British education
Section A
Ex.1 Listen to the following words and repeat them after the speaker:
comprehensive – upper school – according to the abilities - primary school – depending on local authority - nursery school – to receive – to fail the exam – boarding school – public school – voluntary school –
gifted - although – to remain – general Certificate of Secondary Education – advanced level – secondary modern school –
a wide choice – gradually increasing – to stream (according to the abilities) – craft -
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загальноосвітній старші класи ( середньої школи ) відповідно до здібностей початкова школа залежно від місцевої влади дитячі ясла отримувати завалити іспит закритий навчальний заклад приватна (платна) середня школа добровільна школа (на особливій дотації від благодійних організацій ) обдарований хоча зоставатись
атестат про середню освіту підвищений рівень середня сучасна школа ( з практичною спрямованістю) широкий вибір поступово зростаючи розділяти (відповідно до здібностей)
ручна праця |
Ex.2. Read the following words with the stress on the first syllable:
system, different, nursery, primary, level, policy, infant, local, upper, usually, certain, junior, grammar, secondary, modern, private, called, boarding, although, public, instance, mixed, voluntary, background, catholic, arrow, training, timetable, subjects, languages, gifted, gradually, streaming, confidence, accent, discipline, quality.
Ex.3. Read the following words with the stress on the second syllable:
directly, depending, authority, alternatively, selective, another, according, abilities, remain, successful, receive, intended, preparatory, until, expensive, within, varieties, religious, confusing, certificate, arithmetic, domestic, increasing, ahead, transition, attended, foundation, compulsory.
Ex.4. Read the following words with the stress on the third syllable:
education, comprehensive, introduced, academic, independent, possibilities, individual, mathematics, composition.
Ex. 5. Listen to the text
British Education
There are many different types of schools in Britain. There are, however, only three main systems:
The comprehensive system. More than 90% of children who go to state schools in England and Wales go to schools in the comprehensive system — a system introduced in the 1960s. Children go to a primary (or first) school at the age of five. Depending on the policy of the Local Education Authority, they may go directly to the upper school — usually called the comprehensive school — at the age of 11. Alternatively, they may go to a middle school for three or four years before going to the upper school. The comprehensive system is non-selective. This means that all children go from one school to another without taking any exams, and without being selected according to their abilities.
The selective system. In some areas of Britain, you can still find a different, and older, system of education (introduced in 1944). This is a selective system — children are selected for certain schools according to their ability. All children go to a primary school until the age of 11. Then they take an examination called the 11-plus. Those who are successful go to a grammar school, where they receive a more academic education. Those who fail the exam go to a secondary modern school, where they receive an education which is less academic, and more intended to train them for a job when they leave at the age of 16.
The private (independent) system. About 7% of children go to private schools. There are three levels of private school — primary schools (age four to eight) and preparatory (prep) schools (eight to 13). At the age of 13, children take an examination. If they pass, they go on to public school, where they usually remain until they are 18. Many prep and most public schools are boarding schools — the children live at the school during the school terms. Be careful — although these schools are called "public", they are, in fact, private, and it can be very expensive to send your child to such a school.
Within the three systems, there are several varieties of schools. For instance, you can find:
- schools for boys only
- schools for girls only
- mixed schools — for boys and girls
-voluntary schools — often with a religious background — such as Roman Catholic schools.
You can see that the British education system is rather confusing. This chart will help you: follow the arrows to see the possibilities which are open to a British child up to the age of 16.
Examinations. The public examinations taken by British schoolchildren are GCSEs (the General Certificate of Secondary Education). Pupils usually take their GCSEs at the age of 16. Some children take three or four; others take as many as ten or eleven.
Pupils who have passed their GCSEs may remain at school for another two years and take their "A" (Advanced) level exams. All grammar and most comprehensive schools have a sixth form, where pupils study for their "A" levels. Any student who wants to go to university needs to pass at least two or three "A" levels.
Ex. 6. Find the international words in the text and give different variants of their translation.
Ex. 7.Read and translate the following words and word-combinations:
state school, main system, to introduce, comprehensive system, primary school, Local Education Authority, directly, alternatively, to mean, according to their abilities, depending on, intended to train, school term, to remain until they are 18, voluntary school, public examinations, the General Certificate of Secondary Education, training, gradually increasing, self-confidence.
Ex.8. Translate into English:
початкова школа, відвідувати, відбірна система, екзамен в 11 років, старші класи, відповідно до їх здібностей, загальноосвітня школа, успішний, “провалити” іспит, закінчувати школу у 16-річному віці, інтернат, декілька різновидів шкіл, сучасні мови, релігійна основа, можливості, широкий вибір, розклад, доволі сурова дисципліна, незалежний від контролю суспільства, учнів розділяють відповідно до їх здібностей.
