elllo.
org
Speaking of
Switzerland
Anja discusses the
languages and regions
of her country.
1 Todd: Now, also your
country is really famous for
having different regions,
correct? You have three
main regions?
Anja: We have four.
Todd: four?
Anja: Actually.
Todd: Could you talk about
them?
Anja: Yes, we have four
regions and this actually
concerns the languages,
which we have four official
languages. It's German,
French, Italian, and
2 Romange. And actually, the
last one, Romange, it
became an official language
just like twelve years ago,
and only a little part the
Swiss population can speak
Romange, actually, but it
just sort of became a
national, an official language
some years ago. And yeah,
well, the country's really
small and we sometimes
have some troubles
communicating to each
other, but usually people talk
at least two languages, so it
works out most of the time.
3 Todd: So, in your country,
you don't have the one
uniform language that
everybody speaks?
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Anja: No, we don't. Like we does that sound like? Does
have Swiss, but Swiss is that sound like Italian or?
only being used in the
German speaking part of Anja: It's a mix of the three
Switzerland, which means main languages I would say,
like we don't actually use like a mix of German,
German when we talk. It's French, and Italian and, I
only for writing, but when we can catch a word here or
talk to each other, to our there but, yeah, I don't really
parents, to our teachers, we understand it.
use Swiss.
Todd: And lastly, what part
Todd: So Swiss is closest to are you from in Switzerland?
German? It's Germanic?
Anja: I'm from the German
4 Anja: Yes, you can say that part.
but it's very difficult for
German people to Todd: OK.
understand us when we're
talking actually because it's Anja: Yes.
really fast and a really cute
language, apparently. Yes. Todd: Oh, thanks Anja.
5 Todd: Now, what is the Anja: Oh, you're welcome.
percentage breakdown, like
what percentage is French,
Italian, etc?
Anja: I couldn't tell you the
percentage but the biggest
part is German, followed by
French, Italian, and
Romange is only zero point
five percent of the
population, so.
Todd: Alright, and just out of
curiosity, Romange, what
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Summarize
Take notes as you listen or read the interview on the left side of the paper. Then write
complete sentences to summarize the story in your own words. The first one is done.

Part 1: Todd thinks that there are 3 regions in

3 regions? no 4 regions Switzerland but Anja actually informs him that

languages: German, French, there are 4. The regions are based on the main
Italian, and Romange languages which are German, French, Italian,
and Romange.

Part 2:
Romange -> official language 12
years ago
Small, difficulty communicating
Most people, two languages
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Start a Conversation: ANSWERS

Match the following questions with the responses.

1. What is the population of your ___ It is a required subject in school so

country? most people can speak it.

2. Is the economy good? ___ It is in Western Europe.

3. How many officials languages are ___ The winters are pretty mild and the

there? summers are pretty cool.

4. Is it a big country or a small country? ___ There are three official languages:

French, German, and Luxembourgish.

5. Can people speak English there? ___ More than 80% are Roman

Catholics.

6. What are the main religions? ___ There are about a half a million

people.

7. What continent is it on? ___ It has the worldʼs second highest

gross domestic product per capita.

8. What is the weather like there? ___ It is ranked 175th in size of all the

194 countries of the world.

9. What are the major industries? ___ No, the country is landlocked.

10. Are there any beaches there? ___ Banking and financial exports are

the base of the economy.

Which country is it?

Follow this link to check the answer:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lu.html

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Keep the Conversation Going
Keep the conversations going by
using the words in bold for ideas
and then ask a follow up question.
A: Do a lot of people speak English in your country?

B: We have to study English in school, but most people arenʼt fluent. ?

A: ___________________________________________________________________

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A: How big is your country?

B: Well in size it is pretty small, but it is very crowded so the population is big.

A: ___________________________________________________________________

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(Write a question here) __________________________________________________?

Go online for the slide show, interactive quiz, and free downloadable MP3 of this interview: www.elllo.org : Interview #968
 elllo.org
Keep the Conversation Going
Keep the conversations going by
using the words in bold for ideas
and then ask a follow up question.
A: What kind of exercise do you do to keep such a great figure?

B: Actually, Iʼm pretty lazy, but I have a dog so I walk him everyday.

A: ___________________________________________________________________

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A: How do you find the motivation to train everyday for the marathon?

B: I set short-term goals and long-term goals and then I visualize myself completing
them.

A: ___________________________________________________________________

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(Write a question here) __________________________________________________?

Go online for the slide show, interactive quiz, and free downloadable MP3 of this interview: www.elllo.org : Interview #968