1 Family
Family members, functions and types
● types: extended family, single-parent family, step family, egalitarian,
● relationships: get on well with sb, sibling rivalry, argue about…, in-laws
● personalities: moody, sensible, cheerful, careless, selfish, chatty, shy, responsible,
trustworthy, tactless,
● activities: house chores, family reunion,birthday celebrations, holidaytime, common
hobbies
● priorities: keeping family fit & functioning, mutual understanding, family budget,
atmosphere,
Running a household
● raising children: disciplining children, domestic skills (cleaning, maintenance), over-caring,
spoilt,
● chores: washing up, hoovering the floor, maintenance, doing small shopping,
● house rules: pocket money, time to be in at night,
Situations
● engagement, marriage, funeral, tension, conflict, argument/row, divorce, family
outing/holiday
● birthday party
Emotions & Relationships
● loving/affectionate parents, grateful children, feeling of security, safe haven
Family events
● stages in life: infancy, childhood, teenage, adolescence, middle age, marital status, get
engaged/married, spinster/bachelor, maternity leave, retirement, widowhood,
● customs & holidays: Christmas, Easter, bank (state) holidays
● celebrations: birthday, nameday, anniversary,
● family reunion
Issues and solutions
● generation gap: misunderstanding, mutual respect, friction,
● failure: separation, divorce, extramarital affair,
● incomplete families: step families, lack of understanding, co-habitation, orphans
● tension and arguments: heated arguments over friends, marks, apparel
● lack of money
● materialism: buying unnecessary things instead of spending more time together
Personal preference
● my future family: fiancée, spouse, remarry, housewife, appearance, qualities, sense of
humour, place of living, jobs
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
2 Culture, Arts and Entertainment
Definitions
● the expression of human creative skill, appreciated primarily for its beauty or emotional
power
Types of art
● visual arts: painting, sculpting, photography, printmaking, architecture, street art (murals,
graffiti, posters)
● performing arts: music, theatre, film, dance,
● literature (genres, see 22)
Cultural facilities
● facilities: theatre, cinema (multiplex), amphitheatre, shopping malls, downtown, parks,
● museums: science m., folk art m., open-air m., m. of modern art,
Cultural events
● performance, concert
● visit to a museum
● festivals: film festivals (Karlovy vary, Cannes, Berlin, Ecotopfilm in Košice), Košice´s
Musical Spring, Pohoda
● experiences (book, film, play, concert): atmosphere, feelings, plot, stars, setting
● award ceremonies: Academy Awards (Oscar), Grammy
Artists
● writers
● singers/bands
● actors
● fine artists (painters, sculptors)
Issues and solutions: funding, theft, vandalism, graffiti
Personal preference
● likes and hopes
● dislikes
3 Sports and Games
General division
● division: indoor/outdoor, winter/summer, amateur/professional, individual/team,
recreational, martial arts,
● extreme sports: bungee-jumping, base jumping, sky diving, mountain biking, whitewater
rafting, freestyle motocross, parkour, trials, rock climbing,
● facilities: gymnasium, swimming pool, sports hall, changing room,
Benefits
● fitness, set a goal, relaxation, team building, social skills
Dangers
● injury (sometimes lethal), money greed, corruption, doping
Description of several sports
● ice hockey: ice rink, goalkeeper, defenders, attackers, three periods,
● football: pitch, goalkeeper, defenders, attackers, half-time, injury/extra time
Sporting events
● Olympic Games: held in ancient Greece, summer/winter, Pierre de Coubertin founder of
the modern Games, London 2012, opening ceremony, attract TV viewers, broadcasting
rights,gold-silver-bronz medals, threat of terrorist attacks, safety precautions,
● World Cup/Championship: Slovakia 2011 Ice Hockey World Championship,
● Leagues and tournaments: Champions´League, Wimbledon, Tour de France, NHL/CHL
● Paralympic Games for handicapped sportspersons
By countries
● Slovakia: ice hockey team, football
● U.K.: football, tennis, cricket, horse racing,
● U.S.: football, basketball, baseball,
Issues and solutions
● business: greed, commercialization, fame, sponsorship,
● doping: illegal, health risk, damage, injury, Lance Armstrong the road racing cyclist case
● rowdies/hooligans: wild, violence, disturbance, clashes with police,
