Exercise 16. Which of the following can you use to describe the Academy. Write these phrases down and make sentences with them.

Numerous laboratories, modern conveniences, a large swimming pool, postgraduate course, a museum of railway history, dean’s office, sport sections, newspaper “Providnyk”, Art Department, national scientific conferences, scientific and technical libraries, Centre for Business Research, spacious lecture halls.

Exercise 17. In each line choose one word that doesn’t belong to the group and explain why you think so.

1. laboratory, lecture hall, computer center, library, knowledge.

2. master, bachelor, specialist, scholarship, graduate.

3. education, science, industry, research.

4. credit test, hostel, term, examination, session.

5. enterprise, locomotive, junction, railway, car, train.

 

Exercise 18. Work in pairs. One student reads the statement, another expresses agreement or disagreement and proves it. Use the speech patterns given below:

- I agree with you.

- I think so too.

- I’m afraid I disagree with that.

- Are you sure that’s right?

- I’d like to support your point of view.

- That’s exactly what I think.

- I’m afraid you are wrong.

 

1. In 1896 the first railway line was built in Kharkiv.

2. Our Academy is situated in Svobody Square number 7.

3. At present the Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport provides training on a full-time and part-time basis.

4. In 2010 the Academy celebrated its 80^th anniversary.

5. The Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport counts six departments which train specialists in 21 specialties.

6. In 1990 the Institute was given the status of the Academy for great achievements in training railway specialists and doing extensive research work.

7. Scientific activity of our Academy focuses on the main scientific and technological advance areas of the railway industry.

8. The Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport trains specialists for railway transport and offers only the specialist degree.

9. All the full-time students receive a state scholarship.

10. Graduates work at different industrial enterprises, railway departments, scientific research and designing institutes and in the institutions of higher learning as well.

 

Exercise 19. Express the same in English.

1. Перша залізнична дорога у Харкові була збудована у 1869,що дало поштовх для заснування першої залізничої школи.

2. Українська Державна Академія Залізничного Транспорту була заснована у 1930.

3. Наша академія знаходиться на площі Фейербаха 7.

4. Я – студент першого курсу денного відділення.

5. У 1993 інститут отримав статус Української Державнoї Академії Залізничного Транспорту за великі досягнення в підготовці спеціалістів для залізничного транспорту та інтенсивну дослідну роботу.

6. Студенти можуть вибирати між ступенем бакалавра, магістра та спеціаліста.

7. У чотирьох гарних будівлях знаходяться просторі аудиторії, чисельні лабораторії з сучасним приладдям та установками.

8. Сьогодні наша Академія дає можливість навчатися на денній та заочній формі навчання.

9. Багато студентів відвідують різні спортивні секції та беруть участь у багатьох спортивних змаганнях.

10. Наша академія налічує п’ять факультетів, які готують спеціалістів з 21 спеціальності.

11. Випускники нашої академії працюють на різних промислових підприємствах, залізничних відділеннях, науково-дослідних інститутах та у вищих навчальних закладах.

Exercise 20. Try to remember the following phrases (conversational formulas):

I would like to ask … – Я хотів би запитати …

I see. – Розумію.

Tо my mind... – На мою думку...

Yes, indeed. – Так, дійсно.

I agree with you. – Погоджуюсь з вами.

What do you mean? – Що ви маєте на увазі?

If I understand you right... – Якщо я вас вірно розумію...

Yes, it happened. – Так, це трапляється.

I’m interested... – Мене цікавить...

Correctly. – Вірно.

To my regret... – На жаль …

As far as I know... – Наскільки я знаю...

It seems to me... – Мені здається...

Do you really think so? – Ви дійсно так вважаєте?

Certainly – Звичайно! Авжеж!

Will you explain me please... – Поясни мені,будь ласка...

By the way (by the by)... – До речі...

What’s the matter? – У чому справа?

Really? – Дійсно?

I think that... – Я гадаю, що...

 

Exercise 21. Write the phrases in the correct order to make up the dialogue.

- I must emphasize that it received this status for great achievements in training railway specialists and doing extensive research work in 1993.

- Hi, Helen. I’m looking for you everywhere. I have a task on my English to write a report about the history of our Academy. Can you help me with it?

- If I understand you right the history of our Academy is much longer and developed together with the rapid spread of railways.

- Sure. I know much about the Academy. What exactly are you interested in?

- Right you are. A year later, in 1870 the first railway school for qualified mechanics training was founded at Kharkiv railway station. And only in 1930 several technical schools and colleges were united to form the Kharkov Institute of Railway Transport Engineers.

