Secondary Education

Secondary Education begins at 11. According to the results of the exam at primary school children are sent to Grammar, Technical or Secondary modern schools. Those who did well in the examination go on to a grammar school, while these who failed go to a secondary modern school or technical college. Grammar schools provide an academic course from 11 to 18.

They prepare children for national examinations such as the General Certificate of Education (GCE) at ordinary (at the age of 16) and advanced (A) levels (at the age of 18). These examinations qualify children for the better jobs, and for higher education.

The education in secondary modern schools is based on practical schooling, which allows entry into various skilled and unskilled jobs. Pupils finish such kind of school at the age of 16.

They give a very limited education. Pupils get instruction in woodwork, metalwork, sewing, shorthand, typing and cooking. So-called comprehensive schools began to appear after World War 2. They are mostly mixed schools, which can provide all the courses given in grammar, Technical and Secondary modern schools.

Classes of pupils are called "forms" and are numbered in secondary school from one to six, beginning with the first form. Nearly all schools work a five-day week, and are closed on Saturdays. The day starts at about 9 o'clock with three hours of lessons (divided by short breaks) in the morning and two more hours of lessons after the lunch break. School normally finishes between three and four, for younger children the day is shorter.

Instead of one very long holiday in the summer with very short breaks at other times, as in the rest of Europe, English schools usually divide their year into three "terms" starting at the beginning of September: Autumn term (Christmas holiday about 2,5 weeks); Spring term (Easter holiday about 2 weeks) and Summer term (Summer holiday about 6 or 7 weeks). The Comprehensive Schools have their own "grammar school" classes and "Modern classes".

Every pupil has to choose a set of subjects to learn. If he takes up Art he will study English Literature, Music, Art, Drama and foreign languages. If he is good at exact and natural sciences, he will learn Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Economics and Technical Drawing.

The British government encourages careers education in the country. That's why secondary schools try to break down the barriers between education and business. They set up close links with firms to allow their students to take part in business activities.

Higher Education in The uk

There are more than 60 universities in the UK The leading universities are Cambridge, Oxford and London English universities differ from each other in traditions, general organization, internal government, etc. British universities are comparatively small, the approximate number is about 7-8 thousand students. Most universities have fewer than 3000 students, some even less than 1500 ones. London and Oxford universities are international, because people from many parts of the world come to study at one of their colleges. A number of well-known scientists and writers, among them Newton, Darwin, Byron were educated in Cambridge. A university consists of a number of departments: art, law, music, economy, education, medicine, engineering, etc. After three years of study students take the Degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science. After post-graduate courses they get the Master's Degree. If they continue their research they receive the Doctor's Degree. Besides universities there are at present in Britain 300 technical colleges, providing part-time and full-time education. The organization system of Oxford and Cambridge differs from that of all other universities and colleges. The teachers are usually called Dons. Part of the teaching is by means of lectures organized by the university. Teaching is also carried out by tutorial system. This is the system of individual tuition organized by the colleges. Each student goes to his tutor's room once a week to read and discuss an essay which the student has prepared. Some students get scholarship but the number of these students is comparatively small. There are many associates and clubs at Cambridge and Oxford. The most celebrating at Cambridge is the Debating Society at which students discuss political and other questions with famous politicians and writers. Sporting activities are also numerous. It should be mentioned that not many children from the working-class families are able to receive the higher education as the fees are very high (more than ₤ 1000 a year). Besides that special fees are taken for books, for laboratory works, exams and so on.

Ex. 3. Give Russian equivalents:

abilities of individuals, benefit, to organize flexibly, to provide opportunity, to be responsible for, a considerable amount of freedom, according to, to get instructions, an informal manner, to move around fairly, the most gifted, practical schooling, to be good at exact or natural sciences, to break down the barriers, business activity, the approximate number, to provide part-time (full-time) education, tutorial system.

Ex. 4. Give English equivalents:

обязательное образование, дошкольное образование, среднее образование, переходить в … (класс), делить на потоки, ряд предметов, установить тесные связи, сдать экзамен, провалить экзамен, получить стипендию, учебный семестр, поддерживать профессиональное образование, ведущие университеты, высокая плата за обучение, посредством лекций, квалифицированная работа.

Ex. 5. Expand the statements

1. In Great Britain education is compulsory for all children.

2. Administration of state schools is decentralized.

3. Classroom work for the children of 4-5 is often done in an informal manner.

4. Pre-school education begins in England at the age of 3 or 4.

5. Grammar schools provide an academic course from 11 to 18.

6. The education in secondary modern schools is based on practical schooling.

7. English schools usually divide their year into 3 terms.

8. The British government encourages careers education in the country.

9. There are more than 60 universities in the UK.

10. Teaching in the universities is carried out by tutorial system.

Ex. 6. Topics for discussion

1. What is the aim of British education? Is it similar in our country?

2. Administration of state schools is decentralized. What about Russia?

3. There are 2 steps of primary education in the UK Is it suitable for Russia?

4. What kind of schools are there in Britain? What is the system of studying in

each of them?

5. English universities differ from each other. In what way?

6. Teaching as carried out by tutorial system in British universities. What about Russian higher schools?