Read the textsabout education in Britain
Vocabulary:
compulsory — обязательная
nursery school — детский сад
exam — экзамен
subject — предмет
university — университет
private — частный
opportunity — возможность
to award — давать, присваивать
bachelor — бакалавр
master — магистр
A. Education in Britain
Education in Britain reflects the country’s social system: it is class-divided and selective. The first division is between those who pay and those who do not pay. The majority of schools in Britain are supported by public funds and the education is free there. But there are also public schools and if parents send their children to such schools they must pay for the education.
Another important feature of schooling in Britain is a variety of opportunities offered to schoolchildren. Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland follows the National Curriculum.
The English school curriculum is divided into Arts (or Humanities) and Sciences. That’s why secondary school pupils study in groups: a Science pupil will study Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics (Maths), Economics, Technical Drawing, Biology, Geography; an Art pupil will do the English language and Literature, History, foreign languages, Music, Art, Drama. Besides these subjects they must do some general education subjects like Physical Education (PE), Home Economics for girls, and Technical subjects for boys, General Science.
In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the age of five, but before that age children can go to a nursery school, also called play school. School is compulsory till the children are 16 years old.
In Primary School and First School children learn to read and write and the basis of arithmetic. In the higher classes of Primary School (or in Middle School) children learn geography, history, religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. Then children go to the Secondary School.
When students are 16 years old they may take an exam in various subjects in order to have a qualification. These qualifications can be either G.C.S.E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or "O level" (Ordinary level). After that students can either leave school and start working or continue their studies in the same school as before. If they continue, when they are 18, they have to take further examinations which are necessary for getting into university or college.
Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive but considered to provide a better education and good job opportunities.
In England there are 47 universities, including the Open University which teaches via TV and radio, about 400 colleges and institutes of higher education. The oldest universities in England are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally, universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor's degree and the Master's degree.
B. Oxford and Cambridge
Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest universities in Britain. Only very rich families can send their children to these universities. Many people think they are the best universities in Britain. Many prime ministers and politicians graduated from these universities. Oxford and Cambridge universities consist of a number of colleges. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects. Oxford and Cambridge different, but in many ways they are alike. Each college has its name, its coat of arms. Oxford and Cambridge is governed by a master. Students study for 3 years and after it they take the Degree of Bachelor of Arts. Some courses, such as languages or medicine may be one or two years longer.
Answer the questions
1. When does compulsory school begin?
2. How long does a child stay in compulsory school?
3. What subjects do children learn in Primary School?
4. What kind of exam do students have to take when they are 16?
5. Do students have to leave school at the age of 16 or to continue their studies?
6. How do private schools differ from the regular ones?
7. How many universities are there in England?
8. What is the Open University?
9. What kinds of degrees do universities award?
Fill in the missing words
Free, compulsory, National curriculum, optional, national exams, pass 11+exams, private schools, SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), entrance exams, a certificate of complete secondary education
1. State schools provide _______education in Great Britain.
2. There are no ________ in comprehensive schools in Great Britain.
3. At the end of each stage pupils in Great Britain have _______.
4. Secondary education in Great Britain and in Russia is _______.
5. If pupils wants to study at a grammar school, they have to _______.
6. Kindergartens, nursery classes are ______ in many countries.
7. Parents pay for education in ______.
8. All schools in Great Britain follow the same ______.
9. After finishing school in Russia pupils get ______.
10. To enter the University in the USA students have to take ________.
SECTION II. THE STUDENTS’ LIFE AND STUDIES
2.1. Words and word combinations to be remembered:
| to acquire | получать, приобретать | |
| approximately | приблизительно | |
| assignment | задание | |
| to attend | посещать (лекции и т.п.) | |
| background | подготовка, образование; задний план | |
| competition | конкурс, конкуренция | |
| competitive | конкурсный | |
| completion | завершение, окончание | |
| construction site | строительная площадка | |
| credit test | зачет | |
| to make a decision | принимать решение | |
| decision | решение | |
| to earn | зарабатывать | |
| to engage | заниматься чем-либо | |
| to engage in practical training | проходить практику | |
| to enjoy | пользоваться, наслаждаться | |
| to enjoy rights | пользоваться правами | |
| equal | равный, одинаковый | |
| to evaluate | оценивать | |
| to express | выражать | |
| extent | степень | |
| free of charge | бесплатный | |
| to fulfill | выполнять | |
| grants | стипендия | |
| habit | привычка | |
| to manage | справляться, мочь | |
| to master | овладевать | |
| to meet the requirements | удовлетворять требования | |
| to obtain | получать, приобретать | |
| to participate in | принимать участие | |
| to pass examinations | сдать экзамены | |
| to prove | доказывать, защищать | |
| recreation | отдых, развлечение | |
| to relate | со/относить/ся, связывать | |
| student identification card | студенческий билет | |
| student’s record book | зачетная книжка | |
| to submit | представлять | |
| to take classes | учиться, изучать | |
| term paper | курсовая работа | |
| thoroughly | основательно, глубоко | |
| tuition | обучение | |
| variety | разнообразие, эстрада | |
| various | различный, разносторонний | |
| works | предприятие, мастерские |