
and communication and there is no doubt we can’t imagine our existence
without it. Except of enormous benefits for worldwide communication and
education, are there any pitfalls in the use of the computer?

UNIT 2
MOODS and FEELINGS

1. It is generally assumed that stress might be very dangerous affecting us both

physically and mentally. Reducing stress is something that we should all try to do.
How to avoid much stress of commuting in today’s modern world?

2. Living in modern society we encounter various people with different characters

and special features. What do you like and dislike in people?

3. Although you are more cinema fan than a theater-goer, you are not against going
to the theatre some day when there is a nice play on. Share your impressions
about your last visit to the theatre? Have ever heard of the theatre for the deaf?
What is it about?
4. One of the most mysterious a personal feeling is the one of being happy. People
now understand a lot of secrets of our psyche more clearly than they used to, but
happiness still remains a mystery. What do you know about this peculiar
emotion? What does it mean to be happy for you?

UNIT 3
MAKING A LIVING

1. Work occupies one of the central places of our lives. People care and worry about
it as much as they do about their children and health. Choosing one’s career is an
important t step in every-body’s life. Different occupations have their pluses and
minuses. What are special features of different jobs and what aspects can be
valued in the workplace?

2. One can be involved in business in different ways. You can work as a freelancer
or in partnership. Your business may be incorporated or you can go into business
alone. What are pluses and downsides of setting up your own business?

3. When a company needs to recruit or employ new people, it’s not possible to tell at
a glance who is suitable for a job; they must interview the candidates. What
application forms must the candidates complete and what are factors to consider
before going for the interview?

4. You are an EFL teacher-to-be. What are positive and negative sides of being a
teacher of English as a Foreign Language?

UNIT 4
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

1. Is the word ‘feng shui’ familiar to you? What does this term mean? What is your
attitude to this phenomenon of Asian culture? What is your concept of arranging
your house?

2. After renting a small apartment for years your friend wants to improve his living
conditions. He is considering buying a house in the suburbs or a condominium
downtown. What are factors for him to take into consideration before investing
money into real estate property?

3. Your friend is going to the U/S/taking part in Work and Travel Program. What are
factors for him to consider while renting an apartment in America?
4. Everyone wants a safe place to live, a shelter from the outside world. Some
people’s preferences are traditional places of accommodation. Others would like
to live in quite unusual dwelling. What are pros and cons of living in a house
with a difference?

5. Your friend is a student renting a small studio in the loft of the small house. His
problem is lack of living space in a room which is a sitting room, bedroom and
study all together. What do you suggest can make his living quarters a little
more spacious?

6. What does it mean to ‘live above the shop’? What are its advantaged and
disadvantages?
7. Living in the time when the whole world is in the middle of energy crisis, we have
to do our best to save on electricity, gas and water. Besides, it’s our living
quarters which are responsible for a great part of damage to the environment.
The solution of the problem consists in making our houses greener. What
might we do in our dwellings to make them friendlier to the environment?

8. Everyone wants a nice place to live, a save shelter from outside world. What is
the house of your dream?