Part time jobs

Yes, I’ve already had a paid job at the ZOO, in Budapest, in summer.  I was at the house of palms and I had to help people working there. I could help almost everywhere. For example in the kitchen I prepeared the food for the animals, mainly for the little monkeys and for the birds, or sometimes I helped  clean the terrariums of the snakes or other types of reptiles (to tell the truth it wasn’t my favorite activity). I worked there for 4 weeks. I usually started to work at 8 o’clock in the morning and I finished at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. So it was a full time job, but I remember that before the age of 16, I used to work only for 4 hours a day, because I was too young for a full time job. I worked with adults who work at the ZOO all year. All of them were really kind and helpful to me, even my boss, too. I didn’t earn too much, but for me it was satisfactory enough. I think it was a very interesting and cool job  because I love animals so I don’t mind if my salary was a bit low. I got some information about this job from my father because when we used to live in Budapest with my family, he worked there. I think I didn’t read any other job advertisements.

I was really pleased with this part of my summer holiday!

10. Learning Foreign Languages

In Hungary there are two compulsory foreign languages at secondary grammar schools whereas only one is taught in secondary technical schools. That’s why people start learning languages there. There are students who go to private teachers or choose a language school. Some people try to study themselves, reading books, newspapers and magazines with the help of a dictionary, listening to the radio, watching films with subtitles or using a computer programme. Those who can afford it go abroad to attend a language course in the target-language country. Others try to find a job abroad, for example, as an au-pair, to learn the language.

I study English at school. This year I have five lessons a week, but unfortunately we haven’t got any native British or american teachers. It is very hard to get one in the country.

I read several books. For example, my cousin lent me a grammar reference book, and my penfriend, who lives in Scotland, sent me a collection of short stories for my birthday. I also read magazines in English. I watched subtitled English series on cable TV and listened to CDs to improve my listening skills. I did several tests and translations. I also got extra homework from my English teacher at  school, such as compositions.

It is necessary if you want to get a degree, and it is an advantage when a student wants to go on to higher education. Nowadays if you would like to get a good job, you have to be able to speak foreign languages, and it’s good if you can prove it with a certificate. It is a standard in the EU that a European citizen should speak two foreign languages.

Yes, it’s easier to practise a langauge than learning other subjects  because you can do so many things with a language. You can communicate with people while you are travelling, you can give directions to tourists, and you can enjoy books, films and lyrics of songs much more when you are familiar with the language.

Learning foreign languages is really important because you can get to know the culture of other nations, and you can use a foreign language not only in its native country. For example, when I was on holiday in Denmark, I talked to everybody in English. It’s a big advantage if you want to get a good job, especially if you would like to work for a multinational company. You can read books in the original, and you don’t need translations. You can make friends all over the world. You can also chat with foreigners via the Internet.

There are plenty of great resources for language learners on the Internet and you can easily find free websites as well. I like the BBC Learning English website the most.

8. Travelling and tourism

 VIII. UTAZÁS, TURIZMUS

Vehicles = means of transport, public transport

car, bus, coach, train, ferry, tram, underground, trolley, taxi, motorbike, truck (US)/lorry (GB), van, airplane, suburban train. What make is this car?  

Travelling by public transport

to punch your ticket, to queue, fare, rush hours, to get stuck in a traffic jam, ticket office, platform, single/return ticket, carriage, compartment, to take a train/ …, to miss it, ticket inspector

Driving a car

• advantages: freedom (in time and place), it takes you from door to door, you can stop when you want to 

• disadvantages: expensive, tiring, breaking down

• getting a driving licence: the Highway Code exam, first aid exam, practical exam

• the parts of a car: numberplate, bumper, headlight, indicator, bonnet, windscreen wiper, tyre, boot, rear light, rearview mirror, driver’s/passenger/back seat, to fasten your seat belt, steering wheel, handbrake, gear stick, accelerator, clutch, horn, petrol (GB)/gas (US)

• others: keep to the left/right

Travelling by airplane

• places: airport, terminal, check-in-desk, passport control, customs, departure lounge, departure gate, board, arrival lounge, luggage reclaim(conveyor belt), duty free shop

• verbs: to board a plane, to take off, to land, to check in (your luggage)

• things: a boarding pass, air ticket 

Having a holiday

• accommodation: youth hostel, hotel, guesthouse, tent – campsite, bed&breakfast, inn

• types of holiday: package holiday, individual holiday

• packing for a holiday: travel documents, toiletries, …

• others: a holiday resort, to book a holiday/ a room / a flight, to apply for a passport/visa, to expire, to have sg renewed, full/half board, to put sy up, a single/double room, to check in / out, to pay the bill, sg is included in the bill

8. City Life - Country Life

Town & Country

Living in the country and living in the city are two very different lifestyles. They both have

advantages and disadvantages in many areas.

