Спецкурси 10Б 2020-2021

     

 

 Culturestudy

November5, 2020

The Most Popular Leisure Activities In Great Britain

The British, like any other people, love their free time. They tend to spend it doing various things, from watching TV to playing an instrument. Depending on the type of leisure activity, some are preferred by more people while others are a much more niche activity.

Over 10,000 people were interviewed using computer-assisted methods for a study on leisure activities in 2016. Based on those results, here is the data on how British people spend their free time.

Television

This should come as no surprise, but topping the list at 89.9% of the interviewees spend their time watching TV. This is a common leisure activity worldwide and it does not come as a surprise, though most would expect social media and mobile phones to be at the very top.

Friends and Family

This comes as a nice surprise, compared to the first result. Coming in second, spending time with friends and family is second at 89.4%. This is astonishing as it is only 0.5% behind the first result. It is also a good sign that social interaction precedes many other things, even though it is still behind television.

Listening to Music

“If music be the food of love, play on,” William Shakespeare once wrote. Listening to music comes in third, at 79.4%. Music is always a great hobby, as it can bridge the gap between many cultures while at the same time upping your mood.

Shopping

At least music and friends and family come before our consumer desires, at least in the UK. Shopping one of the favorite activities of UK citizens, coming in fourth, at 76.6%.

Eating out at Restaurants

Eating at a restaurant usually implies social interaction, if not with a friend or loved one, then at least with the waiter. It comes in fifth, at 75.8%.

Internet and Emails

Interestingly enough, using the internet and reading and sending emails comes in sixth on this list. With the rise of social media and instant messaging services, their usage is not as prominent in the UK. Coming after spending time with friends, listening to music and eating out, usage of the internet is sixth at 71.5%.

Reading

This is a great hobby that can be relaxing and rewarding in so many ways. Whether you learn about a new culture or are reading a bestseller or self-help books or a classic, reading keeps you sharp. In the UK, it comes in seventh at 69.4%

Tourism – Visiting Places

Being a bit adventurous and traveling is great and in the UK, it comes in eight on the list, at 68.1%. This also includes just having a day out, moving from place to place, not specific travel.

Sports and Exercise

One of the biggest gaps on this list is between tourism and sports, 10.2%. Sports and exercise come in ninth, at 57.9%.

 

What is the most popular leisure activity in the UK?

Watching TV is the most popular activity people do in their free time in England.
Share of adult population taking part in free time activities in England in 2017/18, by type.

	Share of respondents
Spending time with friends/family	90.1%
Listening to music	81.5%
Eating out at restaurants	77.2%
Browsing the internet	76.5%

 

 

 

What is the oldest sport in the UK?

 

football

The playing of football in England is documented since at least 1314. England is home to the oldest football clubs in the world (dating from at least 1857), the world's oldest competition (the FA Cup founded in 1871) and the first ever football league (1888).

 

Why is football so popular in UK?

There are a few reasons why people believe that football is so popular, more popular than any other sport in England. The main reason is because football is so easy to play! ... In addition, there are very few rules in football compared to other sports so it can be very enjoyable to play and watch.

 

 

 

What is the UK's most popular sports?

Popularity

Sport	TV Viewing	Participating
Association Football	46%	10%
Rugby union	21%	NA
Tennis	18%	3%
Cricket	18%	2%
Swimming is the fifth most popular activity in the country. The latest figures show that 4.7 million people swim twice or more a month.   The Championships, Wimbledon, commonly known simply as Wimbledon or The Championships, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is widely regarded as the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London, since 1877 and is played on outdoor grass courts, and since 2009 with a retractable roof over Centre Court, and since 2019, over No. 1 Court.

What is the most popular female sport in the UK?

netball

With impressive attendances at international matches, big sponsorship names, broadcast deals and record membership numbers, netball still continues to be the most popular women's team sport in the UK. Sport England revealed 319,400 adults now play netball fortnightly (2018/19 Active Lives Survey).

