Outstanding People

Many people want to be famous. Fame is deeply attractive as it’s always associated
with money, luxury and attention. There are many paths to fame. Some people become
famous due to their talents: they sing, act or play sports better than others, or they
invent something important for the society. Others do volunteer or charity work
helping people all over the world. Sometimes you don’t even need to be talented but be
in the right place at the right time.
In my opinion, being an outstanding person means being a unique personality,
leaving some kind of trace in the life of others or somehow changing the course of
history.
So, among the people who changed the world I can mention …
Belarus has also made a big contribution to the world’s heritage due to its gifted
historic figures and our contemporaries.
The legendary Hollywood actor Kirk Douglas was born to Belarusian parents?
They emigrated from Gomel to the USA when Kirk was just three years old, in 1919.
Likewise, top American designer Ralph Lauren’s parents are from Belarus (his father
from Pinsk and his mother from Grodno).
Belarus also has its fair share of prominent writers. Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas,
Vladimir Korotkevich,Vasyl Bykov. Science-fiction king Isaac Asimov was born in the
village of Petrovichi in the Mogilev Region of Belarus. Few know that Fyodor
Dostoevsky – one of Russia’s greatest prose writers – was born into a Belarusian
family. In 2015 Svetlana Alexievich, a Belarusian journalist and prose writer was
awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
One of most famous of all people from Belarus, Marc Chagall is known around the
world as a master of classic avant-garde art. The pioneer of geometric abstract art
Kazimir Malevich, sculptor Ossip Zadkine, Leon Bakst, Vladimir Vyshnevski also come
from this land.
Notable musician and composer Vladimir Mulyavin was a collector of Belarusian
folklore, and the founder of the legendary band Pesnyary.
Ignat Domejko was a well-known geologist, the national hero of Chile. Zhores
Alferov, born in Vitebsk, won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000.
Haim Weizman from the small village near Pinsk was an outstanding chemist who
gave lectures in Switzerland and Great Britain. He also became the first president of
Israel. By the way, Shimon Peres, another Israel’s President and Nobel Prize winner,
was born in Belarus in the village of Vishnevo in the Minsk Region.
Vladimir Kovalenok was born near Minsk in 1942. He trained as a pilot and was a
prominent cosmonaut in the Soviet Union. He commanded 3 space missions and was
twice declared a Hero. Petr Klimuk, the first Belarusian cosmonaut. He made three
space flights as a member of spaceship.
The number one Belarusian in the world is Boris Kit. He is an outstanding rocket
scientist.
In conclusion, I’d like to say that the world is not always kind to famous people: people
who stand out from the crowd often face jealousy, humiliation, lies and aggression. In
fact, fame and success often come with a high price tag. As Bill Gates once said,
“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”
 TOPIC “OUTSTANDING PEOPLE”
 
Билет № 15.
1. Let’s talk about outstanding people. What famous people of Belarus do you know? What are
they famous for? Tell us about some outstanding people who changed our world.

2. Do you agree with Thomas Edison’s words: “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-
nine percent perspiration”?

To be a genius at something requires hard work, not just talent or giftedness. Even the most
ordinary person can achieve a lot in their work if they put all their efforts.

You must be committed to your goals. Absolutely every day work on yourself and never stop.
Your achievements will only be a matter of time

Because great achievements depend not so much on genius as on hard work

3. If you have a chance to interview a celebrity, whom will you choose and what questions will
you ask?

is it difficult to be famous, isn’t it

Can you name 3 people you admire

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity?

What would you choose fame and success or ordinary life?

4. Advise me on how to encourage my students to be more curious and hardworking.

you can show by the example of famous people that in order to achive success you need not
only be talented but also work hard. And in this case you will inspire your students to be
hardworking.
And connect subjects and topics to the real world. Sometimes topics can seem abstract and not
important. If you can show how the class subject relates to the real world, students will be more
interested in the class material.

First of all you should provide a positive and friendly environment so the students become self-
motivated to learn. Show appreciation for the efforts students show in class and homework they do.
Also it’s better to give your students individual tasks.

You can Vary Your Teaching Methods, use different learning styles

And connect subjects and topics to the real world. Sometimes topics can seem abstract and not
important. If you can show how the class subject relates to the real world, students will be more
interested in the class material.
5. Name a Belarusian author whom you definitely call the soul of the nation. Explain your
choice.

