Ex. 3. Speak out on the topic

My Daily Routine

My week-days do not differ much from one another. I go to the University six days a week. That's why I have to wake up at 6.45 (at a quarter to seven). I jump out of bed, switch on the radio and do my morning exercises to the music. Then I go to the bathroom, wash myself and clean my teeth with a tooth-brush. It does not take me much time, not more than ten or fifteen minutes. Then I dress and sit down to table to have breakfast. I usually have a cup of tea or coffee, an egg and bread and butter.

After breakfast I go to the University. I study at the Chuvash State Teacher Training University named after I.Y. Yakovlev. As I live far from it, I go by bus or trolley-bus. Usually it takes me 30 minutes (half an hour) to get to the University. My classes begin at 8.15 (at a quarter past eight). Every day we have 4 classes. We also have lectures, seminars and laboratory works. As I cannot get home for lunch, I have it in the canteen.

For lunch I often have meat or fish with potatoes or rice. For the sweet I take a cup of strong tea or coffee with a pie or a roll. At ten minutes past three the classes are over, and I go home. When I get home after the University, I have dinner. Usually I have some soup or macaroni. For dessert I have stewed fruit or ice-cream. After dinner I help my mother to wash up the dishes. Then I do my homework. It often takes me about two hours.

At 7 o'clock I meet my friends. Together we go for a walk and talk about different things. We always have a good time.

At eight or nine o'clock I have supper with my family. We have some salad, slices of sausage and bread, sour milk or cereal. Sometimes my mother cooks something tasty for us.

In the evening our family likes to watch TV. If the programme is not interesting, I listen to the music or read journals.

At 10 o'clock I go to bed.

Ex. 4. Use in your retelling other variants suitable for you:

My working day does not begin very early, but quite late.

I shave.

I do make-up.

For my breakfast I have 2 eggs (porridge, macaroni with a chop or with a sausage, a pie).

I go to the University by bus or by taxi.

I go on foot as live not far from the University.

We train much in the sportshall and take an active part in different competitions.

After classes I come back to the hostel.

After classes I run to the training.

I listen to the radio or tape-recorder.

Ex. 5. Make up a dialogue on the topic. You may use the following questions.

1. Does your working day begin early?

2. What time do you get up at?

3. How do you prepare for the workday?

4. Do you keep your bedroom in order?

5. Where do you hurry after breakfast?

6. How do you get to the University?

7. How many classes do you usually have?

8. Do you do well at your study?

9. Where do you have your lunch?

10. Do you go home after classes?

11. What do you do at home?

12. Where do you have your supper?

13. Are you busy in the evening? What do you usually do?

14. What time do you go to bed?

Ex. 6. Speak out how you spend your weekday.

Topic: University

Ex. 1. Read the following text using a dictionary.

Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest, the most prestigious and privileged universities in the United Kingdom. They are often informally called Oxbridge and generally thought to be the best universities.

Oxford is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is the second largest in Britain, after London.

Cambridge University started during the 13th century and grew until today. Now there are more than thirty colleges.

Cambridge has always had a high reputation in the field of Science and Mathematics, Oxford - in classical studies and the humanities.

The college system at Oxbridge is unlike that at any other university in Britain. Each college at Oxbridge is different, but in many ways they are alike. They are all residential colleges and the college is a place where students live, no matter what profession they are trained for. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects. Within the college one will normally find a chapel, a library, rooms for undergraduates and the staff, as well as rooms for teaching purposes. Each college is independent and selfgoverning. Teaching here is based on the tutorial system. This is the system of individual tuition organized by the colleges. Each Fellow is a tutor in his own subject to the undergraduates who are studying it. The tutor also directs the student's reading, advises him what lectures to attend and keeps an eye on his progress.

Lectures are organized by the University. All the teachers at Oxford and Cambridge, whether they are professors and lecturers or Fellows or both, are commonly called dons. Attendance of lectures is not compulsory, tutors advise their students which lectures they should go to. Some lectures are crowded, some are sparsely attended depending on the popularity of a lecturer.

