Read and translate the text A

I’m a first-year student of the Kherson State Technical University. Many boys and girls hoped to enter the University, so the competition was rather intense. But I did my best and was enrolled to the first course of the … faculty.

Educational establishment was founded in 1957. In 1980, on its bases the Kherson State Industrial Institute was opened. In 1998 it was given the status of Technical University. Now it is one of the best higher educational establishments in Ukraine. There are 4 educational buildings and 3 student hostels at the University. There are 7 faculties: the Faculty of Economics, Cybernetics, Mechanical Engineering, Technology, Foreign Economic Relations, the Faculty of Retraining and Advanced Training, the Distance and Regional Education Faculty. There are full-time, correspondent and external forms of education. The University has regional divisions in the towns of Armiansk, Feodosia, Yalta, Genichesk, Kerch, Kyiv, Chernigov and Kakhovka. Also there is a Textile College, a Center of Preparatory Training and Preparatory Department as well as the faculties common with the other educational establishments (the Kharkov State Automobile and Highway Technical University, the Kharkov State Academy of Technology and Catering and others).

About eight thousand students study at the University. The teaching staff is more than three hundred persons. Among them there are professors, assistant professors, doctors of science. Under their supervision many students carry on research work. The results of their research work often find practical application. There is a student scientific society at the University.

The students have at their disposal experimental shops, laboratories with modern equipment, language laboratories for studing foreign languages, machine-tools and up-to-date devices. There are many computerized class-rooms and lecture-rooms. There are many departments at the University responsible for training specialists in more than a dozen of specialities such as: mechanical engineers, chemical technologists, engineers in spinning, weaving and knitted goods, automation, accountants, managers, economist, designers and others. There is also a library, which provides students with necessary literature.

The academic year is divided into two terms. Twice a year students take exams and get credits. If the results of the exams are good they get grants. The students have vocations in winter and in summer.

Usually students have three or four periods a day. They attend lectures, seminars, practical classes and labs on different subjects. First-year students study mathematics, physics, a foreign language and many other general subjects. In the third year they begin to study special subjects. Every year students write yearly projects. After four years of study the students get the degree of Bachelor and after five years they get the qualification of Specialist. There is a post-graduate course in 28 specialities that cover practically all scientific directions of the University. The KSTU also has doctoral programs and specialized academic Councils for defending candidate and doctor degree theses.

But the students’ life implies not only a study. There are many kinds of out-of-class activities at the University. There are sport facilities, such as a stadium, sport grounds, gymnasium. Our University has its own students’ theatre, amateur group, clubs of interest.

 

V. Language

Exercises 1. Give Ukrainian equivalents for the following:

- higher educational establishment;

- faculty of Mechanical Engineering;

- practical application;

- to take exams and get credits;

- research work;

- vacations;

- to provide;

- different subjects;

- assistant professor;

- teaching staff;

- equipment;

- out-of-class activity;

- to do one’s best.

 

Exercise 2. Give English equivalents for the following:

- наукове товариство;

- гуртожиток;

- аспірантура;

- денна форма навчання;

- самодіяльність;

- кафедра;

- відвідувати лекції і семінари;

- регіональний підрозділ;

- сучасні прилади;

- навчальний рік;

- курсова робота;

- стипендія;

- лінгафонний кабінет.

 

VI. Comprehension

Exercise 1. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. KSTU is one of the best higher educational establishments in Ukraine.

2. Now, there are two buildings and three hostels at the University.

3. About six hundred students study at the University.

4. Under the supervision of teachers students carry on research work.

5. The academic year is divided into three terms.

6. In the third year students begin to study special subjects.

7. KSTU has doctoral programs.

8. There are not many sport facilities at the University.

 

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions:

1. When was the University founded?

2. What forms of education are there at the University?

3. How many students study at the University?

4. What is a teaching staff?

5. What kind of laboratories, shops and classrooms are there at the University?

6. Into how many terms is the academic year divided?

7. Do students study special subjects in the first year?

8. Is there a post-graduate course at the University?

9. Does University life imply only a study?

10. What kinds of out-of-class activities are there at the University?

 

VII. Practice

Speak on the topic “ My University.”. Use the chart.

 

VIII. Comprehension

Listen to the Text B. Be sure that you know the following words and word combinations:

to be situated – бути розташованим

entrance exams – вступні іспити

to be like somebody (something) – бути схожим

to fall in an exam – провалитися на екзамені

to exist – існувати

to last – продовжуватися

to allow – дозволяти

tutor – викладач, який проводить практичні заняття та слідкує за навчанням та дисципліною студентів

undergraduate – студент останнього курсу університету

residential University – університети в коледжах яких живуть студенти різних спеціальностей

 

Text B

Oxford

The city of Oxford is like London. It is old, international and it is situated on the river Thames. Oxford is very beautiful and green city. We say that Oxford is old and historical because it was founded in 912. The University was founded in 1249. Oxford is international because people from many parts of the world come to study at this University. Every year more than one thousand students enter Oxford University. The entrance exams are difficult. It is necessary to work hard to become a student of the Oxford University. Oxford University is residential. It consists of 38 colleges and each student must belong to one of the colleges.

The academic year in England has three terms which usually last from the beginning of October till the middle of December, from the middle of January till the end of March and from the middle of April till the end of June. There are examinations at the end of each term. If a student fail in an exam, he may be allowed pass the exam again. Only two reexaminations are usually allowed.

The University of Oxford has a tutorial system of education: every student has a tutor who plans his work. Each week some students come to see him, they discuss different questions connected with their studies and research work. At Oxford University no student may call on a tutor or attend a lecture without his or her gown, therefore the students wear them in all weather or carry them over arm or shoulder.

The students at Oxford University spend a lot of time studying. Their working hours are from 9 to 1. At 9 o’clock they see the tutor or go to the library or to the lecture. From 2 to 5 they are engaged in sports and all kind of exercises. Almost all students go in for some kind of sport. The most famous kinds of sport are: boxing, running, playing football, golf and other games. From 5 to 7 they usually either work in the library or in the laboratory. At 7 o’clock the undergraduates and tutors gather in the hall and have dinner. After dinner students have club activities, debating societies etc. By 10 o’clock the students must be in the college, as most of the students live in the colleges. At 10 o’clock the students sit down to work again and work about 2 hours. At 12 o’clock p.m. the students go to bed. The life of the students at Oxford is very interesting.