Theme. The ROLE of a FOREIGN LANGUAGE in the MODERN WORLD Тематический список слов:
foreign language – иностранный язык
specially – особенно
manual to the washing machine – руководство по эксплуатации к стиральной машине
vacuum cleaner – пылесос
medicine– лекарства
science – наука
trade and cultura lrelations – торговые и культурные отношения
international aviation – международная авиация
patience – терпение
educated person– образованный человек
work hard – упорно работать

Грамматический материал к тексту: имя существительное, артикль, множественное число имени существительного, местоимения, настоящее и простое время, пассивный залог.

The great German poet Goethe once said: "He who knows no foreign language does not know his own one".
Learning foreign languages is specially important nowadays. Some people from Russia go to different countries as tourists or to work. They cannot go without knowing the language of the country they are going to. A modern engineer or even a worker cannot work with an imported instrument or a machine, if he is not able to read an instruction how to do it. Ordinary people need language to translate the instruction or the manual to the washing machine or a vacuum cleaner, medicine or even food products.
English is one of the world languages. It is the language of progressive science and technology, trade and cultural relations, commerce and business. It is the universal language of international aviation, shipping and sports. It is also the major language of diplomacy. Thousands and thousands of books, magazines and newspapers are printed in English.
English is the official language of the UK, the Irish Republic, the USA, of Australia and New Zealand, it is used as one of the official languages in Canada, the South Africa. Millions of people study and use English as a foreign language. In our country English is very popular. It is taught at schools, colleges and universities.
Learning English is not an easy thing. It is a long process and takes a lot of time and patience. But to know English today is absolutely necessary for every educated person. It helps to learn more about foreign countries, their cultures and traditions. One must work hard to learn any foreign language.

1. Прочитайте текст и найдите в нем английские эквиваленты для следующих слов или словосочетаний, и выпишите их:
Особенно важно, едут в разные страны как туристы, не могут ехать без знания языка, современный инженер, не может прочитать инструкцию, обычные люди, лекарства, продукты питания, язык прогрессивной науки, универсальный язык кораблестроения и спорта, основной язык дипломатии, используется как один из официальных языков, нелегкая вещь, знать английский язык сегодня совершенно необходимо, узнать больше о других странах, выучить какой-нибудь иностранный язык.

Верны ли утверждения?
Ordinary people need English to use it in science and business.
Some people need English for travelling abroad.
English is the language of diplomacy.
English is the official language in Italy.
In our country, English is very popular.
Learning a foreign language is an easy thing.
Every educated person should know a foreign language.
Learning a foreign language helps to learn more about foreign countries, their cultures and traditions.

3. Найдите в тексте ответы на следующие вопросы:
What does the poet think about learning a foreign language?
Why do people learn foreign languages?
Why do we call English one of the world languages?
In what countries is English the official language?
Where is English used as one of the official languages?
Why do you think English is popular in Russia nowadays?
Is learning a foreign language an easy thing? Why (not)?
What should we do to learn any foreign language?
Can we do without knowing a foreign language nowadays?
What is your purpose of learning English?