Eduardo Antonio Ballesteros Meza

Level 3

CIV – COLOMBO INGLES VIRTUAL

Skills Activity
Dictation 2 What does Barbara say about her experience of
moving to Scotland?
You are going to listen to a recording about
learning languages. Listen to the whole recording A When she arrived her English was poor.
once. Then you will hear the recording again with
pauses for you to write down what you hear. Make B She relied on her family to teach her English.
sure you spell the words correctly.
C At first it was hard, but she learnt English quite
quickly at school.
Until recently it was believed by many that growing up
D Her classmates didn’t want to talk to her.
bilingual or speaking two or more languages could
cause language delay on a child, or even damage
mental development, this has been proved wrong. In
fact, we now know that speaking more than one 3 How was Barbara’s experience with her first
language can positively influence learning. teacher?

___/10 A He misinterpreted Barbara’s behaviour.

B He was very patient with Barbara.

Listening C He couldn’t understand what Barbara was saying.

You are going to listen to an interview on the D He gave Barbara extra lessons.
subject of learning languages with two specialists,
James Kelly and Barbara Forza.

Task 1 4 What made James so resourceful and creative?

For questions 1–6, choose the answer (A, B, C or A He was only able to speak English to his
D) which fits best according to what you hear. students,

B He taught in several different countries.

1 The guests are C He used inadequate books for teaching.

A both language teachers. D He worked with imaginative students.

B both language learners.

C both involved in writing about language. 5 Barbara believes if you are a language teacher,

D both working at a university. A learning another language is easier you.

B teaching other subjects is less difficult.

C understanding another language is more confusing.

D knowing another language can be an advantage

in class.
 Eduardo Antonio Ballesteros Meza

Level 3

CIV – COLOMBO INGLES VIRTUAL

6 When asked about their podcast, James and
Barbara say

A it’s like reading a book.

B it’s convenient for listening to on mobile devices.

C it could replace coursebooks.

D its content is quite serious and educational.

___/18

Task 2 Answer the question in your own words.

7 In your own words, how did ‘total immersion’ help

Barbara learn?
As we can see the situation for her wasn’t really good
but she said that it forced her and she had to work
hard. She said “sink or swim” so she decided to swim
and to learn with effort.
Making friends, learning through doing and through
playing is the total immersion because she could learn
in that style despite of the normal problems when we
go to another country with a different language
She didn’t hnow English, but little but little she was
learning more and improving for that reason is a total
immersion.

___/2
 Eduardo Antonio Ballesteros Meza

Level 3

CIV – COLOMBO INGLES VIRTUAL

Reading
Task 1

Read the article. Choose from the paragraphs (A–G) the one which fits each gap (8–13). There is one extra
paragraph which you do not need to use.

A It’s undoubtedly the case that as a result of these first contacts, large numbers of countries that you visit around the
world, especially those that were taken over, will be thinking of ‘England’ when they are really referring to the United
Kingdom.

B It is now accepted for example, that the Scots do not all wear skirts or learn how to play the bagpipes at school. In
fact the different nationalities tend to have developed more positive stereotypes of each other, such as the idea that
the Welsh have wonderful singing voices and the Scots cook amazing fish dishes.

C Another stereotype is that British food is bad, or unhealthy. While it is arguably true that British cuisine doesn't rate
as highly as French or Italian cooking, there are plenty of places where you can find very high-quality food in the UK.
Not only that, but in most British cities, you can experience a range of foods from all around the world.

D Pictures of these things decorate the walls of many English-language classrooms across the world and have a
powerful appeal. Perhaps some schools hope that students will be inspired by them to learn English and travel to the
UK to see them for real.

E To answer this, we need to look back at how the UK developed. Originally there were the nations of England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland. England incorporated Wales into The Kingdom of England in the 16th century, followed
by England and Scotland uniting in the 17th century, and in the 18th century Great Britain uniting with Northern
Ireland. But at the same time, Great Britain was building its empire abroad, and everything was controlled from
London, the capital of England.

F The results indicate that the British (and not only the English) are actually quite friendly people with a lot of creativity
and a dry sense of humour. Today, they are seen to be better cooks than had been previously assumed, and live on
an island that gets a fair share of sunshine.

G Despite that, many feel that these stereotypes are unfair. How would you feel if the world was unfairly stereotyping
you with characteristics that you don’t think you actually have? This attitude seems to be becoming more common,
especially as people interact more with those from other cultures.

