FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

1. Our family members are the closest people we will ever have. Why are family relationships so important for people? Family is very important to people. It is the emotional center of their lives. Your family will always listen to you and give you advice when you need it. They will always cover your back and support you no matter if you are right or wrong. They will make you feel secure and confident. Your family will always guide you and protect you. You can talk to them if you have problems. They teach you how to be understanding, caring, patient and respectful.

2. How can you describe the relationships in your family? Do you do anything together with your family? I am happy, because I have a good and loving family. It means the world to me. They are always there for me in difficult times; they help me when I am in trouble. They respect me and my opinions. We discuss our problems and always look for the best solutions. Of course, my parents can be strict sometimes, but they mean well and want me to be the best I can be. We spend a lot of time together: go to the cinema and to the country, travel, read the same books, play different games, talk and have family meals. We have a tradition to celebrate all holidays together.

  My brother/sister and I used to fight when we were little. My brother/sister called me names, tried to hit me and ruined my stuff. Our parents thought it was my fault, because I am older. But now we have a wonderful relationship. I help my brother/sister with homework and he/she helps me with household chores. We learnt to respect each others’ private space and differences.

3. What are the most dangerous family problems? We spend so much time with our family members, that these relations play the biggest role in our lives. Family problems can be very serious, because they may lead to quarrels, misunderstanding, frustration and even divorce. In my opinion the most dangerous family problems are generation gap and sibling rivalry.

The term “generation gap” means that the older and the younger generation may have different ideas and attitudes. Teenagers tend to rebel against their parents – it’s a normal part of growing up. They actively try to figure out who they are. Their friends become more important than family and they often listen to them and not to their mom and dad. It doesn’t mean that one of the generations is bad; it just means that they are different.

Sibling rivalry describes bad relations between brothers and sisters. They can fight, quarrel, pick on each other, rat each other out, play ugly tricks on each other. Sometimes it is a fight for attention. Very often a little bit of sibling rivalry is also normal, because this way children test their power and learn about each others’ differences.

To solve both these problems parents and children should spend more time together, discuss and compromise.

4. Imagine that you are talking to a British teenager. Ask him/her questions about his/her family.

5. What advice can you give someone whose children are always fighting?

Great Britain

1. Let’s talk about Great Britain. What do you know about this country? The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is situated on the British Isles. It is surrounded by water on all sides: the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Irish Sea. It is separated from continental Europe by the English Channel and the Strait of Dover. The largest islands are Great Britain and Ireland, but the country consists of more than 6000 islands.

The area of the country is 244,000 square kilometers. The population is over 57 million people. London is the capital of Great Britain. It stands on the river Thames. It is the most important river in the country, though the longest river is the Severn. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain.

The United Kingdom is divided into four historical parts: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

The climate of the country is mild with warm summers and rainy winters. The British say that they don’t have climate, only weather, meaning that the weather is very changeable.

The flag of Great Britain is known as the Union Jack. It consists of three white and red crosses, which symbolize the union of Scotland, England and Wales. 

2. Do you know anything about the political system of the United Kingdom? Great Britain is a parliamentary monarchy. The Queen, Elizabeth II reigns, but doesn’t rule. She is the symbolic head of state. The real power in the country rests with the Parliament.

The Parliament has two chambers: the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The MPs in the House of Commons are elected. There are three important parties in the UK: the Conservative party, the Labour party and the Liberal party. The Conservative party has the majority in the Parliament and its leader David Cameron is the prime-minister. Members of the House of Lords are peers (people with titles) and bishops; they are not elected. Members of the Parliament discuss and pass new laws. The government runs the country.

3. Would you like to visit Britain and why? I would like to visit this country, because there are a lot of tourist attractions there. You can see the world-famous Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the Queen, beautiful terraced houses, the noisy London, ancient castles, picturesque landscapes and the Scottish lakes – who knows, I might even see the famous monster Nessie! I have always wanted to taste the British tea and ride a double-decker!

4. What places of interest are worth seeing in Britain?

Great Britain has a long and heroic history and rich cultural heritage. It offers tourists hundreds of attractions, both modern and historical. Among them you will find Edinburgh Castle, the Highlands, Stonehenge, Cambridge, Oxford and the numerous monuments of London.

Stonehenge is probably the oldest and the most mysterious place in the United Kingdom. It dates back to 3000 B.C. Stonehenge was produced by a culture that left no written records and it is unknown why or how it was built. Archeologists believe it was used as a burial site or an observatory. One of the legends is even connected to Merlin and King Arthur. The stones were believed to heal people, that’s why Merlin used his magic and technology to bring them from Ireland.

