Text 1. Higher Education in Russia. Introductory text

Task 2. Read and translate the text. Comment on new words and expressions.

Education is something that affects all the people at various points of their lives: school pupils, students, parents or lifelong (continuing) learners. It is also one of the major areas of government expenditure, because education is an investment for the country’s future wealth and well-being. It is, therefore, a political and a personal issue with many social and economic repercussions (effect).

Education means systematic instruction, development of character or mental powers. To educate students is to train or instruct them intellectually, morally and socially. The policy of educating people is carried out by the systems of education in Russia and Great Britain. The basic stages of the educational systems are normally the same: primary, secondary and higher or “further” education.

Education is provided at schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions (or educational establishments). A number of qualified specialists graduate from universities every year. They are ready to work in industry, farming, commerce, business, banking, and culture. To enter the university applicants take the unified state examination at school and get their results (points). According to these results they may go to any appropriate university.

Some of the most important years of the life are spent pursuing a university degree. Your diploma is a passport to a better future, a symbol of what you will accomplish. The key elements of your university education are the process through which you learn, the array of experience you accumulate and the store of knowledge you acquire. Knowledge and experience will be with you for the rest of your life.

Your university knowledge and experience offer personal growth and fulfillment. The university that you choose, with its distinctive character, helps you grow in many ways. The right university broadens your general knowledge and develops relevant skills for life and a career.

For many young people the university provides an ideal combination of opportunities and experiences to prepare for life in the 21^st century. The university offers strong and academic (bachelor and master) programs with many choices of fields of study, an exceptional faculty, superb campus and fellow students from all over the world.

The university equips students to play active role in an international world, a place where people surpass national boundaries. Students are prepared for contribution in commerce, culture and civic affairs.

Many young people prefer to combine studies with work for various reasons. They are involved in the system of evening and extra-mural education. Students have free access to the libraries, reading-rooms, laboratories, computing centers, studies, and sport facilities. Medical service is also free of charge.

The graduates of the universities and institutes keep up with progress and are capable to solve the most important economic and scientific problems.

Word Check

Task 3. Memorize the key terms, concepts, expressions and their meaning.

1.	to affect	воздействовать
2.	expenditure	расход
3.	repercussions	влияние
4.	educational institutions (establishments)	учебное заведение
5.	to graduate from	заканчивать высшее учебное заведение
6.	unified state examination	единый государственный экзамен
7.	appropriate	соответствующий, подходящий
8.	to pursue	пытаться достигнуть
9.	to accomplish	выполнять, совершенствовать
10.	the array of experience	накопление опыта
11.	to accumulate	накапливать
	growth and fulfillment	рост и совершенствование
13.	opportunities and experiences	возможности и опыт
14.	to equip students	предоставлять студентам возможность
15.	to surpass	превосходить, превышать
16.	to combine studies with work	сочетать учёбу и работу
17.	to have free access	иметь свободный доступ
18.	to keep up with progress	идти в ногу с прогрессом

Task 4. Answer the following questions, solve the problems, do the tasks.

 

1. Where is education?
2. What are the basic stages of the educational system?
3. Where is education provided at?
4. What do applicants do to enter the university?
5. What are the key elements of university education?
6. What does the university offer?
7. What are the students provided with?

8. Are graduates guaranteed employment in their own speciality?