2A COMMUNICATIVE  All about English

 a Read the comments from around the world about learning or using English.
Is the situation the same or different in your country? How do you feel about it?

 If you ask me, the one thing  At a lot of secondary schools
that would really improve in my country, the main
the level of English here aim is to get the children
would be if they stopped to pass written exams in
dubbing all the American English—spoken English
movies and TV shows, and isn’t evaluated. I feel that’s a
had them in English with mistake because later on in life
subtitles. But I don’t think it’s more important to speak the
they’ll ever do it. The politicians language rather than write it. 
wouldn’t dare.    Raquel, Santiago, Chile
Carla, Venice, Italy

 Some people don’t have

 Some of my friends have the time or money to go
studied English abroad to a language school to
during summer vacation. study English—I’m one of
The ones who did courses those. So, a few weeks ago
in the US when they were I downloaded an app to help
younger are the ones whose me learn English. I really like
level of English is really good. it—it lets me study whenever
Personally, I feel that if you haven’t and wherever I want. And the downside?
studied English in an English-speaking country, Perhaps that the app doesn’t really explain
you’re at a bit of a disadvantage.  the grammar, but since I’ve never really liked
Ahmad, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia grammar, that’s not a problem. 
Paolo, Rio di Janiero, Brazil

 In my opinion, nowadays

people in public life really  Personally, I think that
ought to be able to speak pop groups in my country
good English. I feel really shouldn’t sing in English.
embarrassed when I hear I mean, I know it’s more
how some of our politicians or universal, but they aren’t
public figures speak.  English, and not everybody
Akiko, Osaka, Japan in Hungary understands
English. I think they should sing in
Hungarian. 
 In some secondary schools András, Debrecen, Hungary
in my country they are now
teaching other subjects
like math and science in  In French we use a lot of
English, apart from the English words like weekend,
normal English language news, leader, cool, OK—
classes. In general, I think it’s a words like that. I personally
really good idea—as long as the hate it. I think we ought to
teachers’ English is good, of course.  use our own words for these
Peng, Shanghai, China things, not just borrow from
English. 
Marc, Grenoble, France

 b Talk to a partner and compare your ideas.

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American English File third edition Teacher’s Guide Level 5  Photocopiable © Oxford University Press 2021

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