Speaking

1. My motherland What can you tell your English-speaking partner about Russia as the biggest country in the world (its geographical position, population, its weather and climate, etc)? What makes you proud of your Motherland (classic and modern writers, scientists, politicians, etc.)? Why does Russia attract tourists from all over the world? What would you show to your friends in your country? What cities, lakes, rivers is Russia famous for?

2. Moscow Is Moscow really a political, cultural and scientific centre of Russia? Prove it. What facts from the history of Moscow could be interesting to your friends from other countries? Have you ever been to Moscow? What surprised you most of all? What places (towers, streets, squares, churches, museums, concert halls, theatres, monuments, etc.) is Moscow famous for? Which of them would you like to show to your friends coming to Moscow for a visit?

3. English-Speaking Countries ( the UK) What English-speaking countries do you know? Do people in these countries speak the "same English"? Do they have similar traditions? What do you know about the UK? Why is the UK called an island state? What is important to know about the UK if you go there as a tourist (cities, towns, monuments, historical places, etc.)?

4. English-Speaking Countries (the USA) What is the official name of the USA? How many states does the USA have? Name some of them. What places of interest in the United States would you like to visit? Why? What is a true/typical American like? Which famous Americans do you know? Speak about your favorite one.

5. Your Problems You've got a lot of really difficult problems to solve, haven't you? Share them with your partner. What jobs, attitudes, looks, arts, books, outfits, hobbies are popular among the teenagers? Would you like to get a good education? Why? Where? Is it easy for a teenager to get a job and to earn some money? Have you ever tried to? Say a few words about your experience. Do you always understand your parents? Do they understand you? What are the reasons of misunderstanding? Do you spend much time with your friends? What do you usually talk about? How do you choose friends? What do you value in yourself, in your friends?

6. Introducing Yourself What do you usually say about yourself when you introduce yourself to other people or when you apply for a job/to the university, etc. (name, surname, date of birth, citizenship, etc.)? What would you write in your resume about your education, special interests, hobbies, work experience to impress your prospective employer? Are you proud of your family? Convince your partner that your family is really good to stay with during his/her visit to Russia. How do you and your family spend your free time? What are your hobbies (books, sports, collecting, etc.)? Why are they important to you? Which of the subjects that you studied at school are really important for your adult life?

7. Choosing a Career What would you like to do after school? Was it your own decision? Who helped you to make your decision? Have you tried a part-time or summer job to find out what interests you mist of all? What professions are in demand now? What are advantages and disadvantages of your future profession/job? Which of your personal characteristics will help you to succeed in your career? Which qualities of your character would you like to develop? Why? Those who chose their career correctly are really happy, aren't they? Did you have "born teachers" at school? Why teaching as a carrier is so important? Interview your teacher of English.

8. Keeping Fit and Doing Sports How does your health depend on your life style? Is sport a hobby or part of your everyday life? Why is it important to exercise every day? What do you do to keep fit? Would you like to be a professional sportsman? Talk about its advantages and disadvantages. What famous sportsman do you know? What questions would you ask him/her if you were a correspondent? What sports are popular in your family? Do your parents do sports regularly? Do you do it together? Is sport popular in Britain/America/Russia? Which sports are especially popular in these countries?

9. Learning Foreign Languages Why are languages so important nowadays? Name the possible reasons (cultural, economic, social, political relations between countries, tourism, education abroad, etc.). Why did you decide to learn English? Which variety of English (British or American) do you like more? Do you speak any other languages? Was it easy to learn English at school? What did you like and dislike doing at English lessons? What other languages of international communication do you know? In what countries are they spoken? Is your English good enough to travel as a tourist/to study abroad/to invite English-speaking guests? Will you need English (or any other foreign languages) in your carrier? How will you study your next foreign language (at the university, by TV, abroad, etc.)?

10. Travelling Why is travelling so popular? Do you (your family) travel? How often? Where and why? Speak about the most interesting trip you have ever made. Would you prefer to go abroad or to discover your own country? Explain why. Why does Russia attract so many tourists from all over the world? What would you show to your friends from other countries? Have you ever been to English-speaking countries? Anywhere abroad? Share your impressions. Do you know the names of any great travellers? Who are they? Would you like to be like them? Why?