Personal preference
● likes and hopes
● dislikes
4 Housing
Types
● country-related
The place where I live
● description: neighbourhood, suburb, housing estate, single-family house, block of flats,
central heating,
● my bedroom: desk, bed, wardrobe, posters, carpet, armchair, cosy, messy, neat
Living in a city – town – village
● avantages and disadvantages: pollution, noise, facilities, clean air,
Housing in Slovakia – Britain – US – elsewhere
● houses: terraced house, (semi-)detached house, single-family house, mansion, cottage,
country house, apartment house (block), penthouse
● rooms: hall/lobby, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, attic, utility room, patio, storage space,
pantry,
Household, equipment
● furniture: sofa/couch, cupboard, shelf, bedside table, dressing table, settee, built-in,
● appliances: food processor, coffee maker, fridge-freezer, washing machine, CCTV (closedcircuit television), burglar alarm,
Maintenance
● chores, roof repair, lawn mowing,
Getting a place to live
● renting: landlord, tenant, overdue, litigate,
● building a house
● buying a flat: mortgage
Living alone vs. sharing a flat
● flatmate, roommate
● agreement on parties, fair share in cooking, cleaning, maintenance, costs
● doing all by one´s self: shopping, cooking, doing the laundry, ironing, cleaning,
maintenance
● relationships, advantages and disadvantages
Issues and solutions
● high prices: mortgage, debt, loan, pay off, savings, rent a flat
● transport: parking spot, commuting,
● crime: burglary, alarm system, gangs, vandalism
Personal preference
● likes and hopes: my dream home, country house, garden, front yard, attic, lawn, fireplace,
pool, playground, French window, air-conditioning, mansion, CCTV (closed-circuit
television), burglar alarm,
● dislikes: noise, pollution, neighbours
5 Shopping and Services
Shopping as activity
● browsing, window shopping
● facilities: shopping centre/mall, food hall, market, stall, supermarket, parking lot, signpost,
checkout, junk shop, hypermarket, newsstand, off-licence, pharmacy, stationer, flea
market
Products
● quality, variety, prices: choice, bargain, reasonable, brand names, economical,
imported/domestic products, exchange rate,
● domestic and imported products
Consumers
● customers v. shop owners/assistants, service: price-conscious shopper, impulse buying,
second thoughts, compare prices, refund,
Ways of shopping
● the Internet: to shop over the Internet, e-Bay, via PayPal, by post, customs, fraud, available
24/7, delivery
● store: fitting room, assistant, checkout, department store, mall
● ways of payment: cash, credit/debit card, in installments
Services
● at your place: shops, police, petrol station, post office, manitenance services, the cleaners,
lawyer, real estate agent, bank, credit/debit card, ATM = cash machine, consumer loan,
installments,
Marketing and advertising
● billboards, commercials, discount coupons/vouchers, window bills, brochures
● effects on people (young children, adolescents, adults, seniors)
Issues and solutions
● shopaholism: debt, overdue, credit crunch,
● junk mail & spam: annoying,
● fake products: clothing, watches, drugs, poor quality
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
6 Health Care
Human body
● body: bones, muscles, skeleton, backbone, skin, stomach, internal organs, limbs, private
parts
● internal organs: liver, heart, brain, kidneys,
Conditions
● good: fit as a fiddle,
● poor: symptoms, ache, hurt, pain, concussion, sprained ankle, (bad) cough, inflammation,
diarrhoea, sneezing, headache, temperature, fever
Types of diseases and health issues
● modern threats: heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, obesity, allergy to…, sexually transmitted
diseases, depression,
● smoking: lung cancer, asthma, shortened longevity, high blood pressure, passive smoking
Treatment
● facilities: GP´s, hospital, spa, dentist´s, emergency room, X-ray, chemist´s = pharmacy,
retirement home, private health care establishments,
● mainstream and alternative medicine: herbal medicine, therapy, aromatherapy,
● take the temperature, transport, diagnose sb with…, surgery, antibiotic, wheelchair,
vaccination,
Health care
● health authorities and health insurance companies: state-owned (General Health Insurance
Company – VšZP), private,
● pre-natal care, check-ups, annual visit, sickness benefit,
