Lab Work #2 Education

School Education

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

1. You’ll hear short descriptions of the education systems in England, the USA and Australia. Make notes on how a ‘typical’ pupil passes the system in each country.

Educational Institutions in Order	England	the USA	Australia
1	primary school (age 5 - 11)	kindergarten elementary school (age 6 - 11) 1st grade up to 6th grade	Preps Than kindergarten
2	Secondary or comprehensive school (age 11 – 16) GCSE at 16 years	Junior high school (age 11 - 14) 7th – 9th grade	Primary education Primary school (up to 11)
3	Vocational course	Senior high school (age 14 - 16 10th – 12th grade	Intermediate school (age – for a couple of years)
4	Leave school and start work	Leave school (age 16)	High school (age – start at 12 or 13 – 15 or 16) 3rd form General exam Some State School Certificate – general qualification
5	Stay for 2 years (the 6th form) (age 16-18) A-level and Finish education	High school (age 16-18) 1st freshman 2nd sophomore 3rd juniors 4th seniors	Leave school (age - 16)
6	Higher education in College or University (age 18-21)	Colleague or University 1st degree – for 4 years Junior college 2 year course	University entrance examinations Be omitted to university
7			Various sorts of higher education

2. Listen again and check your knowledge of the education systems in Britain and the USA. Fill in the gaps in these sentences.

1.    Before they start school, very young children in Britain may go to a ____kindergarten____ where they play with other children and learn to socialize.

2.    British children start ____primary____ school at the age of 5 and move to a ____secondary or comprehensive____ school at 11 or 13. At the age of 18 or 19 they may go on to ____higher____ education at a university, polytechnic or college.

3.    At the age of 16, British pupils take ___A level_____ exams. They may stay on at school to take ____higher education____ two years later when they are in the ____sixth____ form.

4.    A British school or university year is divided into three ____terms____; in America the year is divided into two __terms______.

5.    In Britain, private boarding schools are known as ____boarding school____ schools – in the USA, this term refers to the normal kind or state schools.

6.    At the end of a university course, graduates are awarded a ________ - probably a BA (________), BSc (________) or Bed (________); post-graduates can take a further course or do research and write a ________ in the hope of getting an MA (________) or a PhD (________).

3. What are the main differences between the education system in Russia and those described in the recording? Give a brief account of the education system in Russia.

I Pre-school educational establishment

1. day nursery (1-2)

2. kindergarten (3-7)

II General educational organization

(1-4 classes) (age 6-7 – 10-11)

(5-9 classes) (age 10-11 – 15-16)

(9 – 11 classes) (age 15-16 – 17-18)

1. Elementary School

2. Progymnasium

3. School

4. Gymnasium

5. National Gymnasium

6. Lyceum

7. Educative Complex

8. School with A Special Profile

9. Profession-oriented School

10. Cadet Corps

III Qualified Educational Establishment - after 9 class at the age of 15 or 16 up to 18 or 19

or after 11 class at the age of 17 or 18 up to 18 or 19

1. Vocational school

2. Trade School

3. College

4. Elementary Vocational Training

IV Higher Education - After 11 class or leaving qualified educational organizations, pupils take Uniform state exam to enter the step of higher education

Old system

1^st – 5^th or 6^th courses (18-19 up to 22- 23 or 24)

1. Academy

2. Institute

3. University

4. Postgraduate Studentship (to be an Assistant Professor, Candidate of Science, Doctor of Science or Professor)

New system

1^st – 4^th courses (18-19 up to 21-22) - Bachelor of Library Science

1 – 2 degree (doesn’t matter) - Holder of a Master's Degree
FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

1. You’ll hear two accounts of a first day at school – one from a little boy’s point of view, the other from a young teacher’s point of view. The first extract is taken from ‘Cider with Rosie’ by Laurie Lee (1959), the second extract is from ‘Decline and Fall’ by Evelyn Waugh (1928). How did the two protagonists feel about the first class before the day started and after it finished? Sort the adjectives in the table to characterize the emotions of the main characters on the first day at school. You will not need to use ALL the adjectives.  