Cambridge is the world-famous university town, Oxford’s main rival. But it is also a wonderful place to visit. The historical buildings of the school, ancient churches and traditional markets make it attractive to tourists. Another interesting trait is that you can go on a boat tour there and have a look at all the interesting places.

London is the capital of Great Britain and it is known for its tourist attractions, which include museums, monuments, theatres, churches, parks, palaces and so much more.

Recently Big Ben has become one of the most famous symbols of the UK. Usually this name is used to speak about the clock tower and the clock of the Houses of Parliament. But actually, “Big Ben” is the name of the bell. It is one of the oldest working clocks in Europe.

The most important and famous church in Britain is St. Paul’s Cathedral. This magnificent white structure was built in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren. 

The Tower of London was used as a fortress, a royal palace, a prison and now it’s a museum.

The London Eye is the most famous modern landmark of the city. You can see all the attractions at once if you visit it.

Madam Tussaud’s Museum is known all over the world for its life-size figures of famous politicians, historical figures and celebrities.

Westminster Abbey is the place where most English kings and queens were crowned. Here you can also see the graves of many outstanding politicians, scientists, poets and writers.

In conclusion I’d like to say that British sites are unforgettable. London is one of the most beautiful European capitals. But this country is also famous for its hospitable and cheerful people. 

5. What questions would you ask a British teacher about the UK?

FAMILY TRADITIONS

1. Let’s talk about family traditions. Why is it vital to have family traditions?
Family traditions are things that families do together on a regular basis. These things can be patterns of behavior, enjoyable activities or a certain food that a family likes.
Having family traditions is very important. First of all, they are fun. They unite families and bring them closer together, because family members can spend time together. Family traditions give young people a sense of belonging. Being a part of a family is more than living in the same home or having the same last name. It is about relationships and family ties. Traditions also give young people enjoyable memories. They help parents pass the family values to their children. Family traditions help children with their identity. They can figure out who they are in this world. Moreover, traditions give young people a sense of security: they know that they have a family to turn to in difficult times, that will always guide them and protect them. Thanks to traditions members of extended families can reconnect and have time to communicate.
2. Do you know any typical Belarusian traditions?
Most Belarusian traditions are connected to religion or holidays. Belarusian families gather together for Christmas and Easter. A characteristic trait for Belarus is that we celebrate these holidays twice, because there are two religions in our country. But everyone’s favourite is New Year’s night. Grown-ups and children decorate a Christmas tree and cook delicious food. At midnight they drink champagne and look for their gifts under the Christmas tree. It is also traditional to celebrate everyone’s birthdays.
Some families have a tradition to eat out or to go to some special places on a picnic. For example, a lot of people buy a pizza and go to the movies every Friday. It is also very popular to ride bikes nowadays.
And while we’re talking about Belarusian traditions I can’t but mention digging potatoes. It is more than just collecting vegetables. It is a tradition which allows people to talk, have fun and spend time outside. In the evening people usually have a meal together to celebrate.
3. Are there any special traditions in your family? There are some traditions in my family, too. For example, the members of my extended family always come to my grandma’s birthday party. People come from all over the country and even from Poland and Lithuania. On this day we always eat a big cake, drink tea and watch movies. It is a great chance to meet my cousins. We take a lot of pictures. Every time I look at them, I remember how much fun we have each year.

4. What questions will you ask your British peer about family traditions in the UK?
5. Can you give a piece of advice for people who want to have a tight-knit family?

FAMILY

1. A famous proverb says: “Blood is thicker than water”. Why is it important to have a loving family?

The saying “Blood is thicker than water” means that family members are the closest people you’ll have in your life. Belonging to a family is one of the most important things for all people in the world. These people will always listen to you and give you advice when you need it. They will always cover your back and support you no matter if you are right or wrong. They will make you feel secure and confident. Your family will always guide you and protect you. You can talk to them if you have problems. They teach you how to be understanding, caring, patient and respectful.

2. Can you describe your family?

My family is not very big. I come from a family of four. My family consists of my mom, my dad, my brother and me. 

My father’s name is Ivan. He is an accountant. He is tall, handsome and has a beard. He is kind, quiet and has a great sense of humour. He is really hard-working, that’s why he is my example to follow – he is very responsible and he is always willing to help his colleagues.

