Learning languages – Изучение иностранных языков

The problem of learning languages is very important today. Foreign languages are socially demanded especially at the present time when the progress in science and technology has led to an explosion of knowledge and has contributed to an overflow of information. The total knowledge of mankind is known to double every seven years. Foreign languages are needed as the main and the most efficient means of information exchange of the peoples of our planet.

Today English is the language of the world. 400 million people speak English as their first language. For the other 600 million people it's either a second language or a foreign language.

English is the first language in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. It is one of the official languages in Canada, the Irish Republic and the Republic of South Africa.

As a second language English is spoken in more than 60 countries. It is used by the government, businessmen and universities.

English is the language of politics and diplomacy, science and technology, business and trade, sport and pop music.

80% of all information in the world's computers is in English.

75% of the world's letters and faxes are in English.

60% of all international telephone calls are made in English.

More than 60% of all scientific journals are written in English.

English is not only the national or official language of almost thirty states which represent different cultures, but it is also the major international language for communication in such areas as science, technology, business and mass entertainment. English is one of the official languages of the United Nations Organisation and other political organisations. It is the language of literature, education, modern music, international tourism.

Russia is integrated into the world community and the problem of learning English for the purpose of communication is especially urgent today.

Speaking a foreign language you can not only read the papers, magazines and original books by great writers, but as well watch satellite TV programs, travel in the different parts of the world. Besides, understanding and speaking a foreign language or two becomes necessary while looking for a good job. First the English language became widely spoken in the world with the rise of British empire. Then success of American industry and the growth of exports in technologies cause increase in circulation of the language. And the third factor of the last decades is a remarkable boom in computer-related equipment and technologies as well as the influence of British and American pop culture and video films.

There are many reasons why we begin the study of a foreign language. One of them is to be able to communicate with other people who use this language. We travel and it is practically impossible to travel not knowing the English language. If we know English, we can communicate with people, at least in the hotels, restaurants and shopping centers and understand people address us. If we deal with science, we naturally wish to read scientific books and magazines and they are mainly published in English. Making business nowadays also means knowing foreign languages as international business contacts are growing very fast. Knowing foreign languages helps people of different countries to develop mutual friendship and understanding. We can share our intellectual and cultural achievements. We can read foreign literature in the original, so as to understand not only the wording of the books but also the feeling of the words and beauty of the language. In the long run we can read foreign newspapers and magazines and to understand films without interpretation.

So far there is no universal or ideal method of learning languages. Everybody has his own way. Sometimes it is boring to learn grammar or words. But it is well known that reading books in the original, listening to the BBC news, communicating with the native speakers will help a lot.

Words and expressions

distance – расстояние

reason – причина

especially – в особенности

billion – миллиард

population – население

official language – государственный язык

government –  правительство

politics – политика

diplomacy – дипломатия

science – наука

technology – техника

trade – торговля

fax – факс

scientific – научный

educated – образованный, культурный

process –  процесс

patience – терпение

it's a mast –  это просто необходимо; без этого нельзя

throughout the world – no всему миру

finances – финансы

to communicate one's ideas — выражать свои мысли

international tourism – международный туризм

contribute – содействовать, способствовать

progress in science and technology – прорыв в области науки и техники

efficient means – эффективное средство

to be in urgent need of smth. — крайне нуждаться в чем-л.

satellite television – спутниковое телевидение

last decades –  последние десятилетия

scientific journals – научные журналы

the growth of exports – увеличeние объемов экспорта

diplomacy – дипломатия

remarkable - выдающийся, поразительный