We are never too old to learn something new

Choose one word for each gap.

1. a. because    b. although            c. despite         d. as long as
2. a. offering    b. having offered    c. offered        d. are offered
3. a. due to      b. in addition to      c. as regards    d. as a result
4. a. for free     b. without money   c. freely           d. at free
5. a. applying   b. involving            c. engaging      d. implementing
6. a. learning    b. be learning          c. learn            d. to learn 

(1) some may believe that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks," many seniors across the world disagree. And they are proving it by pursuing further education, continuing to learn during their golden years, and  enjoying the benefits of life-long learning.

Thousands of older people participate in education or training, either formally or informally, each year. They may be enrolled on day or evening classes at universities and schools. But for many taking university or school classes is too formal and involved, or simply too long. So they attend courses on many popular subjects (2) by local libraries or communities or join self-help study groups. If commuting is difficult, they may take part in distance learning and online courses.

In many countries seniors can study at the University of Third Age (U3A). But also universities, and schools offer special study programs for senior students. They have offices designed to assist with the unique needs, goals, and situations of those students. (3) paying for the classes, many schools and universities offer senior discounts. In many American colleges and universities senior citizens may audit classes. Because they are not working towards obtaining a degree, it is usually standard policy that they can sit in on lectures (4).

Goals for returning to education may vary--earning a degree or certification that they did not have the opportunity for before, learning something interesting and new, brushing up on old skills and knowledge, or getting out and meeting other seniors. Some of the most popular courses for seniors include those (5) crafts and hobbies, such as art, cooking, photography and gardening. Classes in nature study, history, economics, literature, creative writing, personal finance management, health and wellbeing are also much sought after. In recent years, trends have shown many more seniors are interested in classes that teach how to use a computer and how to access the Internet and email. By learning these skills, seniors are able to gain independence, broaden their horizons and keep in touch with the loved ones.

Taking an interest in education can have a very profound effect on many areas of life. There is general agreement that not only physical but also intellectual activity enriches and prolongs life. Classes allow the elderly students (6) something useful or have fun, as well as meet new people with similar interests. Some seniors who have made learning a constant part of their life have reported improved morale, decreased loneliness, increased self-confidence and more interest in life.

to prove – dokazovať, to pursue education- venovať sa vzdelávaniu, enrolled – zapísaný, involved – tu: vyžadujúci osobné nasadenie, to audit - počúvať

KEY
1 b,  2 c, 3 c, 4 a, 5 b, 6 d

WHICH  IS  CORRECT?

1. There is no point ____________ about it.
    a. to argue       b. argue       c. in arguing        d. at arguing
2. I will never admit ____________  in the crime.
    a. involved      b. to involve     c. being involved     d. to be involved
3. The child could not resist  ____________ the cake.
    a. to eat        b. eating        c. to have eaten  d. against eating
4. His wife was the last ____________ about the affair.
    a. to learn         b. learn       c. which learned         d. to be learned
5. This is certainly worth ____________.
    a. for remembering     b. to  remember       c. remembering       d. for being remembered
6. Instead ____________ you should apologize.
    a. of smiling     b. smiling c. to be smiling         d. of to smile
7. They look forward ____________ from you soon.
    a. to hear         b. to hearing    c. in order to hear      d. that they will hear
8. Are the children fond ____________ tennis?
    a. about playing    b. to play    c. of playing       d. in playing
9. The disco in the hotel bar ruined her chances ____________ some sleep.
    a. in order to get      b. of getting  c. about getting  d. to be getting  
10. I think I will have no problems ____________ a new job.
      a. in order to find     b. finding    c. of finding       d. for finding
11. I regret ____________ you but I will not be able to come.
a. disappoint                               b. to disappoint  
c. about disappointing               d. for disappointing
12. We regret ____________ that. It was rude.
      a. to say       b. saying     c. about saying     d. to be said
13. Please will you remember _____________ the flowers while I am away?
      a. to water     b. watering     c. of watering      d. that you will water
14. Don’ t worry. I remembered ______________ the flowers before we left.
   a. to water     b. watering     c. on watering     d. that you will water
15. They stopped ______________ some coffee in a roadside bar.
       a. to have  b. having c. for having  for to have
16. We need ____________(A) the living room and also the kitchen needs ____________(B).
      A. a. redecorated   b. to redecorate c. redecorating  c. to be redecorating
   B. a. redecorated   b. to redecorate c. redecorating  c. to be redecorating

KEY
1c,  2c,  3b,  4a,  5c,  6a, 7b,  8c,  9b,  10b,  11b,  12b, 13a,  14b, 15a, 16 Ab, Bc

FALSE FRIENDS ALEBO SLOVÁ, KTORÉ ZVYKNEME ZLE PREKLADAŤ

Running a Business Meeting

Eliciting Arguments II/Zisťovanie argumentov II

Very direct:
Would you mind telling us/explaining to us …. ? - Mohli by ste nám povedať/vysvetliť ...?
Are you suggesting = implying that ...? - Chcete tým povedať = naznačiť, že ...?  
Could you tell us what you mean by saying that ....? - Mohli by ste nám povedať, čo máte na mysli,  keď hovoríte, že ...?
Do you think it will/would be ... if ...? Myslíte si, že bude/by bolo ... ak/ak by...?  
Wouldn’t you agree it will/would be ... – (Ne-)súhlasili by ste s tým, že bude/by bolo .... 
Informal:
Let’s hear from Tom. - Vypočujme si Tomov názor/Toma.
We haven´t heard from Tom yet. – Tom nám ešte nič nepovedal.
Perhaps you Ted – what’s your view on/of ….? - Možno ty, Ted, aký je tvoj názor na ...
I’m wondering what your opinions of … are, Helen. - Zaujíma ma, aký sú tvoj názory na ... , Helen.
Any reaction to that? - (Sú) nejaké reakcie?= Chce niekto na to reagovať?
Managing Conflicts/Zvládanie konfliktov
There seems to be  some misunderstanding/miscommunication here concerning the issue of… - Zdá sa,  vo veci .... existuje určité nedorozumenie/chyba v komunikácii.
In my opinion, we can try to sort this out by …- Podľa mňa sa môžeme pokúsiť túto vec vyriešiť...
Could we go over … once more to make sure we understand …- Mohli by sme ešte raz prejsť..., aby  bolo isté, že všetci rozumieme ...
Maybe it would be useful to clarify …- Možno by bolo užitočné objasniť/ujasniť si ...
Please do carry on/go on. - Prosím, skutočne = dôrazne Vás žiadam, aby sme pokračovali.
Please finish what you have to say. - Prosím dopovedzte, čo chcete povedať.
Please let Mr Palmer have his say. - Prosím, nechajte pána Palmera hovoriť.
Very direct:
Why don’t we/you try to sort this out? - Prečo sa nepokúsime/-te  toto vyriešiť?

Voting I/Hlasovanie I 

Well, if there’s no more debate, I’ll put it to a vote. We’re recommending that … - Dobre, ak sa  diskusia skončila = nebudete ďalej diskutovať, dám o tom hlasovať. Doporučujeme, aby ...
If we can´t come to a consensus by the end of the meeting, we will put it to a vote. - Ak sa nedohodneme do konca porady, dame o tom hlasovať.
The debate time has elapsed. We will immediately move to voting/voting procedure. - Čas určený na  diskusiu uplynul. Hneď prikročíme/prejdeme k hlasovaniu.

Kliknutím na obrázok ho zväčšíte...