graduates. In general, the first degree of Bachelor is given to students who pass examinations at the
44 Of the three universities are considered more prestigious and beneficial. Their graduates have better chances of getting a job.
Polytechnics are usually formed on the basis of art colleges and colleges of technology. They combine science and technology, the
arts, social studies management and business studies, law and other subjects.
45 From 1st August 1975 the system of teacher training in England is being reorganized. All higher and further education outside the
universities including teacher training is being assimilated into a common system. A number of the existing colleges of education
are to be merged either with each other or with other institutions of further education (polytechnics and others).
end of three or four years of study.
Further study or research is required at the mode- n universities for the first post-graduate
degree of Master, and at all British universities for that of Doctor.
In Britain full-time university students (students who spend all their time studying and have
no other employment), have three terms of about ten weeks in each year.46
University teaching combines lectures given by professors, readers or lecturers,47 practical
classes (in scientific subjects) and small group teaching in seminars or tutorials.
The course of study for intending teachers is based upon compulsory and optional subjects.
The Programme usually consists of three core components: School-based experience, Subject
studies and Education studies.48
Theory of Education is one of the main subjects. At the end of the first or second year
students are to make their choice as to the age-range of children they wish to prepare to teach.
Junior students go into schools for one day each week, watching experienced teachers at
work. They take part in the life of the school, help with games, societies or play productions.
46 Other students who work during the day and study in the evening are part-time students.
47 reader a university teacher of a rank immediately below a professor,
lecturer: a person lower in rank than a reader who gives lectures, especially at a college or university.
48 By School-based experience teaching practice is meant (both "observation period" for junior students and block-teaching
practice for senior students).
By Subject studies a broad range of subjects is meant of which a student is to choose two cores (the main subjects).
Education studies means essential knowledge of children, the curriculum, the organization of schools and classes.
Senior students spend fifteen weeks on teaching practice. They learn the use of different
educational aids, audio-visual facilities, observe lessons and take an active part in discussing them
with a supervisor (tutor) on school practice.
Examinations are held at the end of each term. Final examinations (or finals) are taken at the
end of the course.
(See: Tibbits E. L. Exercises in Reading Comprehension. Longman, 1974)
TEXT B. DIALOGUE
A n n : Hullo, Steve. Have you got a minute?
S t e v e : Sure, yes. What can I do for you?
A.: I've read a number of books on the British system of higher education but I can't make
head or tail of it.
S.: Mm... no wonder. What's the problem?
A.: Quite a lot of problems. What I want to discuss is the difference between a university and
a college.
S.: It's like this, you see... The programme is different. At a university it is much wider. Great
attention is paid to scientific subjects.
A: It sounds as though most people prefer a university.
S.: Well... that rather depends.
A.: Speaking about universities I'm not quite clear about tutorials there. What is a tutorial
exactly?
S.: Oh, it's when students discuss topics with a tutor in very small groups — usually there are
not more than three or four students and sometimes only one.
A.: I see... And coming back to colleges... I'm still not terribly sure what a residential college
is.
S.: Erm... It's a college with a hall of residence49 on the same grounds as the principal
building. In fact all the students live in hall.
A: Really? and what about the teaching staff?
S.: Actually the majority of the teaching staff live there too. But there are also quite a lot of
non-residential colleges.
A: And you studied at university?
S.: Yes...
A.: I'd like to find myself in that university. What was it like?
S.: Well... a big grey building surrounded by trees.
A: Beautiful?
S.: Nothing very remarkable. Of course there were lecture halls, classrooms and a number of
laboratories.
A: Any facilities for sport and P.E.50
S.: Let me see... Yes... A gymnasium with changing rooms and showers, a tennis court...
What else... A playing field for netball and football...
A.: I believe students spend a lot of time together, don't they?
S.: Definitely. We had students' societies and clubs.
A.: Am I right to believe that they are for those interested in drama and music?
49 ball of residence: a more modern term than hostel, used only of student hostels (the abbreviated form hall, with no article, is
widely used by students in everyday situations). Hostel is a more general word (a nurses' hostel, a factory hostel, ayouth hostel,
etc.).
50 P. E = Physical Education.
S.: Quite... and also politics, modern languages, literature, science and athletics.
A: Ah... that's worth knowing.
S.: And what I'd like to add is that students themselves organize all those clubs and societies.
There is usually a Students' Council or Union.
A.: Well Steve. Thanks very much. You've been most helpful.
TEXT С. HOW TO GET A DEGREE
J.: Well, Arnold, I remember you said once you were a B. A. Perhaps you could tell me how
quickly you got those letters after your name?
A.: At university I studied history. It was a 3-year course. And after that I got a B. A degree.
J.: B.A. stands for Bachelor of Arts degree, doesn't it?
A.: Yes, which reminds me of my neighbour whose son had just got his B. A. A friend asked
very seriously: "I suppose your son will try to get an M. A. or Ph. D."51 next to which my neighbour
answered: "Not at all, now he is trying to get a J-O-B."
A: Ah... he meant a job! That's a good joke!
(See: English 903, Book 6. Lnd.,
1978)
ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY (II)
Words and Word Combinations
A. education system
scientific subjects
compulsory education
an intending teacher
primary school
optional
secondary school
core component (core)
comprehensive school
school (teaching) practice
public school
School-based experience
further education
Subject studies
polytechnic
Education studies
college of higher education
(Theory of) Education
to specialize in
main subject
teacher training
age-range
degree
junior students
undergraduate
senior students
graduate
play production
post-graduate
educational aids
full-time student
audio-visual facilities
part-time student
visual aids
reader
to observe a lesson
lecturer
supervisor (tutor)
practical classes
to hold examinations
final examinations (finals)
B. tutorial
changing room