Ex. 9. Find the synonyms :
1. to train
2. to introduce
3. abilities
4. to receive
5. according to
6. compulsory
7. comprehensive
8. to depend on
a) talents
to get
due to
to teach on
to rely on
obligatory
academic and technical
to bring in
Ex. 10. Find in the text and read aloud the sentences with the expressions :
1. in the comprehensive system
2. without taking any exams
3. children are selected
4. those who are successful
5. more intended to train
6. three levels of private schools
7. rather confusing
8. pupils who passed their GCSEs
Ex. 11.. Choose the words and word combinations which are given below belonging to the comprehensive, selective and private system of school education and write them down :
Comprehensive Selective Private
(independent)
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( primary school, private schools, a secondary modern school, according to their abilities, the upper school, a middle school, the 11-plus examination, a grammar school, preparatory schools, to be intended to train for a job, boarding schools, a more academic education).
Ex. 12. Read the sentences, translate the words in brackets :
The comprehensive system of state education (була введена) in England and Wales in 1960.
2.Within this system all children go from one school to another (без відбору) according to their abilities.
3.In 1944 was introduced a selective system when children are selected (по здібностям).
4.At grammar schools children (отримують) a more academic education.
5.The education at modern schools (направлено на) to train them for a job.
6.Many prep & most public schools are (інтернати).
7.Within the three systems, there are several (типи) of schools.
8.The public examinations taken by British schoolchildren are (атестат про загальну освіту).
9.All grammar and most comprehensive schools have a sixth form, where pupils study for their (екзаменів підвищеного рівня).
Ex. 13. Look through the passages and say what schools are responsible for the following:
1. They are staffed with teachers and students in training. There are all kinds of toys to keep the children busy from 9 a. m. till 4 p. m. – while their parents are at work. There the babies play, have lunch and sleep.
2.These schools want to develop the talents of each individual child. They offer a wide choice of subjects, from art and craft, woodwork and domestic science to the natural sciences, modern languages, computer studies, etc. Pupils are quite often put into “sets” for the more academic subjects such as mathematics or languages.
3.Reading, writing and arithmetic are taught for about 20 minutes a day during the first year, gradually increasing to about 2 hours in their last year. There is usually no written timetable.
4.At 8 there is a transition from play to real work. The children have set periods of arithmetic, reading and composition. History, Geography, Nature Study, Art and Music, Physical Education, Swimming are also on the time table. Pupils are streamed according to their abilities to learn into A, B, C and D streams. The least gifted are in the A stream.
5.These schools are called by different names to state schools. These schools are very expensive and they are attended by about 7 per cent of school population. The schools, such as Eton, Harrow, Rugby and Winchester are famous for their ability to lay foundation of a successful future by giving their pupils self-confidence, the right accent, a good academic background and, perhaps most important of all, the right friends and contacts.
These schools are independent and free from public control. Most of them are boarding schools. The education is of high quality, the discipline is rather strict. The system of education is the same, the most able go ahead.
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(private schools, junior schools, nursery schools, infant schools, comprehensive schools)
Ex. 14. Give the numbers of the sentences that are true according to the text.
In England and Wales children go to a primary school at the age of six.
After primary school they may go to a middle school for three or four years before going to the upper school.
In the comprehensive system all children go from one school to another without taking any exams and without being selected according to their abilities.
Within the selective system pupils take an exam at the age of 13.
In the older system of education (introduced in 1944) children are selected for certain schools according to their abilities.
A grammar school gives more academic education which provides the entrance to the University or college.
There are three main systems of school education in Britain: the comprehensive, the selective and modern systems.
About 17% of children go private schools.
There are three levels of private schools – primary, preparatory and public schools.
10.Public schools are independent from public control.
11.Pupils who have passed their GCSEs may remain at school for another three years and take their “A” level exams.
12.Those who want to go to the university need to pass at least two or three “A” levels.
Ex. 15. Choose the right endings of the sentences:
1.English children must go first to … at the age of five:
a) to the grammar school
b) to the junior school
c) to the upper school
2. Depending on the policy of the local education authority:
a) English children may go directly to the upper school at the age of 11.
b) 25 per cent of children take the 11 plus examination
c) some children go to the boarding schools
3. At the age of 11:
a) some English children take the 11- plus examinations
b)all English children take the 11- plus examinations
c)English children take the public examinations
4. The pupils, who passed the 11 plus (exams) may go:
a) to the modern schools
b)to the grammar school
c)to the college or University
5. The private (independent) system has:
a)a selective system of education
b)several varieties of schools
c)three levels: primary schools, preparatory schools and public schools
6. Any student who wants to go to university:
a)must pass the GCSEs only
b)needs to pass at least two or three “A” levels
c)has to pass four “A” levels.
