English in science

Lead-in

Work with a partner. Discuss the following questions.

• How much English do you use in your daily life?

• Is English important for your current or future career?
• Do you think native English speakers have an advantage in life?

Reading

1. Read the article about English in science. Which of

the following statements best describes the
author’s opinion?
1. The benefits of using English in science are greater
than the problems.
2. The overuse of the English language in science is a
problem.
3. Native English-speaking scientists should learn
other languages.
4. Most people are happy that English is the universal
language of science.
Reading strategies: difficult texts
Many academic texts contain a number
of difficult words.
• Try to get a general understanding of
the text without understanding every
word.
• Use the words around any difficult
vocabulary to help you guess the
meaning.
• Limited use of a dictionary is fine,
but only when you cannot follow the
overall meaning.

2. Read the text again. Make notes on the author’s comments about the use of English as the
universal language of science.

Benefits Problems

3. Discuss with a partner. Do you agree with the author? Why / Why not?

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Language

1. The phrases in the box are taken from the text. Add each phrase to the correct column in
the table.

However, … In fact, … ... leading to … Many scientists

feel that …

They feel that … There are clear There is a real There are benefits
disadvantages for … danger that… to …

Purpose Phrases

1. Adds more detailed information to a

point

2. Introduces peoples’ opinions Some suggest that …

3. Introduces disadvantages A downside to this is …

4. Introduces contrasting information Having said that …

5. Introduces advantages One advantage is …

6. Introduces the result of an action This causes / … causing …

2. Add any other phrases you know to the table.

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3. Read the statements. Choose two statements and make notes on your opinions using
language from the box.

• Scientists should be able to publish papers in any language.

• Scientists must learn English if they want to be successful.
• It is OK for science to use the English language for global communication.
• Scientists who speak English have an advantage.

4. Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Listening

Listen to Ira and May discussing the article about English in science. Answer the following
questions.

• Does each speaker agree with the author’s opinions?

• Which speaker do you agree with more? Why?

Language

1. Listen again and complete the gaps.

1.
May: We should allow people to write papers in other languages.
Ira: any language?

2.
Ira: Maybe we could use some kind of machine to help for that.
May: translation equipment?

3.
Ira: Well, in the article the author thought the rise of English was unstoppable. I don’t think there’s
much we can do to be honest.
May: we just ignore the problem?

2. Check your answers with a partner.

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3. Work with a partner. Discuss the questions.

• What is the purpose of Ira and May’s responses?

• Do you know any more phrases you can use for this purpose?

1. There are only a few jobs a. Are you saying they

you could do with a degree
in English Literature. I don’t
think it’s useful at all.
2. If people are interested in
becoming an Engineer, they
should first find out what
the industry is like.
3. I think people who speak
two languages definitely
have more chance of
getting a job.
4. You won’t be considered
for that job with just a
Bachelor’s degree.
Pronunciation: intonation
should get some
when clarifying
work experience?
Circle the correct option to
b. You’re saying they’re complete the rules
more employable?
• hen a speaker is
W
confident they understand
a point but just need to
c. Do you mean they confirm, they ask the
have an advantage question with rising /
over other falling intonation
researchers? • When a speaker is less
confident about a point
d. So are you saying it and wants to check they
would be a waste of fully understand they ask
time? the question with rising /
falling intonation

5. Native English speakers find e. Do you mean I need

Listen to the questions from
it so much easier to publish a Master’s?
Language. Mark whether the
their papers just because
voice rises () or falls ().
English is the ‘international
language’.

4. Match the statements 1−5 with an appropriate response a−e.

5. Work with a partner. Practise having short conversations using the comments and questions
in the speech bubbles.

Task

You are going to have a formal discussion about the following statements.
Choose a statement. Decide if you agree or disagree. Make notes on your opinion.

1. Everyone should live or study in another country at some point.

2. These days, it is very important to get a degree.

3. Being bilingual is not always beneficial.

4. It is much more useful to study a science related degree than a subject like Art or Drama.

5. University education should be free for everyone.

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Reflection

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