Prime Time 7, Coursebook plus Semester Self-checks

Reading–speaking: Why do we still care about Shakespeare? (B2) a) Read the text in task 2a and the extract from The Huffington Post below. English teachers seem to adore Shakespeare. Students seem to chug through it. Everyone else in society sits questioning why our English teachers force our students to read literature by a guy who lived 500 years ago, who writes in barely recognisable English, and whose plays are painfully predictable? Now don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed many Shakespeare plays throughout school (unlike the vast majority of my peers), but it seems counterproductive not to spend more time studying modern authors, modern advertising/print-making and contemporary journalism. Not only would this latter scenario help students more to grasp the seemingly abstract culture of today, but it would also assist them in more technical fields such as business and engineering. (Rajat Bhageria, www.huffingtonpost.com ) b) Comment on the texts and discuss why Shakespeare is still relevant today. Include the following points: reasons for studying Shakespeare today possible alternatives your personal opinion Useful phrases Speculating As far as I know … . • Well, I’m not sure but … . • Well, I’ve never thought about that before but … . • I imagine … . • I guess … . • I suppose … . • This looks to me like … . • maybe • perhaps • possibly • probably • It’s quite likely … . Summing up What I’m saying is, we should have … . • In short … . • In brief … . • In other words … . • Let me put it this way … . • To sum up … . • I think that just about sums it up. P Self-assessment Tick the appropriate boxes. Listening Can understand the information content of the majority of recorded or broadcast audio material on topics of personal interest delivered in clear standard speech. I could understand everything. Sometimes I had to guess the meaning. I could only understand parts. I could hardly understand anything. Writing Can write straightforward connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I could write the text without help. I reused phrases from the text. I had to look up words/phrases. I could not express my ideas as wanted. Reading Can read straightforward factual texts on subjects related to his/her field and interest with a satisfactory level of comprehension. I understood the text without help. I had to guess the meaning. I had to use a dictionary. I did not understand the text. Speaking Can communicate with some confidence on familiar routine and non-routine matters related to his/her interests and professional field. I could express my opinion without help. I was sometimes lost for words. I had to make notes before I started. I could not express my ideas clearly. Find suggestions to help you on the CD-ROM in this book. 3  169 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv