IV. Find the “odd man out”. There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons.

А В С

1. single sex mixed coeducational

2. compulsory voluntary optional

3. independent school public school state school

4. nursery primary secondary

5. grammar school comprehensive school non-selective school

6. streaming mixed ability grouping ability grouping

7. continuous assessment final examinations intelligence testing

Communication skills development group interview

One of you is a representative of American educational authorities. The group interviews him on advantages and disadvantages of American system of education.

Group discussion

1. Would you prefer to send your child to a mixed or single sex school?

2. Is day school always a better alternative to boarding school?

3. Should rich people be permitted to buy educational advantages by sending their children to private schools or should all schools be run by the state?

4. Do you prefer a system where children are put in fast and slow streams or is it better to create mixed ability classes?

5. Should corporal punishment be permitted in schools?

6. Which system do you favour for measuring children's progress -final examinations or continuous assessment?

7. Do the "three Rs" (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) make up the most important part of the school curriculum?

Face 2 face

Read the following dialogues and give their contents.

1

A: I think exams encourage competition between students.

B: I agree up to a point, but don't you think a student can cheat and get a mark he doesn't deserve?

A: Yes, that's true but exams are the quickest way of testing students.

B: Yes, but many students get really nervous at exam time and they don't do as well as they could in an ordinary class test.

A: I know, but the grades they get in exams give students a good idea of their progress in a subject.

B: I agree, but what about students that have to sit exams when they are not feeling well? Illness can make their performance very poor.

A: True...

2

Teacher: Sit down, Mr and Mrs Eliot.

Mr E: Thank you, Mr Brown.

Mrs E: What is it you wanted to talk about? Is Sarah having problems in class, or perhaps misbehaving?

Teacher: No, no, nothing of the kind. In fact, your Sarah is very bright indeed, and an excellent student. That's what the problem is.

Mr E: Problem? How can being intelligent be a prob­lem?

Teacher: I didn't mean it like that. It's our problem, not hers. I feel that we are not able to offer Sarah what she really needs, and what I'd like to suggest is that you send her to a school with better facilities and more chances for her to develop.

Mrs E: But that would cost a lot of money, wouldn't it?

Teacher: I was about to explain that aspect. You see, I believe that Sarah is so talented that the best schools will offer her a scholarship.

Mrs E: Oh. Would that mean that we wouldn't have to pay at all?

Teacher: Oh, well, I'm afraid a full scholarship is not very likely, but certainly it would be cheaper than normal. And I think Sarah would be much happier in the long run.

Mrs E: But won't she feel strange going to a new school now? I mean, she won't know anyone and...

Teacher: I don't think that's a problem. Sarah is a very sociable girl, and I'm sure she'll make friends quickly.

Mr E: Well, if you can give us an idea of which schools to apply to, we'll definitely give it a try.

Teacher: Actually, I've already made a list of possible schools - all in the area, you know. There's one in particular that I would recommend-Hillside College, it's called.

Mrs E: Yes, I think I've heard of it. Why do you think that one would be best?

Teacher: It has an excellent reputation – the classes are small and Sarah would get the attention she deserves.

Mr E: I'd prefer Sarah to go to a mixed school, though. Isn't Hillside a girls' school?

Teacher: No, it isn't. Perhaps you're thinking of Heme Hill - the girls-only school.

Mrs E: When do you think Sarah should go – I mean – if that's what we decide? Wouldn't it be better for her to finish the year here?

Teacher: That's up to you, but I see no reason why she couldn't change at the end of this term.

Mr E: We'll certainly talk things over with Sarah this evening.

Mrs E: Thank you very much for being so concerned about Sarah.

Teacher: And thank you both for coming in to see me.

3

A: What kind of education would you choose for your child?

B: For a start, it would have to be a mixed school and not a boarding establishment.

A: What have you got against single sex schools?

B: Clearly, a coeducational environment promotes understanding between boys and girls. It's far more natural.

A: Don't you think they distract one another when they become teenagers?

B: Well, maybe they do, but they've got to learn to live together. I'm against all forms of segregation.

A: How about boarding schools? Don't they teach children how to live together? I'd have thought they'd be very useful for children without brothers and sisters.

B: But "only children" can still find friends in their neighbourhoods or local day schools. Why have we got to create large institutional families? If people decide to have children, then they should value family life.

A: Would you prefer your child to be educated privately or by the state?

В: То be honest, that's a very difficult question, because if the state schools in my town were very bad, then I might be tempted to pay private fees. I hope that wouldn't be necessary.

A: Would you consider sending your child to a grammar school?

B: Again, that depends on the alternatives. I prefer the comprehensive system, but I wouldn't want my child to be in mixed ability classes for all subjects. There'd have to be some form of streaming.

A: What's wrong with mixed ability teaching?

B: The reality is that people learn subjects such as languages and mathematics at different speeds. It's a nonsense to keep everybody at the same level regardless of their progress.