FRIENDSHIP

1) Let’s talk about friendship. What role do friends play in our lives?

People say that if you haven’t learnt the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learnt anything. To me friendship is very important. I have fun with friends and I can relax. I can also be myself. True friends never let me down, never go back on promises or forget about me. A true friend will also never put me down or hurt me. They are always there for me to hold my hand in difficult situations. A friend would love and support me no matter what. A true friend will always cover my back and help me out when I ask him to.

I can say that I have a lot of friends, but today I’d like to describe my best friend Tanya, because I know her the longest. Tanya is a very beautiful girl of 16. She is of medium height, she has curly blond hair and blue eyes. I like her style, because she often wears dresses, which suit her.

Tanya is a very talented girl. She is good at writing and she often writes articles for our school newspaper. She is also keen on languages, that’s why she is going to study English at the university.

We always hang out with her and the rest of my friends in the park, study together or talk for hours. I love my friend and I think that we will always stick together.

People say that friendship isn’t a big thing, it’s a million little things. For me these are loyalty and trust, respect and sincerity, affection and acceptance. It is also lack of arrogance. These are the little things that make our friendship special.

2) Can you rely on your friend in any situation?

Tanya is reliable, kind-hearted and generous, she can always help me or give me a piece of advice. I can trust her all my secrets and be sure she won’t tell anyone. She is also ready to help me in any dangerous situation. For example, two years ago I lost a large sum of money. Tanya gave that money to me and didn’t even ask me any questions and didn’t expect to get it back. As people say, “A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

3) What can you advise a teenager who is starting a new school and is afraid of bullies?

It is very difficult to start a new school, because you have no friends. But some teenagers come across a more difficult problem – bullies. A bully is a person who attacks someone physically or mentally, uses name-calling and plays ugly tricks on others. They make their victims feel miserable. What can be done to stop these mean people? We shouldn’t give them our attention. We should also talk to our parents or teachers, who can stop the threats. Also it is very important to talk to our friends. A bully can only pick on people who are weaker. But if we have friends who cover our back we are stronger.

4) Nowadays many young people have hundreds of friends in social networks. Do you agree that this friendship is real?

Nowadays some teenagers have 300 friends in VKontakte or on Facebook. I think that social networks are very popular and influence the way we communicate. It is easy to have conversations without leaving your house, listen to music, watch videos, and so on. However, some teenagers lose touch with reality. They prefer the number of friends to genuine friendship. As a result they can say that they have lots of friends, but in a difficult situation they might have no-one to rely on. That’s why I think that social networks are good for us, but only within reasonable limits.

5) What questions do you usually ask when you want to become friends with someone?

LIVING IN THE COUNTRY VS. LIVING IN THE CITY

1) Let’s talk about living in the country and living in the city. A lot of people want to live in the country nowadays. What are the advantages of living in the country? Are there any disadvantages?

            Living in the country has become very popular in Europe recently. A lot of people move to villages and small towns and enjoy the life there.

Living in the country has many advantages. Firstly, here you can breathe fresh air. Ecological situation is not very good in big cities, because of harmful gases released by factories and exhaust fumes released by cars. Secondly, the life in the country is very quiet. A lot of people move there to avoid the rat race, which is normal in cities: everyone wants to get more money and boast of having the best house, car, phone and so on. But very often such people forget about or don’t have time for families. So, if they want their children to have a better life, they choose to go to the village. In Europe the houses in the country are cheaper. It is very typical of them to commute to work from a small town. Many Europeans want to have a garden around their house and grow organic food.

Of course, there are some disadvantages to living in the country. For example, you are far away from cafes, schools, kindergartens, clubs, shops and social life. Your friends live far away. A lot of people can feel bored, lonely and isolated. There aren’t too many career opportunities. Also there often will be no modern conveniences or technologies in your village.

In conclusion, I’d like to say that it is up to you to decide, if you want to live in a busy city or a quiet village. Some people will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a village and others will not be able to live without the hustle and bustle of a large town.

2) Is Grodno a comfortable place to live?

            Grodno is a big city in the West of Belarus. It is a very comfortable place to live. Here you can buy a big town house or a flat – the variety of choice is great. In Grodno you will find all the modern conveniences (hot and cold running water, central heating, electricity) and modern technologies (the Internet, television, phone) that you need. In my city there are a lot of clubs, cafes, restaurants, shops. Here you can get good education, because there are over 40 schools, where you can choose different specializations, and three universities. People are provided with the best medical care in the country. The ecological situation is good. The river Neman flows through our city and there are some lakes, where people can swim in summer. Grodno is very picturesque with a lot of historical monuments. It is close to Belarusian and European places of interest. Also the city is very clean and beautiful. The people of Grodno are very hospitable and are always glad to see guests.