 

Business English

November 5, 2020

International Calls in 2020

International phone calls are cheaper and easier to make than ever. While it used to be prohibitively expensive to call someone overseas, and you often had to suffer an unreliable connection, mobile apps and data plans have changed that. In many instances, you can call abroad for free. All of these apps offer free international calls to at least one, if not many, countries. Most of these apps also have chat features so you can stay in touch with quick messages in between calls and share photos and videos. Here are our five favorite apps to make international calls.

1.      Most Secure: WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a messaging and voice call app. You can make voice and video calls to people all over the world for free. The app also supports group calls. There are also web and desktop versions of the apps. You can’t use WhatsApp to call emergency services such as 911 in the U.S. Skype is a VoIP service (VoIP (англ. voice over IP — голос через IP) — технологія передачі медіа-даних у реальному часі ) that’s been around since 2003 and has always been an easy way to make free national and international calls. You can use Skype for voice and video calls, as well as group calls with up to 10 participants for free when communicating with other Skype users.

2. Best For Video Calls on iOS: (iOS (до 24 июня 2010 года — iPhone OS) — мобильная операционная система ) Facetime

FaceTime is a free voice and video call app for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. You can call people over Wi-Fi or using mobile data around the world, except for a handful of countries. To set up an account, you need an Apple ID. On an iPhone, FaceTime will automatically register your phone number. On an iPad or iPod touch, you can register an email address. To contact friends, you’ll need the phone number or email associated with their Apple ID. You can also switch to a FaceTime call during a regular phone call as long as you both have accounts.

Best For Calls Between the U.S. and Canada: Google Voice

Google Voice is a VoIP service that’s mostly free. You can forward up to six numbers to your account, but have each one ring before going to voicemail. If you turn on transcription, you can receive emails or text messages with transcripts of your voicemails. In addition to Android and iOS apps, you can also use Google Voice in a desktop browser. If you’re in the U.S., most calls to people in the U.S and Canada are free. Rates for calls to other parts of the world vary; Google lists the pricing by country.

Good VoIP App: Viber

Viber is another VoIP service that offers free voice and video calls to other users, and cheap rates for calls to landlines and mobile phones. All you need to register is a valid phone number, which your contacts can use to find you on the app. Viber has Android and iOS apps, as well as a browser version.

While Viber isn’t as popular as WhatsApp and Skype are in the U.S., it is popular in other parts of the world, such as Eastern Europe. Like its competitors, Viber can also send messages, and you can also share photos and other media through the app.

 Homework 

1. Which of the apps mentioned above have you tried to use?

2. What apps do you find convenient and easy to use?

English literature

November 4, 2020

                                              William Shakespeare

 a famous English poet, playwright, and actor was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birthday is most commonly celebrated on 23 April , which is also believed to be the date he died in 1616.

Shakespeare was a prolific writer during the Elizabethan age of British theatre . Shakespeare’s plays are perhaps his most enduring legacy, but they are not all he wrote. Shakespeare’s poems also remain popular to this day. 

Shakespeare's Family Life

 John Shakespeare married Mary Arden, and together they had eight children. John and Mary lost two daughters as infants, so William became their eldest child. John Shakespeare worked as a glove-maker, but he also became an important figure in the town of Stratford by fulfilling civic positions. His elevated status meant that he was even more likely to have sent his children, including William, to the local grammar school. 

William Shakespeare would have lived with his family in their house on Henley Street until he turned eighteen. When he was eighteen, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was twenty-six.  Together they had three children. 

Shakespeare's career jump-started in London. During his time in London, Shakespeare’s first printed works were published. They were two long poems. He also became a founding member of The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a company of actors. Shakespeare was the company's regular dramatist, producing on average two plays a year, for almost twenty years. 

He remained with the company for the rest of his career, during which time it evolved into The King’s Men under the patronage of King James I (from 1603). During his time in the company Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous tragedies, such as King Lear and Macbeth, as well as great romances, like The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest. 

• Shakespeare's Works

Altogether Shakespeare's works include 38 plays, 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets, and a variety of other poems. No original manuscripts of Shakespeare's plays are known to exist today. It is actually thanks to a group of actors from Shakespeare's company that we have about half of the plays at all. They collected them for publication after Shakespeare died, preserving the plays. These writings were brought together in what is known as the First Folio ('Folio' refers to the size of the paper used). It contained 36 of his plays, but none of his poetry. 