Nowadays the majority of people prefer living in a city. Also this is the well known fact that there are more people in cities than in the country. Those who like living in the city believe that it has a large number of advantages. First, the big offer of the options for spending free time. For instance people can visit various museums, cinemas, and libraries.

 Second, there are a lot of working places in the city. The biggest companies are located in the cities. Therefore, it is easier for people to find suitable jobs in a city. Also, people have more variants in choosing their career. 

Third, you can buy whatever you need if you live in a city. In opposite, people who live in the country don't have wide choice of shops. Also people are able to use different kinds of services. For example a laundry, a car wash, a beauty salon. In the contrast, there is not any variety of services in a village. 

Although living in the city has many advantages there are some disadvantages, too. The cost of living is very high in the city. Most goods are very expensive. There is no fresh air and pure water. The environment is polluted with dust, smoke, garbage and dioxide gases from factories. Most of the people who live in the city are corrupted. So there are lots of crimes in the cities. The streets are dusty and dirty. So it is hard to lead a healthy life in the city.
Other people, who prefer the country, say that there are more advantages of living in villages than in cities.

 First, the country is less polluted and the traffic isn't so heavy. You are fit and you don't need to worry about your health conditions, because in the countryside the air and water are so clean. In the country there are many plant species. There aren't any huge blocks of flats, modern skyscrapers or bothersome traffic jams.

Second, people, living in a village, feel themselves in safety. The crime rate in a country is lower than in a city. 

Third, people, living in a village are friendlier. The country offers a quieter and peaceful style of living.

However, the unemployment rate is much higher than in the city. It can be also a problem to access  hospitals, schools, police stations and shops, which are usually located far from the village. 

To sum up, I think that living in the country may have a lot of advantages such as fresh air, breathtaking landscapes and comfort, but a lot of people decide to stay in the city, due to the fact that the life in the town is easier. In my opinion, life in a country is quiet and slow. Therefore, it is more suitable for children and old people. I prefer living in a big city, where I can have a large number of opportunities.

7. Choosing a restaurant

A: Devi, have you thought about where would you like to go to dinner on Friday for your birthday?

B: I am not sure. I don't know that many restaurants around here.

A: You know, we could look online at the local Internet sites.

B: Good. Let's take a look!

A: What kind of food would you like for your birthday?

B: I enjoy Thai or Japanese the best.

A: This one, Shogun, looks good.

B: Oh yes, I've heard of that one. Everyone I've spoken with says that it is great!

A: Would you like to go there then?

B: I think that that would be a really good choice! Let's call and make a reservation.

2:

A: Devi, do you have any preference for where you would like to go for dinner for your birthday?

B: I don't really know where I want to go. I am having trouble thinking of a particular restaurant.

A: There is a great restaurant directory here in the weekend section of the newspaper.

B: OK, we could look at that.

A: Do you have a particular type of food that you would like?

B: I really like Japanese or Thai food.

A: That Japanese restaurant, Shogun, got good reviews.

B: Oh yeah! I saw a review of that restaurant on television. The reviewer loved it!

A: Would that be a place that you might like to go to for your birthday?

B: That would work out great! Why don't we call and get a reservation? 

3:

A: Devi, do you have a favorite place that you would like to go to for your birthday dinner?

B: I am kind of at a loss right now to think of some place special.

A: I've got a great guidebook here of local restaurants.

B: That would be a good place to look.

A: What is your favorite type of restaurant food?

B: I like a lot of things, but Thai or Japanese would be good.

A: Shogun looks pretty good!

B: Oh, I remember that restaurant. I went there years ago. I really enjoyed it!

A: Would that be a good choice for your birthday dinner then?

B: I would enjoy going there. Let's call ahead to make sure that we can get a table for that night. 

Hometown

I live in a beautiful, small town called Tiszafüred. It is not far from river Tisza. A lot of tourists visit this place year by year, and they wonder about the nature. About 12.000 people live here. We have got 2 churches, a Catholic and a Presbyterian. There are 5 schools, a secondary technical school, a secondary grammar school and 3 elementary schools. There are 3 kindergartens, too. Because of the tourists, there are about 10 really good restaurants, where you can choose about all kinds of foods. In summer, people always go to the famous thermal spa, or they swim at the beach in river Tisza. There is an old castle,  too, called Kemény Castle. You can visit it or one of the museums if you are interested in old things and the history of this place. If young people want to go out with their friends, they go to the local discos and cafés, or they go to the nearby cities.

6. Choosing a holiday

 

A Dialogue between Two Friends about Holiday

Nisha and Naila have spent their holiday with their family and now they have come back to school. Now write a dialogue between two friends about the holiday. 

Nisha: Good morning Naila, how are you?