11. Protection of the Environment Why are people so interested in environmental protection? How does your health and your life depend on the environment? Give your reasons. Who needs protection nowadays (people, animals, plants, oceans, etc.)? Can you name any society fighting for environmental protection? What do they do? Would you like to join the society? How do you protect the environment? Does your school and your family, your town and your country do its best to solve this problem?

12. Holidays and Traditions in Russia and English-Speaking Countries What would you tell your British/American friend about traditional Russian holidays? Which international holidays do you know? How are they celebrated in the English-speaking countries? Are they celebrated in Russia in the same way? What specific British/American holidays and traditions do you know? What are traditional Russian/British/American dishes offered on different holidays? Why do people give presents to each other? How do they choose presents?

13. My Favourite Holidays Which is your favourite holiday? Why do you like it? Is it celebrated in your family? What are your family traditions? Which traditions would you like to have in your future family? What do you prefer to do on holidays: visit your friends or invite them over? Why? Do you like cooking? What do you do to get ready for your friends visit? What do you like more: give presents or receive them? Give your reasons.

14. Famous People Who can be called a famous/great person? What makes a person great? What famous people of Russia would you tell your British/American friend about? Why are you proud of them? What famous British and Americans do you know? Are they known in your country? What for? Talk about the famous politicians who helped nations to get closer in the 20th century.

15. Mass Media in the Life of Society Do you regularly read newspapers and magazines? Which are your favourite ones? Do all the members of your family read the same news­ paper/magazine or don't they? Why? How often do you watch TV? Which are your favourite TV programmers? What is good and bad about the TV programmers for the young? What new youth programmers would you suggest? Share your opinion.

16. Pastimes. Hobbies Have you got much free time? How do you spend it? What kind of rest do you prefer: very active (disco, travelling, doing sports, etc.) or less active (reading, watching TV, collecting, etc.)? Are you anybody's fan? Are your hobbies connected with your future profession? What are they? Do you share your hobbies/activities with your friends? Do you find understanding in your family? What are typical British/American hobbies and sports? Are they popular in Russia?

17. School and Education in Russia and in English-Speaking Countries Will you be sorry or happy when the time comes to say goodbye to your school? Why? What will you remember your school for? Have you ever had pen-friends or exchange students from any English-speaking country? What do they think about our schools and about their secondary and high schools? Would you like to go on with your education after school? Where? What do you know about the education system in English-speaking countries?

18. Arts (Music, Theatre, Cinema, Painting) Do you often listen to music? What kind of music? Does it make you happy? Can you play any musical instrument? Is a special musical training necessary to understand music? Are you a fan of any pop or rock group? What makes it your favourite? Do you listen to music at home or at the concert/disco? Do you think the theatre and the cinema are modern arts? Why is video so popular nowadays? Who is your favourite actor (composer/musician/artist)? What makes him/her special for you? Which do you prefer: ballet, opera, drama or comedy? Explain your choice. Are you a member of any drama circle? Do you enjoy it? Why?

19. Museums and Picture Galleries Would you invite your British/American friend to any museums or picture gallery in your city/town? What could you show him/her there? Why do people visit museums and galleries? What famous Russia/British/ American museums do you know? Which of them would you like to visit? Why? What kind of museum would you create for future generations? Why? Have you ever visited the Tretyakov Gallery? What paintings impressed you most of all? What picture galleries have you visited or heard about in Russia and abroad?

20. Books Have you got any books in your home library? Who usually buys books in your family? Are there different reading tastes in your family? What do you think of poetry? Is a book the best present for you? What kind of books do you enjoy reading? Explain why. Who is your favourite Russian/British/American writer? Which of his/her books do you like best of all? Say a few words about the writer and the book. Why do some people prefer to watch ТV adaptations of novels instead or reading books? Do you think reading books will be popular in the 21st century? Share your opinion.