Topic for discussion: Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

 

It goes without saying that learning a foreign language and exploring the countries it belongs to go hand by hand. Talking about English, the popularity of this language can't be overestimated. It's proved by the fact that it's the official language of almost 60 countries. But it's most commonly spoken in the United Kingdom, The USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

           I suggest focusing on Great Britain. The home of Stonehenge, William Shakespeare, red double-decker buses, black taxi cabs, red postboxes and telephone boxes, tea, fish and chips, the Beatles, legend of Robin Hood, Wimbledon  .... What else should we know about it? Its official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or the UK for short. It occupies most of the territory of the British Isles and is made of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Their capitals are London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. People who are English are from the country of England. On the other hand, British people are people who live in Great Britain (Britain) and the UK. Although everyone in the UK has a British citizenship they have different nationalities: people living in Wales are Welsh, in Scotland are Scottish, in Northern Ireland are Irish.

         The total area of the UK is about 243,000 square kilometres. It's separated from the mainland by the North Sea and the English Channel. To connect with continental Europe the world longest undersea rail tunnel called Channel Tunnel was built. The population of Great Britain is over 68 million people. English is the official language of Great Britain. Apart from English, the Welsh language is spoken in some parts of Wales and Gaelic in north-west Scotland. The largest cities of Britain are London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. 

           One of the main symbols of the UK is its national flag called the Union Jack. It is made up of three crosses: the Cross of St. George (the Patron Saint of England), the Cross of St. Andrew (the Patron Saint of Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick ( the Patron Saint of Ireland). Apart from a saint, each country of the UK has its own floral emblem. England is represented by the Tudor rose and Scotland - by the thistle. The daffodils and the leek are the heraldic emblems of Wales. Shamrock is the national flower of Northern Ireland.

       The landscape of the UK is varied consisting of Lowlands in the south and centre and Highlands in the North. The highest mountain is Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,343 m). The Severn is the longest river in the UK while the Thames is one of the significant trading routes. The largest lake is Lough Neagh, and the most mysterious is Loch Ness, the homeland of a legendary monster. The Lake District is one of the most spectacular places in Britain.

         The British climate is usually characterised as cool, temperate and humid. Since Britain is an island it's mainly influenced by the surrounding seas and the Atlantic Ocean. It makes the weather really unpredictable and weather forecasts harder to make. That's why Britain is known "to have no climate, but only weather" which can drastically change even during  the day. In fact, it's due to wet and rainy weather that Britain is so rich in greenery. 

          The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy. The King is the Head of State but his function is not to rule but to represent the country. And the real power belongs to the British Parliament and to the British Government. The British parliament consists of two chambers: The House of Commons  and The House of Lords. The House of Commons is more powerful, its members are elected every five years, whereas the membership of The House of Lords is permanent. The party with most Members of Parliament forms the government. The leader of the winning party automatically becomes Prime Minister and appoints the cabinet. The party who comes in second is the Opposition and forms its own Shadow Cabinet.

           For culture hunters Britain has a lot to offer. London is filled with historical landmarks and remarkable sights. Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are a must for every tourist. I'm sure you'll be impressed by the architecture of the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. If you want to dive into the atmosphere of mystery, you should visit Stonehenge, one of the wonders of the world. Edinburgh Castle which dates back to the 12th century won't leave you indifferent. Nature lovers will be inspired by the walks in the Snowdonia National Park in Wales or the picturesque Lake District in North West England.

            The United Kingdom is undoubtedly a unique country which has managed to preserve its history and traditions to the present day. Your world view will be slightly limited if you miss the chance to see Britain.

6. Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

1) What places would you visit first if you had a chance to be in London?

2) What do you know about British schools?

3) Which outstanding British people can you remember? What are they famous for?

4) They say it's important for a person to speak English nowadays because it is popular all over the world. What is your opinion?

18. What do you think of when you think about Great Britain?

1) What places would you visit first if you had a chance to be in London?

2) What places in the UK attract many tourists?

3) Which famous British people can you remember? What are they famous for?

4) What means of transport would you choose to get to the UK? Why?