Shakespeare’s legacy is as rich and diverse as his work; his plays have spawned countless adaptations across multiple genres and cultures. His plays have had an enduring presence on stage and film. William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most important literary figures of the English language.

New Place; a home in Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare’s success in the London theatres made him considerably wealthy, and by 1597 he was able to purchase New Place, the largest house in the borough of Stratford-upon-Avon. Although his professional career was spent in London, he maintained close links with his native town. 

Recent archaeological evidence discovered on the site of Shakespeare's career jump-started in London. shows that Shakespeare was only ever an intermittent lodger in London. This suggests he divided his time between Stratford and London (a two or three-day commute). In his later years, he may have spent more time in Stratford-upon-Avon than scholars previously thought.

Shakespeare died in Stratford-upon-Avon on 23 April 1616 at the age of 52. He is buried in the sanctuary of the parish church, Holy Trinity.

Homework 

Are the sentences TRUE or FALSE?

1. W.Shakespeare was born and died on the same day.

2. People remember only W.Shakespeare's plays.

3. W.Shakespeare was poorly educated in his childhood.

4. Shakespeare's career began in London.

5. New Place is the name of the theatre.

Find 2 more interesting  facts about W.Shakespeare's  life .

 

  Business English

October 15, 2020

Talking on the phone

Despite the popularity of live chat and email, phone calls are still the preferred medium by customers – and often the main culprit of poor customer experiences.

All to often staff are not trained to manage calls professionally.

Too often people make the simplest mistakes when answering calls that can have a long-lasting effect on your business.

10 tips for answering and handling calls professionally

Promptly answer calls.

The average ring takes 6 seconds. If you let the phone ring 5 times, that is equal to 30 seconds. Picking up to quickly can also catch people off guard. It is a good practice to answer the call on the 3rd ring.

Be warm and welcoming.

During a phone call, you can transmit more than your voice, you can transfer emotions. For this reason, keeping a warm and helping attitude can leave a positive impression on your callers.

Introduce yourself and your business.

Have you ever called a business and received a simple, “Hello?” Then “you” must ask if you are calling “X” business? By introducing your company and yourself, you let the caller know they reached the correct or incorrect place.

Speak clearly.

There are several key elements you need to follow to clearly communicate with callers, including: articulate your words, use good posture, slow down and speak up.

Do not use slang or buzz words.

In certain industries, like medical for example, professionals are used to speaking the same language, but what about your callers? Use language they will understand.

Ask before you put people on hold.

Leaving people hanging on a call and unsure of what is going on can agitate people. Setting expectations on a call is critical. So, if you are going to put someone on hold or going to transfer them, let them know what to expect.

Don’t just put calls through.

Want to confuse people or worse, send someone to uncertainty? When transferring a call, let the caller know what is going to happen next. Are you sending them straight to a voice mail or checking to see if that person is available? By sending them straight through, this can confuse the caller and even the person receiving the call.

Be prepared for your calls.

It is normal for people answering the phone to find themselves occupied with 10 other things. But, when you answer a call, your focus needs to be on the person at the other end of the call.

Take messages properly.

When you need to take a message, make sure to take all the pertinent information like name of the caller, the reason for their call, the best return phone number, and even which business they are calling from.

Summarize the call before it ends.

A key ingredient to great communication is listening. Callers will know you were listening when you can accurately summarize what their call was about. Also, in the happen chance you missed something, it’s an opportunity to get it right.

Conclusion

Good customer service skills are critical to EVERY business and organization. Use these tips to show your staff how they can handle phone calls professionally.

Each call is an opportunity to make FIRST great impression. Make every interaction count.

Watch the video.

Homework

1. How many dialogues are there? Are they formal or informal?

2. Give examples of formal language.

3. What phrases can you use if you don't hear your interlocuter?

4. What do you say if you want to leave a message?

Culturestudy

October 15, 2020

What is a typical British family?

A "typical" British family used to consist of mother, father and two children, but in recent years there have been many changes in family life. This means that there are a lot of one-parent families. Society is now more tolerant than it used to be of unmarried people, unmarried couples and single parents.