EMOTIONS	LAURIE LEE	PAUL PENNYFEATHER
Agreeable – приятный Angry – злой Bewildered – смущённый Brave – храбрый Calm – спокойный Clumsy – неуклюжий Defeated – побеждённый Delightful – восхитительный Eager – нетерпеливый Embarrassed - смущенный Fierce – жестокий Grumpy - сварливый Happy – счастливый Helpless – беспомощный Jolly - весёлый Lively –живой Nervous – нервный Obedient - послушный Obnoxious – неприятный Panicky – паникующий Proud – гордый Relieved – освобождённый Repulsive – отталкивающий Scary – жуткий Thankful – благодарный Thoughtless – необдуманный Uptight – встревоженный Victorious – победоносный Worried – обеспокоенный Zealous - ревностный	Angry – злой Bewildered – смущённый Clumsy – неуклюжий Defeated – побеждённый Eager – нетерпеливый Embarrassed - смущенный Grumpy - сварливый Happy – счастливый Helpless – беспомощный Nervous – нервный Obedient - послушный Panicky – паникующий Relieved – освобождённый Scary – жуткий Uptight – встревоженный	Angry – злой Bewildered – смущённый Fierce – жестокий Grumpy - сварливый Nervous – нервный Obnoxious – неприятный Repulsive – отталкивающий Scary – жуткий Thoughtless – необдуманный

2. Comment on each emotion in the above task using the information in the audio stories.

            e.g. Laurie Lee felt grumpy as he behaved too childish on his first day at school.

a) Lee was angry, bewildered because he ought to go to school. His parents’ wishes made him defeated. Though the boy was eager for that event in the bottom of his soul. He went to school his clumsy footsteps. The pupil felt embarrassed to appear in a new society, in a strange world of education. All in all he was happy, because his proud sister made some food for him. During the school time, Lee was helpless at school, waiting for the bell. All in all the boy was nervous. But he has no choice, he was to be obedient. On his way to school, he was panicky, thinking about his future first day. But having come home he understood that he was relieved that time. Those hours seemed really scary for he was uptight, as he didn’t know what to think it would be, the first day at school.

b) Paul Pennyfeather

The man was angry for his pupils, he was shouting at them. There was something in his life what made him so bewildered. Paul was fierce at his attitude to students. His general mood was grumpy. During the whole lesson the teacher was nervous. It’s an open secret, that such a behavior was obnoxious for pupils. The man was repulsive for them. All his manners were scary, all his words were thoughtless.

3. Here are some excerpts about school from ‘Decline and Fall’ by Evelyn Waugh. What impression about school education do you get after reading the excerpts? Give a small account of the school, the staff, and pupils described by the author.

‘Augustus Fagan, Esquire, Ph.D., Llanabba Castle, N.Wales, requires immediately junior assistant to teach Classics and English to University Standard with subsidiary Mathematics, German and French. Experience essential; first-class games essential...’

'Might have been made for you,' said Mr. Levy.

'But I don't know a word of German, I've had no experience, I've got no testimonials, and I can't play cricket,' said Paul.

'It doesn't do to be too modest,' said Mr. Levy. 'It's wonderful what one can teach when one tries..' (Part One, Chapter One)

This excerpt shows us, that the teacher doesn’t pay attention to wishes of the pupil. They can’t come to conclusion. They don’t have common issues. It doesn’t matter for the teacher the position of the pupil.

'But what am I to teach them?' said Paul in sudden panic.

'Oh, you shouldn't try to teach them anything, not just yet, anyway. Just keep them quiet.' (Part One, Chapter V)

The level of pupils’ knowledge is not seemed interesting and important for the teacher. The teacher doesn’t want to help, he is eager to stay everything on its place.

"We class schools, you see, into four grades: Leading School, First-rate School, Good School, and School. Frankly," said Mr. Levy, "School is pretty bad..." (Part One, Chapter One)

If you are on a job, you are supposed to love it, or the rhetorical question arises, why you are here.

LIVE AND LEARN

1. In your opinion, what are the reasons students stay away from school? Think about boredom, influence of friends, problems at school, family problems. What problems can truancy cause a student?

