Ex 1. Answer the following questions

1. Why, do you think, English has become “a global lingua franca”?

2. Do you agree that learning foreign languages will benefit you in future? Why?

3. Which of the 10 reasons mentioned in the text seems the most important to you? Bear out your statement.

4. Why are you personally learning foreign languages?

Ex 2. Work in pairs. Make up dialogues and discuss the importance of learning languages for your future life and career. Use the words and word combinations from the list below:

- to remain monolingual

- to restrict communication and thinking abilities

- to open up new opportunity

- personal, professional, social and economic consideration

- an insider’s view into foreign cultures

- to bridge the gap between cultures

- to have a dire need for

- mental flexibility and creativity

- problem-solving

- requirement for the degree

- a prerequisite for admission

- to be subject to the interpretation of the translator

- cultural references

- to participate in day-to-day life

- language proficiency

- to step outside one’s familiar scope of existence

- to shape one’s identity

- to connect somebody with somebody

Ex 3. Read an extracts from the speech of the German Ambassador in London. Fill in the gaps with the words and word combinations from the table.

decline, competent, skills, conclusions, face, employment, globalised, curriculum, major, value

Text A