- You are welcome. See you.

- Do you know when and how our Academy was founded?

- Our Academy was established in 1930. But its foundation is closely connected with the construction of the first railway line in Kharkiv in 1869.

- I’m very grateful to you for your help. See you later.

- Hi, Bob. What’s the matter? You look a bit nervous.

- It’s very interesting. When was the Kharkov Institute of Railway Transport Engineers given the status of the Ukrainian State Academy?

 

Exercise 22. Read the dialogue given below in pairs. a) Explain the words in bold, then make sentences using them; b) Role play the dialogue with each other.

Nick: - Hi, Ted. I’m glad to see you.

Ted: - So am I.

N: - As far as I know you entered the Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport, didn’t you?

T: - Yes, indeed. And what about you? This year you are a school leaver, aren’t you?

N: - Right you are, and I’m also going to enter the Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport. However, I’m not sure what speciality to choose. You know more than me about the specialities of the Academy. I need your advice if you don’t mind.

T: - If I’m not mistaken our Academy offers training in the following specialities: traffic control, railway cars and their maintenance, automation and telemechanics, book-keeping accounting, market economy and many others. My advice to you is to choose automation and telemechanics. This speciality is very popular nowadays.

N: - I see, but do the students who specialize in this field acquire knowledge in computer technology?

T: - Of course, they do. Our Academy has a well-equipped computer centre and you can acquire knowledge in computer technology and programming.

N: - Thank you very much. Your information is very useful for me and I think I’ll follow your advice.

T: - You are welcome. If you need some more information, you can ask me any time. Bye.

N: - See you.

 

Exercise 23. Imagine that you are to introduce yourself, your department and the Academy to a group of American students. Make a written report on the topic “My Academy”. With this end in view, review all the texts, dialogues and the vocabulary. Make a good oral presentation of your report. Wish you success!

Supplementary reading

Exercise 24. Read the text “The oldest Universities of England”. Be ready to discuss it paying attention to a new vocabulary:

markedly – явно, помітно

renowned – популярний

resort to – відвідувати

boost – піднесення, підняття

congregate – збиратися

notable – відомий

to wear gowns – носити мантії

campus – територія університету

associated buildings – об’єднані будівлі

scattered – розкиданий

saint – святий

archbishop – архієпископ

pope – папа римський

achievement – досягнення

appropriately – відповідно

the Chancellor – ректор

noteworthy – вартий уваги

 

The oldest Universities of England

England is famous for its educational institutes. There were many different kinds of schools in Medieval England and the English universities were one of the most significant creations. The students who attended either Oxford or Cambridge Universities set an intellectual standard that contrasted markedly with the norm of Medieval England. Today both Universities are internationally renowned centers for teaching and research, attracting students and scholars from all over the world.

The University of Oxford

The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford, is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It didn’t come into being at once. Oxford had existed as a city for at least 300 years before scholars began to resort to it.

The university was given a boost in 1167 when, for political reasons, Henry II of England ordered all English students at Paris to return to England. Most of the returning students congregated at Oxford and the University began a period of rapid development.

The first college, University College, was founded in 1249 by William of Durham. Other notable colleges include All Souls (founded in 1438), Christ Church (founded in 1546) and Lady Margaret Hall (founded in 1878), which was the first women's college. Since 1974, all but one of Oxford's colleges have changed their statutes to admit both men and women. A characteristic feature of Oxford is that many traditions of the Middle Ages are still current there. One of them is that students have to wear gowns.

Oxford, like Cambridge, differs from many other universities in that there is no central university campus. Instead, the University consists of a large number of colleges and associated buildings, scattered throughout the city. Today Oxford University is comprised of thirty-nine colleges. More than 130 nationalities are represented among a student population of over 18,000. A range of scholarships offer support for international students. Thirty colleges and all halls admit students for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each college is practically autonomous with its own set of rules. There is central administration, providing services such as libraries, laboratories, lectures and examination classes.

There have been many famous people who have studied at Oxford University and they include Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde, J. R. Tolkien, Indira Gandhi, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), and Hugh Grant. All in all, Oxford has produced four British and at least eight foreign kings, 47 Nobel prize-winners, 25 British Prime Ministers, 28 foreign presidents and prime ministers, seven saints, 86 archbishops, 18 cardinals, and one pope.

Oxford's teaching and research is consistently in the top rank nationally and internationally, and is at the forefront of medical, scientific and technological achievement.