British schools 

There are different types of schools: public, state schools, free schools and so on. One of the most noticeable differences is the uniforms, which are standard fare in British and British international schools. The uniform itself has different designs depending on the school, but generally, more traditional schools will have blazers and ties, while more modern schools might only have their pupils wearing a polo shirt or sweatshirt with neutral trousers.

Creativity and individual thought are key features of British classrooms.

British schools not only give students opportunities to develop academically within the classroom, but they offer extracurricular activities outside the classroom, too. This could include sports, arts, performances, school trips, and lots more.

Famous Brits

1. Historical Figures - Winston Churchill: Prime Minister during World War II, known for his leadership and speeches. - Queen Elizabeth I: Monarch who presided over the Elizabethan Era, known for the flourishing of English drama and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

2. Authors and Poets - William Shakespeare: Renowned playwright and poet, known for works like "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth." - Jane Austen: Influential novelist known for works such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility."

3. Scientists and Innovators - Isaac Newton: Mathematician and physicist known for his laws of motion and gravity. - Charles Darwin: Naturalist famous for his theory of evolution and the book "On the Origin of Species."

4. Musicians and Bands - The Beatles: Iconic band that revolutionized popular music and culture in the 1960s. - David Bowie: Influential singer-songwriter known for his unique sound and artistic innovation.

5. Actors and Actresses - Sir Ian McKellen: Acclaimed actor known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men." - Emma Watson: Actress and activist, famous for her role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" series.

6. Political Figures - Margaret Thatcher: First female Prime Minister of the UK, known for her strong conservative policies. - Tony Blair: Prime Minister known for his role in the peace process in Northern Ireland and involvement in the Iraq War.

7. Sports Icons - David Beckham: Former footballer known for his skill on the field and influence in fashion and culture. - Andy Murray: Professional tennis player and multiple Grand Slam champion.

Topics for discussion: Imagine you are writing a blog post about Belarus. Describe our country.

 

My Country Structure

• Location (The country is located ... . It borders .... .The population .... . The capital ... .)
• The origin of its name.
• Landscape
• Statistics ( Industry and agriculture.)
• Nation's character
• Places of interest, sights. (What is your country famous for?)
• Conclusion

Sample 1

Belarus is my homeland. It is a country with unique history and rich cultural heritage. Officially it is called the Republic of Belarus, a sovereign independent state with its own government, constitution, state emblem, flag and anthem. Belarus is situated in the eastern part of Europe. Its area is 207 600 square kilometres. It borders on Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and Poland. The population of the country is about 9,4 million people. The territory of Belarus is divided into 6 regions. The capital of Belarus is Minsk.

The name “Belarus” corresponds with the term “White Rus”. There are several ideas about where the name “White Rus” came from. One of the possible origins of the name is for the white clothing that was worn by the local Slavic population. Yet another theory suggests that the old Rus lands (Polotsk, Vitebsk and Mogilev) were not conquered by the Tatars and as a result of this were described as “white”.

Our native land is fascinating and varied with its blue lakes and ribbons of rivers edged with thick forests, with its endless fields, meadows and swamps, with its varied and plentiful animal and plant kingdom. Because of its unique nature the country has been included into the list of countries called “the lungs of Europe”. There are some 3000 rivers flowing over the territory of Belarus. The longest rivers are the Dnieper, the Nieman, the Western Bug and the Western Dvina. There are over 10 000 lakes in Belarus. The largest of them is Lake Naroch. That’s why Belarus has often been referred to as the blue-eyed country.

More than a quarter of the country is covered with forests. An ancient forest on the border between Belarus and Poland, Belovezhskaya Pushcha is a national reservation which is the home of the aurochs (or European bison). This animal is one of the symbols of Belarus, as well as a stork and a cornflower.

The climate of Belarus is continental with comparatively mild winters and pretty warm summers. The nature of Belarus has suffered much from the nuclear catastrophe that took place in Chernobyl in 1986. The radiation has spoiled our soil and air, rivers and lakes, it has poisoned our flora and fauna. Besides, it has badly affected people's health. 

