Lesson 1: Unit 146 - Introduction. Learning Foreign Languages.
The lesson looks at the role of English as a global language, the history of English and the reasons for learning foreign languages, with a focus on key vocabulary and reading and speaking skills at B
About this lesson
In this lesson you will get to know the text 'English – the global language' and learn why foreign languages are so important in the modern world. You will master key vocabulary related to language learning, international communication and the history of the English language. You will work with questions on the text, gap-fill exercises and interactive tests. The lesson develops reading comprehension, speaking and writing at B1 level.
40 minutes
What you'll learn
- Understand and discuss the importance of foreign languages in the modern world.
- Correctly use key vocabulary related to language learning and international communication.
- Give a brief account of the history of the English language and its spread.
- Distinguish between American and British English and know where they are spoken.
- Express your own opinion on why you are learning English and what you find difficult or easy.
Lesson vocabulary
- mother tongue Over 300 million people speak English as a mother tongue.
- native speakers The native speakers of English live in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.
- means of information exchange Foreign languages are needed as the main means of information exchange of the people of our planet.
- mankind The total knowledge of mankind is known to double every seven years.
- knowledge He managed to win the quiz game thanks to his good general knowledge.
- former As a second language, English is used in the former British and US colonies.
- widespread Sudoku has recently been the most widespread Japanese game.
- disappearance Speakers of minority languages fear the disappearance of their cultural identity.
- accept She didn't accept his invitation for dinner.
- irritated I was really irritated by his ignorance.
- lingua franca We realize that we need a world language, a sort of lingua franca.
- multilingualism The third novelty is the modern reluctance to accept multilingualism.
- national identity Most of us feel that our own language is an essential part of our national identity.
- linguistic rivalry Linguistic rivalry is the third most common cause of conflict, after race and religion.
- die out Nine out of ten of the 6,000 languages in the world will die out within the century.
In other languages: Български