Discuss these questions in pairs.

1. Where would you prefer to study? In Russia or abroad? Give your reasons;

2. What are the advantages of studying abroad? What about disadvantages?

3. Is it easy to find a job in Russia? In America? In Norway?

4. What factors are essential in university prestige?

Exercise4. Read the dialogues. Who might say them and in what situation? Work in pairs. Complete the dialogues with your own phrases.

1) A: - Are you still learning English?

B: - Yes, but I don't always get enough time for it. I have so many other problems to solve.

A: - So have I. I can read English well now but it's difficult for me to speak English. And I can't always understand people when they speak English.

B: - Do you try to listen to native English speakers?

A:- Of course, I do. It helps me to understand English. But I want to speak English too.

B: - Then you should speak English with your friends all the time. It's the best way to master the language.

A: ………………………………………………………………………..

2) A: - John, listen, why don't we relax tonight. Take a night off and come out with me.

B:- I can't. I have got to study for an exam.

A: - What exam are you taking?

B: - It's one of the most important problems now - descriptive geometry.

A:- Oh, I remember it. This exam is really very difficult. At University, it is quite different from being at school because you have to rely on your own motivation.

B: - Well, I'm in real trouble if I don't pass.

A: - I know you’ve made a very good drawing and you were given a good mark. Is it really so?

B: - ……………………………………………………………………………

A: - John, calm down, there's nothing to worry about. Everything will be O.K. Good luck.

B: - Thanks.

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the exact date of foundation of NArFU?

2. What is the one of the greatest problems of University life?

3. What activities do you enjoy doing at your English classes? Why?

4. Do you know anything about Foreign Languages Center «Lingua»?

5. Is your English good enough to study abroad?

6. Which do you think is the best way to practice a foreign language?

7. How many English classes per week are there at your University? Are there German and French classes?

8. Should lessons be devoted more to practical skills and training for job?

9. When does a typical university day start? Are classes divided by short breaks?

10. How many days of holiday do you have? When?

11. Are all Russian Universities state institutions?

12. What do you know about «assessment system» at your University?

13. Should assessment depend wholly upon examination, or should weekly or monthly assessment also be taken into account?

14. Do students learn which lecturers are generous with their marks and which are harsh? How?

Unit 10

You will read & translate a text about a specialty. Before you read, discuss in pairs the following.

1. What is your speciality? 2. Why have you chosen this speciality? 3. What is the first step when you’ve chosen your future occupation? 4. How do you understand the words «the threat of unemployment»? Are you afraid of it? 5. Do you know anything about your Institute? 6. How many Departments does your Institute include? Who is the director of your Institute?

My speciality

Generally speaking, choosing a career is one of the most important things in our life. The dynamic social and economic changes of the modern society define the main personal and professional qualities (with required qualifications) and skills of the young specialist. In our modern world, the industrial scene is changing so quickly that many workers with special skills find that these are no longer needed and that they must retrain for new job. So they have to adapt to new circumstances. Opinion polls of attitudes in Russia regularly demonstrate that the Russian are not always satisfied with their job.

I have taken my choice. I am a second-year-student of The Northern Arctic Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov. I am a student of Institute of Information & Space Technologies. My speciality is Informational Systems and Technology.

My typical University day starts at 8.20 am with 6 hours of classes divided by short breaks. Classes are followed by a «lunch hour» at which meals are provided. Classes finish around 4.05pm.

We have two terms in a year with about 10 days of holiday at New Year, 2 weeks in February, and about 10 weeks in the summer. So, it is not easy to be a student, I think.

I’d like to be a top specialist in the chosen field. I remember how IT specialists are sometimes shown on the movie or television screen. I’ve read much about them. I often think of Stephen Bryant’s words about the World Wide Web: «… it contains millions of pages and it is growing more quickly every day. It is likely that hundreds of new pages will be added while you are reading this chapter. No one can say exactly how big the Web is at any moment, but it is probably bigger today than any library on Earth. Almost anything you could want to know is on the Web – somewhere. But that’s the problem …». I am absolutely sure it is true.

I am convinced the most important qualities for a successful career in Information Technology industry are: having ambitions, working hard, being open to new ideas, knowing about computers, speaking foreign languages or having linguistic abilities, having a sense of humour, and others. Some of my friends are mouse-potatoes. Not me!

I think all the students of The Northern Arctic Federal University are motivated. There are some reasons for it! I mean the international reputation of NArFU and the creation of Space Monitoring Center of the Arctic in 2010. Multimillion ruble investments in NArFU are creating a lively environment in which to study and relax. We have access to a wide range of online resources. The Internet Center opens during the week so students can use IT and Computer facilities at time that suit their needs. All the students have access to e-mail and Internet facilities at the Internet Center.

Each department of our Institute provides a stimulating and supportive environment and has a wide range of teaching and learning resources dedicated to the students: course materials, video and CDROM collections. NArFU also has some fully equipped computer laboratories.

There are opportunities to learn abroad at universities in Norway, Sweden etc. So, there are many good reasons to learn English. To my mind it is really important now. It broadens the mind, we learn about other cultures and about other ways of thinking. Our English exams are not easy. We have speaking and translating parts. We have to do translation from English into Russian and then also comment on the text.

Learning English helps in talking to my international friends (I mean overseas students of NArFU), sending and receiving e-mails, reading instructions. Generally, it opens up much a wider range of sources of information. I think if I am going to work in a field where important events happen abroad, like IT industry, and I want to be up-to-date with progress in the chosen field, I have to translate the latest reports.

Topical vocabulary

Exercise1.