Unit I. Education part I. Education in great britain

Vocabulary:

to remain – оставаться

curricular – программа

considerable – значительный, важный

considerable amount of … – немало …

fairly – совершено

in the cause of – ради чего-либо

to stream – делить на потоки

to get instructions – обучаться

to do well in – справиться

to fail – провалиться на экзаменах

skill – умение, квалификация

shorthand – стенография

comprehensive school – общеобразовательная школа

a set of subjects – ряд предметов

exact science – точные науки

to encourage – поощрять, поддерживать

careers education – профессиональное образование

to set up close links – установить тесные связи

approximate – приблизительно

to proceed – to – перейти

part-time – заочное

full-tame – дневное

to carry out – выполнять

tutorial – наставнический

tutor – руководитель группы студентов

scholarship – стипендия

infant classes – школа для малышей от 5 до 7 лет (государственная,

существует самостоятельно или в составе общеобразовательной школы)

Ex. 1. Mind the pronunciation

encourage [ ] approximate [ ]

medicine [ ] bachelor [ ]

tutor [ ] associate [ ]

tutorial [ ] certificate [ ]

curriculum [ ] compulsory [ ]

Ex. 2. Read and translate the text Education in Great Britain

The aim of British education is to develop fully the abilities of individuals, for their own benefits and of society as a whole.

In Great Britain education is compulsory for all children from 5 to 16 years of age, but some pupils remain at school for 2 years more, to prepare for further higher education. Post school education is organized flexibly, to provide a wide range of opportunities for academic and vocational education and to continue studying through out life.

Administration of state schools is decentralized. The department of education is responsible for national education policy, but it doesn't run any schools, if doesn't employ teachers, or prescribe curriculum or textbooks. All schools are given a considerable amount of freedom. According to the law only one subject is compulsory. That is religions instruction.

Pre-school education

Pre-school education in England begins at the age of 3 or 4. Around half of the children at this age attend nursery schools or play grounds mostly organized by parents. Children of this age need care as well as education. That's why kids play a lot, learn to listen attentively and to behave.

Primary education

Children receive preschool education under the age of 5 in England, Walls and Scotland, and at 4 in Northern Ireland in nursery school or in infant's classes in primary schools.

Lessons start at 9 a.m. and are over at 4 p.m. They are taught "3 R's": reading, writing, and arithmetic. Pupils have a lot of fun at school, drawing, reading, dancing or singing.

At 7 many children move to junior school or department.

Most of children (over 90%) go to state schools where education is free. Only a small proportion of them attend private (Public) or independent schools. Most independent schools are single-sex, but the number of mixing schools is growing. Till recently most junior school children had to seat for the eleven-plus examination. It usually consisted of an arithmetic paper and an intelligent test.