Read the text and write a short story about your Institute (Academy, University).

MY ACADEMY

Let me tell you about my Polytechnic Academy. I am really glad that I study here. It is one of the finest country’s higher educational institutions. Studying in our Academy gives a solid background in all spheres of knowledge and prepares for practical work.

Our Academy is quite large and old. It is a large school where more than 5.000 students are currently enrolled. About 3.000 of them are full-time students, like me, and the rest are part-time students. There are also about 150 graduate students. They carry out independent research work and have pedagogical practice.

The course of study in my Academy lasts five years. The academic year is divided into two terms. At the end of each term students pass examinations.

There are many faculties in my Academy. Here are some of them: the faculty of industrial automation and robotics, the faculty of plastics, the faculty of machine tools and the faculty of metalworking.

Our Academy is large and we have several buildings. One of the buildings is for lectures and seminars only. We have two laboratory buildings which are equipped with up-to-date equipment and students can carry out lab works and various experiments there. Many students from my group do their own research work.

There are also several dormitories or hostel buildings on the campus where students from other cities live.

 

10. Read the text and answer the question “What is education for you?”

WHAT IS EDUCATION FOR YOU

If you ask yourself why children go to school, you’ll probably say that they go to school to learn their own language and other languages, arithmetic, geography, history and all other subjects

We send our children to school to prepare them for the time they will be big. They learn their own language so that they will be able to tell others clearly what they want; what they know, and understand what others tell them. They learn foreign languages in order to be able to benefit from what people in other countries have written and said. They learn arithmetic in order to be able to measure and count things in their daily life, geography in order to know something about the world around them. Nearly everything they study at school has some practical use in their daily life.

But there is more in education than just learning facts. We go to school above all to learn how to learn, so that, when we leave school, we can continue to learn.

We don’t educate children only for the purpose of educating them; our purpose is to fit them for life. In fact, When we say that all of us must be educated to fit us for life, it means that we must be educated in such a way that, firstly, each of us can do whatever job is suited to his brain and ability, and, secondly, that we can realize that all jobs are necessary to society.

Read and translate the text.

EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN

The system of education in any country is aimed at developing a personality for the good of the individual and society as a whole.

Pre-school education in England begins at the age of 3 or 4. Around half of the children at this age attend nursery schools or playgroups mostly organized by parents. Compulsory primary education begins at the age of 5 in England, Wales and Scotland and at 4 in Northern Ireland. Children start their school career in an infant school. Lessons start at 9 a.m. and are over at 4 p.m. They are taught “3 R’s”: Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic. Pupils have a lot of fun at school, drawing, reading, dancing or singing.

When they are 7 pupils move to a junior school, which lasts four years till they are 11. Most of children (over 90 per cent) go to state schools where education is free. Only a small proportion of them attend private (Public) or independent schools. Parents have to pay for the education at these schools. The fees are high and only some families can afford it. The most notable Public schools are Eton, Harrow, Winchester and Rugby.

Secondary education begins at 11. The majority of secondary schools are Comprehensive schools where boys and girls study together. Besides, parents can take their sons and daughters to Grammar schools or secondary Modern schools.

Grammar schools provide an academic course from 11 to 18. They prepare pupils for colleges and universities.

Many children of working class families go to Modern schools. They give a very limited education. Pupils get instruction in woodwork, metalwork, sewing, shorthand, typing and cooking. After finishing such a school a pupil becomes an unskilled worker.

The Comprehensive Schools have their own “Grammar school” classes and “Modern” classes.

Every pupil has to choose a set of subjects to learn. If he takes up Art he will study English Literature, Music, Art, Drama and foreign languages. If he is good at exact and natural sciences, he will learn Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Economics and Technical Drawing.

The British government encourages careers education in the country. That’s why secondary schools try to break down the barriers between education and business. They set up close links with firms to allow their students to take part in business activities.

At around 16 years old teenagers take some exams and coursework to get General Certificate of Education. Those who choose to stay on at school usually study for two further years to pass A level (Advanced level) exams. These exams will give them a chance to enter the university.

 

12. Translate into English:

Преследовать цель, дошкольное образование, посещать, обязательный, начальное образование, подготовительная школа, начальная школа, среднее образование, ограниченный, шитье, стенография, неквалифицированный, поощрять, связь.

 

13. Answer the questions:

1. What is a system of education aimed to?

2. When does the pre-school education in England begin in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

3. When does the compulsory education begin in England?

4. What are “3 R’s” of the infant school?

5. What are the most famous Public schools in England?

6. What are Grammar and Comprehensive schools?

7. What are Modern schools?

8. Are there compulsory subjects in the UK?

9. What exams must be taken to enter the University?