英语朗读艺术课程教材

1. The Importance of English

There are thousands of languages in the world. Each language seems to be the most important to those who speak it as their native language. This is not strange at all，seeing that it is the language they learned at their mothers? knees and may be the only language many of them will ever know all their lives.

The importance of a language can be judged according to several things. The first is the number of native speakers that a language happens to have. The second is how widely the native speakers are distributed over the world. Next comes the cultural，economic and political influence of those who speak it as their mother tongue.

There can be no doubt now that English is one of the world?s most widely used languages. People use a language in three ways: as a native language，as a second language，or as a foreign language. English is spoken as a native language by nearly 300 million people: in the United States, Britain，Australia，New Zealand，Canada，some Caribbean countries，and South Africa. As a second language，English is often necessary for official business，education，information and other activities in a great many countries such as India，Pakistan，Nigeria，Singapore，and the Philippines. It is one of the few “working” languages of the United Nations and is more frequently used than the others.

It is said that English has become the language of international trade 1

and transport. Most planes traveling from one country to another use it to talk with airports. All ships sailing on the oceans call for help by radio in it. It has been said that 60 percent of the world?s radio broadcasts and 70 percent of world?s mail are in English. At international sports meets，at meetings of scientists from different countries，and talk of writers and artists from the corners of the earth，English is the language most commonly used and most widely understood.

English has in fact become the language of international cooperation in science and technology. The most advanced results in space，nuclear and computer research are published in it. A scientist who speaks and writes English is in closer touch with the scientists in other countries than one who doesn?t.

2. The United Nations

Shortly before the end of World WarⅡ, leaders of many nations, including the United States, decided to form an international organization. It was hoped that nations could discuss their disagreements in this organizations instead of fighting over them.

On April 25, 1945, some 200 representatives from many nations came to San Francisco, California, to make the rules that would govern this organization. After months of hard work, arguments, and compromises, the United Nations was established.

The essential functions of the U. N. are to maintain international 2

peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, to cooperate internationally in solving international economic, social, cultural and human problems, to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and to be center for coordinating the actions of nations in attaining these common ends.

No country takes precedence over another in the U.N.. Each member?s rights and obligations are the same. All must contribute to the peaceful settlement of international dispute, and members have pledged to refrain from the threat or use of force against other states. Though the U.N. has no right to intervene in any state?s internal affairs, it tries to ensure that non-member states act according to its principles of international peace and security. U.N. members must offer every assistance in an approved U.N. action and in no way assist states against which the U.N. is taking preventive or enforcement action.

Today thousands of people visit the United Nations headquarters in New York city. They see the large rooms where representatives from more than 100 nations meet to discuss their problems. People who work for the United Nations believe that happy, healthy people are more likely to be friendly to other nations. They believe that helping people will help keep the world at peace.

3. The Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is considered to be the only man-made 3

project visible from the moon. Although it was once thought to have been built entirely during the Qin Dynasty between 221 and 208 BC, it is now believed to have been started earlier.

The 15-foot-high, 25-foot-wide, 1,500-mile-long structure was undoubtedly built to keep out invading enemies. To the common people of the empire, who had been forced to build the wall, it was not worth it, however. The wall, and other public works completed by the Qin Dynasty, had caused great losses of wealth and human life in the country. As a result, an angry population rose up in rebellion against the Qin Dynasty, and in 207 BC the Han Dynasty began.

Because of its rich history and magnificent appearance, the Great Wall attracts tourists, scientists, and historians to this day and will continue to do so for generations.

4．Hawaii

For most of us, Hawaii begins to weave her spell with some little glimmer of awareness. Golden beaches and golden people. Sun, sand, sea, and surf … And somewhere between the blue skies and the palm trees … we?re hooked.

The Hawaiian Islands are one of the most beautiful places on earth. The weather is friendly. The temperature ranges from 60 to 9o degrees all year long. It?s a little warmer in summer, and a little cooler in winter, but every day is a beach day for somebody. Hiking through Hawaii?s lush 4

rainforests ... Lounging on a secluded beach … Cruising down a volcano on a mountain bike at top speed … These are just a few of the myriad of activities you can do while in Hawaii — The Islands of Aloha. The choice is yours. All you have to do is figure out what you want to do while on vacation in Hawaii. Then again, you may want to do nothing at all.

There are no strangers in Paradise. Perhaps the most beautiful part of Hawaii is the genuine warmth of our people. We call it the spirit of Aloha. It has allowed a melting pot of cultures from all over the world to find common ground, and a new home, in this most gentle of places.

5. How to Behave in an Interview

In order to make a good impression during a job interview，you need to prepare yourself for it. You must arrive in plenty of time for the interview，so that you give yourself a little time to relax before the interview begins.

The impression you make as you walk into the room is very important. Try to find out if the company or organization has rules about dress. Then try to dress according to their regulations.

You also need to plan what you are going to say. In some interview you will have to do a lot of talking，and in others you will only have to answer a few questions about your education and experience. You need to have answers ready about yourself，your schoolwork，your strong points，your reasons for applying for the job，and the salary you expect. 5