Naila: Good morning, I am fine. What about you?

Nisha: I am fine too. So how was your holiday? 

Naila: It was amazing. Thanks for asking. How was your holiday? 

Nisha: That was great too. So what did you do on this holiday? 

Naila: I went to visit my grandparents in my village and I have spent an entire week there. 

Nisha: Oh, was the fun?

Naila: Yes, It was a lot of fun. I have lots of cousins in the village and I really love to meet them. I went there for almost a year. Everyone came to meet with me and my family. This is a very good feeling.

Nisha: Waooo, this is so cool. So how your villages look alike?

Naila: It’s a small but very beautiful village near a river and on the other side there are big hills. 

Nisha: It seems so beautiful. What have you done there?

Naila: I visited the river, the hill with my cousins. We went on a journey by boat and enjoyed ourselves a lot. My entire family came together for a picnic in the jungle. Overall that was so much fun. 

Nisha: I am feeling so much excited hearing all these from you. I wish to visit a beautiful village like this. 

Naila: You are invited to my village with me on my next trip. 

Nisha: Thank you so much Naila. Okay talks to you later, take care. 

Naila: Ok, bye. 

A Conversation between Two Friends about Holiday: 2

Sania: How are you Suma?

Suma: I am fine, Sania. What about you?

Sania: I am fine too. So school has started again and how was your holiday? 

Suma: My holiday was amazing. I went for a family picnic and visited a few of my relatives. 

Sania: That seems interesting. Where did you go for the picnic? 

Suma: We went to Rajasthan. We stayed there for three days in a resort. We spend a night camping near a desert. 

Sania: So you have done so much adventure. 

Suma: Yeah, that was adventurous. After completing our tour to Rajasthan, we went to one of our uncle’s place to meet him. He was inviting us to meet him. What have you done on holiday? 

Sania: I visited my uncle and grandmother in the village.

Suma: How was your visit? 

Sania: That was so much fun. I have lots of cousins there. I love meeting and spending time with my cousins. My grandmother is an interesting person. She knows lots of stories. Every night we have listened to lots of stories from her. That is a good experience for me. 

Suma: It seems your holiday was also amazing. 

Sania: Yeah, it was. Thanks for sharing your experience. 

Suma: You are welcome Sania. Take care, see you.

6. Our Home

1.Do you live in a house or a flat?

1.I live in a flat on the third floor in a block of flats on a housing estate with my parents and my cat.

2.What is your flat like?
2.We have a fairy flat with two rooms.When you enter the house, there is a hall.We have a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet, and a small balcony.

3.Do you have a garden?
3.We have a small garden which is always full of flowers.We have some lilies, tulips, and roses.

5.Do you think it is better to live in a house or in a flat?
5.I prefer living in a flat, because I hate gardening and I wouldn't like to shovel in winter.Shops are also closer and it is easier to get to a  theatre, for example.
9.How do you get on with your neighbours?
9.We have two neighbours.We are very lucky with the other neighbours too.We are in really good terms and often organise parties together.

18.Which pieces of household equipment do you consider to be necessary?
18.A fridge, a washing machine, a cooker are also necessary. It is good to have some other equipment which helps you with the household tasks ,such as  a dishwasher, a microwave and a freezer.

23.What is your living room like?
23.Though there is a lot of furniture in our living room, it is light and spacious.I have two sofa and three armchairs. In the corner there is a TV stand and shelves for books and videos, and I have a big carpet on the floor.

25.How is your bedroom furnished?
25.There's a double bed with an embroidened bedspread and there is a bedside table.There is also a dark blue wall-to-wall carpet.

I live a bit far from my school, there is a distance of about 20 km between my home and my high school. So as I live in a little village I’m a commuter. The village is quite small that’s why I think everyone knows everyone. My neighbourhood consists mainly of elderly people. They are really kind, sometimes I talk to them. My favoutire one is an old woman who likes making cakes but she lives on her own so she often invites me for a cup of tea with a delicious piece of cake. Since I live in a relatively big family, our house is quite big. There are 7 rooms in our house: a hall, 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and, of course, a bathroom. It is an old building, but it was renovated about 10 years ago. I haven’t got my  own room, my room is shared with my sister. I like very much this room. I think it is a normal bedroom with two beds, some bookshelves, two wardrobes, two desks and a big mirror. We like decorateing the walls with our old drawings and one of the things that I really like about our room is that our parents  allow us to paint on the walls so we have some colourful painting on the walls. So we can say that it is totally our decision how we decorate the room. It is smaller than this classroom. It faces east because we can see the rising sun every morning. When we look out of the window we can see our garden. I don’t think that I want to change anything in my room because I like it as it is now. I have never tought about where I want to live in 10 years, but I think I want to live in the country side, because in my opinion it is better for the family life.