Belarus is a developing industrial state. It's known for its production of tractors, motor-cycles, bicycles, TV-sets, refrigerators, watches and many other goods. The country's major crops are potatoes, flax, barley, rye and sugar beet.

The geographical position of Belarus got our country involved in major European events over the centuries. The advantageous geographical position – on the crossroads from east to west – turned into disadvantage. Belarus was the arena of many wars, invasions and aggressions. All these events slowed down but didn’t stop the development of the nation. I must admit that despite all the hardships our country managed to preserve its unity and strong spirit.

Speaking about Belarusian national character, many foreigners admit that our people are extremely sociable, hospitable, generous and welcoming. They are also described as resourceful and peaceful. When socialising, Belarusians are open, warm-hearted, fun-loving, humorous and outgoing.

However, when Belarusians are moving around the city, shopping or travelling on public transport they are a bit reserved and tend to keep themselves to themselves. There is a high respect for education and culture, so the majority of people are highly professional, hard-working and intelligent.

If you ask me about national landmarks worth visiting, firstly, I will mention Neswizh and Mir castles, they look incredible, and excursions are very interesting, you will learn many legends from this part of Belarusian history. Don't forget to visit Grodno and Brest, there are a lot of must-see attractions. And, of course, the National library. The view from the observation deck is simply stunning. I will also advise to visit The Narochansky National Park and Belovezhskaya Pushcha, which are the peculiar symbols of our country and thanks to them you can see and appreciate all the beauty of our nature.

In conclusion, I'd like to say that I'm proud of my country and its people. Each time I go abroad I tell foreigners about our great past and achievements. Belarus is the place my heart will always belong to!

5. Imagine you are writing a blog post about Belarus. Describe our country.

1) Can you name any Belarusian singers or musicians? What style of music do they perform?

2) What Belarusian festivals would you advise a foreigner to visit?

3) What Belarusian sights have you seen?

4) Can we name Belarusians a sporty nation?

12. Imagine you are making a website about Belarus. Describe our country. 

1) What Belarusian sights would you recommend a foreigner to visit?

2) What Belarusian festivals would you advise a foreigner to attend?

3) What questions about Belarus do you expect to hear from a British teenager?

4) Do Belarusians like sport? What sports are especially popular in Belarus?

Topics for discussion: Let’s talk about hobbies.

 My Hobby Structure

• Introduction (The importance of having a hobby)
• Different kinds of hobby
• My hobby
• My parents' hobbies
• My friends' hobbies
• Conclusion

Sample 1

A hobby is a favourite pastime of a person. Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby to your liking, lucky you are: you have made your life more interesting. Numerous hobbies can be subdivided into four large classes: doing things, making things, collecting things, and learning things.The most popular of all hobby groups is doing things. It includes a wide variety of activities, everything from gardening to travelling and from chess to volleyball. Gardening is one of the oldest man’s hobbies, especially in some countries (Britain, for example). A relatively new hobby which is becoming more popular is computer games.

Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes, and handicrafts. Some people write music.

Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches.

Generally speaking, a hobby is a matter of taste. My hobby is playing computer games. Both grown-ups and children are fond of it now. It has become one of the most popular hobbies nowadays. I think that playing challenging computer games with thrilling plot and unexpected twists is really amusing. It is not only "wasting time" as some people say.

Computer games make us think things over properly, they widen and develop our mind and imagination. I have a good collection of different games and when I have some free time I play them with great pleasure. My favourite game is Phasmophobia. My mum is fond of excercising. My dad is keen on programming.

Some of my friends have the same hobby and we like to play together. No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from it. By reading about the things he is interested in, he adds to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

At the current moment, my secondary hobby is English. It’s not only the process of learning the language for me. I like listening to English songs, watching videos and movies in original, visiting speaking clubs and communicating with native speakers. I admire the culture of English speaking countries and I’m interested in everything that is connected with it. I have lessons five times a week and I love my group and the teacher. She makes the process of studying so exciting.

Thus, I believe that the keyword in a hobby definition is "pleasure". My hobby brings me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I feel my progress and it’s the best motivation to go ahead. As Canadian educator Lawrence J. Peter said, " The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure".