The University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious academic institutions. The story of the Cambridge University begins in 1209 when several hundred students and scholars arrived in the little town of Cambridge after having walked 60 miles from Oxford. These students were all churchmen and had been studying in Oxford at that city's well-known schools. It was a hard life at Oxford for there was constant trouble, even fighting, between the townsfolk and the students. Then one day a student accidentally killed a man of the town. The Mayor arrested three other students who were innocent. In protest, many students moved elsewhere, some coming to Cambridge. And so the new University began. It was the Cambridge University.

Cambridge is situated about 50 miles (80 km) north of London. The university was basically established to study for religious purposes. The earliest teaching sessions of the University were carried out in churches or private houses. This was obviously unsatisfactory, and so the University authorities began to establish buildings for their own use. Some of these early 'schools' still exist on the site known, appropriately, as the 'Old Schools'. During the 14th and 15th Centuries, the University gradually gained its independence from the church, with the Chancellor taking on both religious and civil duties.

Cambridge University is composed of more than thirty constituent colleges. The oldest building is in St John's College but the oldest college as institution is Peterhouse, dates from 1284. Many of the university's buildings, including the most famous one King's College Chapel and two chapels designed by Christopher Wren, are rich in history and tradition. The library houses numerous important collections, and the Fitzwilliam Museum contains noteworthy collections of antiquities.

The University at present has more than 16,500 full-time students. About 17% of the student body is from overseas, coming from over 100 different countries. Because of its high academic reputation, admission to the University is highly competitive, and most overseas students already have a good degree from a university in their own country.

The University also has a worldwide reputation for other aspects of its work. Cambridge University Press (one of the world's oldest and largest publishers) and UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) are world leaders in their respective fields and allow the University to make a direct educational and academic contribution to the lives of millions of people around the world.

Cambridge University is more renowned than its rival for mathematics and natural sciences, and has produced 80 Nobel-prize winners, 13 British Prime Ministers and 8 Archbishops of Canterbury, among others.

The list of illustrious alumni is endless. Among the most famous are Newton, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Vladimir Nabokov. The great Russian scientist Pavlov came to Cambridge to receive the degree of the Honorary Doctor of Cambridge. University of Cambridge is known as a great centre of science, where many famous scientists have worked.

 

Key words and phrases

college - The precise usage of the term varies among English-speaking countries. Usually this is an institution of higher education that offers only undergraduate programs and limited graduate programs, but it also can be a separate unit within a university like a college of business or college of arts and sciences. In the context of the university it is also known as Faculty. Often colleges within a university have different admission requirements.

graduate - A student who has completed a course of study, either at high school or university level. A graduate program at a US university is, in British English terms, a postgraduate study program. Graduate study is designed to lead towards a master's or doctorate and generally is open only to students who have completed an undergraduate degree.

undergraduate - In some educational systems, an undergraduate is a post-secondary student pursuing a Bachelor's degree. Students of higher degrees are known as postgraduates (or often simply graduates).

Hall - dormitory: a college or university building containing living quarters for students.

alumnus (plural alumni) MAINLY U.S. - someone who has left a school, college or university after completing their studies there.

UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) - one of the best-known organizations in the world of English Language Teaching and the world's largest and best known educational assessment agencies with examination centers in over 150 countries. Examinations in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) were started at UCLES in 1913, with the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). The First Certificate in English (FCE) was introduced in 1939.

 

Exercise 25. Complete the sentences:

1. England is famous for …….

2.The University of Oxford was given a boost in 1167 when …….

3. Since 1974, all but one of Oxford's colleges have changed their statutes …….

4. A characteristic feature of Oxford is …….

5. …… offer support for international students.

6. There is central administration, providing services such as …….

7. The story of the Cambridge University begins in 1209 when …….

8. …… the University gradually gained its independence from the church.

9. The library houses numerous …….

10. ……, admission to the University is highly competitive, …… in their own country.

11. …… are world leaders in their respective fields and allow the University to make …….

12. The great Russian scientist Pavlov came to Cambridge to …….

Exercise 26. Fill in the table according to the text:

University	The time of foundation	Number of colleges	The oldest college	The most famous college	The main characteristic feature	Outstanding exponents
Oxford
Cambridge

 

Exercise 27. Role play. Work in three groups. Make up presentations about Oxford University, Cambridge University and the Ukrainian State Academy of Railway Transport. Represent them to your group-mates.

 

 

МЕТОДИЧНІ ВКАЗІВКИ

 

до розмовної теми “Our Academy”

з розвитку комунікативної компетенції

для студентів 1 курсу факультетів

 

(англійська мова)

 

 

 

Відповідальний за випуск: викл. Дзюба О.А.,

викл. Печій І.О.

редактор

 

 

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