Languages Open Doors!

О.Н. Стогниева 
 
 
LANGUAGES  
OPEN DOORS! 
 
 
 
Reading book 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Москва 
Издательство «ФЛИНТА» 
2025 
 
 

УДК 811.111(075.2) 
ББК  81.432.1я71 
         С81 
А в т о р 
Ольга Николаевна Стогниева — канд. пед. наук, доц., доц. Школы иностранных языков 
Национального исследовательского университета «Высшая школа экономики» 
Р е ц е н з е н т ы: 
Е. В. Габриелова — канд. филол. наук, доц., доц. Школы иностранных языков  
Национального исследовательского университета «Высшая школа экономики»; 
Н. Е. Чеснокова — канд. пед. наук, доц. кафедры иностранных языков Сургутского 
государственного университета Ханты-Мансийского автономного округа — Югры 
Стогниева О.Н. 
С81        Languages open doors!  :  Reading book  /  О.Н.  Стогниева.  —  Москва  : 
ФЛИНТА, 2025. — 92 с. : ил. — ISBN 978-5-9765-5778-9. — Текст : 
электронный. 
Пособие разработано на основе сюжетно-повествовательного подхода
(Storytelling), который наряду с иноязычной коммуникативной компетенцией развивает широкий спектр метапредметных компетенций, таких как креативное мышление, 
эмпатию и культурную восприимчивость учащихся, способствует формированию
устойчивого познавательного интереса к изучению английского языка. Пособие
состоит из пяти глав, объединенных общим сюжетом. Каждая глава содержит текст
для чтения, задания на понимание прочитанного, упражнения на развитие произносительных навыков, а также интерактивный лексический блок. Завершающим этапом
каждой главы является проектная работа, интегрирующая изученный материал с
личным опытом учащихся. Грамматический компонент курса направлен на совершенствование навыков использования прошедшего времени (Past Simple Tense). Пособие
включает настольную игру “Say It Your Way” («Скажи по-своему»), позволяющую в
игровой форме обобщить изученный материал, а также сделать заключительные
выводы на основе прочитанного. 
Учебное пособие предназначено для учащихся 4—5 классов, владеющих
английским языком на уровне A2, может быть использовано как в урочной деятельности, 
так и для самостоятельной работы. 
УДК 811.111(075.2) 
ББК  81.432.1я71 
ISBN 978-5-9765-5778-9 
 © Стогниева О.Н., 2025 
© Издательство «ФЛИНТА», 2025 

CONTENTS 
 
 
The Value of Storytelling .............................................................................................. 4 
 
PART 1. Amazing News ............................................................................................... 5 
 
PART 2. Makar Trains for London! ............................................................................ 13 
 
PART 3. The Big Game! ............................................................................................. 23 
 
PART 4. The Fruits of Effort ...................................................................................... 30 
 
PART 5. Open Doors .................................................................................................. 38 
 
ANSWER KEYS ......................................................................................................... 46 
Part 1. Amazing News ......................................................................................... 47 
Part 2. Makar Trains for London! ....................................................................... 49 
Part 3. The Big Game! ......................................................................................... 51 
Part 4. The Fruits of Effort .................................................................................. 53 
Part 5. Open Doors .............................................................................................. 55 
 
GRAMMAR PRACTICE. PAST SIMPLE TENSE ................................................... 57 
Past Simple Tense Formation .............................................................................. 58 
Verb List .............................................................................................................. 60 
Past Simple Tense Practice ................................................................................. 62 
Answer Keys ....................................................................................................... 66 
 
WORDLIST ................................................................................................................ 70 
 
BOARD GAME. SAY IT YOUR WAY .................................................................... 73 
 
 
 
 

THE VALUE OF STORYTELLING 
 
The use of storytelling as a method for language instruction offers a range of 
pedagogical benefits. An engaging narrative not only captures the learner’s interest but 
also fosters emotional involvement, encouraging continued reading and deeper 
cognitive engagement. Through the lens of characters and unfolding events, learners 
become immersed in the fictional world-forming personal connections, evaluating 
motives, and predicting outcomes. This emotional resonance enhances memory 
retention and comprehension, allowing learners to internalize vocabulary, grammar 
structures, and pragmatic language use more effectively than through rote 
memorization. 
Moreover, stories invite personalization by allowing each reader to interpret and 
engage with the narrative through the lens of their own experiences, values, and 
emotions. This subjective connection transforms storytelling into a powerful medium 
for meaningful self-expression and interpersonal understanding. As learners relate 
personally to characters or events, they are encouraged to articulate their thoughts, 
share perspectives, and reflect on their own identities. These individual responses 
foster a learning environment where diverse viewpoints are acknowledged and 
respected. 
This book embraces storytelling as a central approach, offering learners not only 
a pathway to language proficiency but also an opportunity to connect language with 
life. 
 
 

📖 PART 1 
 
AMAZING NEWS 
 
 
 

📚 Vocabulary 
 
📌 Study the words. Try to remember their meanings and use them in sentences. 
 
English Word 
Transcription 
Russian Translation 
amazing 
[əˈmeɪzɪŋ] 
удивительный / 
потрясающий 
announce 
[əˈnaʊns] 
объявлять 
at least 
[æt liːst] 
по крайней мере 
challenge 
[ˈʧælɪnʤ] 
вызов, трудность, задача 
fish and chips 
[fɪʃ ənd ʧɪps] 
рыба с картошкой фри 
future polyglot 
[ˈfjuːʧər ˈpɒlɪɡlɒt] 
будущий полиглот 
hope 
[hoʊp] 
надежда / надеяться 
junior championship 
[ˈʤuːniər ˈʧæmpiənʃɪp] 
юниорский чемпионат 
mean (meant) 
[miːn] ([mɛnt]) 
означать (означал) 
ordinary 
[ˈɔːrdɪnɛri] 
обычный 
remind 
[rɪˈmaɪnd] 
напоминать 
rugby coach 
[ˈrʌɡbi koʊtʃ] 
тренер по регби 
widen 
[ˈwaɪdn] 
расширять / расширяться 
 
📌 Practice the words online. 
 
https://quizlet.com/nl/1023662723/mak-and-rug-part-i-flashcards/?i=4gzzhj&x=1jqt 
 

📚 Read the Story 
 
 
Mak, short for Makar, was not just an ordinary 10-year-old—he was a rugby 
champion, a Minecraft Ender Dragon fighter, and a future polyglot (at least, that’s 
what his mom hoped). He studied English and Chinese, had a cool brother Yaroslav, 
a fun sister Polina, and parents who always reminded him, “Mak, languages open 
doors!”  
One day, something AMAZING happened. His rugby coach announced: 
“We have been invited to an international junior rugby championship in London!”  
Mak’s eyes widened. LONDON?! That meant: 
 Playing against the best teams in the world!  
 Visiting the land of fish and chips! 
 Speaking ENGLISH! 
 

📝 Comprehension Questions 
 
📌 Read the story and answer the questions in full sentences. 
 
1. 
What three things make Mak special? 
2. 
Which languages does Mak study? 
3. 
Who are the members of Mak’s family? 
4. 
What exciting news did Mak’s rugby coach announce? 
5. 
Why was Mak excited about going to London? Name two reasons. 
 
🎭 True or False Statements 
 
📌 Read each statement carefully and decide if it is True (T) or False (F). 
 
1. 
Mak is a rugby champion and a Minecraft player.  
2. 
Mak’s parents think languages are not important.  
3. 
Mak studies English and Spanish.  
4. 
The rugby championship is in London.  
5. 
Mak was excited about London because he wanted to try fish and chips. 
 
✍ Fill in the Gaps 
 
📌 Use the words from the word bank to complete the sentences. 
 
🔮 Word Bank: polyglot, junior championship, amazing, remind, mean, fish and 
chips, announce. 
 
1. 
Mak’s dream is to be a _________ and speak many languages! 
2. 
The __________ will be in London this year. 
3. 
My friend is an __________ rugby player! 
4. 
The coach always __________ us to train hard. 
5. 
What does the word ‘polyglot’ __________? 
6. 
In England, people love eating __________. 
7. 
The team will __________ the winners tomorrow. 

🎤 Pronunciation Practice 
 
📌 Listen to the recording, repeat each sentence, and then practice reading the 
text aloud. 
 
https://disk.yandex.ru/d/egypoilX0_5VOA 
 
 
 
✎ Write a Summary 
 
📌 Summarize the main events of Part 1 in 3—5 sentence. 
 
 
 
📌 PROJECT WORK: 
🎯📖 All About Mak — All About Me! 
 
📌 Task 1: Everything we know about Mak! 
 
Mak is a very special boy! Based on the story you have read, write a short fact 
file about him. Use the questions below to help you organize your ideas. 
 
 
 

📝 Write at least 5 sentences about Mak. 
 
1. 
Who is Mak? (How old is he?) 
2. 
What does he love to do? (His favorite sports, hobbies, or activities) 
3. 
Who is in his family? (Parents, siblings — what are their names?) 
4. 
Why is he special? (What are his talents?) 
5. 
What are his dreams for the future? 
 
 
 
 
🎯 Compare your answer with your partner’s answer. 
 
📌 Task 2: Write About Yourself! ✍ 
 
Now, it’s time to write about YOU! Follow the same structure and write  
5—7 sentences about yourself. 
 
💡 Use these ideas: 
 
✔ Your name and age 
✔ Your family members (brothers, sisters, parents) 
✔ Your hobbies and favorite activities 
✔ Your special talents and what makes you unique 
✔ Your dreams for the future 
 
 
2. 
3. 
4. 
1.  
5.