2.

A world of many languages

Listening test 1

Name _______________________________________________ No. _______ Class ________ Date _________________

1. While listening / watching a video on language learning tips, find answers to the 7x16p=112p.
questions. Write short answers, not full sentences. Audio 5 – Part 1 (till 5 min.)

a. The presenter is learning a foreign language. Which? _______________

b. What’s the best advice to improve your language skills? ______________
c. Which is one of the most obvious ways you can use to immerse yourself in the language you are
learning? ______________
d. What advice does she give in terms of the social networking services like Facebook and Twitter?
______________
e. Who does she follow on Twitter? ______________
f. What type of websites does she recommend? ______________
g. What’s the name of the website where students write journal / diary entries in the language they are
learning and native speakers correct the grammar or vocabulary? ______________

2. Fill in the missing information while listening to / watching the second part of the 8x11p=88p.
video. Audio 5 – Part 2 (from 5:01)

a. Language exchange can also be done via ____________________. However be aware not to expose
much of your privacy and put yourself in danger!
b. You can look for videos and clips in the language you are learning on _______________.
c. Online foreign language ______________________are also a good way to improve your reading
comprehension.
d. She participates in ‘Tadoku’, where people aim at reading as much as they can in another language.
It’s an intensive reading contest but there is no _____________ involved.
e. Import foreign language ____________________ can be pricey, but you may be able to swap games
with someone who is also interested in learning a new language.
f. You should listen to foreign language _______________ as much as possible through Pandora Internet
Radio.
g. Don’t use the ____________________ in your native language in foreign films, movies and TV shows.
h. Try to do as many things as possible in the _____________________ that you are learning.
 2. A world of many languages
Listening test 2

Name _______________________________________________ No. _______ Class _________ Date _________________

TOPIC: Student Exchange Programmes

1. While listening to / watching a video on the benefits of student exchange programmes, 8x11p=88p.
choose the correct ending for each sentence. Audio 6 – Part 1 - (till 3:19)

1.1 One of the most important benefits of participating in such programmes is…
a. the development of the language skills.
b. the multicultural experience.
1.2 Learning a foreign language is more effective through…
a. lessons in a classroom.
b. immersion.
1.3 Immersion gives students…
a. the confidence to learn the language much quicker and the ability to use vocabulary on a day-to-
-day basis.
b. the determination to use their native language.
1.4 A student who is best suited for these programmes, is someone who…
a. is autonomous and grown-up.
b. is very interested in the target language.
1.5 These students don’t need to be honour students, but they need to be willing to…
a. experience new cultures and lifestyles and be open-minded.
b. study hard at school.
1.6 Most students will experience some kind of culture shock, because they…
a. are adjusting to a host family.
b. are separated from their families for an extended period of time.
1.7 Andrew Volk wants to travel to…
a. Europe for an extended period.
b. Germany for three months.
1.8 Taylar Dykstra wants to …
a. experience a new culture but she is a bit afraid of leaving her comfort zone.
b. study in a different school system and learn about the host country’s history.

2. Complete the table below with the ideas you get from listening to / watching the 112p.
second part of the video. Audio 6 – Part 2 (from 3:20 to 6:17)

BENEFITS of being a host family DRAWBACKS of being a host family

 Test 1
Module 2.1 The importance of the English language

Name _______________________________________________ No. _______ Class ________ Date _________________

1. Read the text attentively.

English as a Foreign Language

“Foreign” denotes a language that is used by someone for communication across frontiers or with
people who are not countrymen: listening to broadcasts, reading books or newspapers, commerce
or travel, for example. No language is more widely studied or used as a foreign language than
English. The people's desire to learn it is immense and apparently unfulfilled.
5 Taking the education systems of the world as a whole, one may say confidently that more timetable
hours are devoted to English than any other subject. To put it bluntly, English is a top requirement of
those seeking good jobs - and is often the language in which much of the business of ‘good jobs' is
conducted. One needs it for access to at least one half of the world's scientific literature.
English is not only the universal language of international aviation, shipping and sport, it is, up to a
10 considerable degree, the universal language of literacy and public communication, and also the
language of automation and computer technology. Siegfried Muller (former Director of the
Languages-of-the-World Archives in the US Department of Education) has estimated that about 60%
of the world's radio broadcasts and 70% of the world's mail are in English. The great manufacturing
countries Germany and Japan use English as their principal advertising and sales medium. The role of
15 chief foreign language that French occupied for two centuries since 1700 has been undoubtedly
assumed by English - except of course in the English speaking countries themselves, where French is
challenged only by Spanish as the foreign language most widely studied.

