SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN BRITAIN

The first step of compulsory education in Britain is primary schooling. Primary schools cater for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The first two years are the years of infant school. In infant school (or classes) children are encouraged to read, to write in their own words, to understand and make use of numbers. Subject teaching is rare. At the age of 7 children go to the junior school where the teaching becomes more formal. About 40-50 minutes every day are spent on Arithmetic. Almost an hour a week is given to work in History, Geography, Nature Study and Music. Pride of place is given to English, which may occupy from 7 to 10 hours a week. Special care is taken to continue the teaching of Reading. The infant and junior schools are in many cases housed in the same building and may be regarded as two levels of primary education.

Children begin their secondary education at about eleven years of age. There are different types of secondary schools in England and Wales. The most popular and mostly often used by pupils are comprehensive schools. These are large state secondary schools for boys and girls of all abilities aged 11-16 (or - 18). Comprehensive schools were introduced in the 1960s with the aim to replace the system of dividing children between more academic (grammar) and less academic (secondary modern) schools. In comprehensive schools teaching is done in mixed ability classes. It means that children of all abilities are put in one class so you will have less able children, more able children and average children all in one class. About 6 per cent of students go to grammar schools, state schools which take only students who pass an examination at the age of 11.

At the age of 16, pupils can leave school. If pupils stay on, they usually take A (Advanced) levels, AS (Advanced Supplementary) levels or GNVQs (Greater National Vocational Qualifications). It is common to combine, for example, two A levels with one AS level, or one A level with one GNVQ. Pupils taking A levels study traditional subjects, such as French, Physics or History. To go to University, pupils usually need two or three A levels.

About 10 per cent of children attend independent public schools which are for children of rich parents, not for the general public. Britain's 200 public schools take fee-paying children whose parents are able to pay several thousand pounds a year. Public schools are believed to provide a better education in comparison with state schools. They are also known to give the right social background for top jobs in the Establishment. Most public figures were educated in public schools. One of the most famous and best known public schools is Eton College. The first education establishment of this kind was Winchester College opened in 1382, which is now very popular among the boys. Harrow School (founded in 1571) is known to have educated Winston Churchill (1874-1965), who was a politician, a member of Parliament (from 1900 till 1965), Britain's Prime Minister, the Nobel Prize winner, an honorary US citizen. One of the best-known British public schools for girls now is Cheltenham Ladies’ College (established in 1853). Not far from the southern city Brighton there is Roedean School known as the leading public school for girls.

Most public schools are boarding schools where students live during term-time. The discipline in public schools is rather strict. These may be the reasons why some wealthy people choose public schools for their children in Britain. A great number of former public school students become the students of the most famous and prestige universities. Oxford and Cambridge Universities are the first among them.

There is a wide network of further education institutions in Britain. They give students the chance to increase their theoretical background and professional training. Students may get further education after they have passed their General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) exams taken at the age of 16.

Further education includes sixth-form colleges and classes where students work for "A" (Advanced) level exams necessary to enter a university. It also includes colleges of further education which provide a theoretical background and professional qualification training in nursing, accountancy, management, art, music, etc. Besides there are some vocational training courses in such fields as engineering, building, secretary skills, hairdressing and others. Many further education courses prepare people for jobs, some lead them to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and other certificates and diplomas. So-called sandwich courses offer students periods of paid work as well as periods of study.

Exercise 2. Answer the questions.

1. What is the first step of compulsory education in Britain?

2. What are children encouraged to in infant schools?

3. At what age do children go to junior schools?

4. How much time is spent on different subjects?

5. What kind of schools can be regarded as two levels of primary education?

6. What types of secondary schools do you know?

7. What are the options at the age of 16?

8. Why are private schools also called independent schools?

9. What types of private schools are there in Britain?

10. What children can study at public schools?

11. What education do public schools offer to pupils? What are the most famous public schools?

12. When do students get further education?

13. What does further education also include?

14. Do so-called sandwich courses offer periods of study or work?

Text 2

Exercise 1. Read and translate the text.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The term "higher education" is not often used in Britain. When it is used it refers to degree courses at universities after 12 years of elementary and secondary schooling.

In order to get higher education school leavers may hand in applications to different universities. The final decision is taken by Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UСAS) which, in accordance with the students’ results of the "A" level exams, offers a place to this or that university. The better results of the exams are the better university or college place can be offered.

After three years of studies at the university a student may get the first degree, it is Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. The first degree is usually an honours degree. The letters BA or BSc are often added after the graduates' names. However, the title of a degree does not necessarily reflect the field in which the student has studied. For example at some universities the Bachelor of Arts is awarded to students in all, or almost in all, disciplines – Science, Engineering, etc., as well as Arts subjects.

Those graduates who want to continue their studies at the university may work for a Master's degree or a Doctorate. To get a master's degree a student needs one more year of study. After that he or she gets the degree of Master of Arts, Master of Science or Master of Business Administration. Doctorate is the highest degree in Britain's universities. The letters "Dr" before a person's name indicate that he or she has the title of "Doctor", the highest title at the university - PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

University teaching combines lectures, practical classes (in scientific subjects) and small group teaching in either seminars (discussion groups) and tutorials or supervisions (run by tutors or supervisors). The teachers at the university may be: a professor (a senior member of the staff or the person in charge of a department), lecturers (teaching and research staff) and research associates (junior academic staff).

