What is going to school like in Russia? What would you tell your American peers about it?

Listening Comprehension Activities

Listen to three girls talking about high schools in the USA and Canada. Make brief notes about what you got from their stories.

2. Listen again. Answer the following questions:

Ashley (Indiana, USA)

How is Ashley’s school day organized?

Are all subjects mandatory in American high schools?

Valery (California, USA)

How long is middle school in the USA? What grades does it include?

How long is high school? What grades does it include? How is each high school year called?

What electives does Valery mention?

What does she say about exams in American high schools?

Angela (Vancouver, Canada)

Is the French language popular in the region where Angela lives?

What kind of school does Angela go to?

How many classes do students take per year?

How is her school day organized?  

After Listening Activities

Activity I: Comparing

1. Using your notes from the previous exercise, talk about differences between Russian schools and American schools.

2. Read the following opinion given by an American student studying in Russia. Do you agree with what he says about Russian schools? Why/Why not?

There will be a few major differences if you study in a Russian school. The academics will probably be much more demanding in the Russian system. However, it’s probably the little things that you’ll notice the most. For example, there are rarely extracurricular activities (other than KVN), positive reinforcement is a rarity, there is a much more rigid relationship between teachers and students. Overall, (this may sound harsh), but the major difference between Russian schools and American schools is that Russian schools stress rote education, where you memorize things. American schools emphasize the learning process and independent thinking (http://www.localyte.com/info/6569--Russia--Is-it-ok-to-go-to-school-in-Russia--What-is-it-like).

Vocabulary Corner

Basic Vocabulary

1. Match the types of U.S. schools on the left with their definitions on the right.

1. charter school 2. elementary school 3. high (senior high) school 4. middle school 5. magnet school 6. parochial school 7. private school 8. public school

a) a church-related school administered by parishes or dioceses b) a competitive public school that has high academic standards and special programs for students c) a school that does not receive funding from the state government d) a school where basic subjects are taught for the first six years of a child’s education e) an autonomous, alternative public school started by parents, teachers, and community members f) a school for children of 14 or 15 to 18 years old g) SESa free local school controlled and paid for by the government h) a school for children aged between 12 and 14 or 15

 

2. Divide the words below into the following categories:

Academic year, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, assignment, band, car park, cheerleaders, choir, crib, curriculum, custodian, cycle racks, drop-out, drama group, graduate, graduation ceremony, guidance counselor, gym, homecoming parade, home room, laboratory, lockers, maintenance worker, marching band, pep rally, performance, period, playground, principal, principal’s office, prom, PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), report card, reunion, SAT, science club, school dance, school reunion, school physician, semester, self-service cafeteria, soccer field, sports team, standardized tests, student government,  student-run newspaper, study hall, sub, summer camp, superintendent, valedictorian, varsity team

People at school	School facilities	Extracurricular activities	Social events	Studies

                       

ACTIVE READING

 

Read the text for general information on the topic.

School Education in the USA

Elementary school is usually attended from the age of 5 or 6 until 11 (grades K to 6), when students go on to a middle or junior high school. In some districts, students attend elementary school until 13 (up to grade 8) before attending a senior high school. Elementary schools provide instruction in the fundamental skills of reading, writing and math, as well as history and geography (taught together as social studies), crafts, music, science, art and physical education or gym.

American high schools are often much larger than secondary schools in other countries, and regional high schools with over 2,000 students are common in some rural areas and city suburbs. Secondary school students must take certain ‘core’ curriculum courses for a prescribed number of years or terms. These generally include English, math, general science, health, physical education and social studies or social sciences.

In addition to mandatory subjects, students choose ‘electives’ (optional subjects), which supplement their future education and career plans. Electives usually comprise around half of a student’s work in grades 9 to 12. Students concentrate on four subjects each quarter. Larger schools may offer a selection of elective courses aimed at three tracks: academic, vocational and general. Students planning to go on to college or university elect courses with an emphasis on academic sciences, higher mathematics, advanced English literature, composition, social sciences and foreign languages. The vocational program may provide training in four fields: agricultural education, which prepares students for farm management and operation; business education, which trains students for the commercial field; home economics, which prepares students for home management, child care and care of the sick; and trade and industrial education, which provides training for jobs in mechanical, manufacturing, building and other trades. The third program is a comprehensive program providing features of the academic and vocational programs. Its introductory courses provide an appreciation of the various trades and industrial arts, rather than training students for specific jobs. Those who don’t want to go to college or enter a particular trade immediately but want the benefits of schooling and a high school diploma often follow the general program.

(abridged from http://www.justlanded.com/english/USA/USA-Guide/Education/Elementary-and-Secondary-Education).

 

CULTURE CORNER