___/12
 Eduardo Antonio Ballesteros Meza

Level 3

CIV – COLOMBO INGLES VIRTUAL

Task 2

Read the article again and answer the questions in your own words.

14 Why does the writer say the images had a ‘powerful appeal’? (paragraph D)

15 In your own words, explain what the writer means by ‘I would now argue that they give an impression which is
possibly misleading’.

16 Summarise the points that the writer makes in answering this question: ‘So why is it that these stereotypes exist?’

17 In your own words, explain the writer’s point in the last paragraph.

___/8
 Eduardo Antonio Ballesteros Meza

Level 3

CIV – COLOMBO INGLES VIRTUAL

Total: ___/50

14) The writer said that images had a powerful appeal because they are used in order than people
can imagine that their lives will be in that places that are shown if they learn English, and that they
can travel to these beautiful places. As we know sometimes images are more attractive than text.

So, these images play with our minds in the way that express “these are the most important parts if
you speak English”. It doesn´t mean that is bad but, this is not the whole or complete image or
description of English-speaking countries. The images motivate people but gives wrong

15) That the stereotypes give us images and ideas that are wrong, because there are more things
that can be representative, not only the same thing. It isn´t showing the real part.

The stereotypes give an untruth and wrong image of the things. The stereotypes give
characteristics to the things that actually don’t have or are incorrect.

16) The reasons are:

 The kingdom of England originally was composed by England and Scotland and so on… It
means that the other countries were incorporated later.
 All the political, economic and administrative actions were taken in London that is the capital
of England for that reason London is the most recognized place in the UK.
 They wanted to create a Big Empire so people that had a contact with the builders,
recognized the capital and not the politically name.

17) The writer wants to tell us that people have to know the thing; we can’t say something (like
a stereotype) if we really don’t know about. When we visit then we analyze and, in that moment,
we can express our point of view (perspective).

These stereotypes create false information (a mess) and people feels very bad when we have a
wrong image about them or their culture.

CIV – COLOMBO INGLES VIRTUAL
British stereotypes
When you think of the UK, what images come to mind?
Are they of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, black
taxis and Buckingham Palace? Or perhaps they’re of
people drinking cups of tea. You may even think of
cute little villages and red phone boxes.
8 D____________
However, what we need to ask ourselves is how
representative these images really are of the UK.
Although they are certainly what I grew up with when
learning English, I would now argue that they give an
impression which is possibly misleading. For a start,
these are mostly images of London, not the whole
country. So why is it that these stereotypes of the UK
exist?
9 E__________
For this reason, those who were in contact with these
early Empire builders learned the name of this
powerful city, and rather than using the geographically
or politically accurate name, of the United Kingdom, it
was the name of England that stuck.
10 A
Not only is it unfair to apply English stereotypes to
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is also wrong
to imply that the English themselves are all polite
people who drink tea all the time, and who all
constantly apologise and stand in queues in rainy, cold
weather. It is good to learn that according to recent
surveys this perception is slowly changing.
11 F
This new attitude has probably come about through
increased travelling to the UK and of course, the
internet has brought about better communications,
encouraging international friendships and exchange of
information. Popular culture has also played its part
and UK films and TV have brought real British places
and people to foreign screens.
Eduardo Antonio Ballesteros Meza
Level 3
12 B
Another reason for this change in perception is that
foreign visitors to London and other major cities will
find themselves encountering people from many
different cultures. Because of its links with other
countries and the exchange of workforce encouraged
by the European Union, the UK has become multi-
cultural.
You can also be sure that if you travel to Scotland,
Wales or Northern Ireland you will find distinct
differences in culture, climate and behaviour, and a
definite pride in this difference. The nationals would
feel insulted to be stereotyped in the same way as the
‘English’. There are indeed stereotypes that the
nations of the United Kingdom have of each other,
which are usually unflattering. However, because of
the reasons stated above, these attitudes are also
gradually changing.
13 G
In conclusion, we should remember that when we see
advertisements or posters promoting a particular
stereotype of the United Kingdom, whether it’s in an
English-language classroom or on a travel website, we
need to think: Are these true and characteristic of the
whole UK as opposed to one city or country? The only
real way to find out about a country is to visit it and
make up your own mind.