Yakub Kolas belongs to the outstanding people of our country. In his works he expressed
the spirit, character and hopes of the Belarusian people. His talent had a great effect on the
development of literature and other arts in our country.
Yakub Kolas was born in 1882 in a small village near the town of Stolbtsy in the family of
a peasant.
One of the best known works by Yakub Kolas is the novel « Na Rostanyakh». Among his
best works are also two large epics «New Land» and «Simon the Musician» which were
published in 1923 and 1925. The poet worked on the poem «New Land» for more than
twelve years.
Most of the events described in the poem are based on the facts from the life of his family.
But the poem is not just an autobiography. It became an encyclopedia of peasants’ life. It
depicts their life, psychology, the peculiarities (features) of the Belarusian national
character and Belarusian nature.
Yakub Kolas is a classic of Belarusian literature, a truly people’s writer. In his works he
managed to show the best features of the Belarusian national character.
Famous Belarusians (Tapescript)
The borders of Belarus were changed so many times it can be hard to know where your
family really comes from: Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine or Belarus. Our lecture is not
limited to persons of Belarusian ethnicity; Russians, Jews, Poles, Vikings, etc. may be found in
the list. How many of us would have guessed that the legendary Hollywood actor Kirk
Douglas was born to Belarusian parents? They emigrated from Gomel to the USA when Kirk
was just three years old, in 1919. Likewise, top American designer Ralph Lauren’s parents are
from Belarus (his father from Pinsk and his mother from Grodno).
Belarus also has its fair share of prominent writers. Yanka Kupala, Yakub Kolas, Vladimir
Korotkevich… Science-fiction king Isaac Asimov was born in the village of Petrovichi in the
Mogilev Region of Belarus. Few know that Fyodor Dostoevsky – one of Russia’s greatest prose
writers – was born into a Belarusian family. Although his parents had moved to Moscow by
the time he arrived in the world, they hailed from the small Belarusian village of Dostoevo in
the Ivanovo District. Last autumn, the village celebrated the 500th anniversary of the famous
family.
In 2015 Svetlana Alexievich, a Belarusian journalist and prose writer was awarded the
Nobel Prize in Literature.
Belarus has brought forth some of our world’s most prominent athletes. Just think of an
outstanding Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut from Grodno or Belarusian Olympic medalists in
rhythmic gymnastics Yulia Raskina and Inna Zhukova, great tennis players Max Mirnyi and
Viktoria Azarenko. Other notable sporting heroes include Olympic medalists Yulia Nesterenko,
Yanina Korolchik, Ellina Zvereva 35 and Darya Domracheva. How about a great wrestler
Alexander Medved? The winner of the 2009 World Chess Cup, Boris Gelfand?
One of most famous of all people from Belarus, Marc Chagall is known around the world
as a master of classic avant-garde art. The pioneer of geometric abstract art Kazimir Malevich,
sculptor Ossip Zadkine, Leon Bakst, Vladimir Vyshnevski also come from this land.
Notable musician and composer Vladimir Mulyavin was a collector of Belarusian folklore,
and the founder of the legendary band Pesnyary.
As far as science is concerned: Ignat Domejko was a well-known geologist, the national
hero of Chile. Alexander Chizhevsky was born in the Grodno region. Zhores Alferov, born in
Vitebsk, won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000.
Haim Weizman from the small village near Pinsk was an outstanding chemist who gave
lectures in Switzerland and Great Britain. He also became the first president of Israel. By the
way, Shimon Peres, another Israel’s President and Nobel Prize winner, was born in Belarus in
the village of Vishnevo in the Minsk Region.
Petr Klimuk, the first Belarusian cosmonaut and a researcher in technical sciences was
born in Komarovka village, Brest region, in 1942. He made three space flights as a member of
spaceship. Vladimir Kovalenok was born near Minsk in 1942. He trained as a pilot and was a
prominent cosmonaut in the Soviet Union. He commanded 3 space missions and was twice
declared a Hero. There are successful Belarusian artists, writers, models and businessmen all
over the world. But according to a notable writer of Belarusian origin, Vasyl Bykov, the
number one Belarusian in the world is Boris Kit. This outstanding rocket scientist and
Belarusian lived till 107 years old and died in February 2018 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Till his last days, he remained truly devoted to his language and his motherland. Perhaps these
legendary people will make you feel that, in fact, you are lucky to come from Belarus.