Английский язык: Экспресс-репетитор для подготовки к ЕГЭ, «Говорение», Урок 2, «Коммуникация, Переговоры, Задание 2».

Task 2

Give a talk on communication.
Remember to discuss:
• whether modern communication is easier than a hundred years ago, why
• whether ordinary letters will disappear in the future, why
• which is better: written or oral communication, why
• which ways of communication you prefer, why.

Of course today communication is much easier than a hundred years ago. When it took two weeks for a letter to reach Australia, you couldn’t keep in touch with people easily. Although the telephone had already appeared, it wasn’t for everyone’s use and phone calls were rather expensive. Nowadays there are lots of means of communication such as mobile phones or the Internet, which allow people to get in touch almost instantly. And if you want to send a letter to a friend from a faraway country, clicking the mouse is much more convenient than buying a stamp and an envelope and finding time to make a trip to the post office.

However, I don’t think that ordinary letters will disappear in the future. Although e-mails will be sent more often, people will still use ordinary letters for sending documents in which original signatures are of great importance. Another reason why people will continue using ordinary mail is sending invitation cards.

I can’t say exactly which form of communication is better: oral or written. I think it depends on the purpose of communication. If you want to discuss something with friends or relatives, then personal communication is usually the best way to do it because you can easily express your thoughts and share opinions. On the contrary, written communication is preferred in business because you have to think carefully about what you want to say. What is more, written communication is more formal so it is usually used in formal situations. However, e-mails and text messages are now becoming increasingly popular with teenagers and is the best way to stay in touch. Despite the predictions of many people that we won’t write letters any more and that we’ll only make phone calls, writing is back on top again.

As for me, I definitely prefer text messaging. I think it’s the best way of communication for teenagers, since everyone’s got a mobile. The great thing about texting is that you can do it everywhere, even at school if you’re careful enough not to get caught. Another important advantage is that text messages are much cheaper than a phone call. Of course you don’t have a conversation, exactly, but you can do that face-to-face, can’t you? I usually text my friends to arrange to meet, to tell my parents where I am so they don’t worry about me, or to tell people that I’m going to be late. That sort of thing.

Questions
1. Do you have a mobile? How often do you use it?
2. Which do you prefer: sending a message or making a call? Why?
3. How often do you send and receive text messages or e-mails?
4. How do you think communication will change in the future?
5. Can you imagine your life without modern means of com¬munication?