Social Issues

Essential Study Materials

· “Horizons. Aspects of Modern Life” Mikhalyova E.P., Lapteva O.A., Petrashkevich N.P.

· “Horizons. Word Practice” Lapteva O.A., Sharabchieva E.V.

The manuals are available at “Lexis” book-shop in MSLU.

Content

During the 6^th term students are expected:

· to read 8 authentic texts;

· to listen to 4 audiotapes;

· to keep the student’s language learning diary;

· to accomplish home and class tests.

Course Map II(Class Work)

№	Topic	Hours
	Modern family values.
	Personality studies.
	Customs and traditions in GB. British stereotypes. The British versus the Americans.
	Monarchy in GB.
	Forms of presentation: Narration. Description.
	Forms of presentation: Characterization; Dialogue.
	Tone
	Credit test.

Course examination

At the end of the term you will have to write a final test, which will check the progress of your independent work. Besides, to get your credit in the discipline, you are expected to do the exercises in the guides to the texts and tapes, practise the vocabulary units, keep the student’s language learning diary.

Student Activity

The course presupposes thorough and conscientious independent and class work on behalf of the student. The course offers you different types of work:

— classroom activities (including group discussions and projects);

— learning independently using recommended books and tapes;

— home tests with self-check keys and class tests.

Procedure

Step 1. Working independently in February-May, you are supposed to read the indicated information in the course book Horizons and compile a file of useful information and vocabulary items, which will help you to cover the examination speaking points. For better time management and effective learning, we suggest a weekly scheme of independent work.

Step-by step guide:

Social Issues

Date	Study Material	Follow-up	Creative task: *choose one of the following and get ready for class presentation
01-07. 02.	Read the text “Mona Lisa” and do the guide, Horizons, pp 169-171; Word study Ex.3-7, p.55-56.	Do the vocabulary work.	Physiognomy, the art of judging human character by facial features, is both an ancient art and a modern study. Conduct a small research on what different facial features may mean. Make a small guess game for your group mates.
08-14. 02.	Listen to the tape “Who killed Evelyn?”	Do the guide to the tape and write down your answer to the question: Who killed Evelyn? Prove your point.	Write an essay “Appearances are deceptive”.
15-25. 02.	Listen to the tape “Left - Right”; Word study Ex.7 p.56.	Do the guide to the tape. Plan or write down the speaking point “Personality studies (Appearance and character)”.
26.02.-07.03.	Listen to the tape “BBC English: Family matters”.	Do the guide to the tape.	Make a short presentation or make a small (A4 format) poster on one of the following: -“5 facts that prove the family values are shaking”; -“5 reasons for staying single forever”; -“5 components of a happy family environment”.
08-14. 03.	Read the texts “How do you feel about the modern family?” and “American family: then and now.” Horizons, pp. 183-184, 187-188; Word study Ex.10 p.65	Plan or write down the speaking point “Modern family values”.	1) Write a conversation between an elderly lady and a young girl discussing changes in family values. 2) Interview “Family values”: Interview your parents or grandparents (or older relatives) on the topic “Family Values: Now and Then”. Make a list of questions and be ready to feed back in class. You can start with the question: “Do you think family values have changed during the last few decades? In what way?”, etc.
15-28. 03.	Test for unit “Social Issues”.	Vocabulary revision	Put down the vocabulary definitions in the language learning diary.

Step-by step guide: Some aspects of British and American life

Date

Study Material

Follow-up

Creative task: *choose one of the following and get ready for class presentation

29.03.- 11.04.

Read the texts “Attitudes” and do the guide, Horizons, pp. 214-222; Word study Ex.5-10 p.84-86.  

Fill in the following chart:  

British stereotypes that are still true-to-life	Stereotypes that are no longer true

Plan or write down the speaking point “The British stereotypes”.

Conduct an opinion poll among your friends / colleagues / pupils about the British stereotypes (the way they see the British people, their customs and traditions).   Make up you own questionnaire. It may have 3-10 questions.

12-18. 04.

Listen to the tape “Living in New York and London”.

Do the guide to the tape and write down 10 differences between American and British lifestyles, traditions, character.

Write an essay “ The Belarusian character ”. Write about Belarusian people, our customs and traditions.

19.04.- 02.05.

Read the text “Character and characteristics: a humorous look at stereotypes”, Horizons, pp. 223-224.

Plan or write down the speaking point “The British versus the Americans”.  

Find some detailed information about a British, Belarusian or American tradition that you find very interesting. Make a short presentation in class.    

03-17. 05.

Read the texts “The Monarchy” Horizons, pp. 230-233; “Adapt or die?” Horizons, pp. 234-236.  

Plan or write down the speaking point “Monarchy or Republic in GB?”.  

Find some detailed information about the British royal family that you find very interesting. Make a short presentation in class.  

18-31. 05.

Test for unit “Some aspects of British and American life”

Vocabulary revision

Put down the vocabulary definitions in the language learning diary.

Step 2. Listen to the recordings; “Who killed Evelyn?”; “Left - Right”; “BBC English: Family matters”; “Living in New York and London”. The tapes are available in room A -317 (MSLU).

Study the vocabulary. Do the guides. Add to the file of useful information and vocabulary items.

Step 3. Get down to Home Tests 1-2. After you are through with the tests, check your answers with the key given below.

Step 4. Study the list of the relevant vocabulary items. Make sure you are able to explain the meaning of each item in English (consult a good English-English dictionary if necessary). Put down the definitions in English in your language learning diary.

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