● issues: profit, debt, negative effect on state budget, lack of funds,
Ways of keeping fit
● habits
- good: lifestyle, moderate physical activity, regular daily routine, sufficient sleep, jogging,
diet, wholesome food, avoiding hazards, exercise, massages,
- bad: smoking , couch potato, sedentary work,
● mental health
- happiness: state of mind, relief from stress
- stress: overworked people, tension, insomnia, depression, nervous breakdown,
Seeing a doctor
● describing symptoms (influenza, sprained ankle, toothache)
● treatment and cure
Issues and solutions
● public awareness: campaigns (Daffodil Day)
● cosmetic surgery: health risks,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
7 Travel
Reasons for travel
● business: commuting, business trip, public transport
● personal: globetrotter, backpacker, outing, ride
Means of transport
● coach, sleeping car, motorbike, plane, ship, railway, underground, taxi (= cab), ferry,
horse carriage
● advantages and disadvantages
Destinations
● staying at
- (resort) hotel / guesthouse / hostel / tourist home, receptionist, to book a room, check
in/out, full board, animation programme
- camp, tent, bathroom, inflatable bed, sleeping bag, mosquito net, insect repellent,
- studio: self-catering
Planning, arrangements and packing
● documents: passport, visa, ID, insurance certificate, Schengen Zone, seat reservation,
● itinerary: exchange currency, departure, boarding time, arrival, route, timing, tickets
● holiday-making: tourism, holiday-makers, guidebook, sightseer
● packing: holdall, sickness pills, washbag, digital camera, sunglasses, sun lotion, footwear,
swimsuit,
Changes over time
● modern ways of travel: package holiday, ecotourism, GPS, travel agent,
Issues and solutions
● environment: gas fumes, waste,
● economy: important part of GDP (Gross Domestic Product),
● security issues: hijacking, crash, accident, insurance, safety precautions, security wallet,
embassy,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes: dream holiday, destination, remote island
● dislikes
8 Education
Educational system
● types of schools: private, state, church,
● stages: kindergarten, primary s., secondary, college
● curriculum: subjects, science, arts, need of reforms, practical versus theoretical, science
versus arts
● school year: semesters, holidays, classes, timetable, breaks, school events (LaRambla)
● extracurricular: clubs, private lessons,
Languages
● importance: work, study abroad, Internet content, foreigners, travelling, literature
● English: lingua franca, the Internet
Ways of learning
● school
● printed material
● distance and e-learning, over the Internet
● video-based learning
● self-help books
● learning by doing
Relationships
● student – student: classmates, personality clash, hard-working, honest, foreign students,
● student – teacher: qualities, understanding, open-minded, tolerant, strict, cheating on tests,
Issues and solutions
● cheating, truancy, skipping classes
● unmotivated students
● underpaid teachers, teachers´ strike
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
9 Jobs
Types
● mental: physician, lawyer, teacher, journalist, politician, clerical/office work,
● physical: construction worker, artisan, craftsman, meintetance worker, carpenter, plumber
Choosing and getting a job
● talent for, family tradition, educational background
● CV/resumé, cover letter, application, interview, good impression, starting salary
Qualifications and qualities
● college degree, experience
● hard-working, reliability, punctuality, honesty
Issues and solutions:
● unemployment: requalification courses, seeking a job, classifieds, word of mouth,
recommendations,
● migration: migrant workers, working abroad, leaving one´s family, feeling homesick
● family-versus-career choice: maternity leave
● sexual harassment
● discrimination: racial, sexism, ageism
● work-related stress, karoshi
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
10 Human relationships
Situations
● positive: outing, socializing, falling in love, making new friends
● negative: conflict, hatred, prejudice, discrimination
● All´s well that ends well
Events
● party: throwing a party, host, guests, refreshments
● brawling
Friendship
● definition, importance, BFF
Issues and solutions:
● tension, tolerance, mutual understanding
● marginalized people: handicapped, outcasts, disabled
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
