The educational system of Great Britain
Although responsibility for all aspects of education in England and Wales rests with the central government departments, the service is mainly administered by local education authorities. They are responsible for providing adequate provision for all stages of state education. Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 16. The state system of education is divided into three stages: primary, secondary and further education.
The system of education in Great Britain is rather complicated. By law children go to infant school at the age of 5. They stay there for two years. Each class has its own teacher who takes all the lessons, with the exception perhaps music. The infant school provides a foundation for the more systematic educational methods of the next stage – the junior school. Children are taught to read and write a little and simple addition and subtraction of numbers. At the age of 7 they go to junior school. The range of subjects in the junior school is larger and includes arithmetic, reading, composition, nature study, history and geography, singing, drama, physical education and so on. French is taught in some junior schools. Children get their primary education during 4 years.
For all children in state schools secondary education begins at the age of 11. There are four types of state secondary schools in England and Wales: 1. Grammar schools; 2. Secondary modern schools; 3. Secondary technical schools; 4. Comprehensive schools.
Grammar schools provide an academic type of education up to the age of 18. They prepare pupils for the General Certificate (GCE) examinations and for university entrance. The curriculum includes English language, English literature, modern languages, Latin, mathematics (pure and applied), chemistry, physics, biology, geography, art, music, woodwork and metalwork for boys, domestic science for girls, and physical education. In addition, most grammar schools have a group of “out-of-school” activities.
Secondary Modern Schools give a general education, including some practical instruction. Boys are instructed in woodwork and metalwork and girls in domestic science. Children can be also taught sewing, shorthand, typing and cooking. These schools give a very limited education and besides in most of them there is no foreign language teaching. Some of the pupils succeed in passing the Certificate of Secondary Education (GSE), which indicates satisfactory completion of schooling.
Secondary Technical schools are a small and not very popular group, providing an education related to industry, commerce and agriculture of a general and not vocational type. This type of school does not give a real grounding in the kind of techniques necessary for higher technological study. The technical school curriculum is basically similar to that of the grammar school.
Comprehensive schools (the word means “all-inclusive”) are grammar, secondary modern and technical schools all in one. These schools can be organized in a number of ways. There may be 8 or 9 classes in a year and the pupil will study a wide variety of subjects at first and after two or three years drop some of them, and study those he is most interested in. Some pupils of schools of this type leave school at 16 without any real qualification. They don’t pass GSE exams and increase the ranks of unemployed people.
It is difficult to imagine the system of education in Great Britain without public (or independent) schools. They are mainly boarding schools for boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18. Some of them are single-sex. A typical public school has about 500 pupils. There are also some prestigious public schools which are very old (St. Peter’s in York dates from the year 627). They were founded as charitable institutions for the sons of deserving but poor citizens.
The school year is divided into three terms. Autumn term: early September to mid-December; Spring term: early January to the end of March (beginning of April); Summer term: end of April to early July (mid- July). Schools usually work from Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. or 4 p.m. The teaching day is usually divided into seven periods of forty minutes each. These include periods for games on the playing fields and for physical education in the gym.
When the pupils are 16 they take Ordinary Level (“O” level) examinations in three or four subjects. Those who have passed them enter the sixth form. In two years they take Advanced Level examinations (“A” level) in one or two subjects. After passing them pupils can enter colleges or universities. Universities accept students mainly on the basis of their “A” level results and an interview.
There are 46 universities in Britain, including the Open University. The English universities can be divided into three main groups:
1. The old universities: Oxford and Cambridge. Oxford is the oldest English university which was founded in 1168. It is specialized in classical studies and the humanities. Cambridge was organized in 1284 and it has always had a high reputation in the field of science and mathematics. To enter these universities one has to take certain exams. These universities consist of semi-independent colleges, each of them having its own staff (“Fellows”). They teach the college students either one-to one or in very small groups. This system is unique in the world and known as tutorials in Oxford and supervision in Cambridge.
2. Civic universities (or “Redbrick”): Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and some others. These universities were all founded in the large industrial towns and became closely linked with their industrial surroundings, playing a prominent role in the development of local industry and technology.
3. The new universities. These universities were founded after 1960.
4. The Open University was founded in 1971. Some people don’t have an opportunity to study full-time, and this university allows them to study for degree. The university’s courses are taught through television, radio and coursebooks. Its students work individually and with tutors, to whom they send their papers. The students discuss their work at meetings of through correspondence. In summer they attend short courses.
Scotland has four old universities, all dating from the 15th and 16th centuries and four new ones. The federated University of Wales comprises seven constituent institutions. In Northern Ireland there is the Queen’s University of Belfast and the new University of Ulster.
Universities take the better students, that’s why nearly all students complete their studies. The normal course of study lasts 3-4 years. Students are not supposed to take a job during the term. Unless their parents are rich, they receive a state grant, which covers most of their expenses, including the cost of accommodation. Quite a lot of students live on campus or in rooms nearby.