Sample 2

A hobby is a favourite pastime of a person. Hobbies differ like tastes. If you have chosen a hobby to your liking, lucky you are: you have made your life more interesting. Numerous hobbies can be subdivided into four large classes: doing things, making things, collecting things, and learning things.

The most popular of all hobby groups is doing things. It includes a wide variety of activities, everything from gardening to travelling and from chess to volleyball. Gardening is one of the oldest man’s hobbies, especially in some countries (Britain, for example). A relatively new hobby which is becoming more popular is computer games.

Making things includes drawing, painting, making sculpture, designing costumes, and handicrafts. Some people write music.

Almost everyone collects something at some period in his life: stamps, coins, matchboxes, books, records, postcards, toys, watches.

Generally speaking, a hobby is a matter of taste. Leisure time is precious, but unfortunately I don't have much of it. But when I do have it, I really like playing computer games. Both grown-ups and children are fond of it now. It's a great way to relax and take a break from the rat race. I think that playing challenging computer games with thrilling plot and unexpected twists is really amusing. It is not only "wasting time" as some people say.

Computer games make us think things over properly, they widen and develop our mind and imagination. I have a good collection of different games and when I have some free time I play them with great pleasure. My favourite game is Valorant. My parents aren't keen on playing computer games. My parents like travelling, they think it's so interesting and exciting. Nowadays my mum is taking care of my baby brother, as well. 

Sleep is also a big priority for me; I definitely appreciate those extra hours of rest when I can get them. For me, besides games and sleep, spending time with friends is very important. Even if it's just a quick snack or watching a movie together, I appreciate those moments. We often play games together, which is a perfect way to relax. Since my free time is limited, I try to make the most of it doing things that I really enjoy. It's all about finding a balance between rest, exercise, and communication with people who are important to me. These little moments are very important to me because they help me to get energy

  No matter what kind of hobby a person has, he always has the opportunity of learning from it. By reading about the things he is interested in, he adds to what he knows. Learning things can be the most exciting aspect of a hobby.

At the current moment, I suppose that my hobby is English. It’s not only the process of learning the language for me. I like listening to English songs, watching videos and movies in original, I admire the culture of English speaking countries and I’m interested in everything that is connected with it. I have lessons 5 times a week and I love my group and the teacher. She makes the process of studying so exciting.

Thus, I believe that the keyword in a hobby definition is "pleasure". My hobby brings me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction. I feel my progress and it’s the best motivation to go ahead. As Canadian educator Lawrence J. Peter said, " The best intelligence test is what we do with our leisure".

4. Why is it important to have a hobby?  What are you fond of? 

1) What would you recommend your classmates to do in their free time?

2) What are your parents’ hobbies?

3) Give me some advice on what to do in my free time.

4) Many parents think that children should spend less time playing computer games, that they should play outside or do some sport instead. What do you think about this?

17. Let’s talk about hobbies. What are you fond of? Why do people have hobbies?

1) What would you recommend your classmates to do in their free time?

2) What are your parents’ hobbies?

3) Are you fond of making things?

4) Is playing computer games a useful hobby? 

Topics for discussion: Tell your new friends about your family

 My Family Structure

• Introduction (what does family mean in general?)
• Extended or nuclear family
• Description of your family members  
• Relationship in your family
• Household chores
• Family traditions
• Other relatives
• Conclusion

Sample 1

Family means a lot to everyone, because it gives you a sense of stability and tradition, support and understanding. You feel safe when your family is always for you. They are people you can trust and rely on, people who won’t let you down and who share your joys and problems. In ideal families parents are supportive and honest with their children, they treat their children with respect, as equals, without moralizing or bossing them, and children in their turn learn how to treat other people and how to form relationship with their mates.

Some of us are lucky to be born and raised in an extended family with lots of family members, close and distant relatives. Others come from nuclear families which are made up of parents and children. Basically, the size is not so important. It’s the relationship in the family that matters. I, personally, come from a nuclear family.