11 Man and Nature
Environment
● nature is the physical world and forces collectively, including plants, animals and the
landscape
Climate
● types: continetal, sub-tropical, tropical, cold
● impact on humans (farming, culture): water pollution, soil erosion, heat waves, droughts
● climate changes: greenhouse effect, warming-up, Greenpeace,
Seasons
● spring: begins on 21 Marcht, thaw, snowdrops and daffodils, changeable weather
● summer: begins on 21 June 21, holiday period, dew, heat wave, thunderstorm, lightning,
harvest, hail,
● autumn (= fall): begins on 23 September, mushrooming, Indian summer, colourful period,
fog, hoarfrost,
● winter: begins on 21 December, snowfall, icy roads, snowdrifts, icicles, blizzard
Weather
● types: dry, rainy, wet, heatwave, humid, sultry, cold spell
● forecasting: precipitation, temperature, wind, sunshine, weather forecast, overcast, sunny,
rain, windy
● impact on humans: mood, activity, meteosensitivity,
● ideal/disliked:
Animals and man
● pets: dog, cat, breeds,
● farming and utility: cattle, erosion, droughts, flooding, pesticides, fertilizers
● wildlife: polar bears, whales, habitat, go extinct, captivity (zoo),
● relationship: care and protect, research, pets, endangered species
Plants and man:
● plants: shrubs, flowers, trees deciduous (oak, beech) and coniferous (ash), vegetables
● deforestation, soil erosion, fertilizers
● sustainable farming, garden work
Issues and solutions
● pollution: car fumes, carbon dioxide, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, landfills, aviation,
radioactive substances,
● global warming: ice caps and glaciers melt,
● disasters: earthquake, tsunami, landslide, hurricanes, flash floods, flooding, weatherrelated, causes, consequences
● endangered species: in fauna/ flora, the Red List,
● state level: reserves, national parks, laws, agencies
● personal approach: reduce – reuse – recycle, consumer lifestyle, unleaded petrol, catalytic
converter, save water & energy, compost kitchen garbage, use public transport more,
bottle bank, environmentally friendly (= green) products, going green
● state level: protected areas and parks,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes: ideal weather patterns,
● dislikes
12 Science and Technology
Inventions and inventors, discoveries
● steam engine (James Watt), automation (looms), assembly lines, space flights,
● science: Sir Isaac Newton (law of gravitation), Charles Darwin (theory of evolution), Albert
Einstein (theory of relativity), Louis Pasteur (pasteurization), DNA (Watson and Crick),
nuclear power
● impact on society: higher standard of living,
Advances
● everyday appliances (utensils): microwave oven, food processor, digital clock/timer/alarm,
dishwasher, juicer, coffee machine, fridge-freezer, toaster, electric kettle
● apps and gadgets: mobile phone, Skype, webchat, the Internet, Facebook, high-tech,
smartphones, tablet, e-book, GPS,
● the purpose of science and technology in everyday life: time-saving appliances,
● nanotechnology, biotechnology, renewable sources,
● medicine: new drugs, cloning, stem cells, magnetic resonance,
● manufacturing: robots in assembly lines,
Issues and solutions
● animal and human cloning: ethical issues, sheep, GMO foodstuffs,
● cyber-crime: hacking (Anonymous), credit card number theft, identity theft,
● nuclear power: Fukushima disaster, Chernobyl disaster
● military purposes: cyber-war,
● non-renewable sources such as oil, gas to be replaced with wind turbines, solar energy
● dependence and addiction: gambling, unhealthy lifestyle
● brain drain
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
13 Man and Society
Etiquette
● ways of greeting: shaking hands, bowing, saying Hello and Good-bye, puting off shoes,
being on first-name terms,
● conversing, chatting, small talk
● hospitality, tipping
● making good impression: personal hygiene, appearance, politeness, reasonableness
Rules
● family rules: time to be in at night, choice of friends, fair share in chores, pocket
money/allowance,
● school rules: changing footwear, greeting, rights and duties, use of mobile phones
Proverbs
● Birds of a feather flock together
● All that glitters is not gold
● Good manners make the man
● A barking dog never bites
Communities
● neighbourhood
● religious: church,
● work environment: company rules, career, position
● gangs
● volunteering
● organizations: Animal Liberty, Red Cross