The oldest and most famous universities in Britain are Oxford and Cambridge. Other not less famous and respected universities are London, Durham, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and some others.

At most universities in Britain the academic year is divided into three terms. Examinations are not necessarily taken annually. At many universities students study one or two main subjects throughout their degree course. Most courses end in a series of exams called finals. At some universities the student’s work may be assessed at regular intervals, and the results of these assessments are taken into consideration in determining the degree classification. If the student's results are not up to the standard for an honours degree this student may be awarded a pass degree.

University education may be not only full-time but also part-time. Some people want to get a degree but they need only evening or correspondence courses. At some universities there is a department of continuing education which runs four, five or even more year courses for students combining their work and education.

There is no single body or organization responsible for the planning and development of university education in Britain. All the universities and colleges are independent, self-governing institutions, although they receive substantial aid from the state through the University Grants Committee.

British universities are known to have high standards of professors and lecturers. Technical equipment, made on a solid production base, different kinds of visual aids, the internet service, TV and computers are widely used in university teaching. Students have every opportunity for discussing, brainstorming, critical thinking and self-assessment so necessary for a person with university education.

Exercise 2. Match the words in pairs:

A person, the title of, run by, throughout, responsible for

The degree course, tutors, in charge, planning work, “Doctor”

Exercise 3. Find English equivalents.

Не менее известные и популярные университеты, государственные экзамены, в соответствии с результатами, на протяжении всего курса на получение степени, младшие научные сотрудники, самоуправляемые учреждения, наглядные пособия.

Exercise 4. Use the correct preposition.

1) an application … a university 2) the academic year is divided … 3 terms 3) in accordance … the results 4) a decision taken … a university 5) a degree awarded … the students 6) to work … a Master’s degree 7) classes … scientific subjects 8) in charge … a department.

Exercise 5. Complete the sentences:

1. In order to get higher education school leavers may …

2. A student may get Bachelor of Science degree after …

3. The letters “Dr” before a person’s name indicate that …

4. In most English universities the academic year is divided into …

5. The results of the student’s work assessments are taken into consideration in determining …

6. English universities receive aid from the state through …

Text 3

Exercise 1. You will hear 5 utterances. Set up a correspondence between the utterances 1 – 5 and the statements given in the list A-F. Use each letter only once. There is one spare statement. You will hear the texts twice.

This speaker says that she/he

A. enjoyed the activities at the university.

B. liked the friendly atmosphere of the university.

C. traveled a lot when she/he was a student.

D. owes her/his success to the university teachers.

E. has been able to develop as a person.

F. studies the same university longer than she/he was going to.

Text 4

Exercise 1. Read two texts devoted to famous universities of Great Britain and do the test.

OXBRIDGE

Notes: gown – мантия (студента университета, судьи и т. п.)

graduation – окончание курса (в учебном заведении), получение ученой степени.

rivals- соперники, конкуренты.

crew – экипаж корабля.

to bump – ударять, налетать, наскочить

When people speak about the universities of Oxford and Cambridge together and want to distinguish them from other British universities they usually use the word "Oxbridge", which is made up from the names of two universities - Oxford and Cambridge. To use one word "Oxbridge" is quite natural because both universities do not differ greatly and have much in common. Oxford and Cambridge universities date back to the Middle Ages and have always been the universities for gentlemen. Now in both there are colleges for women. Each university consists of a number of semi-independent colleges. To become a student of Oxford or Cambridge one has to take an entrance exam in addition to "A" levels and after that he (she) may be accepted at one of the university colleges.

The teaching in both universities is based on the tutorial system. Students have tutorials called supervisions at Cambridge. Every student has a tutor who plans his (her) work. The student has to write essays and papers on the subjects he (she) is studying. The student is also required to submit regularly the results of his (her) work to the tutor who gives advice and helps him (her) in time of need.

Both universities are believed to be the best institutions to get education at. Most graduates of Oxbridge are former students of famous public schools. An Oxbridge degree is highly valued and recognized by the public and the government. As a rule most Oxbridge graduates get leading positions in Britain and become politicians, MPs and prime ministers.

In both universities students wear gowns. As for Oxford students, when taking exams or being at a degree ceremony, they have to wear a gown on top of their academic dress consisting of a black suit or skirt, black shoes and socks or tights, a white shirt or a blouse and a black tie. Besides they have to put on a black hat with a flat, square top. Cambridge students wear gowns when they become members of the university and at graduation.

The students of Oxford and Cambridge always compete with each other. They are rivals in academic affairs, in debating and sport. Rugby and cricket teams competitions as well as the Boat Races held each year attract public attention. Each May the river Thames, known at Oxford as the Isis, becomes like a Venetian carnival when colleges row against each other. Crews try to bump the boat in front of them. The leading crew at the end of four days wins the title Head of the River

Не нашли, что искали? Воспользуйтесь поиском: