VIII. Speak about the English Department at your University (usе Essential Vocabulary on the topic)

IX. Make up dialogues, using Essential Vocabulary on the topic Suggested situations:

A. A Russian student and an English student are exchanging information on systems of higher education in their countries.

B. Two students of the English department are discussing their college life. One of them is enthusiastic about everything, the other is a dissatisfied grumbler and finds fault with every little thing.

C. A student of the English department is speaking about the programme and the course of study with a friend of his (hers).

D. A strict father (mother) is demanding an explanation from a son (daughter) after a failure in a college exam. The son is giving all kinds of lame excuses speaking about "overcrowded syllabus", injustice of professors and bad luck in general.

X. a) Bead and translate into Russian:

Oxford

So this is Oxford. As soon as we emerge into the clean, broad streets, there are signs enough that this is the ancient seat of English learning. Gowns and mortar boards.[52] Young undergraduates in loose black thigh-length gowns. A graduate's gown is generally of knee length and for ceremonial occasions at least, has a hood lined in silk of the colour prescribed by the wearer's faculty.

Oxford's main railway station is some half a mile to the west of the area in which are clustered most of the colleges: Queen's College and University College, Magdalen College and quite a number of others.

All these together make up the University of Oxford.

The central University, in general, arranges lectures for the whole body of students in a particular subject and holds examinations and grants degrees; an individual college provides for residence and tutorials. Great emphasis is laid at Oxford and Cambridge on what are called "tutorials", in which a Don[53] gives personal instruction in his study at least once a week to students numbering not more than four at a sitting.

For a lover of old architecture, Oxford has much to offer. Many of the colleges present a lovely picture of ancient pearl-grey walls, noble towers, picturesque gothic archways. All have grass lawns of velvet smoothness which must be seen to be believed, and many have, in summer, most magnificent displays of flowers.

(After "The British Scene" by George Bidwell)

B) Argue the pros and cons of: 1. Tutorial system. 2. Students' uniform. 3. Residential colleges.

XI. Describe the pictures on p. 183:

XII. Try your hand at teaching:

A. Preparation.Get ready for a talk on one of the following topics:

1. Higher education in Russia.

2. Higher education in Great Britain.

3. Oxford University.

4. Cambridge University.

5. Teacher training in Great Britain and in Russia.

B. Work in Class. Listen to the students' talk and say a few words about the construction of each talk: its beginning, development, conclusion, and the general balance of these parts.

Speak on what you think may surprise a Russian student at an English University (Oxford, Cambridge): a) programme, b) teaching methods, c) students' extra-curricular activities.

Prompts: I think (suppose, guess, believe, dare say)...; Well, my opinion is that...; My view is that...; True, but...; You may be right... but all the same...; I wouldn't say that; But on the other hand.

XIII. Read the text. Comment on its content:

Students in Tents

Three small tents — two blue and one khaki — are pitched among trees on a hill above Sussex University campus. This weekend they are 'home' to three students who cannot find a bed in the neighbouring town of Brighton.

They are an apt symbol of an accommodation crisis that is affecting thousands of students throughout the country. Tonight 80 other Sussex students will bed down on mattresses on the floor of the university senate chamber. It will be the sixth — and probably final — night of a'protest occupation!

In every major city there are students on camp beds in nooks and crannies and others 'crashing' on the floors of friends' flats.

The National Union of Students describes it as the worst ever student accommodation crisis! The indications are that it is a foretaste of a massive problem.

Unless something radical is done, the concept of a student having the right to go away to university may soon be dead. (See: Ttofi C., Creed T. S. English in Mind. Lnd., 1982)

XIV. Speak on:

1. Your intentions as to your teaching career.

2. What you are going to do to become a highly-qualified specialist.

XV. Role-playing.

Work in two groups, one playing the university lecturers, the other presenting students. Both groups are discussing one and the same exam. Compare their versions and make your conclusion as to the difference in approach:

Exam: English Literature.

Results: Dave Robertson — Sat Charles Hope — Poor

Duncan Holmes — Good Dorothy Baird — Very Good

Jenny Richards — Good

XVI. Compose a short story to which the pictures on pp. 187-189 might serve as an illustration. Use prompt words and phrases listed betow:

physicist; theory of relativity; treading on air; full of sweet reminiscences;

cast a glance; a sudden shock; come to realize; a guilty conscience;

first traces of fatigue; tired-out;

with a wet towel round his head; in frustration; a dazed look; a tub of water; scattered all over; peeping inside; puzzled;

strange visions; welcome cheerfully; arm-in-arm; a cane;

in a frenzy of enthusiasm; leaning on; lunatic asylum.

XVII. Film "Mr. Brown's Holiday". Film segment 5 "Is it Good to be a Student?" (Chrichester). a) Watch and listen, b) Do the exercises from the guide to the film.