10. Была введена система займов, и сейчас студенты должны возвратить стипендию.

11. Университеты Оксбриджа известны великолепным качеством обучения.

ACTIVITY E

ORGANIZING YOUR THOUGHTS

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Working in groups discuss possible answers:

Would you like to be a student of the Open University of Great Britain? Why / why not?

ACTIVITY F

WRITE AND SPEAK

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Give a summary of the text .

PART II

DIRECTIONS:

Express your opinion:

What are some differences between the educational system in the United States and the educational system in your country? Read the passage again and then write a paragraph describing some of the main differences.

ACTIVITY G

LISTENING COMPREHENSION:

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Listen to the conversation between Helen and Toshi about Allen High School in Britain and then answer the alternative questions below, choosing the right alternative.

Are there any course requirements left at Allen High School or are the students allowed to choose all their courses?

Does Helen see any advantages in this way of organizing the studies or is her attitude to it negative?

Does Toshi like everything about the idea of «free» subject choice or does he see some weak points in it?

Did Toshi and Helen find any point they could agree on or did they go on arguing?

Allen High School

Helen: You know, Toshi, I heard that at Allen High School they're allowing students to choose their own courses from now on.

Toshi: Hey, that's great! You mean they're getting rid of course requirements entirely?

H: That's right. If you don't want to take English or math, you don't have to. Can you believe it?

T: What do you mean? I think that's a great idea! I mean, choosing your own courses makes students more motivated so they'll learn and achieve more that way.

H: Oh, I don't think so! I think students will end up taking only fun courses, like music, gym, and art.

T: Oh, come on! Teenagers are old enough to make responsible choices.

H: We'll end up with a country full of people who can't think and don't know anything about history or math or geography...

T: Oh, I don't think so. I mean allowing them to choose their own courses and teachers prepares them to be adults in the real world. I mean, they can't have choices made for them forever.

H: But students need to be told what to study. Forcing them to take subjects like math, science, and foreign language is the only way to get them to try new things.

T: Well, maybe, but if you take courses you don't like, you end up hating school. This way, you'd end up loving school!

H: Mm, I don't know. I disagree.

T: Well, hey! Here's something we can both agree on. There's a free rock concert in the park at eight o'clock tonight...

H: You're right! I'm sick of arguing! Let's go!

PART II

DIRECTIONS:

Express your own opinion:

• Do you approve or disapprove the fact that some educational establishments in Great Britain allow students to choose their own courses? Prepare arguments for and against.

ACTIVITY H

SELF-WORK:

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Study the following topical vocabulary:

compulsory — обязательный

further education — дальнейшее образование (исключая университетское)

primary — начальный

secondary — средний

fee-charging — платный

book-keeping — бухгалтерия

shorthand — стенография

commerce — торговля, коммерция

research— (научная) исследовательская работа

PART II

DIRECTIONS: Now read .

Text 2 POST-SCHOOL EDUCATION

There are three stages of education in Great Britain: primary, secondary' and further education. Primary and secondary stages are school education. Further education means post-school education.

Compulsory school education lasts 11 years, from the age of 5 to 16.

At the age of 16 young people can choose their further education at school or outside school. They can continue studying at school until the age, of 18. They can leave school and continue their education in various colleges, polytechnics and vocationally oriented schools, such as drama schools, art schools, ballet schools or schools of librarianship and others. The most part of these institutions are private, i.e. fee-charging.

These institutions do not give higher, education they prepare a variety of professions for industry and commerce: shorthand, typing, book-keeping and many others.

In Britain there are a number of different kinds of institutions of higher education. First of all, of course, there are the universities.

Some years ago there were also polytechnics. After graduating from a polytechnic a student got a degree, but it was not a university degree. 31 former polytechnics were given university status in 1992. There are 46 universities in the country. The oldest of them are Oxford and Cambridge. Their history goes back to the 12th-13th centuries.

Admission to universities is by examination or selection (interviews). British students get grants from their local education authority.

A university graduate leaves with a degree. It usually takes three years to get a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. A Master of Arts or Master of Science degree may be got in one or two additional years.

Universities are centers of research as well as teaching and many postgraduates are engaged in research for higher degrees. The highest academic degree is the Doctor of Philosophy. It may take any number of years to finish the original research work necessary to get this degree.

Most students live away from home, in flats or halls of residence.

Students don't usually have a job during term time because the lessons, called lectures, seminars, classes or tutorials (small groups), are full time. However, many students now have to work in the evenings.

University life is considered «an experience». The exams are competitive but the social life and living away from home are also important. The social life is excellent with a lot of clubs, parties, concerts, bars.

PART III

DIRECTIONS:

Translate the sentences with the words of the Vocabulary into Russian.

PART III

DIRECTIONS:

Find in the text the English equivalents for:

1) могут выбрать; 2) такие как...; 3) большая часть этих учебных заведений; 4) и многие другие; 5) получают стипендии; 6) обычно требуется три года, чтобы получить степень бакалавра; 7) еще через два-три года; 8) многие аспиранты занимаются научной работой.

PART IV

DIRECTIONS:

Agree or disagree with the following statements:

1. Pupils can continue studying at school until the age of 20.