· Step 2. Look over the 7 headings given in the table.
· Step 3. Skim each paragraph to identify the topic.
Match the given 7 headings with the 7 paragraphs of the text:
English in science
Domain loss leads to death of languages
English in the European higher education
Domination of the United States
The many faces of English
Europeanisation as a variant of global Americanisation
English: lingua divina or diabolica?
Identifying where to find indirect information.
· Step 1. Survey introductory and concluding paragraphs, and identify the core ideas of the passage.
· Step 2. Skim the rest of the passage to make sure.
· Step 3. Scan the text to find the correct wording of its main idea, the topic, and the purpose, write out the key words from each paragraph.
· Step 4. Skim the text for examples of descriptions, step-by-step explanations, directions, comparisons and contrasts, analyses, analogies, and definitions.
A/ The main idea is what the author has in mind when s/he is writing a text. Which one of the sentences given below most closely renders the main idea of the text?
1. English as a lingua franca is a neutral instrument for international communication.
2. Labelling English as a lingua franca, if this is understood as a culturally neutral medium that puts everyone on an equal footing, entails not merely ideological dangers, it is simply false.
3. The world is moving toward a common language – English.
4. The elimination of national languages from certain domains can threaten social cohesion and the vitality of a language.
5. Science cannot be advanced without the English language.
B/ The topic is the subject area the author chooses to bring her/his idea to the reader. Identify the main topic of the text.
1. The making of languages in Europe.
2. The history, aetiology and misuse of the concept of ELF.
3. US colonisation policies.
4. Language death and language spread concepts.
5.EU language policy.
c/ The purpose of the text is what the author wants the reader to believe in. Does the writer want you to believe that:
1. English is a cuckoo in the European higher education nest of languages?
2. English has been a lingua diabolica rather than a lingua divina?
3. Globalisation begets interdependence, and interdependence begets the necessity of a common value system?
4. Language policy as the prerogative of each state?
5. God spoke and understood English and nothing else?