As to university staff the formal head of a university is the Chancellor, who acts as a figurehead; he is usually a prominent figure in public life, but is not paid. The chief academic and administrative officer is the Vice-Chancellor who is responsible for the running of the university. The highest governing body is a council, consisting of some professors, together with a number of local public figures; under it is a Senate, composed completely of academics, and which receives advice from the boards of the various facilities and controls academic matters. The teaching is organized in departments and is based on a set course of lectures.
Degree titles vary according to the practice of each university. The Bachelor’s degree is given to students who pass examinations at the end of three or four years of study: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc). Honours degrees are classified as first class, second class, lower second or third class, depending on the student’s examination results. Master of Arts/Science degree may be obtained by attending a postgraduate course or by writing a paper or thesis. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is given for a thesis which is an original contribution to knowledge. It is common for both humanities and science. University degree courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science extent over 5 or 6 years.
Check yourself.
1. Tell about main stages of the educational system of the UK.
2. How can one obtain degree titles?
Lecture 4
Holidays in the U.K.
There are eight public holidays, or bank holidays a year in Great Britain (the term “bank holiday” dates back to the 19th century), i.e. days on which people don’t go to work. They are:
· Good Friday;
· Easter Monday;
· May Day Bank Holiday;
· Spring Bank Holiday;
· Late Summer (August) Bank Holiday;
· Christmas Day;
· Boxing Day;
· New Year’s Day.
Good Friday is Friday before Easter. On this day people usually eat special buns marked with a cross on top. On this day the church marks the death of Christ.
Easter Monday is the first Monday after Easter Day. In England presents traditionally take the form of an Easter egg. Easter eggs are usually made of chocolate, but they are also often artificial. People who live in London can see the Easter Parade in Battersea Park. There are lorries covered in flowers, beauty queens at the Easter Parade— and lots of people! At the rear of the parade is usually a very beautiful floral float, created from thousands of lovely spring blooms and bearing the Easter Princess and attendants. It is an afternoon to remember.
May Day Bank Holiday is the first Monday after the first of May (May Day). People celebrate the coming of spring. May Queen, the most beautiful girl of the celebration, is selected on this day.
Sometimes May poles with long coloured ribbons on the top are set and children dance round these poles holding the end of the ribbons.
Spring Bank Holiday falls on the last Monday in May.
August Bank Holiday is held on the last Monday in August.
People in Britain like to go to picnics on spring and summer bank holidays.
Real cockneys often go to Hamstead Heath, a natural park in suburbs of London. There are many different amusements for children and grown-ups: merry-go-rounds, swings and puppet shows. A very interesting event is the coming of the Pearly Kings or Queens - cockneys who have sewed pearl buttons all over their dresses and suits. It’s a great fun!
Christmas Day is the most popular bank holiday. It is celebrated on December, 25. Christmas symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day many people go to churches, receive Christmas presents, and eat a traditional Christmas dinner (roast turkey and pudding). Children usually hang long socks or stockings on their bed hoping that Father Christmas will come down chimney during the night and bring them his presents. Christmas trees are set in the living-rooms and children decorate them with toys.
December, 26 is Boxing Day. On this day people usually gave “Christmas boxes” or money to servants. Now it is the day when people relax at home or visit their friends.
New Year’s Eve is a more important festival in Scotland than it is in England. The Scots call New Year’s Eve “Hogmanay”. It is believed that if the first footer has a piece of coal in his hand it means good luck for the whole family. People sit the Old Year out and the New Year in. When the clock begins strike twelve, the head of the family opens the entrance door and holds it until the last stroke.
At midnight throughout Great Britain people celebrate the coming of New Year by holding hands in a large circle and singing the song «Auld lang syne» by Robert Burns. People often decorate their houses with bouquets of mistletoe. The most famous celebration of New Year is round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus. People sing, dance and welcome the New Year. Someone usually falls into the fountain.
Besides bank holidays there are other festivals connected with interesting traditions and customs. Among them are the following holidays:
· St. Valentine’s Day;
· Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day);
· April Fool’s Day;
· Mother’s Day (Mothering Sunday);
· Father’s Day;
· Halloween;
· Guy Fawkes Night and some others.
St. Valentine’s Day is held on the 14th of February. It is the day when people send gifts and valentines to their sweethearts. Valentine is a colourful card with a short love verse composed by its sender. It is a kind of love-token. People who send Valentine cards do not sign them. Those who get them must guess who the sender is. There is a version of the first Valentine. It was a bishop, a Christian martyr who before he was put to death by the Romans sent a note of friendship to his jailer’s blind daughter. Every St. Valentine’s Day thousands of people travel to a small village on Scotland’s border with England to get married. The village is called Gretna Green. Its romantic reputation began in 1754. In that time in England marriage for the people under the age of 21 without parents’ permission was banned. However, in Scotland this permission wasn’t required. Gretna Green was the first stop across the border. Many young couples came to Gretna Green to get married there.