We are a family of three: my Dad, my Mum and I. Both of my parents are middle-aged. My father is in his mid-40s. He’s tall, slim and has neither beard, nor a moustache. He works as an accountant. My mum is in her early 40s. She’s of a medium height with long dark hair and blue eyes. She’s a dentist by profession. I have always looked up to my parents and treated them as my role-models. My dad is a very wise person and he taught me many life lessons. My Mum is the example of patience, kindness and tolerance to other people. So, all in all, our family is happy and tight-knit.

I really appreciate the relationship in my family. I enjoy the honest and open atmosphere in my family. I like it when parents trust their children, give them enough freedom and respect them. I think these things make family relations warm and pleasant. There is no so-called “generation gap” in our family, though we may argue and disagree on certain issues.

We also share responsibilities and household chores. Everyone has their own duties which we have to fulfill and I consider it fair. Besides it makes us more disciplined and well-organized.

Nothing strengthens family ties and creates an atmosphere of friendship, happiness and love better than family traditions. Moreover, they set a good example of family relations for children and, of course, they leave memories for the rest of their lives. We have some family traditions. But to my mind we haven’t got anything special or original in our family. For example, we always have dinner together. Every evening, when my parents come home from work, we have a family dinner. We discuss the important events of the day.

The second tradition is connected with household duties. Everyone in our family has his own duties. For example, my mum is responsible for cooking, while my dad always does the shopping. I’m responsible for washing the dishes and vacuum-cleaning.

The third tradition is celebrating holidays together. We especially like celebrating New Year, Christmas and Easter. The traditional New Year dishes in our home are a cake, a couple of salads and some other stuff. Apart from national holidays there are family holidays like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. Birthdays are always a happy event in our family. On these days we usually have a party. Mum is usually responsible for cooking and dad for entertainment. I guess, when people spend more time together they are closer to each other. 

One more family tradition is spending summer holidays together either at the seaside or in the country, which I enjoy very much. It is always interesting to travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, to enjoy picturesque places. It's always interesting to discover new things other ways of life, to meet different people, taste different food, examine various architectual styles, visit museums and art galleries. Travelling is a remarkable key to understanding other cultures, a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world we live in.

I also have a granny. She lives with us and is retired. My grandma is kind. I love my family very much. Everyone in my family is my best friend. We are the best friends because my parents are the most important people in the world.

Sample 2

Family means a lot to everyone, because it gives you a sense of stability and tradition, support and understanding. You feel safe when your family is always for you. They are people you can trust and rely on, people who won’t let you down and who share your joys and problems. In  ideal families parents are supportive and honest with their children, they treat their children with respect, as equals, without moralizing or bossing them, and children in their turn learn how to treat other people and how to form relationship with their mates.

Some of us are lucky to be born and raised in an extended family with lots of family members, close and distant relatives. Others come from nuclear families which are made up of parents and children. Basically, the size is not so important. It’s the relationship in the family that matters. I, personally, come from a nuclear family.

We are a family of four: my Dad, my Mum, my younger brother and I. Both of my parents are middle-aged. My father is in his mid-40s. He’s tall, slim and has neither beard, nor a moustache. He works as a chief of the road police. My mum is in her late 30s. She’s of a medium height with long dark hair and blue eyes. She’s a controller by profession, but now she is on maternity leave. my younger brother is two years old. He takes after my mum in appearance? but he is a spitting image of my granny in character. I can't say I spend a lot of time with him, as I'm really busy with my studying. I have always looked up to my parents and treated them as my role-models. My dad is a very wise person and he taught me many life lessons. My Mum is the example of patience, kindness and tolerance to other people. So, all in all, our family is happy and tight-knit.

I really appreciate the relationship in my family. I enjoy the honest and open atmosphere in it. I admire when parents trust their children, give them enough freedom and respect them. I think these things make family relations warm and pleasant. There is no so-called “generation gap” in my family, though we may argue and disagree on certain issues. I can always bring my friend home and my parents are very positive about it, although they don’t always approve of our tastes, views and clothes.

We also share responsibilities and household chores. Everyone has their own duties which we have to fulfill and I consider it fair. Besides it makes us more disciplined and well-organized.

