1 Учреждение образования «Брестский государственный университет имени А.С. Пушкина» Иностранные языки и современный мир Foreign Languages and Contemporary World Сборник материалов международной научной конференции студентов, магистрантов, аспирантов Брест, 5 апреля 2019 года Брест БрГУ имени А.С. Пушкина 2019 2 УДК 81‘243(082) ББК 81.2я431 И 68 Рекомендовано редакционно-издательским советом Учреждения образования «Брестский государственный университет имени А.С. Пушкина» Рецензенты: Заведующий кафедрой лингвистики и бизнес-коммуникаций УО «Полесский государственный университет», кандидат филологических наук Ю.Н. Русина Доцент кафедры иностранных языков УО «Брестский государственный технический университет», кандидат филологических наук, доцент О.Л. Зозуля Редакционная коллегия: Л.М. Максимук, И.В. Повх, Т.И. Предко, Л.М. Калилец, О.Н. Коваленко, Л.Е. Левонюк, С.В. Милач, И.А. Полева И 68 Иностранные языки и современный мир : сб. материалов междунар. науч. конф. студентов, Брест, 5 апр. 2019 г. / Брест. гос. ун-т. имени А. С. Пушкина ; редкол.: Л. М. Максимук, [и др.]. – Брест : БрГУ, 2019. – 299 с. ISBN В сборник включены материалы, посвященные различным аспектам жизни современного общества: проблемам социально-экономического развития, вопросам окружающей среды, тенденциям в развитии современной науки и др. Издание адресовано студентам, магистрантам и аспирантам высших учебных заведений. Может быть полезным для всех, кто интересуется проблемами современного мира и изучением иностранных языков. УДК 81’243(082) ББК 81.2я431 ISBN © УО «Брестский государственный университет имени А.С. Пушкина», 2019 3 А.А. Абражевич Республика Беларусь, Брест, Брестский государственный университет имени А.С. Пушкина Научный руководитель – И.Н. Бахур THE REASONS OF LEARNING ENGLISH International contacts with other countries are growing. English has become a world language. It is the language of communication, science, computer technology, mass media and tourism. English offers good job opportunities. To know English today is absolutely necessary for every good specialist. And our country is not an exception. In this article we would like to analyze the reasons why English is so important today and how the knowledge of the language can help, change and improve our life. Learning English has become a necessity and a fashion trend in contemporary society. Not much time ago it was just a foreign language but nowadays it has become the International language. What does the English language give us? There are definite reasons for learning it. They are better career prospects, travelling, self-education and self- development. Today Belarus is a developed industrial state. Industry makes up to 70 % of the Gross National Product. The main industries are engineering, chemical industry, wood-processing industry, light and food industries. Belarus has to import oil, gas, coal, metal, chemicals and cotton. Our country exports heavy lorries, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles. The active national economic policy is focused on stabilization and growth in the economy. Today, large industrial enterprises are the backbone of the Belarusian economy. The government provides support to them. Free economic zones are created in Belarus to attract domestic and foreign investments, increase export, develop advanced technologies. Belarus has good trade relations with such countries as Russia, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany and Poland. At present Belarus actively participates in an effective international partnership with the governments of different states and international organizations. As a co-founder of the United Nations, Belarus cooperates with various institutions and organizations of the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, UNESCO, the European Union, etc. Belarus has a good working relationship with such countries as Germany, Denmark, France, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, the USA and many others. Negotiation, conclusion of contracts and their signing may happen only via speaking one language. The international language – English – is frequently used in such cases. Using English we can always communicate with our business partners, participate in international conferences, understand the details of contracts we are going to sign. This is the first reason why we should learn and know English. The second reason for learning English is travelling. Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns as well as to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene. It‘s always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms. English has become an international language and the knowledge of it will make our trip easier and more comfortable, will give an opportunity to communicate with native speakers, to ask for necessary information and for help. Besides, in many countries information for visitors is given in two languages, national and English. It is supposed that anyone can orient himself at 4 the place, to understand what is allowed to do and what is forbidden. Even in Belarus in the places where there are many foreign tourists we can see different signs in English. For example in Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Nature Park there are notices given in two languages, English and Belarusian: ―The Fairy Tale Mill‖, ―The Museum of a Frosty Lifestyle‖ and so on. The information about animals is also given in Belarusian and English. Knowing the language you will be able to understand the meaning of notices and warnings. And that‘s very important because you can get into a trouble paying no attention to the things you are asked or warned 1, p. 5. The third reason why people begin to learn a foreign language is self-education and self- development. The knowledge of English will help to expand people‘s competence in other fields. English becomes a part of self-educational process. One famous Russian statement says that ―knowledge is power‖. It is passed on from generation to generation and comprises different facts, skills and information. So learning language people get acquainted with the culture and way of life in the country which language they are going to learn. But we should mention that self-education and self-development are not so easy. In their education most people depend on teachers and tutors for guidance. They want someone to help them and to show them the way. Others admit that they are too lazy to choose self- education. Indeed, most people need somebody who will constantly make them study and encourage their efforts to learn. So self-education is only for hard-working, persistent, diligent and curious people. If we learn the art of self-education, we will have an opportunity to improve our knowledge and acquire new skills whenever and wherever we like. The options of self-education are very flexible and the opportunities are unlimited. One of these opportunities is English. People can learn English without schools and tutors. We can read books in English, listen to English songs, watch movies in English, speak to educated people or spend a lot of time in libraries or on English educational websites. Self-education has a lot of advantages. The first thing about self-education, including learning English, is that self- taught people are not dependent on others for knowledge. They know enough to become experts in different spheres. Secondly, self-education can help you to be anyone you want to be or to do anything you want to do. Finally, it usually costs nothing and it does not require fixed life style. Many famous and influential writers, artists, architects, actors, musicians and even scientists were self-educated. They thought that working was also learning and self- education was associated with creativity. For example, Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor and writer was self- taught 3, p. 9. In conclusion we would like to point out that there are some reasons why people learn English. First of all many countries around the world speak English. It is often the nominated language to use in many industries. Therefore, learning English gives you the skills necessary to advance a career in an industry where English is a required language. Speaking English opens up a wide range of new career opportunities. English is important in many different industries such as retail, sales, administration, marketing, transportation, tourism, banking and law. If you work in an international company, skills in English could benefit you. You could have the opportunity to work and live in different countries as well 2, p. 2. And if you are hard-working and persistent English is a good choice in self-development and self-education. REFERENCES 1. Калита, И. В. Современная Беларусь: языки и национальная идентичность : монография / И. В. Калита. – Ústí nad Labem, 2010. – 300 c. 5 2. Коряков, Ю. Б. Языковая ситуация в Белоруссии и типология языковых ситуаций : дис. … канд. филол. наук : 10.02.19 / Ю. Б. Коряков. – Минск, 2002. – 129 c. 3. Чупров, В. И. Молодежь в общественном воспроизводстве: проблемы и перспективы / В. И. Чупров, Ю. А. Зубок. – М. : Ин-т соц.-полит. исслед., 2000. – 114 с. Статья раскрывает необходимость изучения английского языка. Автор выделяет ключевые причины, такие как