All in all, my city is one of the best places to live in the world.

3) Where would you like to live and why?

            A. I’d like to live in the city, because I am used to living there. I have a supermarket, a school and some cafes next to my house. It is important for me to communicate to my friends and to different facilities. I love the variety of choice in the city: I can have anything I want and need. Fashion is also high on my list of priorities. That’s why I think that a big city is the best place for me.

B. I’d love to live in the country not far from a big city. Here I would have all the modern conveniences and access to technologies that I need for comfortable living. Also I will be close to my job or university. At the same time I can have a garden, lots of fresh air and lead the healthy and relaxed lifestyle that I want. Nowadays it is easy to get to such places if you have a car. So everything is at hand, but at the same time you live in a gorgeous place away from civilization.

4) What recommendations will you give a British tourist: to spend their holidays in a Belarusian village or in Minsk?

            Belarus has lots to offer to foreign tourists. Those who want to see the lifestyles of people who lived long ago should visit a typical Belarusian village. There they will enjoy the simple way of life; they can pick berries or mushrooms, visit a sauna or swim in a lake. They can have barbeques and hear the beautiful national songs.

            Those who prefer big city life should travel to Minsk. It is an amazing city with wide streets, ancient churches, cafes, restaurants and parks. The National Library is worth visiting, because it is one of the biggest and the most unusual libraries in the world. There are lots of museums and galleries, too.

5) Your family is going to move. What questions will you ask them about your new house?

SCHOOL TRADITIONS

1. Let’s talk about school and school traditions. What can you tell me about your school?

I study in Gymnasium #2. It is a wonderful school with interesting history and a lot of amazing traditions.

The school was founded in 1978. In 2003 it became a gymnasium. Nowadays it is a modern building with all the necessary facilities: a lot of classrooms, fully equipped labs, computer classrooms, resource centers of Russian and English languages, a huge gym, an Assembly Hall, a canteen, a library and the best stadium in Grodno.

Here we get knowledge and learn different skills, find out how to cope with complicated problems and develop the ability to analyze. English is one of the main subjects here. It will be very useful for our future jobs. Students can also choose Chemistry and Biology, Physics and Mathematics or Linguistics as their specialization.

Our school offers us a lot of extracurricular activities. Here we can go in for sports and take part in sports competitions, very often we participate in games with Lithuanian and English guests. Our gymnasium is known for its English Week, where we can express ourselves in different concerts and performances. The school newspaper, “The Gymnasia Times”, gives us a chance to write real articles.

            I like my school because here I can communicate with my friends and get the necessary skills for my future life and career. Here I always have the support of my friends and teachers.

            In conclusion, I’d like to say that I’m really enjoying my school years and appreciate gymnasium #2, because here I can get serious knowledge and will always have a chance to develop my talents.

2. Does your school have any traditions?

In our gymnasium there are a lot of amazing traditions. If you want to know English well, you can perform in Drama Fest, play games, write articles for “The Gymnasia Times” or participate in the contest for the best public speaker. If you are athletic, you can take part in different sports competitions. A project with the European Union has also given us an opportunity to rebuild our stadium.. Our exchange programme is also well-known to people in Grodno. It lets us communicate with peers and teachers from Harwich, England and visit this beautiful country. Our students can see St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and other historical monuments. They can also practice their English.

But my favourite tradition is the Final Bell. It is a very emotional holiday, because graduates say goodbye to their school, teachers and classmates. They also dance the traditional waltz

3. Why do schools need traditions?

Traditions are very important for schools, because they unite students, give them nice memories, allow them to spend some time together and to express themselves. Thanks to school traditions we can see school in a new light – not only as an educational establishment where we get serious knowledge, but also as a place where we spend a lot of time communicating and having fun.

4. What new traditions can you advise to your school?

            I think every school needs to have different traditions: contests, sports competitions, Drama Fests, etc. It would be a nice idea to have some new competitions. For example, I know that in Harwich students have school communities. They have different competitions: for the best marks and uniforms, sports records, concerts and so on. Such competitions could unite us and make us do our best. Another nice tradition from Harwich is school trip to different countries and cities. Belarus has a lot of places of interest and I guess we could travel together with my friends and spend some time together.

5. Ask me about school traditions in my school.

SCHOOL/EDUCATION

1. Let’s talk about education/school. What can you tell me about your school?

I study in Gymnasium #2. It is a wonderful school with interesting history and a lot of amazing traditions.

The school was founded in 1978. In 2003 it became a gymnasium. Nowadays it is a modern building with all the necessary facilities: a lot of classrooms, fully equipped labs, computer classrooms, resource centers of Russian and English languages, a huge gym, an Assembly Hall, a canteen, a library and the best stadium in Grodno.

Here we get knowledge and learn different skills, find out how to cope with complicated problems and develop the ability to analyze. English is one of the main subjects here. It will be very useful for our future jobs. Students can also choose Chemistry and Biology, Physics and Mathematics or Linguistics as their specialization.

Our school offers us a lot of extracurricular activities. Here we can go in for sports and take part in sports competitions, very often we participate in games with Lithuanian and English guests. Our gymnasium is known for its English Week, where we can express ourselves in different concerts and performances. The school newspaper, “The Gymnasia Times”, gives us a chance to write real articles.

            I like my school because here I can communicate with my friends and get the necessary skills for my future life and career. Here I always have the support of my friends and teachers.

            In conclusion, I’d like to say that I’m really enjoying my school years and appreciate gymnasium #2, because here I can get serious knowledge and will always have a chance to develop my talents.

2. Is your school different from all the other schools? Are there any interesting traditions here?

Our school offers us a great variety of traditions. If you want to know English well, you can perform in Drama Fest, play games, write articles for “The Gymnasia Times” or participate in the contest for the best public speaker. If you are athletic, you can take part in different sports competitions. A project with the European Union has also given us an opportunity to rebuild our stadium.. Our exchange programme is also well-known to people in Grodno. It lets us communicate with peers and teachers from Harwich, England and visit this beautiful country. Our students can see St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and other historical monuments. They can also practice their English.

But my favourite tradition is the Final Bell. It is a very emotional holiday, because graduates say goodbye to their school, teachers and classmates. They also dance the traditional waltz

3. Today a lot of young people want to study abroad. What about you?

            A. A lot of young people want to study abroad, because they think the education there is better. But there are a lot of disadvantages, too. First of all, you’d have to pay a lot of money and food. Your parents and friends will be far away from you and there will be no one to talk to or to give you support. Sometimes it is very difficult to speak a foreign language all the time. You’d have to study and cook and clean up the room yourself.

            Studying at home is much better for me. There is no language barrier. Your friends and family can help you and give you advice. Also it is easier to study from the psychological point of view. Our education is one of the best in the world, so I am sure I will make a great professional.

            B. A lot of young people want to study abroad, because they think the education there is better.

4. Can you advise anything to a student who wants to prepare to exams well?

5. Ask me what kind of pupil I was.

NATURE PROTECTION

1.      Let’s talk about the environment. A lot of scientists say that our planet is in danger. Do you agree?

Nowadays people can see a lot of problems and understand that it is important to protect the environment. The most serious global problems are: water and air pollution; destruction of rainforests; shortages of water, food, fossil fuels and natural resources; global warming and the greenhouse effect; depletion of the ozone layer; acid rains and greater numbers of refugees.

There is no ocean or sea which is not polluted. Governments test their nuclear weapons there, factories and plants dump harmful industrial wastes into rivers and seas, tankers leave lots of oil in the water. This poisons and kills fish and animals, destroys their habitats. Water pollution can also cause outbreaks of different illnesses.

Air pollution has become a serious problem, too. Exhaust fumes from cars and buses, harmful gases and chemicals released by plants and factories make it difficult for people to breathe. Acid rains destroy forests and buildings.

People can’t sunbathe often, because ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer. Normally the ozone layer protects us from such radiation. But as a result of air pollution we now have such a problem as the depletion of the ozone layer.

Nuclear power stations can go wrong and cause nuclear pollution. Radiation cannot be seen, but its effects are terrible.

2.      Can you explain what’s happening to the climate right now?

Weather is very important for people, because it influences their health and well-being and their way of life. When the weather is cold and rainy, people might feel upset or even depressed. And when it is sunny, they are happy and cheerful. This is why many scientists worry that average temperature in the world is rising.