Ex. 16. Fill in the blanks with the proper words given below:
1.First children go to ... at the age of five.
2.According to the policy of … children may go directly to the upper school at the age of 11.
3.... was introduced for the state schools in England and Wales in the 1960s.
4.Within a selective system children are selected for certain schools according to their ... .
5.The selective system forsees (provides) ... at the age of 11.
6.… … intended to train the students for a job when they leave at the age of 16.
7.About … of children go to private schools.
8.… … forsees an examination at the age of 13.
9.If they pass the examination, they go to public school, where they usually .. until they are 18.
10.The public examinations taken by British schoolchildren are … .
11.Pupils who have passed their GCSEs may remain at school for another two years and take their … … … .
12.All … and … … have a sixth form, where pupils study for their “A” levels.
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(Local Education Authority, the 11 plus examination, primary school, a secondary modern school, remain, ability, the independent system, the General Certificate of Secondary Education, the comprehensive system, 7%, grammar and most comprehensive svhools, “A” (advanced) level exam.
Ex. 17. Change the order of the ideas given below to that actually used by the author:
Depending on the policy of the Local Educational Authority, the pupils may go to the comprehensive school at the age of 11.
In some areas of Britain, you can still find a different, and older, system of education.
There are only three main systems of school education in Great Britain.
The comprehensive system is non-selective.
Those who are successful, go to a grammar school, where they receive a more academic education.
In the selective system the children are selected for certain schools according to their ability.
Those who fail the exam go to a secondary modern school, where they receive less academic education.
The schools which are called “public” in fact are private, and it can be very expensive to send your child to such a school.
Many preparatory and most public schools are boarding schools.
10.There are three levels of private schools – primary schools (age four to eight), preparatory schools (eight to thirteen) and public schools (until they are 18).
11.Any student who wants to go to the university needs to pass at least two or three “A” levels after the sixth form of grammar or comprehensive school.
12.The British educational system is rather confusing.
13.Pupils usually take their public examinations (GCSEs) at the age of 16.
14.There are several varieties of schools within the three systems: schools for boys or girls only, mixed schools for boys and girls, voluntary schools – often with a religious
background.
Ex. 18. Look through the statements in ex.17 again. Write them in your exercise books as general questions.
Ex.19. Look through the text and find the sentences which can serve as answers to the following questions:
1. What are the main school education systems in the United Kungdom?
2. When was the comprehensive system introduced?
3. Do many pupils attend the comprehensive school?
4. What differs the comprehensive school system from other school systems?
5.Does the selective system still exist in some areas of Britain?
6. What pupils go to a grammar school?
7. Why can’t secondary modern school leavers enter a college or University?
8. Is the 11 plus examination system fair towards the pupils?
9. What is the least attended school system and why?
10.Why is the private system called independent one?
11.Why do they call the British education system rather confusing?
12. What are the GCSEs?
13.Do all secondary schools have a sixth form, where pupils study for their “A” levels?
14. What student needs to pass at least two or three “A” levels?
Ex. 20. Say these sentences in English:
1. Більш ніж 90% дітей, які йдуть до державних шкіл в Англії та Уельсі, йдуть до шкіл загальнодоступної системи.
2. Діти йдуть у початкову школу у 5 років.
Вони навчаються у середній школі 3 або 4 роки до того, як йдуть до старших класів.
Ті, хто здають іспити для одинадцятилітніх успішно, йдуть до (граматичних) шкіл, а ті, які “провалюють” екзамен, йдуть до середньої сучасної школи.
Існує 3 рівня приватної школи – початкова школа (від 4 до 8 років), підготовча школа (від 8 до 13 років) та привілейована приватна середня школа.
Школярі приватної (незалежної) школи здають іспити в 13 років.
У привілейованій приватній середній школі діти вчаться до вісімнадцяти років.
Британська система освіти доволі заплутана.
Учні, що отримали атестат про середню освіту, можуть залишитись в школі ще на два роки і здавати екзамени підвищеного рівня.
Ex.21. See how well you have understood the British education system. Here are two young British people with different educational experiences. Fill in the missing words to complete the story of their lives at school. Use the information on the preceding pages to help you:
1. My name’s Maggie Turnbull, and I’m seventeen. I first went to _______ school when I was ______ years old. I left there at the age of nine, and went on to a _______ school, and then to a comprehensive. I took ten ________ and now I’m in the ______ form studying maths, chemistry and physics for my _____ exams.