Customs and Traditions in Britain

Britain is full of culture and traditions which have been around for hundreds of years. British customs and traditions are famous all over the world. When people think of Britain they often think of people drinking tea, eating fish and chips and wearing bowler hats, but there is more to Britain than just those things.

 

Top  British 'traditions'

Eating a traditional roast dinner on a Sunday.

Eating a full English breakfast.

The ability to queue nicely.

Cheering on the underdog.

Going to the pub.

Guy Fawkes night.

Eating turkey on Christmas Day.

Checking the local weather report before travelling anywhere.

 The sending and receiving of greetings cards.

Watching the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day.

Etiquette

 

·        Always say “please” when asking someone for help.

·        It is often considered impolite to ask a direct question about someone’s salary, wealth, weight or age.

·        Spitting in public is considered rude.If there is a line for something, always queue and wait for your turn.

·        To call over a waiter or person of service, do not wave or yell. Instead, keep an eye out for them until they make eye contact, and then nod or raise your hand. You may also gently say “excuse me” as they pass by.

·        It is considered rude ‘put someone on the spot’ by asking difficult or uncomfortable questions in any situation.

 

Gifts

·        Gifts are typically only given on special occasions (e.g. birthdays, Christmas).

·        People tend to open gifts in front of the giver, either upon receiving them or later along with other presents.

·        Recipients don’t usually expect to receive gifts of a high monetary value, but rather that the gift will reflect their interests.

·        Token gifts may be given when visiting someone (e.g. wine, chocolate).

 

Visiting

·        Arrange a visit before going to a British person’s house. Do not arrive unannounced or bring friends and family along unless you’ve asked them beforehand.

·        Avoid arriving early to a one’s house unless you've asked the hosts.

·        It is generally okay to be 10 to 15 minutes late to a small gathering of people. However, if you are meeting at a restaurant, it is important to be punctual as people will wait for you to order their food.

·        Being late is more acceptable when attending parties and large social gatherings.

·        If you visit a British home, you may not always receive a tour of the house, and many of the doors might be closed out of privacy.

·        Avoid overstaying your welcome by remaining at a British person’s home longer than expected unless they urge you to stay.

Do's and Don'ts

 

Do's

·        Make an effort to keep interactions polite and friendly, evenly balanced with directness, humour and humility—even when under pressure. Rudeness is often remembered.

·        Keep a balance on how direct you are and be careful not to introduce difficult topics bluntly.

·        The British are less likely to complain about smaller inconveniences that arise in life, so try to be patient with such matters as well.

·        Control your anger or emotions as public outbursts and large displays of emotion are uncommon.

·        If you want to criticise or ridicule something that is not of a wholly serious matter, it’s best to use humour to do so. Directly complaining about inconsequential things can make the British uncomfortable as they rarely do so themselves.

·        Acknowledge where a person is from in the UK (i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), but do not draw upon stereotypes to distinguish them.

 

Do not's

·        Do not boast or make ostentatious comments that give the impression that you see yourself as superior to others. The British will find this contrived and obnoxious.

·        Do not be overly critical in public. The British like to minimise confrontation, so complaining loudly (e.g. to a waiter) while in their company will most likely embarrass them.

·        Avoid asking about personal matters when beginning a conversation—particularly those concerning one’s relationship or financial situation. If one is not forthcoming on a point of discussion, digging further to encourage openness is unlikely to work. It is best to change the topic and talk about something less personal, such as the weather or a sporting event.

·        The British like to tease, so do not take their jokes too seriously or literally.

Homework

1. Cheering on the underdog-give the meaning of the idiom.

2. What Btitish customs and traditions you find

a) interesting

b) unusual and odd

3. What  Do's and Don'ts you think are useful to learn and acquire?

 

Business English

October 8, 2020

Business Letter Format With Examples

A business letter is a formal document often sent from one company to another or from a company to its clients, employees, and stakeholders, for example. Business letters are used for professional correspondence between individuals, as well.

Although email has taken over as the most common form of correspondence, printed-out business letters are still used for many important, serious types of correspondence, including reference letters, employment verification, job offers, and more.