This process is called global warming. But it doesn’t only mean warmer climate. Together with global warming come floods, landslides, hurricanes, droughts and heat waves. Ice caps in the Arctic and the Antarctic are melting, flooding coastal areas. Plants and animals do not have periods of rest in winter or are not protected by snow when it is -20⁰.

Global warming is caused by pollution, the greenhouse effect and deforestation.

Global warming can be very dangerous. Scientists predict that by 2050 some species of animals will have died out, coastal areas such as New York will have been covered with water and millions of environmental refugees will have appeared.

3.      What should people do to protect our planet?

There are many ways in which people can help the environment. First of all, factories should use more filters that can stop air pollution and not dump wastes into rivers and oceans. Also it is vital to develop technologies, which are good for the environment, for example, energy efficient light bulbs or household appliances that use less electricity. We should all try to use cars less often and travel by bike or public transport. It is very important to use renewable sources of energy: wind power, tidal power, hydra-power, solar energy, nuclear power and geothermal power. These sources of energy are renewable, cheap, environmentally friendly and easy to find in any country.

4.      Are you green?

I can’t say that I am really green. Of course, I try to follow the rule of 3Rs. I collect paper and plastic for recycling. I don’t buy a new plastic bag each time I go shopping. I also try not to turn on the lights in the rooms that I don’t use. Sometimes my family and I plant trees and flowers with my mom. Still I think I can do more, for example, use less water and electricity. I am sure that in the future I will try to be truly green.

5.      What questions would you ask a British teenager about nature protection in his/her country?

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

1.      Let’s talk about weather and climate. What’s happening to the climate nowadays?

Weather is very important for people, because it influences their health and well-being, the way of life and food supplies that they have. When the weather is cold and rainy, people might feel upset or even depressed. And vice versa, when it is sunny and people can eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, they are happy and cheerful. Changes in climate can affect people in a good or a bad way. This is why many scientists worry/are alarmed that average temperature in the world is rising.

This process is called global warming. But it doesn’t only mean warmer climate. Together with global warming come floods, landslides, hurricanes, droughts and heat waves. Ice caps in the Arctic and the Antarctic are melting, flooding coastal areas. Plants and animals do not have periods of rest in winter or are not protected by snow when it is -20⁰.

Global warming is caused by pollution. It is closely connected to the greenhouse effect and deforestation. Let me describe what the greenhouse effect is. The sun warms our planet. Some of the heat from the sun goes back to space. But because of air pollution carbon dioxide and other harmful gases work like a glass in a greenhouse and don’t allow the heat to leave our planet. As a result the climate becomes warmer. But some scientists believe that climate change is caused by natural processes on our planet and we don’t have to worry about it.

Global warming can be very dangerous. Scientists predict that by 2050 some species of animals will have died out, coastal areas such as New York will have been covered with water and millions of environmental refugees will have appeared. To stop it each of us should use cars less often, not burn grass and participate in campaigns for more filters in factories. Factories should use more filters and large industrial countries must take some action to reduce the level of pollution.

2.      How can you describe the climate of Belarus?

They say that our climate is continental, which means that we have warm or hot summers and cold snowy winters with lots of snow. The autumns and springs are usually rainy. But nowadays winters have become milder. It is not unusual to have no snow and see green grass all the year round. People are very excited if they have white holidays. Summers can be very hot and dry and almost unbearable. There are also a lot of gloomy rainy days in each season. People say that this is happening because of global warming. I hope next year weather will be back to normal, because I have always loved to have four seasons with some wonderful things to do: playing snowballs in winter, taking pictures of amazing leaves in autumn, sunbathing in summer and going for a walk in spring!

3.      Do you have a favourite season?

Different people like different seasons. Some people enjoy summer, because it is hot and they can relax on the beach. Others love spring, because it is the time when nature awakens. Some people are fond of winter, because they can go skiing or enjoy a sunny day with blue sky and sparking white snow. Some more people prefer autumn, because it is the time of harvest and golden leaves.

My favourite season is spring. Everything is full of life: trees and flowers blossom, the first green grass takes the place of ugly dirty snow, the air is fresh and we can wear nice clothes. You can go to the park and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature. School is over in May and you have new hopes and expectations. In spring people can go in for sports: play tennis and football, go jogging or simply walk in a green forest.

I like spring, because in winter it is freezing cold; in summer it is too hot and you can get sunburnt and in autumn it seems like everything is dying.

All in all, I consider spring to be the best season, because nature and life are full of promise. It is the season, when I feel inspired, want to start anew and succeed in everything I do.