My mother’s name is Natalia. She is very attractive. She has red hair just like me. She works in a hospital. My mom has a soft voice and she always has some words of support for everyone around.

My brother Anton is ten. He is short and wears glasses. He can be really annoying, because he is nosey and likes taking my things. Sometimes we don’t get along or even fight. But in the end I know that he is my brother and I will always give him a helping hand with home tasks, household chores and even when bullies mock him at school, because I love him.

My family means the world to me. I am ready to do anything for these people and I am sure they will do the same for me, because family ties mean a lot to us.

3. Nowadays an average family has one child. From your point of view, how many children should there be in a family?

Nowadays very often you can see one child in a family. A lot of parents say that they can only support one child. In my opinion, in an ideal family there should be at least two children. Siblings are always the closest friends you can imagine. They can help each other with at school and with household chores. Also each of them will always have someone to turn to in difficult times. On the other hand, being an only child is also great, because you get all the presents and treats, all the attention of your parents and there is no problem of sibling rivalry.

4. What will you ask your British friend about his or her family?

5. What can you advise people who want to have a close and happy family?

THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

1. Let’s talk about Belarus. What can you tell foreigners about our country?

The Republic of Belarus is a sovereign country situated in the centre of Europe. It borders on Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and the Ukraine. Total area is 206,700 square kilometers. The population of the country is 9,4 million people. More than 70% of them live in cities and towns. Minsk is the capital of the country. It has 1,9 million inhabitants. There are six regions; the regional centres and the biggest cities are Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Minsk and Mogilev.

The country is mostly made up of flat landscapes with some hilly highlands. The highest mountain is mount Dzerzhinskaya. In the south of the country one can see a lot of swampy areas – the famous Polessye. One-third of the country is covered with large forests – they are called pushchas. Belarus is the largest inland country in Europe, but there are a lot of rivers and lakes here. The most important of them are the Dniepr, the Western Dvina, the Neman, the Prypyat and the Bug; the largest lake is Naroch.

There are two national languages in the republic, Russian and Belarusian. 

Belarus is a developed industrial country. Its factories produce tractors, fridges, watches, TV-sets and bicycles.

Belarus is known all over the world for its hospitable, smart and tolerant people, ancient historical monuments and rich cultural heritage.

2. What do you know about the political system of Belarus?

Belarus is a presidential republic. The President, Alexander Lukashenko, is the head of state. The Parliament is called the National Assembly. It is divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic. Members of the House of Representatives are elected by people and the members of the Council of the Republic are chosen by local councils. The members of the National Assembly discuss and pass new laws. The government, headed by the prime-minister, runs the country. It is answerable to the President and the Parliament.

3. Can you name any symbols of Belarus? 

The national symbols of Belarus are the national flag, the national emblem and the national anthem. The flag is made of two horizontal stripes, which are red and green, and a vertical stripe with a traditional white and red Belarusian ornament. The main elements of the national emblem are clover and flax flowers, golden ears of wheat and a rising sun. They symbolize the fact that Belarusians are hard-working and peaceful people. The national anthem was composed by Nestor Sokolovsky and the lyrics were written by Michail Klimkovich and Vladimir Korizna. It reflects Belarus as a sovereign country and stresses patriotism and unity of the nation.

Of course, Belarus also has unofficial symbols, which can be seen in pictures and on souvenirs. The European bison/auroch or zubr is the biggest animal in Europe. Belaveszskaya Puscha is its home. The corn flower can often be seen on the fields of Belarus. It is associated with the Belarusian soul and spiritual values of our people. The white stork symbolizes the purity of people. Nests of storks are a frequent sight in Belarusian villages. They are a good sign and a reflection of family ties and values in our country. The potato is not only a part of Belarusian cuisine. The name “Bulbash” means a diligent and tolerant person with a good sense of humour. 

4. What places would you advise to tourists in Belarus? 

I live in Grodno. It is a beautiful city with the largest number of historical monuments in Belarus. Here tourists can visit museums, castles, theatres, churches, parks, shops, cafes and exhibitions. Let me describe the most interesting places in our city. The Kalozhskaya Church is one of the oldest churches in Belarus. Its style is very original and there are no such churches in the world. The Old Castle was founded by Vitovt. Stefan Batory loved Grodno so much that it became the royal residence. The New Castle is a famous museum. Farny Cathedral or the Church of St. Francis Ksaver has the oldest working clock in Eastern Europe. Grodno is the home of the Festival of National Cultures and one of the best places to visit in Belarus.

5. What questions do you expect to hear about our country from a foreigner?