Maugham "Theatre" (Chapters 1-2)

I. Explain in English or give definitions of and find contextual synonyms for the following words and phrases:

1.Complacency - a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect.

2.filthy - vile; vulgar; obscene

3. supercilious – haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.

4. military bearing – is how a soldier conducts himself on duty. 

5. stupendous –amazingly large or great

6. staggered – a state of becoming unsteady:

7. natural homage – special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly and accepted as one's due

8. entanglement –the act of entangling.

9. concubinage – cohabitation of a man and woman without legal or formal marriage

10. languorous –  lacking energy, spirit, liveliness or vitality

11. flippant rejoinder – when you retort without care.

12. to risk smth –  to expose to the chance of injury or loss.

II. Search for the allusions in the text. Define their type (literary, artistic, historical and others) and functions; explain their meaning.

Jean-Marc Nattier (artistic) -  French painter,  a miniaturist, noted for his portraits of the ladies of King Louis XV's court in classical mythological attire.

As a painter Nattier was considered to have a high aesthetic taste. The allusion serves to compare the taste of the main character with the great artist's one. 

Charles John Kean (artistic) - English actor and theater director.

serves to show the theatrical atmosphere which their life is impregnated with. 

William Shakespeare (literary) - an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

The allusion serves to show the high theatrical atmosphere.

Mounet-Sully - (artistic) - a French actor of the 20th century.

The allusion serves to show the high theatrical atmosphere.

Sarah Siddons (artistic) -  a Welsh actress, the best-known tragedienne of the 18th century. She was most famous for her portrayal of the Shakespearean character, Lady Macbeth.

This allusion serves to compare the main character with a cult figure, thus to convey her feelings experienced by celebrities. 

Sir Thomas Lawrence (artistic) - a leading English portrait painter and president of the Royal Academy.

The allusion serves to show that the main characters belong to the high society and their surroundings correspond to it. 

III. Using direct and indirect evidence from the text give character sketches of Julia Lambert and Michael Gosselyn

Julia Lambert is the main character of the novel. She is 46 years old. She is the most famous theater actress in England. Her life is very successful: she has a successful husband Michael, the owner and director of the theater "Siddons," where she plays, an educated adult son, Roger, and the glory with admirers. Her feelings manifests mainly on the stage. Her husband Michael is closed and reserved, but he doesn't love her.

Her character is revealed indirectly by means of her acts and thought. We can see that she is a little selfish because she likes that she is admired by young people. 

Michael Gosselyn is another character of the novel. He is a husband of Julia Lambert. He is described directly. Being a young man, with a great mass of curling chestnut hair, with a wonderful skin and large deep blue eyes, a straight nose and small ears, he had been the best-looking actor on the English stage. Since his five years at the war he had adopted a military bearing, so that if you had not known who he was you might have taken him for an officer of high rank. But even now he is considered to be a very handsome man. Such description shows us that Michail is a confident man.

IV. Summary.

Julia Lambert, a famous actress comes to her husband, an owner of the theater, and makes the acquaintance of a young man. This man is a young accountant hired by her husband to restore order in the account of the theatre. Her husband Michael says that the young man is her admirer and dreams to make the acquaitance of her for a long time. She decides to invite him for a lunch, thus give him a big chance to diversity his boring life. Then she invites him to the theater on the play where she plays. Although he saw the play with her participation three times, and was glad to see it again behind the scenes. Julia is flatter by his attention and in order to make him happy she gives him her photo. She recollected her past. When she came to Langton’s troupe, Michael had already worked there, and grew popular with the company. Julia’s aunt, a former actress, gave her first acting lessons, due to which she entered the Royal Academy of dramatic art. Being on tour she met Jimmie Langton. 

Учебники

Английский для младших школьников под ред. Бонка    (Яндекс.Диск)

Spotlight Starter Teacher's book   (другая ссылка)
Spotlight Starter Student's book
Spotlight Starter Workbook

Spotlight 5 Teacher's book
Spotlight 5 Student's book - Adobe Reader
Spotight 5 Workbook

Spotlight 3 Teacher's book
Spotlight 3 Student's book
Spotlight 3 Workbook

Spotlight 2 Teacher's book
Spotlight 2 Student's book (Яндекс.Диск)
- С самого начала по юнит 1b
- Units 2a - 5b
- Units 6a- 9b
- Units 10a- 15b (+showtime)
- Activities Module 1 - до конца
spotlight 2 Workbook

Spotlight 9 teacher's book
Spotlight 9 Student's book

A farewell to Arms

I'd like to tell about an amazing movie "A Farewell to Arms". This is a 1932 American romance drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper, and Adolphe Menjou.It tells about the love between ambulance driver Lt. Henry and Nurse Catherine Barkley during World War I. The action takes place in Italy and the two fall in love during the war and will stop at nothing to be together. The film also analyses Lt. Henry's feelings on war and the purpose of fighting.

I‘d like to single out  the play of the actors who managed to convey the souls of their characters, the true love and pain. However, sometimes the development of the love affair did not seem natural, they overacted.

As for the movie, I think it is too sentimental. As for me, this aspect pushes off. Also the events of the film go too quickly and the hardships and other experiences of Lieutenant Henry are passed over too abruptly. But on the whole, this movie is worth to watch because of its exact transmission of the origin plot of the famous novel by Ernest Hamingway.  

In Love and War

"In Love and War" is a 1996 romance drama film based on the book, Hemingway in Love and War by Henry S. Villard and James Nagel, starring Mackenzie Astin, Chris O'Donnell, Sandra Bullock, and Margot Steinberg. This film takes place during World War I, and is based on the World War I experiences of the writer Ernest Hemingway. It was directed by Richard Attenborough. The film was entered into the 47th Berlin International Film Festival.

This film is largely based on Ernest Hemingway's real experience in World War I as a young soldier in Italy. He was wounded and sent to military hospital where he shared a room with Villard (who authored the book the movie is based on) and they were nursed by Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway and von Kurowsky fell strongly in love but somehow the relationship didn't work out.
The film—apparently in a deliberate attempt to capture what the director called Hemingway's "emotional intensity"—takes liberties with the facts. In real life, unlike the movie, the relationship was probably never consummated, and the couple did not meet again after Hemingway left Italy.

There is a perfect selection of actors, their performances impressed me. I liked Sandra Bullock’s performance the most, because she played the role of Kurowsky with sense. Sandra creates an impression of a strong, smart, kind, and gentle woman.

Answers to questions "Higher Education in Britain and the USA"

1. Britain:
    In order to be admitted to British colleges or universities, must pass three "A-levels" and have GCSE with a minimum grade "C". Students have to apply to university for a year before their graduation and before their exams results. An application form  which consists of personal information of a student, recommendations from school teachers and presumptive exam scores is applied through UCAS (University and College Admission Service). Also students must fill in an application form from UCAS where they are to indicate up to six variants of colleges or universities students prefer to enter.

   The USA:
   Requirements in brief:
1. a high-school diploma
2. results of Scholastic Aptitude Test
3. knowledge of English
4. teachers' recomendations
5. particapation in social activities

2. Universities in Britain are divided into three types: the old universities (Oxford, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities), 19th century universities, such as London and Manchester universities, and the new universities. Some years ago there were also polytechnics. After graduating from polytechnic a student got a degree, but
it was not a university degree. 31 formers polytechnics were given university status in 1992.

3.  Associate's degree. An associate's degree study takes two years to complete. The associate's degree student learns the basics of a field of study. Students graduating with associate's degrees qualify for entry into careers such as dental hygienists, computer technicians and paralegals.
    Bachelor's degree. Earning a bachelor's degree takes four or five years, depending on your speciality. Bachelor's degree students study a broad range of liberal arts classes, including academic writing, history and sociology. A student majoring in a particular subject focuses his studies on that subject. Such professions as accountants, engineers and journalists need bachelor's degrees.
    Master's degree. Traditionally, a master's degree student specializes in one specific aspect of a field of study, working to make a contribution to that field. Professional master's programs are designed to help students to gain the skills necessary for a career in a new field, rather than to specialize in a current field.
     Doctor of Philisophy degree. A doctorate's degree allows students to be engaged deeper into a small area of a field. The doctorate's degree is based on scholarly paper or dissertation. The student writes his dissertation based on his research over the course of study. Doctorate's degrees take as long to finish as it takes the student to finish his research, write his dissertation and defend his research and knowledge.