4.      Do you agree with the saying “There is no bad weather, there are bad clothes”?

I do not agree with this proverb, because I am not a big fan of rainy weather. My clothes and shoes are wet, it is difficult to get from one place to another and you feel tired and sleepy. Some people might even feel depressed if they don’t get enough sunshine. It is a scientific fact that people need sun to get vitamin D, which is important for our wellbeing. That’s why I think this saying is not true.

5.      What questions would you ask a meteorologist?

MY FUTURE PROFESSION

1. Let's talk about your future profession. What do you want to become and why?

I want to become a doctor. It is my calling. I have wanted to help people since I was a child. I am interested in both taking care of people and doing some research work. Who knows, maybe, I will invent a cure for AIDS or some other disease.

This job is suitable for me, because I am a caring and understanding person – ill people need a little bit of sympathy and hope. I am also very responsible – doctors should be very careful when looking for the reason of an illness or prescribing medicines. My friends tell me that I am hard-working: medical students should learn a lot of terms to become great professionals. They also say I am broad-minded, which is a good quality for a doctor, who wants to learn and aspires to be better every day.

Of course, there are some disadvantages. The job can be backbreaking, because you have to work a lot. This profession is not well-paid. It is a heartbreaking job, too, because you can’t save everyone. On the other hand, you will never get bored, this profession is not monotonous, because you communicate with new people. It is a prestigious job – everyone respects doctors. If you work hard, you can get perks and bonuses or even a promotion. All in all, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and I guess I will be able to cope with this job.

         To become a good doctor, I should participate in Centralised Testing and sit exams in Chemistry, Biology and Russian.   Then I will have to study hard for 6 years and work as an intern for a year. It is vital for future doctors to speak English, because they often take part in international conferences and write articles for medical journals.                                                          

I hope in the nearest future I will become a wonderful doctor and do some research work at the University. My main goal is to have my own clinic and help people in need.

 Plan for other professions:

1.     What do you want to be? Why?

2.     Why is this job suitable for you? (Do you have any special traits of character? Is it your calling?

3.     What are the advantages of your future profession? What are the disadvantages? Is it still a good choice for you?

4.     Do you have to do anything to get this job? (sit exams, participate in Centralised Testing, take some courses, work straight after school, learn the basics of this profession, etc.)

5.     What will you be able to do when you get this job/what are your career aspirations?

                2. Can you give 10 pieces of advice to a person, who wants to have a successful job interview?

Job interviews are very important for your career, because the employer decides if he wants to hire you or not. There are some simple rules that you need to follow if you want to get a job.

It is vital to make a good first impression. Be polite, well-spoken and smile a lot. Also you should wear appropriate clothes. You should bring all the necessary documents: a CV, your passport, certificates and their copies. Speak about you positive characteristics and give examples if your skills and talents were useful in the past.

You shouldn’t show your bad habits: if you are impatient, don’t start tapping your foot. Also it is important not to talk negatively about your previous job or boss, because this shows what type of person you are. You shouldn’t use vulgar language. Also don’t start inappropriate topics and don’t say too much about yourself or your family and pets.

3. How do young people choose their future professions? Which factors are more important? What about you?

There are five main factors, which play a large part in choosing a career. First of all, they should take into consideration their character, talents, skills and dreams. Family is also very important. Some young people want to follow in their parents’ footsteps. Others listen to their advice. The opinion of their parents is a must for a lot of teenagers. Friends can give young people some ideas, too. These are the people they spend a lot of time with, discuss different issues and decide what is popular and what is not. One more factor is peer pressure. Some professions are seen as more desirable or fashionable, that’s why teenagers choose them. A great teacher can see a person’s talents or become an inspiration. A lot of people choose their favourite subject as their future profession. Career advisors and special computer tests can help to make up someone’s mind, because they tell you what profession is suitable for you. The last factor is the information teenagers get at school and from mass media. They can learn what this or that profession is about and what is needed to enter the university.

As for me, I listened to my heart, when I was choosing my future profession. I know that I will make a good doctor, because I am caring, patient and I enjoy helping people. Also I am good at Chemistry and Biology. Of course, I listened to my parents’ advice, because they know more about life and have a lot of experience.

4. Will you need English for your future profession?

It is vital for future doctors to speak English, because they often take part in international conferences and write articles for medical journals. In the future I might want to work abroad, and English will be very useful there.

5. What questions would you ask your future employer?