Nothing strengthens family ties and creates an atmosphere of friendship, happiness and love better than family traditions. Moreover, they set a good example of family relations for children and, of course, they leave memories for the rest of their lives. We have some family traditions. But to my mind we haven’t got anything special or original in my family. For example, we always have dinner together. Every evening, when my dad comes home from work, we have a family dinner discussing the important events of the day.

The second tradition is connected with household duties. Everyone in our family has his own duties. For example, my mum is responsible for cooking, while my dad always does the shopping. I’m responsible for washing the dishes and vacuum-cleaning.

The third tradition is celebrating holidays together. We especially like celebrating New Year and Christmas. The traditional New Year dishes in our home are a roast chicken, a couple of salads and my mum’s specialty — a chocolate cake with cherry. We always prepare presents for one another. Apart from national holidays there are family holidays like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. Birthdays are always a happy event in our family. On these days we usually have a party. Mum is usually responsible for cooking and dad for entertainment. I guess, when people spend more time together they are closer to each other. One more family tradition is spending summer holidays together either at the seaside or in the country, which I enjoy very much.  It is always interesting to travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, to enjoy picturesque places. It's always interesting to discover new things other ways of life, to meet different people, taste different food, examine various architectual styles, visit museums and art galleries. Travelling is a remarkable key to understanding other cultures, a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the world we live in.

I also have a granny. She doesn't live with us, but I often visit her. My granny is retired. She likes gardening and spends a lot of her time working in the garden. I love my family very much. Everyone in my family is my best friend. We are the best friends because my parents are the most important people in the world.

2. You are writing a letter to a magazine. What is your image of an ideal family? Describe the qualities your relatives have.

1) What are your parents?

2) Who do you take after? 

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

4) Do you have any relatives abroad?

12. Let's talk about your family. Why is family important for you?

1) Are there any family traditions that you follow?
2) What will you ask a British teenager about his/her relatives?
3) What can you advise people who want to have a good relationship with their parents and grandparents?

4) They say that parents and children have difficulties understanding each other because of the generation gap. What do you think about this problem?

Topics for discussion: Tell your new friends about yourself

 Sample 1.

Hello everyone! I’m excited to have the opportunity to introduce myself to all of you. My name is Anton. I would love to share a bit about who I am, my interests, and what I hope to experience. It is often not easy to speak about myself but I shall try. I’m 15 years old. I was born in a Belarusian town of Soligorsk which is located 130 km to the south of the the capital of our country, Minsk. I live in my native city, in a comfortable flat with my nuclear family.

My mother is on a maternity leave, my father works as a chief at the road police. I am currently studying in the 9th grade of a secondary school, and I find great joy in  Math and English. Education and hard work are important values in my life, and I want to continually grow both personally and professionally.  Quite soon I will have to make probably the most important decision and choose my future profession. At present I would like to become a programmer or a web designer.

What about my appearance, I'm of medium height and well-built. I've got an oval face, almond-shaped eyes with thick eyelashes, a slightly upturned nose, high cheekbones and full lips. I take after my granny in appearance as we both have short straight dark hair and the same face shape. I take after my mum in character because we’re both sensitive and responsible. My star sign is Virgo and I suppose I am a typical Virgo. I could describe myself as a selfless person. I’m not an outgoing person, though people consider me to be easy-going. Besides I’m rather serious and calm and I always try to keep promises. As the firstborn I never get away with things,  that is how I learnt to be responsible for what I do. To be quite frank I am a bit ashamed of my drawbacks: I can be lazy sometimes and too touchy, it’s possible for me to accept my failures with dignity. In other people I appreciate kindness, sincerity, intelligence and a nice sense of humour. I cannot get on well with people who are super active, even messy, arrogant or selfish.

I’ve got a lot of friends. Luckily we have a lot in common, so we can spend much time together going to the cinema and concerts. In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities that keep my life balanced and colorful. My hobbies are surfing the Internet and playing computer games. I also devote enough time to sports: in warm seasons I go jogging or cycling in the nearest park and in winter I adore skiing. I’m open to trying out new things, so if you have recommendations or activities you enjoy, I would be thrilled to join you!