What to Include in the Letter

Make the purpose of your letter clear through simple and targeted language, keeping the opening paragraph brief. You can start with, “I am writing in reference to…” and from there, communicate only what you need to say.

The subsequent paragraphs should include information that gives your reader a full understanding of your objective(s) but avoid meandering sentences and needlessly long words.

If, for example, you want the reader to sponsor a charity event, identify any overlap with their company’s philanthropic goals convince the reader that helping you would be mutually beneficial, and you will increase your chances of winning their support.

Sections of a Business Letter

Each section of your letter should adhere to the appropriate format, starting with your contact information and that of your recipient’s; salutation; the body of the letter; closing; and finally, your signature.

Your Contact Information

• Your Name
• Your Job Title
• Your Company
• Your Address
• City, State Zip Code
• Your Phone Number
• Your Email Address

The Date

• The date you're penning the correspondence

Writing the Date

• There are several different ways to write the date in English. They vary from formal to informal, and there are differences between British and American English. The following table shows some typical formats.

  format	British: day-month-year	American: month-day-year
  A	the Fourteenth of March, 2020	March the Fourteenth, 2020
  B	14th March 2020	March 14th, 2020
  C	14 March 2020	March 14, 2020
  D	14/3/2020	3/14/2020
  E	14/3/20	3/14/20
  F	14/03/20	03/14/20

  Note: which format to use is a question of formality, politeness and personal choice. Generally, the longer formats, such as B or C, are more polite (since they show more respect for the reader). Shorter formats, such as D or E, are used in less formal situations, for example a memo, a letter between friends or an impersonal business letter. Format F is rather official and is typically seen on an invoice or an official or technical document. Format A is extremely formal and mainly used on printed items, for example a wedding invitation. The numerical formats may use a full stop (.) or hyphen (-) instead of a slash (/), for example: 14.3.2020 or 03-14-16

  Note that another format exists which writes the date numerically in the order Year-Month-Day, for example: 2020/03/14. This is rare in British or American English and used mainly in very official or technical documents.

Recipient’s Contact Information

• Their Name
• Their Title
• Their Company
• The Company’s Address
• City, State Zip Code

The Salutation

• Use "To Whom It May Concern," if you’re unsure specifically whom you’re addressing.
• Use the formal salutation “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],” if you do not know the recipient.
• Use “Dear [First Name],” only if you have an informal relationship with the recipient.

The Body

• Use single-spaced lines with an added space between each paragraph, after the salutation, and above the closing.
• Left justify your letter (against the left margin).

Closing Salutation

Keep your closing paragraph to two sentences. Simply reiterate your reason for writing and thank the reader for considering your request. Some good options for your closing include:

•  Respectfully yours
•  Yours sincerely
•  Cordially
•  Respectfully

Your Signature

Write your signature just beneath your closing and leave four single spaces between your closing and your typed full name, title, phone number, email address, and any other contact information you want to include. Use the format below:

Your handwritten signature

Typed full name
Title

A good rule of thumb is to proofread your correspondence twice and then have a colleague review it to ensure nothing was missed.

Business Letter Template

Business Letter Sample (Text Version)

Linda Lau
Northern State University
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
linda.lau@email.com

March 5, 2020

Oscar Lee
Managing Editor
Acme Graphic & Design
123 Business Rd.
Business City, CA 54321

Dear Mr. Lee,

I would like to invite you to attend our upcoming Liberal Arts department job networking event. The event will be held on the afternoon of May 1, 2020. We wish to provide our graduating seniors with an opportunity to meet business leaders in the area who may be looking for new hires who hold degrees in the Liberal Arts.

The event will be held at the Cox Student Center at Northern State University and will last about two to three hours. If you have an interest in attending or sending a company representative to meet with our students, please let me know at your earliest convenience and I can reserve a table for you.

Thank for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

Respectfully,

(signature hard copy letter)

Linda Lau
Liberal Arts Department Chair

Email Signature Example

If you're sending an email letter, your signature will be slightly different. Rather than including your contact information in the heading of the letter, list it below your signature. For example:

Sending an Email Business Letter

Yours sincerely,

First Name Last Name
Title
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Your Email Address

Be clear why you're sending the message. Include the topic you're writing about in the subject line of the email, so the reader is clear as to why you are sending the message.

