St David’s Blackstone Road York YO 3HF UK

7 October

Dear friends,My name is Mark. I want to make pen friends with you. I’m going to make a report about national costumes of different countries. So, I send you a description of our folk costumes. Could you write me about the national costume of your country? I’m sorry but I have to stop now.Let’s keep in touch.Best wishes,Mark

Listen and answer the question Is there a definitive national

costume in England and Wales?

Ex.1.Read and guess the meaning of the words

•folklore •folk •costumes •to base•ritualistic •magical

•to associate •to isolate •diagonally •to drape •cylindrical •conical •crepe

Ex.2. Listen to the words and expressions and repeat them

after the teacher–definitive –vary –to consist–to banish–Fertility–peasant– apron

» embroidery–To be trimmed with

•trait •calf•felt •straw •ribbon •retain •shawl •petticoat •triangle •originate •shape

Ex.3. Answer the questions

• What does Morris dancers’ costume consist of?

• Why do they wear bells and ribbons?• What is the national costume of Wales based

on?• Was the distinct national costume of Wales

worn by men or by women?• What does the Welsh folk costume consist of?

Check your answersAlthough England is a country rich in folklore and traditions, it has no

definitive national costume. The most well-known folk costumes are those of the Morris dancers. They can be seen in many country villages during the summer months performing folk dances that once held ritualistic and magical meanings associated with the awakening of the earth. The costume varies from team to team, but basically consists of white trousers, a white shirt, a pad of bells, worn around the calf of the leg, and a hat made of felt or straw, decorated with ribbons and flowers. The bells and ribbons are said to banish harm and bring fertility. Morris dancing was originally an all-male tradition, but now some teams feature women too.

The national costume of Wales is based on the peasant costume of the 18th 19th centuries. Because Wales was isolated geographically from the rest of Britain, many of the individual traits of costume and materials were retained in Welsh dress long after they had died out elsewhere. Unlike Scotland, the distinct folk costume of Wales was worn by the women, consisting of a long gown or skirt, worn with a petticoat and topped with a shawl folded diagonally to form a triangle and draped around the shoulders, with one corner hanging down and two other pinned in front. Aprons were universally worn, sometimes simple, sometimes decorated with colourful embroidery. The most distinctive part of the costume was the tall black “Welsh hat” or “beaver hat”, though to have originated in France at the end of the 18th century. The hats had a tall crown, cylindrical or conical in shape with a wide brim, and were usually trimmed with a band of silk or crepe.

Ex. 4. Translate from Russian into English (be careful with Passive

Voice).

1. Их можно увидеть (они могут быть увиденными)

2. национальный костюм основан на 3. Костюм сделан из 4. Считается, что колокольчики

отгоняют зло 5. фартуки носили все (были

всеобще ношены)

Check your answers1. They can be seen…2. The national costume is based

on…3. The costume is made of…4. The bells are said to…5. Aprons were universally worn…

Chuvashia is the land of 100000 songs

• Upper, Middle and Lower Chuvash – верховые, средние и низовые чуваши

• homespun linen canvas – домотканый льняной холст

• pendants – подвески• beads [i:] – бисер• coins – монеты• a necklace – ожерелье• breast [е] adornment – нагрудное

украшение

My marks for the lesson

• Ex. 3 _________• Ex. 4 _________• Speaking about the national

costume of Chuvashia _______• The final mark ______

Hometask for groups“About Chuvash clothes”

• P1: write a letter to Mark.• P2: make an e-report • P3: find more information in the

libraries• P4: find more information using the

Internet