5. The SAT test is an aptitude and reasoning test used by most colleges for admission purposes. It can be taken 2 or 3 times. This test has math and verbal sections, as well as a writing section that includes an essay. Numerous testing locations are provided and include public and private high schools, as well as community college locations.
   The ACT is a test that colleges may use in the admissions process. In most cases, colleges will accept either SAT or ACT scores--however some Midwestern colleges prefer the ACT. The ACT test measures knowledge in four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
   The PSAT can be taken by 8th – 11th grade students. The PSAT test is the qualifier for National Merit Scholarship consideration, and only 11th graders are considered for these scholarships.  Taking  the PSAT in the 10th grade year is basically for practice only. No consideration will be given to a 10th grader for qualifying for a National Merit Scholarship no matter how well the student does on the test. The PSAT test has three sections--Math, Verbal/Critical Reasoning, and Writing.

6. Student financial aid is funding that is intended to help students pay education-related expenses including tuition, room and board, books, and supplies for education at a college, university, or private school. Financial aid may be classified into two types based on the criteria through which the financial aid is awarded: merit-based or need-based. Merit-based financial aid includes scholarships awarded by the college or university and those awarded by outside organizations. Merit-based scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding academic achievements and maximum SAT or ACT scores, although some merit scholarships can be awarded for special talents, leadership potential and other personal characteristics. Merit scholarships are sometimes awarded without regard for the financial need of the applicant. At many colleges, every admitted student is automatically considered for merit scholarships. At other institutions, a separate application process is required.

7. GPA is the average grade earned by a student, it is calculated by taking the number of grade points a student earned in a given period of time divided by the total number of credits taken.

  

Laboratory work

MP3 5.1

#1.

Speaker	Problem	Signs of the Problem	Your solution to the problem
1	Examination	an ability to learn and an ability to think in proper way	individual approach to the preparation to exams
2	Praparation to exams	tired face, sleepless nights, weekends, full dedication to study	change of activity, relaxation, necessary mood and attitude to exams
3	Acceptance to university	loss of weight, big black rings under eyes, sleepless nights and days,	relaxation, healthy lifestyle, correct preparation to entrance examinations.
4	Marks or score	uncertainty	self-reliance
5	Assessment	getting results is too long, association with exams.	on-line assessment, usage of technologies

#2. 

Certainly I experienced problems while my studying. My biggest problem is inability to start learning, I mean it's difficult for me to start doing something. When I realized what volume of tasks I have to do, I lose all my wish and will to start working. This problem especailly disturbs me when the matter concerns my preparation to exams. I constantly put off my affairs and finally I have to do them at the last moment that badly affects the quality of my tasks. In order to cope with this problem I make a list of my tasks and try to complete them one by one. I tick my tasks which have been done and it inspires me to complete others. 

#3.

   Difficulties that students faces during their studying are various, but the most common, I think, are huge volume of tasks and loading, getting more freedom and certainly preparation to exams. All of these problems cause special stresses and can badly influence the quality of their studying. 

   The first problem students face at once after their entrance an university is a freedom which means an absense of control. Students used to being under control at schools feel that study in university is much easier than in school and lose their responsibility. In universities students are supposed to be quite responsible for their study and able to organize it. But frequently it's not so.

   Other problem is a huge loading. It occurs when students are not ready to accept it. They don't expect it and at the beginning it can become a serious problem that can adversely affect the quality of the further studying. In order to avoid it, students also should be able to plan their activity.

   Preparation to exams is the largest stress for students. It also depends on students and their ability to organize themselves. On the whole studying in universities is a travel of hardships and every hardship which you manage to overcome is an another step to a success. 