Shrove Tuesday is the last day of enjoyment before the fasting of Lent. Pancake Day is the popular name for Shrove Tuesday. Many people traditionally eat pancakes on this day. On Shrove Tuesday Christians usually confess their sins to a priest.
Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday is held in March on the fourth Sunday in Lent. On this day sons and daughters present their mothers with gifts. On this day children of all ages return to their homes.
April Fool’s Day is a day of jokes and tricks.
Father’s Day is celebrated in June. Fathers and grand-fathers receive cards and presents on this day.
Halloween is held on October, 31. Children make lanterns out of pumpkins and put a candle inside. The pumpkin looks like a face with burning eyes. Some people have Halloween fancy-dress parties and dress as witches and ghosts. Children go from house to house, knock at the doors and say: “Trick or Treat”. Halloween is the holiday on the eve of All Saints Day. “Halloween” means “holy evening”. Halloween customs date back to a time when people believed in evil spirits.
Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated on the 5th of November. This custom dates back to the times when King James I was on the throne. As a Protestant, he was very unpopular with Roman Catholics. In 1605 some Catholics decided to blow up the Houses of Parliament. They stored thirty-six barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords. Guy Fawkes was one of the conspirators. On the 5th of November he was found by the King’s soldiers and executed. According to another theory the plot never existed at all. The Government just wanted to blacken the Catholics and tighten the laws against them.
Since that day the British celebrate the 5th of November by burning a dummy, made of straw and old clothes, on a bonfire. This dummy is called a “guy” and children often ask: “Penny for the guy” and sing:
Remember. Remember
The fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
For I see no reason
Why gunpowder and treason
Should ever be forgot.
The 25th of January is Burns Night. This celebration is held on the 25th of January, the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's greatest national poet. It usually takes the form of a supper at which traditional Scottish dishes are eaten, including haggis, and during which a Scottish piper plays, wearing traditional Highland dress. Some of Burns' most popular poems are recited and there may be Scottish dancing after the meal is finished. Burns Night celebrations are held not only in Scotland, but also amongst Scots living in other countries.
Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) is observed throughout Britain on the Sunday nearest to 11 November, Armistice Day. On this day the fallen in both world wars are remembered in special church services and civic ceremonies, the chief of which is the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph, London, by members of the royal family in the presence of leading statesmen and politicians.
On and just before that day artificial poppies, a symbol of mourning, are traditionally sold in the streets everywhere, and people wear them in memory of those who fell in the wars.
The London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run. An annual race of veteran cars from London to Brighton is an exciting event. It is organized by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) and usually held on the First Sunday in November. Old, usually carefully preserved, motor cars take part in the Run. Some cars are more than 90 years old!
Besides public holidays one should remember the patron saint days. They are: St.David’s Day (March, 1) in Wales; St. George’s Day (April, 23) in England; St. Andrew’s Day (November, 30) in Scotland; St. Patrick’s Day (March, 17) in Northern Ireland; Only St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday of the Irish.
Шотландский Новый год.
Существует несколько версий происхождения слова «хогманей». Одни настаивают, что оно восходит к древнекельтскому и означает «новое рождение». Другие утверждают, что оно произошло от старофранцузского hoguinan e – «подарок в Новый год». Наконец, третьи связывают его с англосаксонским выражением «haleg monath» - «святой месяц».
Его празднуют 4 дня. Все начинается вечером 29 декабря с факельного шествия. В нем могут принимать участие все желающие, стоит лишь купить факел за 5 фунтов. Заканчивается это шествие на вершине холма Кэлтон Хилла, где сначала сжигают соломенного быка, а потом дружно наблюдают, куда плывут облака. С востока на запад – год будет удачным, в обратную сторону – неважнецким.
30 декабря праздник перемещается на главную улицу Нового города Джордж-стрит. Там проходит карнавал. 31 декабря все наводят марафет в своих домах.
Вечер 31 декабря богат на события – проходит концерт классической музыки, состязания в танце кейли, концерт местных звезд. В 12 часов начинается фейерверк. Сразу после полуночи вся страна поет шотландскую известную песню «За прежние времена».
Еще один обычай – «первая нога». Шотландцы верят: В дом придет удача, если его порог первым в наступившем года переступит темноволосый мужчина. А если он будет здоровым, веселым, да еще принесет с собой бутылочку виски, черного кролика, песочное печенье или серебряную монетку, то счастье просто повалит в дом. Примета уходит корнями во времена викингов, когда светловолосый человек означал грабеж. Темноволосых любят и везде угощают, поэтому к утру чернявые с трудом переставляют ноги. Такое хождение может продлиться аж до 3 января. А вот рыжеволосым, блондинам, докторам, священникам, ворам, могильщикам и женщинам шотландцы не рады.
1 января многие купаются в ледяной реке Форт, причем в костюмах. За каждого отважного купальщика назначена определенная сумма в благотворительный фонд.
Check yourself.
1. What are the main holidays in Great Britain?
2. When do they celebrate Guy Fawkes Night?
3. What is Remembrance Day?
Lecture 5
Mass Media.