http://www.ukessays.com/essays/english-language/whose-property-is-english-english-language-essay.php
(Accessed in April 2013)

2. Match the words in bold in the text with their meanings. 8x7p=56p.

a. compatriots c. means e. looking for g. previous

b. dominant d. in general f. very honestly h. universally

3. True or False? Correct the false statements using your own words as much as possible. 6x9p=54p.

a. English as a foreign language means that it is spoken by native people. ___

b. There are many people around the globe willing to learn English as a second language. ___
c. One of the most studied subjects in schools worldwide is English. ___
d. English doesn’t play a primordial role in today’s job market. ___
e. The French language used to be very important in the past and it is still used worldwide. ___
f. The interest in the Spanish language is growing in English speaking countries. ___

4. Answer the questions. Look at the text and use your own words and ideas. 2x15p=30p.

a. In your opinion, why do non-native English speakers want to learn the English language so much?
b. Why is English considered a universal language? Give reasons.
5. Complete the sentences with the verb in brackets in the Present Simple or the 7x4p=28p.
Present Continuous.

a. Every year, millions of people _____ (study) English in language schools worldwide.
b. Usually, I _____ (spend) my holidays at the beach, but this summer I _____ (study) English at a
language school in London. That is why I am in London.
c. In the afternoons, the language school _____ (offer) sightseeing tours in and around London.
d. Currently I _____ (stay) with a host family and I have to take the tube to get to language school.
e. I'm sorry I can't understand what you _____ (say). Can you speak English?
f. Peter hates living in London, because it ____ (rain) a lot.

6. Complete the sentences with the Comparative Form of the adjectives in brackets. 8x4p=32p.

a. Learning English is ____________________ (difficult) as learning any other foreign language.

b. American English is ____________________ (widespread) than British English.
c. If you are monolingual the world is ____________________ (interesting) than if you are multilingual.
d. When it comes to learning a language, spelling is __________ (hard) than listening.
e. Today, it is ____________________ (useful) to learn English than any other language.
f. There is nothing ____________________ (irritating) than not being able to understand another
person.
g. Native English speakers are ____________________ (tolerant) of foreign languages than non-native
speakers.
h. Reading English comic books is ____________________ (funny) than reading history books.
 Test 2
Module 2.2 Contact with other languages

Name _______________________________________________ No. _______ Class ________ Date _________________

1. Read the text attentively.

Tips for Language Learning Success

Imagine a language as a living thing where vocabulary is the body parts, grammar is the brain,
language resources are the muscles, and motivation is the energy which makes that living thing work
hard or not. To be able to use a language, you need a body, a brain, some muscles, and energy.
Below are 4 of the most important elements in learning a language, with an explanation to why that is.
5 1. Vocabulary: Did you know that a native speaker of most languages of the world only uses about
3000 to 5000 words? What's more, a native speaker uses only about 300 to 500 words on a daily
basis, which are repeated over and over again. That means, if you memorize around 3000 words,
you will be able to say, write and understand more than 75% of the general conversations. If you
memorize 33 words per day, in 3 months you would have memorized 3000 word.
10 2. Grammar: This powerful tool allows you to manipulate the vocabulary you already memorized.
With it, you can structure the vocabulary to make proper sentences, but it can also help you
multiply the number of words you already know. With a couple hundreds of words and a dozen
grammar rules you can form thousands of sentences simply by changing the order or adding
prefixes and suffixes.
15 3. Language resources: The more adequate tools you have available to you, the faster and better
you learn. For example, if you listen to audio lessons, practise your speaking and writing by
chatting with native speakers every day is better than simply learning from a book. You need to
diversify your methods of learning. Reading, listening, writing, all can help you practise and
remember more.
20 4. Motivation: It is the energy that drives the whole process, without it, you will feel like
swimming against the current, and you will give up eventually. Motivation can help you set goals
and achieve them. If you say I should memorize 10 words a day for the next 3 months, then, all you
need is motivation, because it's not an impossible goal, it's only a matter of passion for learning.
In short, you need lots of vocabulary, a good number of grammar rules, adequate language
25 resources and motivation. You can improvise with the rest depending on the language you're
learning.
http://mylanguages.org/learning_tips.php (Abridged)
(Accessed in April 2013)

2. Complete the sentences with the information from the text. 4x10p=40p.

a. A native speaker uses about 300 to 500 words __________________________.

b. If you use grammar correctly, you will be able to____________________________.
c. If language learners diversify their learning methods, they ____________________.
d. Without motivation it is _________________________.