2. I’m Philip Powel. I’m seventeen, and I work in a factory. After _____ school I failed my _______ exam, and went to a _______ school. I passed four _______ and left school when I was ______.
Ex. 22. Look at the timetable for a Secondary School:
-
MON
TUES
WED
THURS
FRI
9:00 ASSEMBLY
9:30
English
Maths
Geography
Gym
History
10:15
English
French
Physics
English
Library
11:00 MORNING BREAK
11:15
Maths
Physics
Arts &
Music
French
12:00
Chemistry
Gym
Crafts
Biology
Geography
12:30 LUNCH
2:00
Domestic
History
Biology
Maths
Religion
2:40
Science or Woodwork
English
Music
German
Current Affairs
3:10 AFTERNOON BREAK
3:20
Typing
Domestic Science
Maths
Games
Chemistry
3:40
History
German
Chemistry
Games
English
1). Now answer the questions:
How many languages do the pupils learn? Which are they?
What practical subjects do the pupils have?
Which subject do they study more, history or geography?
How many hours a day do they spend at school?
How long does their morning break last?
2). Now answer the same questions but referring to yourself.
Ex.23. Translate from Ukrainian into English in a written form, use the new information in the discussion of the topic:
По-перше, як і в Європі, загальна освіта безкоштовна в Британії, хоча батьки можуть вибрати приватну школу і витрачати гроші на навчання своїх дітей.
Близько 93% учнів отримують безкоштовну освіту з суспільних (public) фондів, в той час як інші відвідують незалежні школи, які фінансуються їхніми батьками.
По-друге, обидві системи мають три ступені навчання, коли діти йдуть з початкової школи (перший ступінь) до середньої школи (другий ступінь).
Третій ступінь (який інколи називають третичний рівень) (tertiary level) забезпечує подальшу (further) та вищу освіту і включає коледжи подальшої освіти, технічні коледжі, коледжі вищої освіти та університети.
Першою характерною відрізняючою рисою освіти в Британії є те, що вона має відносно малий контроль з центру, а друга – відсутність однаковості (lack of uniformity).
Привілейовані приватні середні школи 19-го століття, серед яких найбільш відомими були Ітон, Харроу, Вінчестер та Вестмінстер, давали освіту синам вищого та верхівці середнього класу.
На відміну від (as distinct from) більшості Європейських країн, відносно велика увага приділяється розвитку особистості, а не знанням та вмінням.
Традиційний підхід привілейованої середньої школи допомагає пояснити, чому національний навчальний план (the National Curriculum), що мав покінчити з (to do away with) розбіжностями в типі та якості освіти, не було введено до 1989 року.
Освіта у Британії не зконцентрована на академічному навчанні. Велика увага приділяється відвідуванням та таким видам діяльності, як робота шкільних клубів або походи за місто.
10.Шкільний день починається приблизно о 9-й годині трьома годинами занять вранці (між якими короткі перерви) і продовжується ще двома години занять після перерви на ланч.
11.Школа забезпечує близько двох третин учнів дешевою їжею. Батьки платять за це, за виключенням 15%, що вважаються дуже бідними, тому їхні діти харчуються безкоштовно.
12.Декілька місцевих освітніх правлінь ще направляють (send) здібних (bright) дітей до граматичної школи і відсталих (slow) до середньої сучасної школи, але зараз переважна більшість (vast majority) шкіл загальноосвітні, тобто приймають учнів з різними здібностями.
13.В Англії жорстке ділення на групи (rigid streaming) відповідно до здібностей вважається реакційним та нечесним у відношенні до дітей, яким не дають можливості для освітнього росту (advancement), тому що їх поділили на категорії ще у ранньому віці.
14.Шкільні екзамени звичайно оцінюються у 100 балів (are marked out of 100), а потім ці бали заміняються (are converted into) рівнями (grades) від A до G (рівні A, B, C вважаються “хорошими” оцінками).
Ex.24. Detail the plan and tell about the British system of education using it:
1.The comprehensive system:
a)
b)
c)
2.The selective system:
a)
b)
c)
3.The private (independent system):
a)
b)
c)
4.Examination:
Section B.
Ex.1. Read the text, get ready to do some exercises:
Higher Education in Great Britain
There are over a million students in the British higher education. The Government aims to have widened access to the point where 1 in 3 young people goes into higher education. All Britain's universities enjoy complete academic freedom. They appoint their own staff and decide what and how to teach. The tradition of excellence dates back to the Middle Ages when Oxford and Cambridge Universities were founded. The rest of Britain's 47 universities were set up in the last 200 years. First degree courses usually last 3 or 4 years. The Open University is a little different, because it relies on distance-learning.