● charities: OxFam, British Council, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (cancer research,
child sponsorship, education sponsorship), benefactor
Media
● influence, bias, public opinion
Issues and solutions:
● crime: burglary, shoplifting, fraud, drug dealing, blackmailing, cyber-crime, identity theft,
rocketeering, murder
● fair trial, sentence,
● discrimination
● handicapped people:
● sponsorship: poor children, education opportunities
● hospice
● homeless people, beggars
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
14 Communication and its forms
Purpose
● expressing thoughts and emotions
Ways
● verbal
● non-verbal: facial expression, frowning, smile, gestures, postures, body language
● in person: politeness versus rudeness, manners
● modern: social sites (Facebook), email, Skype, instant messaging, mobile calls, texting,
emoticons
● advantages and disadvantages
Languages
● importance of learning: communicating with foreigners, understanding the media, studying
abroad, subtitled films
● sign language, Braille
Issues and solutions:
● impersonal, loss of social contact
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
15 Mass Media
Definition
● diversified media technologies that are intended to reach a large audience by mass
communication
Types
● electronic: radio, film, television
● print media: newspapers, (glossy) magazines, on subscription,
● outdoor media: billboards, street posters
● Internet media: websites, email, blogs, internet-based radio and television, QR code, social
sites (Facebook, Twitter)
● TV: channels, stations, programmes, chat-show, reality TV, news, live coverage,
Coverage
● real-time, live
● crime scenes, accidents, disasters, celebrities
● reporters, crew, editor
● Royal wedding, sporting events
● weather forecast
Influence
● business interests, profit-making
Issues and solutions:
● media bias
● censorship: freedom of press and speech,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
16 Youth and their World
Dangers
● drug/alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, bad company, peer pressure
● gangs, riots
Measures
● education, open and honest communication, help, forgiving, good company, social skills
Teenagers
● a transitional period in one´s life
● need to be physically active: parkour, biking, roller-blading, skateboarding
● building one´s self-esteem
Issues and solutions:
● youth unemployment: better education, willingness to work
● social deprivation (Roma children)
● emotional distress: communicating
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
17 Food
Food and health
● importance: calorie intake, fitness, stress relief, balanced diet,
● meals: breakfast, elevenses, snack, brunch, cereals, bread roll, pastry, light supper, salad,
tea, dessert, picnic, eating together as a family
● school facilities: sandwich bar, canteen, French baguette, snacks, cookies
● nourishment: vitamins, nutrients, proteins, fibre, minerals, unsaturated fats, carbohydrates,
skimmed milk, wholemeal, low-fat, fresh not canned, microwave-oven heated,
Foods and drinks
● basic, beverages, alcoholic, fizzy drinks, juices
Meals and dishes
● typical, favourite, pasta, pizza
● side dishes: potatoes, French fries, rice, dumplings
Cooking and cuisines
● dishes: goulash, gnocchi and sheep cheese, pizza, spaghetti, side dish, barbeque,
● the recipe: ingredients are…, mix, peel, mash, boil, fry, roast, bake, saucepan, serve with
● beverages: juniper gin, slivovitz, beer, coffee, spirits, wine, fizzy drinks,
● foreign: Hungarian, Italian, Asian, Mexican, spicy, chopsticks, curry, paella
Eating habits
● differences by country: dinner, take-away, eat out, refreshment stall, diner,
● impact of the media: TV, adverts, celebtrities, films and series,
● junk food: fast food, sweetened fizzy drinks, starving, obesity, high in cholesterol, additives,
processed foods, greasy
Issues and solutions
● obesity, diabetes: healthy food, moderate physical activity,
● eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, malnutrition,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
18 Leisure, Hobbies and Lifestyle
Leisure activities & hobbies
● convenient, outdoor/indoor, dangerous
● organized or individual or family
● playing a musical instrument, walking the dog, sunbathing, hiking, socializing, crosswords,
board games, bird watching,
● typical Slovak pastimes: car repairing, family visits, shopping etc.
