UNIT 1 Worksheet — Listening 1

NAME: Nr. CLASS:

DATE: EVALUATION:
TEACHER: E. E.

1 Listen to the text then fill in the blanks.

MOBILITY IN EUROPE
My name is Gudrun Büsser, I am 24 years old and I come from (a) where I studied French and
(b) at the University of Vienna.
As I want to become a secondary school (c) , last year I applied for a place on the Socrates
(d) in order to be able to spend a semester in Spain and practice my Spanish. The year before I
applied for a post in France but I didn’t have any (e) . And this time I was unlucky again. There
were no vacancies in Spain; however, I was offered a place in Portugal. The idea of getting to know another
(f) and culture appealed to me and I accepted it immediately. I must (g) that I
was a bit apprehensive about the fact that I couldn’t speak any (h) at all.
In February I went to Lisbon as a language (i) and worked at a secondary school until July. I
had never been to Portugal before and I knew very little about it. At first it was quite (j) as I didn’t
speak any Portuguese but it turned out to be great fun and a wonderful (k) for me. I gave French
and German lessons together with the regular teachers; I took part in school trips and I organised an exhibition on
Austria during Foreign Languages week. The Austrian (l) was kind enough to send someone from
the Embassy who talked about Austrian culture and history. In classes, I explained some of our (m)
and habits. In addition, I taught a free German course for beginners that year.
When I arrived in Portugal I didn’t know anybody but when I left I was not only leaving the country but a lot of
good (n) as well. Portugal has become a second home for me. I think these programmes offer
young people a fantastic opportunity to improve their knowledge of a foreign country and its people and to have
first hand experience of the (o) world. What is more, the host school may also benefit from the
experience of having a foreign native (p) .

2 Say if the sentences are TRUE or FALSE.

a) Gudrun is a secondary school teacher.
b) She speaks Chinese and Spanish.
c) She applied for a place in Spain but she didn’t get it.
d) Gudrun’s work consisted of teaching German and Spanish.
e) She took her students to the Portuguese Embassy.
f) She didn’t make any friends in Portugal.

3 Listen to the text again and make a list of the PROS and CONS about Gudrun’s experience.

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 NIT 1 Worksheet — Listening 2

NAME: Nr. CLASS:

DATE: EVALUATION:
TEACHER: E. E.

Before listening

1 Listen to the text and fill in the blankswith the words from the box.

improves | reinforce | profile | demands | employees | overcoming | foremost | approach

REASONS FOR LEARNING A LANGUAGE,

By Thomas Matussek, German Ambassador in London

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Why should we learn a foreign language? After all, the whole world speaks English. Ladies and Gentlemen, there’s
some truth in this argument — but only some. Having a foreign language in addition to English is vital.
reasons
Learning a foreign language at the earliest possible age, and by that I mean between 4 and 5 years old — that is, at
nursery and primary school — opens up a whole new dimension for children: it greatly benefits reading and writing in
their own language. Furthermore, there’s evidence that, as in musical education, it contributes significantly to the
development of individual intelligence; and it definitely (a) overall results at school.
reasons
A new language opens up a whole new culture, and our lives take on a new dimension. The great German poet,
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, said in 1827: “Whoever is not acquainted with foreign languages knows nothing of his
own.” Seen like that, learning a language is almost like a journey of discovery — and if we remember the great explorers
and the “grand tours” that people went on in the 18th century, it might also be thought of as a British invention.
Conversely, to lose a language is to lose a whole culture. This realisation has led to determined efforts to preserve
minority languages, including, for example, the Welsh and Gaelic languages in Britain. It is a fundamental truth that
cultures define themselves through language.

By learning a new language, you gain new horizons, but at the same time you (b) your own identity,
and also, as a result, your self-confidence. A foreign language can contribute to a stronger personality.
reasons
The typical (c) expected from future business leaders fully reflects the (d) of the
globalised world. British language graduates find good jobs more easily than others. Knowledge of German, in particular,
improves one’s chances in the job market. Many German companies abroad, and many foreign companies in Germany,
as well as companies with close links to German-speaking countries, look for (e) with language skills.
In spite of all the current economic difficulties in Germany, we are now, thanks to the Government’s reform
policies, well on the way to (f) our economic problems. Germany is still the most important trading
partner for almost all the European countries and many countries outside Europe. A person who speaks German will be
able to communicate better with business partners in the world’s third-biggest economy and one of the (g)
exporting countries.
reasons
Politically, a positive (h) in Britain to language learning would have benefits on two different levels.
Firstly, it would help to enable Germany to be seen more as a whole rather than just in isolation, and also to break down
the residual antipathy or at least ignorance and indifference towards it. And secondly, it would help to ensure that
Britain does not remain detached from Europe. In my view, is not in Britain’s interests to isolate itself politically or
culturally.
www.kwintessential.co.uk /cultural-services/articles/learn-language.html (shortened, October 2012)

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Wh ng
ile
list 2 You have listened to part of a lecture by Thomas Matussek. He is talking about the reasons why one
eni should learn a foreign language. Which of the five reasons from the list does he mention? Write them
near the correct paragraph.

travelling | economic reasons | cultural reasons | understanding other people learning

other cultures | political reasons | immigration | personality | educational reasons

3 Listen again. Are the statements TRUE or FALSE? Correct the false ones using your own words.
a) Nowadays knowing English as the only foreign language is vital.

b) It is essential to know other foreign languages besides English.

c) Learning a foreign language at nursery or primary schools also helps children to improve
writing and reading in their own language.

d) Mr Matussek mentions the famous German poet, Johann Wolfgang Mozart.

e) If a language dies its culture dies.

f) By learning a new language you may weaken your own identity.

4 Listen and complete the sentences.

a) British find good jobs more easily than others.
b) Knowledge of German in particular improves one’s chances in .
c) German-speaking countries look for employees with .
d) A person who speaks will be able to with business partners in the
world’s third-biggest economy.
e) A positive approach in Britain to language learning .

After listening

5 Answer the questions using your own words. Then listen and check your answers. a)
How does learning a new language improve children’s overall results at school?

b) Matussek refers to a famous German poet. According to him learning another language is
very important. Why?

c) Why is it important to preserve minority languages?

d) What are the benefits of learning German?

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