WHY SHOULD I LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE? Emigration When you move to a different country or region, learning the local language will help you to communicate and integrate with the local community. Even if many of the locals speak your language, for example if your L1 is English and you move to the Netherlands, it's still worth your while learning the local language. Doing so will demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the new country. Family and friends If your partner, in-laws, relatives or friends speak a different language, learning that language will help you to communicate with them. It will also give you a better understanding of their culture and way of thinking. Work If your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own languages will help you to communicate with them. It may also help you to make sales and to negotiate and secure contracts. Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chances of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips. Many English-speaking business people don't bother to learn other languages because they believe that most of the people they do business with in foreign countries can speak English, and if they don't speak English, interpreters can be used. The lack of foreign language knowledge puts the English speakers at a disadvantage. In meetings, for example, the people on the other side can discuss things amongst themselves in their own language without the English speakers understanding, and using interpreters slows everything down. In any socialising after the meetings, the locals will probably feel more comfortable using their own language rather than English. 2. Grammar questions. 1. Fill in the right word: 1. A nation’s wealth depended on …………….. owning precious metals. a) its b) my c) their 2. Merchants were people who made …………… money through the buying and selling goods. a) his b) your c) their 3. Each good has ………… own utility value for the consumer. a) their b) its c) my 4. The price of goods is not always the same as ……….. real cost. a) their b) its c) my 5. Consumers want satisfaction from …………………….. resources ( time and money). a) her b) its c) their 2. Present Simple or Present Continuous 1. It (often/rain) in this part of the world. а) Is often raining b) often rains 2. Take your umbrella. It (rain) cats and dogs. a) Rains b) is raining 3. Granny is in the kitchen. She (make) a plump-cake. а) Is making b) makes 4. My wife (often/make) plump-cakes а) Is often making b) often makes 5.Can you phone a bit later, please? Jane (have a bath). а) Is having a bath b) has a bath 3. Present Simple или Past Simple. 1 .I usually (to walk) to my school but yesterday I (to take) a tram. 2. Yesterday he (to have) a holiday. He (not to go) to the office. He (to get) up at eleven o’clock, (to wash) his face, (to have) breakfast and (to go) for a walk. 3. As a rule my mother (to cook) dinner. But yesterday she (to decide) not to cook. She (to invite) us to the restaurant. 4. Present Perfect или Present Continuous. 1. What she (to do) this week? 2. Beth (to translate) the article now? 3. Who already (to translate) the article? 4. Our teacher (to explain) a new rule now. 5. Your teacher (to explain) you this rule today? 5. Past Simple или Past Perfect. 1. When the police (to arrive), the car (to go). 2. George (to finish) doing his homework at eight o’clock. 3. When she (to get) to the shop, it (to close). 4. The train (to leave) when he (to come) to the station. 5. We (to eat) everything by the time he (to arrive) at the party.