TV watching
● time spent, couch potato, obesity, high blood pressure
Keeping fit
● exercising
● relaxation and de-stressing: listening to music, hiking in the nature, walks, jogging
Changes over time
● more free time leads to new ways of spending it
● social sites
● downloading films to watch
● loss of reading for pleasure
● instant messaging
Issues and solutions:
● adrenaline hobbies: injuries or premature death, handicapped
● laziness may lead to obesity
● boredom: bad company, peer pressure
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
19 Multicultural society
Definition
● a society where various expressions of language, dress, food, religion, customs etc. are free
and common
Countries and cosmopolitanism
● Slovakia
● Europe, U.K. and U.S. (Amsterdam, London, New York)
Traditions
● cultural phenomena: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas
Issues and solutions:
● opposition,
● minorities: Ruthenian,
● tolerance, understanding, prejudice, unity in diversity
● migration: refugees, culture clash, minorities, intermarriage
● closed communities: Chinatown in L.A., California
● extremes: militant groups, islamists, right-wing groups, terrorism, Anders Breivik in
Norway, Boston Marathon Attack,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes/memories
● dislikes
20 Towns and Places
Countries
● the country and place you have visited, a must-see
Town, city, countryside
● your place and your favourite spots: home town, native village, outing, suburb, outskirts,
● activities: hiking, hanging around, biking, roller-blading,
● facilities: downtown, parks,shopping malls, restaurants, cafés, markets, public
restroom/toilet,
Historic sites: castles, architectural sites, chateaus, medieval fortifications, cathedral,
Places of interest in my country and around the world: (see also topics 24 and 25)
● tourist destinations: sunny spot, multicultural, bustling, unspoilt, nightlife, exotic,
Impressions
● breath-taking, wonderful, disappointing, mixed feelings
Tourism
● landmarks: historical, natural, sites, notable, recreational, London, New York
● holiday destinations: resorts, tourist spots, spas, caves, picturesque village, spectacular,
● active and passive holidays
Issues and solutions: crime, terrorist attack, safety measures, municipal police, CCTV
cameras,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
21 Clothing and Fashion
Clothing for conditions
● warm: bermuda shorts, flip-flops, T-shirt, hat, sandals
● medium: jacket, raincoat,
● cold: anorak, boots, gloves, hat, layers, jumper, scarf, fur-coat
Clothing for occasions
● sporting: sports wear, track suit, a sports bra, headband, sneakers/trainers,
● formal: ballgown, tuxedo, tie,
● semi-formal (casual):
● informal: torn jeans, leisurewear, sweatshirt
Garments, footwear, accessories
● garments: blouse, top, sweatshirt, trousers
● patterns: plain, coloured, striped
● materials: wool, cotton,
● footwear: high heels,
● sunglasses
● belts
● jewellery: necklace, bracelet, earrings
Appearance
● hairstyle
● being in:
Issues and solutions:
● designer brands
● fake products
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
22 Book – Man´s Friend
Reading
● importance: basic literacy skill, pleasure
Genres
● fiction: poetry, novel, short story, science fiction, fantasy books, historical fiction, detective
story,
● non-fiction: textbook, brochure, dictionary, encyclopedia, handbook, cookbook, self-help
book
Effects
● broadens the mind, improves memory and imagination, knowledge and understanding
● too much reading weakens the body
● bookworm
Issues and solutions:
● high book prices
● lack of public funds for libraries
● obsolete textbooks
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
23 Models and Ideals
Real and imaginary
● superhero: Batman, Chuck Norris, Agent 007
● firefighters, rescuers, surgeons, ordinary people
● literary/film hero/heroine: qualities, Holden Caulfield, Hamlet, modern
Role models
● in fashion: supermodels
● in everyday life: parents, teachers, civic courage
Admiration
● posters over bed, daydreaming
Effects
● influence on young people: tabloids, paparazzi, resolute, smart
Qualities
● vices: lying,
● virtues: honesty, industriousness, determination, faith
Issues and solutions:
● unrealistic expectations: anorexia, bulimia, drug abuse
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
24 English-speaking Countries
the United Kingdom (the UK) – the United States of America (the US) – other (Australia,
Canada, India, South Africa, Nigeria, New Zealand)
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the UK)
Landmarks
● London, Stratford upon Avon
Geography
● Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ulster), 36 counties, England-Wales-Scotland-Northern