MP 3. 5.2    

1. This is a standard letter grading system: A, B, C, D or F. It is used for most courses at universities.

2. There are satisfactory (S) and unsatisfactory (U) grades. It is used for electives and some special courses. 

3. In Russia the following academic graging system is used: 

    5, "Excellent" denotes highest distinction and excellent knowledge of a subject

    4, "Good" denotes good knowledge of a subject

    3, "Satisfactory" sometimes translated as "Fair", denotes a creditable or passing grade

    2, "Unsatisfactory" denotes hardly any knowledge, below average, the first level of failing

    1, "Very Poor" the lowest possible grade, denotes complete failure, and is very rarely used

5.  Here are some interesting facts about grading systems used around the world.

Denmark

In 2007, Denmark replaced its age-old 13-scale grading system with a simpler, 7-step-scale system. They did this to begin to conform to a European standard called the ECTS scale, but also because 13 possible grades makes for a lot more work for teachers. Here’s how the old 13-scale used to work:

13 – given for the exceptionally independent and excellent performance.

11 – given for the independent and excellent performance

10 – given for the excellent but not particularly independent performance

9 – given for the good performance, a little above average

8 – given for the average performance

7 – given for the mediocre performance, slightly below average

6 – given for the just acceptable performance

5 – given for the hesitant and not satisfactory performance

03 – given for the very hesitant, very insufficient and unsatisfactory performance

00 – given for the completely unacceptable performance

Australia

Many schools and universities use a “band” grading system which looks like this:

90–99.95% BAND 6

80–89% BAND 5

70–79% BAND 4

60–69% BAND 3

50–59% BAND 2

0–49% BAND 1

MP3. 5.3

1. According to the official policy you can drop the course in the first three weeks of the semester. You have to get a signature of the professor of a course you want to drop for an official drop-card. Then you must get a signature of your advisor. 

2. There are some warnings: you can't unofficially drop your course after three weeks of the semester. Also if you stop attending your course without going through official dropping procedure you will receive a failing grade. 

3. In order to avoid getting a failing grade you should follow the official dropping procedure.

4. There is no special procedure. You are supposed to inform your proffesor about it. 

MP3. 5.4

1. These are following places: the library, a book store, a post office, a bank a theatre, a coffee-shop, a travel agency, a bowling, an adminictration complex.

2. Other places which are worth mentioning is a canteen, where student may eat, a reading room, where they can read and prepare to their study, and a hostel where nonresident students live. 

Film Review 2

   I'd like to tell about film which is called "Dangerous Minds". This is a drama film which was shot by John Smith in 1995 in the USA. It is based on the autobiography "My Posse Don't Do Homework" by former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson, who took up a teaching position at Carlmont High School in Belmont. Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Bartlett Carla Nichols and others, the film received both negative and positive criticism.

   The plot is about Louanne Johnson who is an ex-marine. She has recently separated from her husband. Her friend, a teacher, helped her to be hired as an English teacher in a high-school in a poor area. She is going to teach problem students from lower-class, who are involved in gang warfare and drug pushing. At first no one takes her seriously, but then she manages to motivate students for studing by very extraordinary methods such as teaching them karate, Bob Dylan's poetry that definitely is not a part of the curriculum. Besides her unusual teaching, Johnson tries to help her students with their problems. She manages to see in one of her students, Callie, a huge potential in English poetry and help her not to give up her study in spite of she becomes pregnant. Johnson also helps other her student, Raul, to believe in himself instilling confidence and self-respect in him by means of constant encouragements. She also tries to help her most troublesome student, who was finally killed. Trying to protect him from criminals, Johnson receives a huge respect from his girlfriend. Finally Louanne Johnson becomes a significant figure in the life of class, so that students don't want to let her go

   So, the film is difficult from the psichological point of view. There are several moments which seem hard, such as fight of students or the death of Emilio. The film shows the typical life of teenagers from problem neighbourhood and the typical situation in American schools from such areas. But i'd like to mark especially a directing of the film. John Smith managed to make it so realistical by means of usage of obscene language, difficult characters and their destinies and unexpected turning points, such as death of one of the main characters.

   Moreover I'd like to mark acting of the film. Michelle Pfeiffer was brilliant in the main role. She managed to play a teacher who is anxious about her class, who really saw in them not only clever and capable students, but true personalities with their own inner world, feelings and troubles.  I liked the most the moment of the film when Mrs. Johnson knew about the death of Emilio, who seemed never to begin to respect her. However she began to cry really accepting this new of his death as a death of someone who was really dear to her. It was touching.

   All in all, the film certainly impresses. This is another film that proves once again that to believe and not to give up are the main features of a teacher.