Besides lectures, the University organizes examinations, awards degrees, provides laboratories and equipment, libraries and the like.

The normal length of the degree course is three years, after which the students take the Degree of Bachelor of Arts. The students may work for other degrees as well. The degrees are awarded at public degree ceremonies. Final examinations at Oxford are called schools, and at Cambridge tripos.

The Universities have over a hundred societies and clubs, enough for every interest one could imagine. Sport is part of students' life at Oxbridge. The most popular sports are rowing and punting.

Many great men studied at Cambridge, among them Roger Bacon - the philosopher, Milton - the poet, Oliver Cromwell - the soldier, Newton - the scientist, Kapitza - the famous Russian physicist.

Ex. 2. Retell the text “Oxbridge” according to the plan:

1. Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest universities.

2. The college system at Oxbridge.

3. Teachers at Oxford.

4. Famous graduates of Oxford.

Ex. 3. Prepare to give a talk to the topic “Our University”.

Our University

The Chuvash State Teacher Training University named after I.Y. Yakovlev is the oldest institution of higher education in the Republic of Chuvashia. It was founded in 1930. The main four-storeyed building in K.Marx Street was erected in 1957. It houses the faculties of Physics and Mathematics and of Foreign languages.

The modern higher teacher training education went back to the Chuvash Teacher school in Simbirsk. It was founded by the prominent educator Ivan Yakovlevich Yakovlev. That is why the Chuvash State Teacher Training University was named after him.

At the beginning there were only 2 departments: the Physical-Technical and the Social-Literary. The library was opened on the 1st of October, 1930. In 1968 the museum of I.Y. Yakovlev was founded, in 1983 – the Museum of Mother's glory. The Chuvash State Teacher Training Institute got the University status in 1998.

Now it is housed in six buildings and has 13 faculties, which train students of day and correspondence departments in many different specialities. Our University trains teachers for primary and secondary schools in different subjects: the Russian language and literature, foreign languages, physics, mathematics, geography, biology, music, drawing and so on. The University is headed by the Rector. There are also several Vice Rectors. The faculties are headed by Deans. The Dean has an assistant to cope with different activities at the faculty. He is called the Assistant-Dean. The latter is usually responsible for the students work and life, i.e. he is to advise students, organize examinations, take care of the students’ living conditions, deal with the students’ scholarships, etc. As a rule there are several departments at each Faculty. Once a year every faculty holds the Day of Open Doors when the Dean and some of the lecturers welcome candidates seeking for admission and answer all their questions thoroughly.

The teaching staff consists of professors, lecturers and tutors. They give lectures, take seminars and have tutorials with the students, examine the students during the examination session and supervise the students’ research work.

The students have a five-year course of studies. An academic year is divided into two terms each ending in an examination session. Those who pass the exams successfully get a scholarship. Students have holidays twice a year, at the end of each set of examinations. The curriculum consists of the subjects the students specialize in, social subjects, foreign languages and physical training. Professional training includes educational subjects: pedagogics, history of education and psychology. Students are to attend different lectures and seminars. Students’ practical work is given much attention to at our University and students give lessons at primary and secondary schools.

On graduating the students receive diplomas which give them the right to teach at school.

The University offers postgraduate training where research students carry out individual research within their particular field of study and write a dissertation.

The library contains about 750 thousand items and currently subscribes 311 periodicals on different subjects and in different languages that meet the needs of students in study and research. The students work in the reading rooms of the library including the reading-room with access to the Internet. They also can borrow books from the lending department.

The students do not only study, they take an active part in scientific conferences which are held at the University every year. A lot of students carry out research work in various laboratories which are equipped with up-to-date devices and apparatus. The students have their own scientific society.

The University has a wide variety of amateur groups and societies which arrange concerts and theatre productions. The students have every opportunity to develop their abilities, gifts and talents.

The students also can go in for sports they like. They are fond of playing football, volleyball, basketball, tennis. In winter they go skiing and skating. Indeed, sport in some form or another became an essential part of the students' life.

Every year hundreds of students graduate from the University and become skilled specialists. Among our graduates you will find teachers, professors and well-known scientists.