Part II. Education in the usa

Vocabulary:

to range [ ] – выстраивать

noteworthy [ ] – достойный внимания

legislature [ ] – законодательные органы

community [ ] – общественность, община

optional [ ] – необязательный

mandatory [ ] – обязательный

sophomore [ ] – второкурсник

grade [ ] – ранг, оценка, класс

headmaster [ ] – директор школы

to revolve [ ] – вращаться

to run [ ] – управлять

to juggle [ ] – жонглировать, зд. совмещать

tuition [ ] – плата за обучение, обучение

Ex. 1. Learn the pronunciation of the following words:

feature	[ ]	requirement	[ ]
curriculum	[ ]	variety	[ ]
throughout	[ ]	orchestra	[ ]
period	[ ]	double	[ ]
announcement	[ ]	couple	[ ]
Easter	[ ]	synagogue	[ ]
approximately	[ ]	band	[ ]
Earn	[ ]	tuition	[ ]
experience	[ ]	choir	[ ]

Ex. 2. Read and translate the text.

Schooling

Nursery school (optional)	Age: 3 to 5 The kid’s parents decide whether or not they want the kid to attend it.
Kindergarten (mandatory in most states)	Age: 5 to 6
Elementary school	Age: 6 to 12 Grades: 1 to 5 (or 6)
Junior High School (= Middle School)	Age: 12 to 15 Grades: 6 (or 7) to 8 (or 9)
Senior High School	Age: 15 to 17 (or 18) Grades: 9 (or 10) to 12

American schools range from kindergartens to high schools, small colleges, large universities, institutions for adult education, vocational training.

Perhaps the most noteworthy feature about American education is the absence of a national administration or structure. Under the United States Constitution the federal government has no power to make laws in the field of education. Each of the 50 states controls and directs its own schools. Educational requirements are set by the state legislatures, and public schools are managed by local communities. Each state has a Board of Education (8-9 members elected by the public or appointed by the governor).

There is no uniform school organization or curriculum throughout the nation, but certain common features exist.

Preschool education includes nursery school for 3-5 year-old kids, which is optional, and kindergartens for 5 to 6 year-old kids, which may be the part of elementary school and is mandatory in most states. Secondary education usually lasts 12 years of classes not counting kindergartens. For American children schooling begins at the age of six and includes elementary school and high school: junior and senior. Sometimes Junior High School is known as Middle School. Students of each grade in high school have special names: 9 graders are called Freshmen, 10 graders – are Sophomores, 11 graders – are Juniors, 12 graders – Seniors. In different areas of the USA, the 12 grades are differently arranged (6-8 years elementary school and 6-4 years high school). The high schools are generally larger and accommodate students from four or five elementary schools.

Secondary schools have a “core curriculum” of English, a foreign language, Math, science – Physics, Chemistry, Biology and History: Western Civilization, US History and World Cultures that is History and Literature; social studies, PE, classes teaching basic computer skills as well as variety of elective subjects. The number of subjects students study in this country may differ from school to school. There are subjects from which students can choose, besides, there are subjects that are optional. They are called electives such as painting, orchestra, woodworking, drama, photography, social work. Students have them once a week.

Usually the academic year lasts 10 months a year, school week - 5 days. One period lasts 40 minutes, except electives which last 1 hour 15 minutes. There are 7 periods every day. After third period there is a break called All-School Meeting for 15 minutes. Headmaster or teachers make all sorts of announcements. The exception is fourth period, which is a double period when students have electives or science lab or study hall where they can do their homework. Schools typically have many three day weekends that revolve around federal holidays, a couple of weeks over Christmas in December, ending with New Year’s Day (Christmas holidays), a week in February, a week in April (the Easter holidays), 10 weeks off in the summer – summer vacations.

Approximately 85% of American students attend public schools, 15% - private schools. Four out of five private schools are run by churches, synagogues and other religious groups. Every High School has sports teams, most schools publish their own student newspaper, have bands, orchestras, choir, theatre, different clubs, etc.

In America many teens live a very busy life, “juggling” school and work. They want to be independent and make some money to buy something they want. There are other motives too. Working after and sometimes before school high school students want to earn money for their future university or college tuition. Besides, a part-time job gives a chance to get on-the-job experience and learn many of the on-the-job skills.

Those students who complete the full high program receive a high school diploma, or certificate of graduation.

Ex. 3. Find English equivalents in the text

Школа для малышей, законодательные органы штата, контролировать и управлять, устанавливаются, главные предметы, факультативные занятия, плата за будущее обучение в колледже, аттестат об окончании полного курса средней школы, по всей стране.

Ex. 4. Give Russian equivalents

To range from kindergarten to high school, adult education, educational requirements, uniform school organization, period, All-School Meeting, a Board of Education, all sorts of announcements, 10 weeks off, on-the-job skills, busy life, public school, science lab, study hall, double period, three day weekends revolve around federal holidays, part-time job, vocational training.

Ex. 5. Explain the meaning of the following words and word expressions:

Institutions for adult education, tuition, absence of a national administration, nursery, Middle School, “core curriculum”, electives, All-School Meeting, headmaster, double period, “to juggle” school and work, study hall, a part-time job, to run a school, on-the-job experience, to revolve around federal holidays, certificate of graduation, Christmas holidays, public school, private school.

Ex. 6. Read and translate the text: