Use these speech connections in your speaking practice

1. You know that a family means a lot in the life of every person. You would like to have a big and friendly family with strong family traditions. What about your friend? What family is he planning to have in the future? Discuss it.

2. You are a first-year student of the Pedagogical University. You are introducing yourself to your new friends. You are 18 years old and study Mathematics at the university. You are interested in all sports, especially skiing and also really like reading and computers. You love dogs. You have got two! Ask your groupmate to tell you about himself and his plans for the future.

3. You are at the informal international gathering. Introduce yourself to your new friend from the US. Exchange information about your age, your nationality, your occupation and your interests.

4. Some families have an only child, others choose to have three or even more children. You are luckily to have a sister and two brothers. Your new friend is an only child in the family. Ask him/her what the advantages and disadvantages are to be an only child.

5. Imagine that you are a film star. What will you say about your childhood and your family and your relatives to a magazine reporter?

6. Some people say that young people should have as much fun as possible and enjoy themselves during youth. Others, however, believe that young people should think seriously about their futures and the plans for them. What can you say for and against the idea that youth is a time having fun?

1. It is great to have an apartment of your own. At present the Russian government is doing its best to help young specialists to have their own apartment or even a house. Lots of young families are involved in the social programmes of getting a dwelling. Discuss this question with your fellow.

2. You have moved into a new house recently. You have a twin sister. Would you like to share a room with her or have a room of your own? How would you furnish your rooms? Would you like to furnish them in a different way?

3. Your English pen-friend Mike’s come to visit you in Russia. You’ve invited him to eat out. Mike is so curious to know about Russian meals. He is interested in the national dishes. Tell him about your personal favourites. Tell him if it is very traditional, or it is like in so many countries these days all changing.

4. You enjoy spending your leisure time actively. You are in the swimming pool and you are meeting your old friend Charlie by name there. You haven’t seen each other for a long time. Charlie and you are talking about your weekends. You tell him that you are fond of going to a gym regularly to do some exercises. You friend likes to go to an exhibition or to a museum. It turned out that you both like to go dancing with a group of friends. And Charlie invites you to such a party next weekend.

5. You are planning to start a new hobby but you haven’t decided yet what hobby to choose. You are thinking of taking up scuba diving. Ask your elder brother’s friend for an advice. He has enough experience in it.

6. You ask your new friend who is an American student about his/her hobbies, interests and favourite pastime.

1. You show your city to English-speaking visitor. You take him/her on sightseeing route about the most interesting places of Ulyanovsk. You show him Lenin Memorial Center, the house where the Ulyanovs lived, the central square of the city. You answer the guest’s questions.

2. A stranger is coming up to you in the street. He/she is very interested in the monument behind your back. It is the monument to Nikolay Karamzin, a famous Russian historian. The stranger asks you to tell him/her about this monument. Try to recall everything you remember about Karamzin and the history of that monument.

3. You are from a village and live in a small place near a beautiful river and a forest far from Ulyanovsk. You enjoy this place and you’re fond of the rural lifestyle. Tell your friend about your home place. How big is it? Has it an interesting history? What is the population of it? Is this place an agricultural area?

1. Most teachers believe that all subjects at school are equally useful. Others have an opposite opinion. You are one of these teachers. Discuss with each other the perspectives of modern school education and its changes.

2. Paul is Russian. He is a Chemistry teacher at the Pedagogical University in Ulyanovsk. He is invited to give lectures at the University in London. He has met his English colleague Willy by name, who is also a University teacher. Willy is interested in the university education in Russia and the university Paul teaches in.

3. You’re studying law at the law school. But your neighbour Alex doesn’t know what career to choose, although his parents say it’s time he made a choice. He is not sure if he wants to follow in their footsteps and to become a doctor. What kind of university would you advise him to choose to get good knowledge?

4. John Smith is a final-year student at an English secondary school. He is discussing with his friend Paul the problem of getting higher education in the UK. He is a very good student and expects to do well in his upcoming A-Level exams. He has a quandary, however, because he knows that he will face tuition charges of £9,000 per academic year if he decides to go to university. On top of this, he will have to find money for his living expenses for the three-year course. This means he will have a huge loan to repay at the end of his university course. On the plus side, the government will allow all students to take out a loan to cover their outgoings and they will not have to start repaying their loan until they start work and are earning at least £21,000 per annum. Would it be better for John to try to find a job after completing his A-Levels and not go to university? Should he take an open university course and do his degree by distance-learning? Paul is suggesting John to spend some years working in the general area of his interest and then decide if that is what he really wants and then decide on his next move.

5. You have got an opportunity to continue your education abroad. You are interested in Mathematics. Talk about the peculiarities of the teaching process in other countries with your foreign friend who is a student of London School of Economics. Where would you like to continue your study to become a specialist of high professional standards?

6. You are interested in Information technology and have decided to take a computer course at your University.

Ask the secretary about the length of the courses available, course fees, teacher’s experience, details of the programme. Then decide if these courses suit you.

1. You are conducting a tour round Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University to an American. He is interested in everything concerning the university. Tell him/her about its history and traditions, the educator it’s named after. Speak up about the famous scientists and the graduates of the university.

2. You are a teacher at the Pedagogical University. Your foreign colleague is visiting your college. He/she is going to ask you some questions about it. He/she is interested in the size of the University, the number of students, the subjects they take and the opportunities to continue the study abroad.

3. Your sister is a second-year student of Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University. She likes her study there and upon the graduation she wants to work as a Russian teacher at high school. Ask her opinion on the role of a teacher in the classroom and the way its personality influences the teaching and learning process. Is there an ideal personality of a teacher? Should a teacher build students’ confidence by positive encouragement, avoiding criticism and blame?

4. Your friend Pete, a student at the university, was going to become a chemist. But in his third year he suddenly realized that chemistry was not his vocation and that he would rather take up a course in English literature. Now he is thinking about studying at Foreign languages faculty at the university. What will you advise him to do?

1. You are a representative of the students’ scientific conference and you represent the university you are studying at. Tell another participant of the conference about scientific life at your University, what scientific research the students are involved in.

2. You are a student of the Pedagogical University. You enjoy your studying there. You try to take part in many university contests. It makes your life much more interesting. You think about graduating from the University. You are going to miss your groupmates, classes and teachers very much. They’re so important to you. You seem to be very friendly and enthusiastic about participating in all the university events. Share your thoughts about your student’s life with the groupmate.

3. You meet a student from the USA at your university. Talk to him/her about the students’ life. Tell him/her about the students’ activity after classes, about different parties, the concerts the students visit, how they can spend their summer holidays.

1. It is self-evident that the knowledge of other languages has become a necessity in the modern world.

Languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian are spoken by many millions of people. However, no language is as widespread throughout the globe as English and this fact has led to its ever increasing importance in all aspects of global trade and economics. Discuss the point of view on learning foreign languages with you fellow student.

2. It is probably no exaggeration that not to have a working knowledge of modern English is tantamount to illiteracy in international circles. Discuss with your friend the necessity of learning the English language for your future career.

3. English is an important global language- but doesn’t mean it’s easy to learn. It takes a lot of efforts and time to master it. In the age of computers and international communication through the Internet every educated person should know it. Besides, it will help every good specialist in his future career. Share your thoughts about it with your fellow.

4. English is your great passion. You speak it pretty well. Your English friend Laura is impressed with your high English skills. She is interested where you have studied it. Tell her that you have been studying it at English courses for several years. You are trying to read books by English writers in the original and watching movies in English.

5. Emma is a student of Modern Languages at Edinburgh University. She is visiting your country. She is pleasantly surprised that a lot of young people in Russia speak good English. She would like to know which foreign languages people study in your country and at what age they start learning it.

1. One recent American travel guide opened its description of Britain as follows, ‘Britain: quite simply, the most beautiful island in the world!’ You can’t but agree with it. Despite its relatively small size, the British Isles have a great variety of beautiful landscapes, most of which owe their appearance to the hand of man over many centuries. England is known in particular for its beautiful gardens, which can be found in even the largest industrial city and the smallest country village. Make up the speech for the conference devoted to Great Britain. Speak up about the unusual location of the country, its climate and its scenery.

2. Your friend Steve has just returned from the USA. He has been their on an exchange students’ programme and has spent six months there. You are eager to hear his story about America and the Americans, their way of life. You’d also like to know about higher education there from the first hand and if the American students differ from the Russian ones. Ask Steve all the questions you are interested in.

3. You and your groupmate are to prepare a report about English-Speaking countries. You have thought and have decided to speak up about Scotland. This country is rich in history and is worth being spoken about. You are discussing with your friend the main points of your report. You begin with its history, which is marked at every step by the history of England. Don’t forget about many wars between two countries. Then mention big cities of Scotland – Edinburgh and Glasgow which are the focus of the modern country. Don’t forget to describe the beautiful scenery of the country with mountains, glens and lakes. And of course, Scotland’s best known products: whisky and haggis. Both are part of Scottish tradition. Good luck to you in your report!

4. Your English teacher has shown you the film about Canada. You are impressed with this great country and lots of new facts about it. Now you and your groupmate are discussing what you have seen in the film. Canada turned out to be the second largest country in the world after Russia. It is the country of pure lakes and deep forests. It has a rich wildlife. There are two official languages in the country. The Canadians are a sportive nation, which is fond of hockey and curling. The people there are kindhearted and very friendly.

1. Tom is an English student. He is visiting your English classes and he is asked to tell about the traditions and customs of his country. He is telling that the English are very proud of their traditions and carefully keep them. When visitors come to England they’re struck at once by quite a number of customs. Some ceremonies are rather formal, such as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Trooping the Colour, the State Opening of Parliament. Sometimes you can see a group of cavalrymen riding on black horses through the streets of London. They wear red uniforms, shining helmets, long black boots and long white gloves. These men are Life Guards. Their special duty is to guard the Queen of Great Britain, and very important guests of the country.

2. You are doing a project this month at the University on eating habits and customs around the world. You friend Steve has lived in England for several years and he knows the traditions and the customs of that country well. Ask him to tell you what traditional meals there is in England and what the people typically eat and at what time of the day.

3. We have heard a lot about English traditions and customs.

My friend Kate has spent several months in England as an exchange programme student and she states that the British people adhere their traditions. She is telling me about one of them. ‘An Englishman’s Home is His Castle’ is a famous English proverb characterizing the tradition of the Britains to have a house of their own, not a flat. In front of the house there is always a beautiful garden with a smooth lawn. The garage is hidden away, so it doesn’t spoil the rural feeling. Law and customs in Britain support a clear separation between what is public and what is private. To emphasize this division, people prefer to live in a house, set back from the road. So they can have a garden in front of the house, which separates them from the world.

1. You are a city girl and have never lived in a village. Your friend Helen is from a small place. She has come to the city to study at the university. She can’t used to so many vehicles on the roads and lots of people in the streets. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of a life in a big city.

2. You are in a train compartment going to Moscow on holiday there. During the journey you get into conversation with one of the passengers and talk about your respective holidays. What places of interest in Moscow are worth seeing?

3. You and your cousin are discussing the best way of spending your summer holidays. You would like to have holidays with difference and go abroad. But your cousin thinks you’ll get the best of your holidays if you stay in this country. Discuss the pros and cons of going abroad and come to an agreement.

4. A friend of yours decides to go on holidays to the UK. He/she asks you if you want to go too, but you have already arranged to go to Canada. You tell him/her that you have been to Britain before, so he asks you to give him/her some ideas about the places of interest to visit in London. You advise your friend to tour the Tower of London, to see Buckingham Palace, to let yourself be covered with pigeons in Trafalgar Square. That goes without saying. But above all, to ride the taxis- a trip rarely found in the travel brochures.

5. You are in the travel agency. You are fond of travelling. You have a conversation with a travel agent. You are asking some information about the trip to Ireland. You are interested in a package tour, the itinerary and etc.

6. You and your friend are on a holiday in a small town on the sea coast. There are a lot of interesting and exciting things you can see and do here. There is a lovely beach where you can swim, sunbathe and go in for windsurfing, water-skiing and yachting. There is a theatre, a cinema and a local museums. There is a very good Health Club with tennis and squash courts. There is also a very old castle about 4 miles out of town. Discuss with your friend what you are eager to do and visit first.

1. You have read an article about noise pollution, which negatively affects our health and well being. The problems related to noise include: hearing loss, stress, high blood pressure, sleep loss, destruction, lost productivity, and a general lowering of the quality of life. Share your opinion with your groupmate concerning these problems.

2. Almost in every big Russian city vast areas of land are being covered with motorways, car parks and garages. This land is to give us fresh air, grass, trees and relaxation. Today this land gives us polluted air, noise and more nervous tension. We are told to expect more and more vehicles every year. People propose that no more new cars, whether Russian or foreign, should be sold in Russia for a period of ten years. Exchange your thoughts about this urgent question with your friend.

3. You were among the group of Russian students, who took part in the international scientific conference, devoted to the ecological problems. Ecological dangerous tendencies were discussed there: water contamination, air pollution, traffic congestion, acid rain, destruction of the ozone layer, noise pollution and deforestation. On coming home your coursemate asks you to share your opinion on these problems.

4. Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and other organizations concerned with the protecting the environment are holding a forum in Canberra next month. Its motto is ‘Environmental degradation is a major world problem. What causes this problem and what can we do to prevent it?’ You are a participant of this meeting. Discuss with your Biology teacher the questions you’ll speak about at the forum, in particular protecting endangered species of animals and plants and their habitats.

1. You are to make a report on outstanding people of English speaking countries. You have thought a lot what personality to talk to and have decided to speak about George Washington. You have looked through a lot of material, devoted to that great personality and have got to know a lot of interesting facts about that person. Now you are sharing with your knowledge with your fellow students. Everybody knows that George Washington was the first president of the USA. First he was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. George Washington had ruled the country for eight years (1789-1797). He signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4^th, 1776. He abolished slavery in the USA. It was his major merit. The capital of the country is named after him. There is a U.S. national holiday on his birthday, February 22^nd.

2. You are interested in arts, especially in painting. You like English painting. The general level of art in Great Britain has always been high. You are going to make a report about William Hogarth, one of the originators of the brilliant school of English painting. You have a wonderful album of reproductions of Hogarth’ works. His paintings attract by their singular originality. Hogarth wrote series of paintings which, like acts of a drama, were bound together by a plot. His famous series are "A Harlot's Progress", "A Rake's Progress" and "Marriage a la Mande". Hogarth's realism paved new ways for English art.

3. You have just watched the film about the history of the royal family. Elizabeth 2 the Queen of Great Britain is the main character of it. Now you and your groupmate are discussing the personality of this great woman and her role in the British history. You got to know that she was born in Windsor on 21 April 1926. Her full name is Elizabeth-Mary-Alexander Windsor. Her pet name is Lilibet. She was educated at home, taught to read and write by her parents. She knew foreign languages, learned to drive. She was married Prince Philip in 1947. Her first son Prince Charles was born in 1948. She came to throne in 1952. Elizabeth was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. Now she plays an important role in the country. She travels a lot. The Queen has got four children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. She has five official residences in Britain; Buckingham Palace and Windsor among them.

4. At a sitting of the University English-speaking club you discuss an article on the life and activity of a prominent public figure (statesman, writer, actor, artist, etc.-living or belonging to the history).