Файл: методическое пособие Базовый курс.doc

4. Vocabulary: formal/ neutral/ informal forms of introducing people, greeting them, saying goodbye, asking/ giving personal information, starting conversation, describing appearance and personality.

5. Projects: writing a questionnaire, giving a description of a person; writing a personal fact file; taking/ having an interview; role plays First meeting, Meeting friends, Visiting friends.

Text A. Introducing people.

Read and remember the following formulas of etiquette.

Manners are very important in every country but different countries have different ideas about what good behavior and good manners are. Nowadays, many people travel abroad, so it is important to learn a little about what to do (and what not to do) in a foreign country.

Here are a few rules of introduction which are useful to remember:

men are introduced to women;
young people to older ones;
old friends to newcomers;
a young girl to a married woman.

Socially women are never presented to a man unless he is the Head of State or a member of the Royal family.

The most simple form of introduction is the pronouncing of the two names:

Man to man: Mr Walters. Mr Jordan. or Mr Walters, this is Mr Jordan.

Man to woman: Miss Blake, this is Jack Jordan.

The more formal forms of introductions are:

Man to man: Mr walters, may I introduce Mr Jordan? or Mr Walters, I’d like you to meet Mr Jordan.

Man to woman: Miss Blake, may I introduce my assistant Jack Jordan?

The most formal form of introduction is:

Mr Walters, may I present Mr Jordan?

Miss Blake, may present Mr Jordan?

There are also a number of conversational introductions such as:

Mr Walters, have you met Mr Jordan?

Mrs Blake, do you know Mr Jordan?

As a rule when introducing one says something like: “Mrs Jones, may I introduce Mr Hogart?” and then turning to Mr Hogart simply say: “Mrs Jones”. That is all that is necessary, but one may add: “Mr Hogart has just returned from a visit to France”, or some other bit of information which will give the introduced people a chance to start a conversation.

The usual response to an introduction is: ”How do you do”, which is a sort of greeting and not a question and the best answer to it is “How do you do”.

Sometimes one may say less formally: “I am glad to meet you”, “happy to meet you” or just “Hello”.

It is very good to add the name of the person introduced – “I’m very glad to meet you, Mr Jordan”. if you didn’t remember the name it is perfectly all right simply to ask “What was your name, please?” or “Could you kindly repeat (give) your name?”

Always stand when introduced, ladies may remain seated as a rule.

Handshaking is rather rare in Britain and USA but it is the correct thing to do on the Continent. When an Englishman passes a friend in the street he only touches his hat. He doesn’t shake hands when he stops to talk. British people occasionally shake hands especially when formally introduced, but they do not shake hands with people they see often. Instead they smile and say: “good morning”, “Good afternoon”, “Good evening”, etc.

When two businessmen meet, however, they usually shake hands.

Notes

introduction - знакомство, введение

to introduce (to present) - знакомить, представлять

to be introduced (to be presented) - быть представленным

newcomer - новичок

social (socially) - общественный, социальный, светский (принято

в обществе

conversation (conversational) – беседа ( разговорный)

formal (formally) - официальный (формально)

informal - неофициальный

necessary - необходимый

occasionally - изредка

response - ответ

it is perfectly alright - вполне нормально

to remain seated - остаться сидеть

the correct things to do - как раз то, что надо сделать

handshaking (to shake hands)- рукопожатие (пожать руку)

as a rule - как правило

Answer the questions:

What are the basic rules of introduction useful to remember?
Which is the simplest form of introduction?
Which are the more formal forms of introduction?
What does one say as a rule when introducing man to man, man to woman?
What is the best way to start an interesting conversation after an introduction?
What is expected as an answer to “How do you do”?
Why is it advisable to add the name after a response?

Text B. Keep your distance.

Read the text and answer why is it very important to know about the personal space in different countries.

Police officers in all societies always stand very close to people when they are interrogating them, and managers often stand very close when they are trying to get information from their staff. Teachers sometimes do this with students, too! We all feel uncomfortable when someone stands or sits too lose to us. We think of the space near our bodies as our territory. But what is “too close”?

All over the world, people in big cities stand close to one another than people in small towns, and people in small towns stand closer to one another than people from the country. The idea of personal space changes in different countries. In some parts of India people stay 60 cm apart. In Britain, Australia and North America personal space for most people is about 45 cm from the body researches say it is 25 cm in Japan but only 20 cm in both Denmark and Brazil.

This difference can cause communication problem. Latin Americans and Asians often say that the British and Americans are cold and unfriendly. On the other hand, the British and Americans often see other cultures as too assertive and aggressive. In both examples, the problems are different ideas of personal space.