England and Wales's 34 polytechnics tend to be more vocationally-orientated than universities. Many polytechnics have close links with business, and many students attend part-time. Non-graduates in teacher training take a four - year Bachelor of Education /B.Ed/ degree. Those who are already graduates undertake a one year Postgraduate Certificate of Education /PGCE/. At university or polytechnic people study for a degree. In general, the first degree is awarded after 3-4 years study and success in examination. It is either a B.A. /Bachelor of Arts/ or B.Sc. /Bachelor of Science/. If the graduate is awarded Honours it means his/her degree is of a higher standard than an ordinary pass.
Students can do further courses for special subjects such as medicine or law and get the appropriate qualifications. After another year or two of study and examinations in their subject they can achieve the second degree, a M.A. /Master of Arts/ or M.Sc. / Master of Sciences/.
Finally, if they undertake research work and produce a thesis, after another few years, they can receive the third, highest level degree, the Ph.D. /Doctor of Philosophy/.
Oxford and Cambridge, thanks to their age, history and traditions, are the most famous British Universities. There are colleges for men and women. Examinations are few but important; for if the student does not pass any of them he is not given a second chance. There is an examination at the end of each year for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts /B.A./ but only the final examination is taken into consideration. The final examinations are conducted by the university and not by the colleges.
The colleges of both universities are very beautiful. The most famous is the chapel of King's College, Cambridge. Most of the colleges are built in the form of squares. A new student, or freshman, goes either to lodgings in the town or to his college where he has a sitting room and a separate bedroom. Most students spend two years in lodgings and one year in a college. The new student has to visit his "tutor". He arranges with him what course of studies he will follow and what lectures he will attend. The year is divided into three terms of 8 weeks each: the long vacations last from mid-June till mid-October. Of all the sports the most famous is rowing. The University Boat Race is the oldest of the sporting competitions between Oxford and Cambridge. The most interesting are the races for eight-oared boats or "bumping". They were invented in Oxford and Cambridge. Student traditions include wearing academic dress-caps and gowns. There is a special official, the "Proctor", whose duty is to see that this rule is obeyed. He is accompanied by two college servants, "bulldogs". They run fast to catch the student. They take him to the Proctor who asks, "Your name and college, sir!" The student must visit the Proctor later and pay a fine, called “angel”.
The University of London is the only university in Great Britain that has an External Degree for which students may present themselves without any qualifications of residence or attendance at lectures.
Learning for life
Education doesn’t stop with leaving school. Over 500 colleges of further education run courses on everything from catering to business studies. There are 500,000 full-time further education students, and 4 million who attend college part time. The New National Vocational Qualifications are designed to ensure the relevance of vocational qualifications to employers.
Ex. 2. Fill in the blanks with the proper words given below:
There are over a million students in the British … education.
The aim is that 1 in 3 young people goes into higher … .
All Britain’s … enjoy complete academic freedom.
They appoint their own … and decide what and how to teach.
The rest of …'s 47 universities were set up in the last 200 years.
First …courses usually last 3 or 4 years.
The …Uiversity relies on distance-learning.
The first degree of …(BA) is awarded after 3-4 years study.
The second degree is a MA (…) or MSc ( Master of Sciences).
The third degree is the … (Doctor of Philosophy).
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(Universities, Master of Arts, Open, staff, higher, degree, Britain, Bachelor of Arts, education, Ph.D.)
Ex.3. Scan for details and fill in the gaps.
1. Oxford and Cambridge, are the most f….. British Universities.
2. There are c…. for men and women.
3. College Examinations are f… but very important;
If the student does not pass any of them he is not given a s… chance.
The final examinations are conducted by the u… and not by the colleges.
The colleges of both universities are very b… .
The most famous is the ch…of King's College, Cambridge.
Most of the colleges are built in the form of s… .
Ex.4.Match a line in A with a line in B. A B
Bed Bachelor of Science
B.A. He arranges course of studies
B.Sc. Bachelor of Education
Ph.D. A new student
freshman Doctor of Philosophy
tutor Bachelor of Arts
"bumping" External Degree
cap and gown Academic dress
The University of London The races for eight-oared boats
Ex.5. Discuss the answers to these questions with your classmates.
Where does a freshman reside?
What does the new student arrange with his tutor?
How is the academic year divided?
The long vacations last from mid-June till mid-October, don't they?
What is the most famous sport for the students of Cambridge and Oxford?
What are the most interesting races?
What do student traditions include?
Ex.6. Write a short account of the British Universities.