Homework

1. Read carefully the information.

2. Write a formal letter to the mayer of the city trying to persuade him to open a shelter for stray cats and dogs. Follow the sample of the letter.

Send your homework to my email trevchun@gmail.com  

DEADLINE - the same day 5p.m. 

Culturestudy

October 8, 2020

Holidays In Great Britain

There are fewer public holidays in Great Britain than in other European countries. They are: Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday and Summer Bank Holiday. Public holidays in Britain are called bank holidays, because the banks as well as most of the offices and shops are closed.

The most popular holiday is Christmas. Every year the people of Norway give the city of London a present. It's a big Christmas tree and it stands in Trafalgar Square. Central streets are beautifully decorated.

Before Christmas, groups of singers go from house to house. They collect money for charity and sing carols, traditional Christmas songs. Many churches hold a carol service on the Sunday before Christmas.

The fun starts the night before, on the 24th of December. Traditionally this is the day when people decorate their trees. Children hang stockings at the end of their beds, hoping that Father Christmas will come down the chimney during the night and fill them with toys and sweets. Christmas is a family holiday. Relatives usually meet for the big Christmas dinner of turkey and Christmas pudding. And everyone gives and receives presents. The 26th of December, Boxing Day, is an extra holiday after Christmas Day. This is the time to visit friends and relatives or perhaps sit at home and watch football.

New Year's Day is less popular in Britain than Christmas. But in Scotland, Hogmanay is the biggest festival of the year.

Besides public holidays there are some special festivals in Great Britain. One of them takes place on the 5th of November. On that day, in 1605, Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. He didn't succeed. The King's men found the bomb, took Guy Fawkes to the Tower and cut off his head.

Since that day the British celebrate the 5th of November. They burn a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, on a bonfire and let off fireworks. This dummy is called a "guy" (like Guy Fawkes) and children can often be seen in the streets before the 5th of November saying, "Penny for the guy." If they collect enough money they can buy some fireworks.

There are also smaller, local festivals in Britain.

Homework

1. Read and translate the text.

2. Make a presentation about one of the British holidays.

3. Can you find the picture of Guy Fawkes in the Internet?

Send your homework to my email trevchun@gmail.com

DEADLINE - the same day 5p.m.

English literature

October 7, 2020

Lesson 4

 Robin Hood  

  

Robin Hood is a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore and  featured in literature and film. According to legend, he was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. In some versions of the legend, he is depicted as being of noble birth, and in modern retellings he is sometimes depicted as having fought in the Crusades before returning to England to find his lands taken by the Sheriff. In the oldest known versions he is instead a member of the yeoman class. Traditionally depicted dressed in Lincoln green, he is said to have robbed from the rich and given to the poor.

Through retellings, additions, and variations, a body of familiar characters associated with Robin Hood has been created. These include his lover, Maid Marian, his band of outlaws, the Merry Men, and his chief opponent, the Sheriff of Nottingham. The Sheriff is often depicted as assisting Prince John in usurping the rightful but absent King Richard, to whom Robin Hood remains loyal. His partisanship of the common people and his hostility to the Sheriff of Nottingham are early recorded features of the legend, but his interest in the rightfulness of the king is not, and neither is his setting in the reign of Richard I. He became a popular folk figure in the Late Middle Ages, and the earliest known ballads featuring him are from the 15th century (1400s).

There have been numerous variations and adaptations of the story over the subsequent years, and the story continues to be widely represented in literature, film, and television. Robin Hood is considered one of the best known tales of English folklore.

The historicity of Robin Hood is not proven and has been debated for centuries. There are numerous references to historical figures with similar names that have been proposed as possible evidence of his existence, some dating back to the late 13th century. At least eight plausible origins to the story have been mooted by historians and folklorists, including suggestions that "Robin Hood" was a stock alias used by or in reference to bandits.

Homework

1. Read and translate the text.

2. Make a presentation based on one of the stories about Robin Hood

Send your homework to my email trevchun@gmail.com

DEADLINE - the same day 5p.m.