I. Fill the gaps in this life story of a British woman.
At 5, Nelly Dawes went straight to ... (1) school because there were very few ... (2) schools for younger children in those days. When she was ready to go on to secondary school, she passed an exam and so got into her local ... (3) school. Nowadays her own children don't do that exam, since most children go to a ... (4) school. She left school at 16 and did not go on to ... (5) education, but she works during the day, then goes to ... ... (6) at the local school once a week to learn French. She would like to take up her education again more seriously, if she could get a ... (7) or scholarship from the government. Her ambition is to go to a ... ... ... (8) and become a school-teacher.
II. Correct the mis-collocations in these sentences.
1. I can't come out. I'm studying. I'm passing an examination tomorrow.
2. Congratulations! I hear you succeeded your examination!
3. You can study a lot of different careers at this university.
4. I got some good notes in my continuous assessment this term.
5. She's a professor in a primary school.
6. He gave an interesting 45-minute conference on Goethe.
7. She got a degree in personnel management from a private college.
8. When I was 12, we started having French seminars at school, and I fell in love with the language.
III. What questions could you ask to get these answers?
1. No, they have to finance their own studies.
2. There isn't much difference; it's just that one gets money from the government and the courses are free, the other depends on fee-paying students.
3. Well, they learn one or two things, like recognising a few numbers, but most of the time they just play.
4. Because I wanted to be a teacher, no other reason.
5. It's sixteen, but a lot of kids stay on until eighteen.
6. I've been revising/studying for an exam.
7. No, ours are given in grades, you know, B+, C, A, that sort of thing.
8. No, I was ill. I didn't miss it deliberately.
9. They are exams taken in England at 18 years old, which you need in order to get into university.
IV. Translate into English
Семь процентов британских школьников учатся в британских школах. Такие школы имеют длинную историю и свои традиции. Чтобы быть уверенным, что ваш ребенок получит место в такой школе, необходимо внести его имя в список на очередь, как только он родился. Дети из состоятельных или аристократических семей часто учатся в той же школе, где и их родители. Итон – самая известная частная школа.
За обучение в этих школах платят родители. Они очень дорогие, но считается, что образование в них дается на более высоком уровне и имеются предпосылку для получения хорошей работы.
Higher education
Higher education is provided at universities and on advanced courses at polytechnics and other establishments of higher and further education. The oldest and best-known universities are in Oxford, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham. A university consists of a number of faculties: divinity, medicine, arts (philosophy), law, music, natural sciences, economics, engineering, agriculture, commerce and education. After three years of study, a student may proceed to a Bachelor's degree and later to the degree of Master and Doctor.
The Bachelor's degree is given to students who pass examinations at the end of three of four years of study, Bachelor of Arts for history, philosophy, language and literature and sometimes some social studies, or Bachelor of Science or Commerce or Music. Bachelors' degrees are at two levels, Honours and Pass. In some cases the Honours degree is given for intensive study and examination in one, two or perhaps three related subjects, while the Pass (or "General") degree may be somewhat broader. In other cases the Honours degree is given to the students who are more successful in their examination.
The first postgraduate degree is that of Master, conferred for a theses based on at least one year's full-time work. Everywhere the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is given for a theses which is an original contribution to knowledge.
The oldest universities of Oxford and Cambridge were founded in the two towns towards the end of the twelfth century. The story of the University in Cambridge begins in 1209 when several hundred students and scholars arrived in the little town of Cambridge. These students were all churchmen and had been studying in Oxford, at the city of well-known schools. It was a hard life in Oxford for there was constant trouble between the townsfolk and the students. Then one day a student accidentally killed a man of the town. The Mayor arrested three other students who were innocent and by order of King John (who was quarrelling with the Church and knew that the death of three churchmen would annoy it) they were put to death by hanging. In protest, all the students moved elsewhere, some came to Cambridge, and so the new University was formed.
There were many new quarrels with the townsfolk, for the University wanted to be independent of the Town. Side by side with the fight for freedom from Town rule and another for liberty from Church rule the University became its own master at last in 1500. Now at Oxford and Cambridge the colleges are self-governing institutions.
In those early days student life was very different from what it is now. Students were of all ages and came from everywhere. The students were armed, some robbed the people of the countryside.
Students were forbidden to play games, to sing (except religious hymns), to hunt or fish, or even to dance. All the lessons were in the Latin language which students had to speak even among themselves.
In the early nineteenth century Oxford and Cambridge were the only two universities in England. The cost of education at these universities was so high that only the sons of the wealthier classes could afford to attend them.
Many great men studied at Cambridge and Oxford, amongst them Bacon the philosopher, Milton the poet, Newton the scientist, John Galsworthy the writer.
The universities have their own traditions, which they preserve carefully. A student must wear a cap and gown - it is a custom from the time when students were clergymen. If a student disobeys this regulation he must pay a fine. Students correctly dressed have their meals in the College dining-room and mustn't be late for dinner. Sporting activities are very numerous and popular and there is keen rivalry between the Colleges and Universities. The most popular sport is rowing.
Academic life in both universities is full and varied. Students attend lectures given by professors and lecturers, their work is largely based on tutorial system; each student meets his tutor to have his work scrutinized and discussed.
Because of the age, traditions, historical associations and reputation, competition for admission is extremely keen.
Assignments
I. Look at the statements about the educational system in the UK. Tick (ü) the statements which are also true for your country.
1 Education is compulsory until the age of 16.
2 Education in state schools is free until the age of 18.
3 Children start primary school at the age of four or five.
4 A small percentage of children (about seven per cent) go to private, fee-paying schools.
5 Most secondary schools are 'comprehensive' schools, which means that they take students of all abilities.
6 Children in primary and secondary schools take national tests to monitor their progress.
7 At the age of 16, students take important exams and then they can leave school.
8 Students who want to continue their studies can take advanced level exams two years later.
9 30 - 40 per cent of young people go to college or university after school.
10An undergraduate university course normally lasts three or four years, although for some subjects (e.g. medicine) it is much longer.
II.Complete the sentences with the correct word. Use each
word once only.
1 professor / teacher
a When I was 12, my English … encouraged me to write stories.
b Our … at university was more interested in his research than in teaching.
2 check / control
a Before you hand in written work, you should … it carefully for mistakes.
b The children in Mr. Adam's class are so naughty that he cannot … them.
3 career / course
a Dr Jenkins ruined his … when he gave several patients the wrong drug.
b They sent him on a two-week … to learn how to use the new computer.
4 subject / lesson
a Monday's French … was so boring I thought it would never end.
b I think physics is a difficult … to study at university level.
5 educate / train
a I'm sure your company will … you to use the new equipment.
b Many people feel that schools do not … children very well these days.
6 degree / grade
a I think this composition deserves a better … than C, don't you?
b Although my … was in chemistry, the headmaster still let me teach biology.
d the Universities. The most popular sport is rowing.
Academic life in both universities is full and varied. Students attend lectures given by professors and lecturers, their work is largely based on a "tutorial" system; each student meets his tutor to have his work scrutinized and discussed.
Because of their age, traditions, historical associations and reputation the prestige of Oxford and Cambridge is very high, consequently, competition for admission is extremely keen.