Ireland
● climate, weather patterns
● seaside sites
Population
● over 60 million, the English, Brits, minorities
● characteristics, stereotypes
- the English: reserved, tea, sense of humour,
Political system
● the Queen, the government, the Parliament
● no written constitution yet
History
● Celts, Viking raids, Roman occupation
● Norman Invasion in 1066
● Magna Charta in 1215 – foundations of parliamentary democracy
● wars with France, Ireland, civil wars,
● Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1921 – independence of Irish Republic
● Anglo-American ties
Culture
● lifestyle: typical
● traditions, customs, personal habits: tea, politeness,
● holidays and feastdays
- Christmas: stockings, Santa Claus, roast turkey, Christmas pudding
- Easter: spring feast of the Christian Churches,
- New Year´s Day: parties on New Year´s Eve,
- the Queen´s official birthday: Saturday after June 9, mounting of the guard ceremony
● arts and artists: Beatles Sir Paul (McCartney),
● religion
Economy
● natural resources:
● services: finance, IT sector,
● agriculture and industry
Education/Healthcare system
● state
● private
Cities
● London: megacity, landmarks, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben,
museums, parks, the City, bridges (Tower Bridge),
● Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Nature
● Lake District, game,
Spots (nature, history, health, relaxation etc.): Bath, Stratford upon Avon, seaside resorts
Notable personalities: William Shakespeare (Apr 23, 1564 – Apr 23, 1616) playwright and
poet, Isaac Newton (Dec 25, 1642 – Mar 20, 1727) physicist and mathematician (laws
of motion and gravitation), Queen Elizabeth II (b. Apr 21, 1926), Prime Minister David
Cameron, the Beatles, Adele
Issues and solutions
● youth unemployment, social tensions, riots
● Ulster tension and clashes,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
The United States of America (the U.S.)
Landmarks
●
Geography
● 50 states and 5 territories
● climate, weather patterns
Population
● minorities, native American Indians
● characteristics, stereotypes: loud, generous,
Political system
● 3 branches – Executive (administration), Legislative (Congress), Judicial (courts, Supreme
Court)
History
● first English colonies, war of 1775, independence, Constitution 1787
● Civil War 1861, abolishment of slavery
Culture
● lifestyle: diverse, strongly multicultural, melting pot, traditional Amish people,
● traditions, customs, personal habits: fast food, fitness, light lunch, very few stereotypes or
prejudices owing to many cultures
● holidays and feastdays
- Christmas: stockings, Santa Claus = Father Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day,
Boxing Day,
- Thanksgiving: roast turkey, family reunion, in 2011 it was on November 24th, pumpkin
pie
- Halloween: trick or treat, fancy dress
- Independence Day: commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on
July 4, 1776,
● arts and artists:
● religion: Puritan legacy,
Economy
● rich in resources
● service-oriented economy
Cities
● New York: megacity, originally called New Amsterdam, landmarks, the Statue of Liberty
donated by France in 1886, Manhattan, Times Square, subway, museums,parks (Central
Park), bridges (Brooklyn Bridge), Ground Zero,
● Washington D.C., Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Nature
● national parks: Yellowstone, Grand Canyon,
Spots (nature, history, health, relaxation etc.): national parks, cities, monuments
Notable personalities: Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Martin Luther King,
Issues and solutions
● crime, gangs, extremism, security threats
● bad traffic, congestion
● economic crisis, unemployment, debt crisis, foreclosure,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes
● dislikes
25 Slovakia
Landmarks
● The High Tatras (hiking)
Geography
● a landlocked country
● climate: moderate continental, dry summers, winter snowfall,
● weather patterns: heatwaves, droughts, cold spells,
● land: varied landscape, highlands, lowlands, natural beauties, mountain ranges, the
Danube,
Population
● over 5 million
● characteristics, stereotypes: hospitable, warm-hearted, envy, mostly rural,
● minorities: Hungarians, Roma, Carpathian Germans, Czechs,
Political system
● parliamentary democracy: Prime Minister Fico, President Gašparovič, Parliament Speaker
Paška, government
● Slovakia as a E.U. member: joined the EU in May 2004, joined Eurozone in January 2009,
the Schengen Zone (no passports or customs inspection),
History
● memorable periods: the Bronze Age, Slavs, Great Moravia, part of Austro-Hungary and
later Czechoslovakia, Slovak National Uprising (SNP), split after the Velvet Revolution,
Mečiar period, joining the E.U.