In my opinion, there are a lot of reasons why pupils stay away from school:

a) they may have problem with their study, it doesn’t manage to them to study a subject

b) they may have psychological problems with their teachers, who may not understand them and their individuality – so called misunderstanding

c) they may have problems within family, that’s why they decided to miss classes to be alone and have time to think

d) a pupil may have conflicts with his classmates

e) there are lots of children who are under the influence of some particular sub-cultural groups

From my point of view, following problems can truancy cause a student:

a) Students want to feel themselves grown-enough to be near parents’ wing and so want to work

b) We think that her are many subjects which won’t be necessary for your future life

c) there are a lot of more interesting things at the age of 20 or higher than to sit and learn

d) sometimes we are sure that it will be no problems to take an exam or credit, because of the loyalty of professors.

2. You are going to listen to the interview with headmaster of East Crompton Comprehensive School Dr. Charles Greenway. For questions 1-7 choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1     Dr Greenway implies that some children who play truant

A   do so in order to earn money.

B    behave badly in public.

C   are never punished.

2    Why do some parents take their children on holiday during term time?

A   Because it's peak season.

B   To spend time together as a family.

C   To save money.

3    Why is it difficult for schools to convince students to attend regularly?

A   Parents set a bad example for them.

B   There is no good reason to attend.

C   Some teachers behave irresponsibly.

4    How has the government reacted to truancy?

A   They have been trying to stop it for years.

B   They are only just beginning to help.

C   They think it is too late to do anything.

5    Why are the government having talks with travel agents?

A   To convince them to offer parents cheap holidays.

B    To make sure that children don't play truant.

C   To get help from them in combating truancy.

6    What are the aims of 'behavior improvement projects'?

A   To teach parents to be new responsible.

B   To teach students the lessons they have missed

C   To teach students to take school more seric

7    What does Dr Greenway say about the law against truancy?

A   The law is not strict enough.

B    Parents are not often prosecuted.

C    Many parents face criminal charges.

1 – b; 2 – с (a); 3 – a; 4 – b; 5 – a; -6 – c; 7 – b.

3. Which of the following things would be most effective in combating truancy? Rank them and give a short account describing your choice.

a)      more interesting lessons – if a teacher wants pupils not to truant his classes, so he should make it interesting and captured

b)      teaching students to respect school – each school has its own traditions and customs, that’s why a teaching staff are to explain to each pupils that he has o respect his school and follow his teachers’’ instructions

c)      more responsible parenting  - parents are also play a great role, concerning this question, they have to have a discussion with their child, according to this certain problem, letting him know, that it’s bad to miss classes.

d)      strict punishment – punishment is not an ideal variant, but there are cases when this method can stimulate children

e)      police involvement – police officers must find burglars, murderers and other criminals, and, in this case, parents will be calm, it is not police’s business to pay attention to the school system

MP3 AUDIO 3.4

1. Listen to two people discussing the issue of public vs. state schooling. What are they saying about: cost, quality of education, increased life chances? What do you agree with most?

Martin is sure, that public schools are more expensive, that state. But the advantage of the state school is that it’s free of charge.

Amy suspects that publish school can give you more quality education, than state school. There are a lot of facilities their and better instructions, though in a state school there is mix type of students, declares Martin.

All in all, it is an open secret for both persons, that life chances will be increased if you finish a public school, because there are lots of employers who prefer to take public schools’ leavers, that states’.

2. Think about the similarities and differences between:

a) the education system in your country/the education system in the UK or the USA

It is an open secret, that the UK and USA systems are similar to each other, though our is only on its way to them.

b) wearing school uniform/wearing what you like

When I was a pupil we faced this problem, but actually we don’t wear uniform, though it was out of the question to wear jeans and t-shirts.

More over there are lots of school which have their own traditions. By the way, uniform can illustrate your belonging to a certain specialty.

All in all, uniform is not bad, but it is not necessary to wear it, but clothes should be elegant and classical

c) state-wide exams/continual assessment

Truly speaking I really can not understand the term “continual assessment”. But, on the one hand state-wide exams are good for pupils. There is no bias, corruptness and pressure from the examining board. But on the other hand, you may guess about 60% of the whole points. That’s why the question arises: is it really good?