3. Choose the best antonym for the underlined words. 5x12p=60p.

a. “That means, if you memorize around 3000 words,…”

1. remember 2. learn by heart 3. forget
 b. “…more than 75% of the general conversations.”
1. overall 2. individual 3. common

c. “This powerful tool allows you to manipulate the vocabulary…”

1. control 2. leave alone 3. employ

d. “… structure the vocabulary to make proper sentences,…”

1. unacceptable 2. adequate 3. appropriate

e. “You need to diversify your methods of learning.”

1. limit 2. expand 3. multiply

4. Answer the questions according to the text. 4x10p=40p.

a. Which are the four fundamental elements in learning a language?

b. What advice does the author of the text give in relation to learning vocabulary?
c. Why is grammar so important when learning a language?
d. Can you add some more tips for learning a foreign language?

5. Complete the following table. 8x5p=40p.

ADJECTIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

big a. the biggest
easy easier than b.
difficult more difficult than c.
d. better than the best
bad e. the worst
funny funnier than f.
interesting more interesting than g.
h. larger than the largest

6. Complete these sentences with a suitable modal verb. 5x4p=20p.

a. If you plan studying abroad, then there are certain things you ______________ consider to get the
most out of it. (advice)
b. Learning to communicate in another language ________________ be a challenging experience.
(possibility)
c. English native speakers ______________ learn foreign languages, because the world is becoming
multilingual. (obligation)
d. Students _____________ take all the chances they can to improve their language skills. (advice)
e. While staying in a foreign country, students ______________ speak their mother tongue. If they do,
they won’t improve their language skills. (prohibition)
 Test 3
Module 2.3 Mobility, youth and languages

Name _______________________________________________ No. _______ Class ________ Date _________________

1. Read the text attentively.

Culture Shock when studying abroad

Most students who study internationally will experience some form of culture shock at some point
in time during their time abroad. The new surroundings, new cultures, new people, new food, and
most probably a new language are all things you will need to adjust to. While some students will
not have any problems, or will only experience mild cases of culture shock, a vast majority will go
5 through a whole range of emotions that if left untreated or if you do not talk to others about it could
become an even bigger problem for you.
So what exactly is culture shock? Essentially culture shock is your adjustment to your new
surroundings and new way of doing things. For example, you may find that things are done a
certain way back in your home country – however in your adopted host country that same thing is
10 done totally different.
Most people agree there are a few phases of culture shock that people go through. The first phase is
“Excitement” as you arrive in your new country, you are excited about all the new things you are
going to experience. This elation keeps you going for a week or maybe longer as you are still
learning all about your new surroundings. The next stage is “Frustration” as you slowly learn about
15 your new surroundings, you start to find how things differ to your home country and in some cases
how things are not done as well. This stage is probably one of the most important stages, as you
need to talk to your friends, your school and your family about how you are feeling and what you
are experiencing. Talking is vital as it will help you understand more about how things are done
and operate. It is also a really good idea to try and make friends with students who are native to
20 your host country – they will help you understand and adjust much quicker than grouping together
with fellow international students.
Once you have begun to understand your host country and new surroundings, you can begin the
process of acclimatizing. Do not be worried about the transition periods, we have all been there and
all at some point experienced culture shock in one way or another.

http://blog.internationalstudent.com/?p=720
(Accessed in April 2013)

2. Say who or what the following words refer to: 5x8p=40p.

a. their (line 2) c. you (line 6) e. we (line 23)

b. that (line 5) d. who (line 19)

3. Complete the sentences choosing the correct ending. 4x5p=20p.

3.1 All students who study abroad for a period of time…

a. will eventually experience some kind of culture shock.
b. will experience depression and periods of extreme sadness.
 3.2 When international students arrive in the host country they…
a. immediately feel frustrated, because they don’t understand the country’s language.
b. feel excited and curious about their surroundings.
3.3 Talking with friends and family…
a. is not a solution. Students must make a personal effort to adjust.
b. is vital to overcome the feeling of inadequacy due to culture shock.
3.4 Adjusting to a new culture becomes easier…
a. once international students get to know their host country’s culture and daily life.
b. when you find fellow international students.

4. Answer the questions according to the text. 4x10p=40p.

a. Why do most students who study abroad experience some kind of culture shock?
b. Most students go through two different stages of culture shock. Which?
c. What tips does the author of the text give to international students to ease cultural adjustment?
d. In your opinion, why does the author say that it is better to find native friends than grouping together
with fellow international students?

