Vocabulary
magnet = a thing that attracts (literally, a piece of metal that attracts or repels iron)
overseas = coming from abroad, foreign
guaranteed = promised and assured
assessed = evaluated, ranked
recognition = accepting that something (e.g. a course) is of high quality
degree course = a course of study at a university or college
course = a series of lessons or studies in a particular subject: take a course; course = program (American English]
scholarships = payments from a sponsor's funds to maintain a good student in full-time education
undergraduate = student at a college or university who has not yet received a bachelor's degree ▪ an undergraduate program ▪ undergraduate classes; graduate = someone who is involved in academic study beyond the bachelor's degree: a Harvard graduate
personalised = focused on individual students
approach = method of doing something or dealing with a problem approach to ▪ a new approach to teaching languages
global job market = jobs that are open to people all over the world
drop out = when you have to stop your university studies before you have completed your course
pass rate = marks that you need to get in order to begin/continue to study at a university
dynamic = where a lot happens and changes happen quite often
fascinating = very interesting, irresistibly attractive
Comprehension check
1. How do overseas students feel about going to British Universities?
2. What is the largest single group of overseas students in the universities of Britain?
3. How many overseas students does the British government expect by 2020?
4. Does the British education system suit the needs of a modern, complex society?
5. What good examination results must you have in order to enter an undergraduate degree course?
6. What service is offered to international students?
7. What makes the UK a fascinating place to live and study?
8. Summarise the main points of the article.
Unit 3. Edinburgh Festivals September 2007
Read the story: For eleven months of the year, Edinburgh is a relaxed city, enjoying the calm that comes with a smallish population. But in August, all things change. The population doubles, the atmosphere becomes almost continental, and the grey stone façades burst into colour. Summer in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, is the time for festivals.
Caption: The Massed Pipes and Drums performing at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2009
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many independent arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh each summer. The original and still the largest component festivals are the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The Edinburgh International Festival started in 1947. It is the "official" festival consisting of classical and contemporary theatre, opera, music, and dance, shows and exhibitions. The Festival includes the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Edinburgh International Television Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and even the Edinburgh International Internet Festival!
The same year that the official festival began, a handful of theatrical companies came to the festival uninvited and organised their own event, which grew into what is now called the Edinburgh Fringe Festival or the Fringe. The term 'fringe' means something on the outside of the main event. The performances at the Fringe are less traditional and more experimental, more unusual and original than those in the International Festival. The Fringe is an event for the performing arts, particularly theatre and comedy, although dance and music are also represented. The performers put up a lot of children's shows and comedy shows. Over the years, the Fringe has become the largest of all the festivals, and indeed the largest arts festival in the world!
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is Scotland's biggest, best-selling and the most popular event. A military tattoo has nothing to do with a tattoo on your skin! It means a drum performance of military music, for example, by marching bands. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is performed by British Armed Forces and International military bands. Edinburgh Castle is the site of this entertainment show.
The first official Military Tattoo began in 1950. It attracted some 6000 spectators who were seated on simple benches set on a wide street around Edinburgh Castle. Now, on average, just over 217,000 people see the Tattoo live each year. The line-up of nearly 1000 performers includes hundreds of musicians, pipers, drummers, singers and dancers, horses and motorbikes! International military groups from Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and even African tribes have performed at the Tattoo over the years. The Tattoo is televised in 30 countries and about 100 million people see the event on television worldwide. In the UK the event is broadcast annually by the BBC.
The Edinburgh Festival is inviting you to experience the unique atmosphere of Edinburgh in August during an unforgettable three weeks of the very best in international opera, music, theatre and dance. If you want to see a thrilling drama from some of the world's greatest directors, wonderful classical and modern dance, world-class opera from across the UK and beyond, and beautiful music from international conductors, the world's top philharmonic orchestras and soloists, don't delay. Start planning your Festival today and make sure you've booked your seats for one of the greatest arts festivals in the world.
Note: The 2011 Fringe sold 1,877,119 tickets for 41,689 performances of 2,542 shows, in 258 places used for concerts or performances, over 25 days. On average there were more than 75,000 admissions and 1,360 performances per day. There were 21,192 performers, from 60 countries participating. There were 607 free shows.