● landmarks: the Spiš Castle, the Krásna Hôrka Castle, Betliar Chateau, open-air museums,
Culture
● lifestyle: rural and municipal,
● traditions, customs, personal habits
- Christmas: exchanging presents, family reunions, feasting,Christmas tree, midnight mass
- Easter: splashing women, heavy drinking, egg colouring,
- pig-slaughtering: pigs kept for pork, bacon, ham, sausages, broth, family event,
- folk art: music, dance, crafts (woodcarving, shepherds´ long pipe i.e. fujara),
- bad habits: heavy drinking, smoking (in public places), foul language
- craft fairs, embroidery, Jánošík tradition
● folk costumes, folk music and instruments, folk dances: fujara = long shepherd´s pipe
● holidays and feastdays: state/bank holidays, Church holidays, memorable days, Labour
Day, Children´s day,
● food and beverages: sauerkraut soup, fried carp, potato salad, slivovitz, juniper gin,
draught beer, wine, pork & cabbage & dumplings, dogwood liquor
● religion: the Catholic Church, religious influence, Protestant Churches,
Economy
● state owned enterprises & private businesses: OECD member,
● agriculture: cattle, sheep, potatoes, corn, what, barley, oats, orchards, sunflower, poppy
seed,
● industry: Volkswagen plant, Kia car manufacturer´s plant, US Steel company, power
stations,
Education
● nursery school, kindergarten, primary school
● secondary: grammar, special, vocational, school-leaving examination (= maturita) and
certificate,
● college and university: Bachelor´s Degree (BA = Bc.), Master´s Degree (MA = Mgr.),
Doctoral Degree (= PhD),
Healthcare (see topic 6)
Cities
● Bratislava: the capital, population over 400,000, seat of President (Grassalkovich palace),
government and parliament, Bratislava Castle, Old Town Hall, Michal Gate, Eurovea,
IKEA store,
● Košice: second biggest, St. Elizabeth´s cathedral, Gothic downtown, pedestrian zone, seat
of Constitutional Court,
● Bardejov, Levoča, Nitra, Banská Štiavnica,
Nature
● the High Tatras, Slovak Paradise: ski resorts, hiking, scenery, peaks,
● animals: game (bear, deer, wolf, boar, fox), squirrel, hedgehog, frog, trout, viper, sparrow,
falcon, pheasant, stork,
● plants: spruce, fir, pine, oak, beech, shrubs, dandelion, marigold,
Spots (nature, history, health, relaxation etc.)
● the High Tatras, Bardejov spa, Piešťany spa,
● caves: Dobšinská Ice Cave, Domica Cave,
Notable personalities
● past: Saints Cyril and Methodius – spread Christianity to Slavic people with the use of the
Glagolitic alphabet , Štúr, Štefánik – one of the founders of Czechoslovakia, Dubček –
communist leader who sought to give socialism a human face,
● present: Pavol Demitra, Ivan Gašparovič, Peter Dvorský the opera singer, Rytmus,
Issues and solutions
● unemployment: homeless people, debt, poverty, low standard of living, new jobs, better
education
● minorities: Hungarians, Roma, prejudice, tensions, hostility, tolerance,
● the EU: bailout fund, financial discipline, Eurozone, austerity measures,
Personal preference
● likes & hopes: hospitality, gardening
● dislikes: envy