5. Complete the text with the verbs in the box. Put the verbs in the Past Simple. 8x2p=16p.

VISIT - RAIN - FEEL - FIND - MISS - DECIDE - EXPERIENCE - BE - LOOK

“I _a._ to take a semester at Kingston University in London. At the beginning I _b._ a massive
culture shock. The first thing I _c._ odd was the weather. It _d._ summer but most of the days it
_e._… I _f._ my hometown more than ever. Another thing that startled me was the fact that people
in Britain live in small families and they are generally quiet. I have three older brothers and our
family evenings are quite noisy. I’m used to living in a large family and in London I _g._ very
lonely. I was a foreigner among people who _h._ exactly like me. But, of course, there are also lots
of good things about Britain and this experience. If someone visited my hometown, they would
probably find its lifestyle strange, too. So, for future students who are considering studying abroad I
would say GO FOR IT! Don’t let culture shock spoil your visit to another country. Enjoy the
differences!”
by: Anzia Contadino from Verona (Italy) Source: http://www.20erasmus.eu/experiences/view/744
(Accessed in April 2013)
6. Choose the most suitable connector / linking word from the ones given. 3x8p=24p.

a. Going on a student exchange programme is… a way to improve your language skills, but also a way to
meet new people and experience new life styles.
1. moreover 2. not only 3. besides
b. Culture shock is our adjustment to the new surroundings and new way of doing things,… it is the
difficulties we feel when adjusting to the host country.
1. additionally 2. and 3. in other words
c. … improving my language skills, I have also met many interesting places and made new friends.
1. Altogether 2. Besides 3. Therefore

7. Choose one of the following topics. Write about 100/120 words on it. 60p.

TOPIC 1
Imagine you had the chance to go on a student exchange programme. Where would you like to go?
Why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such programmes?

TOPIC 2
What do you think is the best way to learn a foreign language? In the classroom, in chat rooms,
through films and songs or language exchange programmes? Explain.
 Global test

Name _______________________________________________ No. _______ Class ________ Date _________________

PART 1 – Listening comprehension

1. Listen / watch a video about Elea, a French teen learning English abroad, and fill in 8x5p=40p.
the missing words. Audio 7 - (till 1:06)

Sixteen-year old Elea is off to school. But this isn’t any old school _a._ for this young French pupil.
She has decided to move to Finland for a year to _b._classes in English. The goal is both to improve
her language _c._ and get a taste for something new.
Elea is not alone: her school _d._ Ana is also staying in Finland for a few months. Jyvaskyla High
School is partnered with the girl’s French Lycée and offers an English-language baccalaureate. But
why go to Finland to learn English? «I wanted to speak English _e._,» says Elea. «I think I’ll be
able to reach that _f._ in nine months. I also wanted to leave _g._. I love my family but I wanted to
get _h._ for a while. I think I will gain in maturity.»

PART 2 – Reading comprehension

1. Read the text attentively.

Studies abroad booming trend in Europe

Learning English in Finland – Why not? It can be expensive to study in Britain, the US or Australia,
and the Nordics have always been known for their excellent grasp of the English language. Elea
also appreciates the cultural difference when it comes to education: “I think that school in Finland is
very different,” she said. “They really help students; they encourage them to improve, whereas in
France they only push those who are already top of the class, but not the others. Here they
encourage everyone so they all do better at school.”
Elea’s stay is supported by the Comenius Individual Pupil Mobility scheme, a European initiative
that allows secondary school students to spend between three and ten months at a host school
abroad. French teacher Ulla Aarnio’s mission is to ensure the well-being of the pupils during their
stay. Being a contact teacher means she plays a big part in helping the students integrate, whether it
is assisting them with timetables or tests.
The most difficult part of the Comenius programme is finding the right host family. Luckily for
Elea, there has not been any culture shock. She has settled into her new life with ease, getting a taste
of authentic Finnish living and cuisine. “Just like any normal family we have breakfast together,
and then we go to school. In the evening we cook together, mother and daughter, like in France.
Everyone eats what they want; it’s very relaxing, like in my family. I love it!”
In Finland, indoor field hockey is the sport of choice for many students, giving the girls another
chance to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Among the players is Roosa
Kasma, a Finnish student who is getting ready for her trip to France as part of the exchange
programme. “When I come back to Finland I’ll be a new person, I will be much more like an adult,”
she says. “I will grow up. I think I’m going to be more confident about myself.”
Introduced in 2010, the Comenius exchange programme is growing in popularity. This year, more
than 1,300 pupils will study abroad, bringing home not only new language skills but also a broader
understanding of their European neighbours and the world they live in.