My life motto is to keep your chin up, so nothing can let me down. I have plenty of interesting plans and exciting dreams in my life and I hope that they will definitely come true and my personality traits will help me.

Sample 2.

Hello everyone! I’m excited to have the opportunity to introduce myself to all of you. My name is Artem. I would love to share a bit about who I am, my interests, and what I hope to experience.  I am 15 years old. I was born in a Belarusian town of Soligorsk which is located 130 km to the south of Minsk, the capital of our country. I live in my native city, in a decent flat with my nuclear family. 

My mother is a dentist, and my father is an accountant.

 I am currently studying in the 9th grade of a secondary school, and I find great joy in  English and PE. Education and hard work are important values in my life, and I want to continually grow both personally and professionally.  Quite soon I will have to make probably the most important decision and choose my future profession. I currently don't know who I would become in the future.

I'm of medium height and well-built. I've got an oval face and almond-shaped eyes, a hooked nose, high cheekbones and thin lips. I also have short dark hair and medium-sized ears. I somewhat take after my mom in terms of appearance, as we both look kinda similar. My star sign is Scorpio which people say means you are tough and manipulative, in reality it means absolutely nothing. I am usually quite funny and can help most of the time. My drawbacks are laziness and... that's it. As an only child I never get away with things, that is how I learnt to be responsible for what I do. In other people, I appreciate intelligence. I hate people who are bossy or rude to other people.

So far I have only one friend. We have a decent amount of things in common. We also spend a lot of time playing together, talking to each other, joking, etc. In my free time, I enjoy a variety of activities that keep my life balanced and colorful. I enjoy playing computer games and talking on Discord. Some of my other hobbies are listening to music and thinking. I’m open to trying out new things, so if you have recommendations or activities you enjoy, I would be thrilled to join you!

My life motto is when you feel like something went wrong, instead of trying and trying again, figure out what went wrong, then try again. I have plenty of thought and it would be nice if some of them came true.

1. You are going to make new friends abroad.  What would you tell them about yourself?

1) What features of character do you appreciate in people?
2) Are you sociable? Do you make friends easily?
3) What’s your favourite subject at school? Why?
4) Which adjectives would you use to describe your character?

10. You are writing a letter to a magazine. Tell its readers about yourself as much as possible.

1) Do your parents always understand you?

2) Do you have any close friends?

3) Are you sociable? Do you make friends easily?

4) What’s your favourite subject at school? Why?

16. You are looking for a new friend on the Internet. Tell about yourself.

1) What features of character do you appreciate in people?

2) Are you sociable? Do you make friends easily?

3) Do you prefer to read a book or to watch a film based on this book?

4) Which adjectives would you use to describe your character?

9th grade. The English Language Olympiad. Speaking Situations

1. You are trying to make new friends online. What would you say to describe yourself?

2. You are writing a post for a blog. What would you write about your family? Why is it important to have a family?

3. What does friendship mean to you? What qualities do you appreciate in your best friend?

4. Let’s talk about hobbies. Why is it important to have a hobby? What are you fond of? 

5.  Imagine you are writing a blog post about Belarus. Describe our country.

6. Can we call the British people "English"? What facts about Great Britain can you share?

7. What is your typical working day like?

8. Do you think your school is special? Describe your school.

9. Is it important to have friends? What is your best friend like?

10. You are writing a post on an online forum. Tell its readers about yourself as much as possible.

11. Let's talk about your family. Why is family important for you?

12. Imagine you are making a website about Belarus. Describe our country. 

13. Let’s talk about health. What does our health depend on? What do you do to be healthy?

14. Imagine you are at the conference. Tell about friendship in your life and explain if it’s easy to be a good friend.

15. You are looking for a new friend on the Internet. What would you say about yourself.

16. Let’s talk about school. Do you like to go to school? What would you tell your friends from other countries about your school?

17. Let’s talk about hobbies. What are you fond of? Why do people have hobbies?

18. What do you think of when you think about Great Britain?

19. Do you agree that children are very busy? Tell us what you usually have to do on weekdays.

20. Describe the way of life which you consider to be healthy.