A society - общество

Close to - близко к

Interrogate smb - допрашивать к.л.

To get information - получить информацию

A staff - штат, персонал

To feel (un)comfortable - чувствовать себя (не)уютно

A personal space - личное пространство

Researches - исследователи

To cause - вызывать, являться причиной

A communication problem- проблема в общении

(un)friendly - (не)дружелюбный

Assertive - самоуверенный

Aggressive - агрессивный, напористый

True or false?

Police officers stand too close when they are asking questions…
We don’t like it when people stand too close…
People in small towns stand closer than people in big cities…
People in the country stand further apart than people in small towns…
North Americans like a larger personal space than Danish people…
Brazilians stand closer to people than the Japanese…
The British and Americans are very cold…
The British and Americans like more personal space…

Dialogue 1 Meeting friends.

A young man from Russia arrives in a British town to meet his friend. Read the conversations he had in different situations.

Good afternoon.
Oh, hello, Vasia. Come on in. How’re you?
I’m all right. Thanks. And what about you?
Fine, thanks. Now, Vasia, do you know Zeb? Zeb, this is my friend Vasia from Russia.
Hello, Zeb.
Welcome to Britain. How was the flight?
Great, thanks.
How’re things? Is Moscow still standing, as I think the Russian saying goes?
Everything’s fine. Besides, the weather has settled down.
It’s also warm here today, isn’t it?
Oh, it’s lovely, yes.
Why don’t you sit down? Fancy a drink?
Sorry?
I’m just going to get you a drink. You must need that after such a long journey. There’s tea and coffee or maybe some beer?
I’d rather have some beer, thanks.
Mild or stout?
Mild, please.
Here you are.
Thanks, here’s to you.
Cheers.

Is Moscow still standing, as I think the Russian saying goes? – Москва ещё стоит – так, кажется, у вас в России говорят?

To settle down - устроиться, наладиться

Mild or stout? - лёгкое (светлое) или крепкое? (о пиве)

Cheers - за вас

Dialogue 2 In the park.

A girl is sitting on a bench in the park; there is a book beside her. The boy is going to engage her in a conversation.

- Excuse me, anyone sitting here?

- No, no. I’ll just move my book.

- Right. Thanks.

- There we are.

- I wonder what that book is you’re reading? A detective story, I bet! Looks really interesting.

- It’s all about criminals and their methods.

- I see, I see.

- I like detective stories and thrillers, you know. But there just isn’t the time…

- No there isn’t.

- … even to go to the cinema.

- I was just thinking of going to the cinema this evening. Would you like to come?

- That would be nice, yes! Oh! I’m busy tonight, I’m afraid. What about tomorrow night?

- Oh, dear, no. I’m afraid I’m busy then myself.

- Oh… well.

- Er… it would be nice to meet sometime.

- Yes.

- Perhaps if you gave me your phone number I could…

- Yes, alright. Shall I write it down for you?

- Yes, please.

- O’key. Here you are. By the way, I’m Mary.

- Oh, yes, I’m Vasia. Thanks I’ll give you a ring.

- Alright.

- Oh, no, is that the time? I must be off.

- Oh, dear!

- It has been really nice meeting you!

- Nice meeting you too!

- Good bye, then.

- Bye.

I wonder - интересно

I bet - держу пари

I see - понимаю

I’m afraid - боюсь, что я …

By the way - между прочим

To give a ring – позвонить (по телефону)

To be off - уйти

Dialogue 3 Visiting a British home.

After the lunch the boy saw the girl home and she invited him for a cup of coffee. Her mother meets them.

Hello, Mum. This is my new friend from Russia. Vasia, meet my mother.
How do you do?
You’re welcome. Sit down and make yourself at home. Would you like some coffee?
Yes, please. I’d love some.
Black or white?
Black, please.
Have you got enough sugar?
Yes, thank you.
Nasty weather we are having today, don’t you think?
Oh, yes. On a rainy day like this it’s so nice to sit in a warm room. Your coffee is excellent!
Have some more biscuits?
No, thank you, I’ve had enough.
I guess, it’s your first visit to Britain. Do you like it here?
Oh, yes. I’m enjoying every day of my visit.
I hope you don’t mind my asking, but could you tell me what you do for a living?
Well, I do some sort of change jobs er… mostly during the summer, I mean, apart from my studies. You see, I’m a university student.
Oh, really? And what are you going to do in future?
I’m going to be an economist. You have to study hard to become a good one, you know.
This may sound a stupid question, but is it true that a young man in your country cannot support his family without his parents’ help?
Well, you see, that’s a very interesting question. I have to admit that it’s not easy, but as the English say, where there is a will, there is a way.