Source of the video and text: http://www.euronews.com/2012/09/10/studies-abroad-booming-trend-in-europe/

(shortened)
(Accessed in April 2013)

2. Match the words from the text (on the left) with the corresponding synonyms 6x4p=24p.
(on the right).

a. grasp 1. visit
b. encourage 2. self-assured
c. stay 3. inspire
d. ensure 4. wider
e. confident 5. understanding
f. broader 6. guarantee

3. True or False? Correct the false statements using your own words as much as 6x2p=12p.
possible.

a. Learning English in Finland is an absurd idea. ___

b. Elea enjoys the Finnish school system. ___
c. Ulla Aarnio is Elea’s English teacher. ___
d. Elea didn’t adjust to her host family. ___
e. Indoor field hockey is a very popular sport in Finland among teens. ___
f. Roosa Kasma thinks that her studying abroad experience will make her more responsible and
mature.___

4. Answer the questions according to the ideas / topic expressed in the text. 6x4p=56p.

4.1 Why does Elea prefer the Finnish school system to the French one? Explain!
4.2 What is Ulla Aarnio’s role as a contact teacher?
4.3 What is Elea’s opinion about her Finnish host family?
4.4 According to Roosa Kasma, what are the advantages of studying abroad programmes?
4.5 Why do you think these programmes are becoming more popular among students?
4.6 Would you like to participate in such a programme? Justify.
PART 3 – Language function
1. Read the paragraph on the Comenius Exchange Project and insert the missing 8x2p=16p.
words. Use the ones from the box.

COVERED - DIVERSITY - COMPETENCES - ENROLLED - PUPILS - TEN - ABROAD - APPLY

The Comenius Individual Pupil Mobility project, a European exchange programme between
secondary schools, enables _a._ to go and study abroad anywhere between three to _b._ months.
The action aims to develop their understanding of the _c._ of European cultures and languages and
to help them acquire _d._ necessary for their personal development. You have to be at least 14 years
old and _e._ full-time in your school. Schools wishing to send one or more pupils have to _f._ to the
Comenius National Agency in their country for a grant. Pupils are _g._ by a group health insurance
scheme during their stay _h._.

2. Imagine you’ve met Elea. Ask her questions to get the following answers. Use the 5x2p=10p.
words given and the Past Simple Tense.

a. You: you / enjoy / your experience / as a Comenius student __________________________________ ?

Elea: Yes, I liked my experience as a Comenius exchange student very much.
b. You: how long / you / stay / in Finland ___________________________________________________ ?
Elea: I stayed there for a whole year.
c. You: you / like / your host family ________________________________________________________ ?
Elea: Yes, I liked my host family very much. They were very helpful and nice.
d. You: what places / you / visit ___________________________________________________________ ?
Elea: I visited Helsinki, the capital city and some smaller towns.
e. You: what / be / the best thing / about your experience / in Finland ____________________________ ?
Elea: The best thing about this experience was meeting the people I met.

3. Rewrite the sentences replacing the words underlined with a Modal Verb that 4x2p=8p.
expresses the same idea. Make all the necessary changes.

a. Nowadays students have the possibility to attend schools abroad to learn foreign languages.
b. Do I have your permission to call you later on your mobile?
c. Students are not allowed to use their computer during the test!
d. To enjoy a study abroad experience, I advise you to be open-minded.

4. Complete the sentences with the Comparative or Superlative form of the adjectives 6x1p=6p.
in brackets.

a. According to Newsweek Magazine Finland is _____ (good) place to live in the world.
b. In Elea’s opinion, nature in Finland is ___ (beautiful) than in France because of the thousands of lakes.
c. Finnish people are traditionally ____ (reserved) than Southern European people.
d. Elea thinks that Finns have a ___ (strong) sense of community than other European citizens.
e. ___ (important) foreign language in Finland is English.
f. Helsinki is ___ (large) city in Finland and it is the capital city.
PART 4 – Written production

Choose one of the following topics. Write about 100/120 words on it. 60p.

TOPIC 1
Have you ever participated in a student exchange programme or would you like to? Refer to the
positive aspects of an experience like this one.

TOPIC 2
What do you think is the best way to learn a foreign language? In the classroom, in chat rooms,
through films and songs or language exchange programmes? Explain.