Topic 2

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Text A: Our University

When people speak about higher education in Brest, they generally keep in mind A.S. Pushkin Brest State University, one of the oldest and most famous among the state and non-state establishments of higher learning. It dates back from 1945 when on the 15th of March the regional government decided to open the Teacher's Training Institute in Brest. Very soon it became the centre of cultural, educational and research life of the town.

In 1995 Brest State Teachers' Training Institute became a University. Now it occupies four academic buildings. One of them, a seven-storeyed building with various laboratories, subject rooms and reading halls, was erected in 1983. The faculty of physical education is housed in a separate modern sports complex with four gyms, two swimming pools and a number of lecture halls and tutorial rooms. At the disposal of the students there are two hostels, a canteen, an assembly hall, sports and agricultural stations. The University has museums of biology, geography and history of physical culture and sport. The library and reading rooms of the University contain more than 700,000 books.

There are three main departments at Brest State University: extra-mural (or correspondence), preparatory and day-time. About 3,000 students get higher education without leaving their jobs at the extra-mural department. The basic form of study for an external student is independent work at home. About 5,000 internal students study at the day-time department, which includes 11 faculties: Language and Literature, Foreign Languages, Physics and Mathematics, Primary School Teachers' Training, Physical Education, Biology, Law, Geography, Preschool Education, and History. The University tries to meet the demands of the society and educates students in more than 30 specialities.

Teaching is maintained at a high level. About 600 professors and lecturers at 53 chairs give lectures and tutorials, carry out research in different branches of science.

The course of studies at the University lasts four or five years. The academic year is divided into two terms: a winter and a summer term. The students obtain knowledge in social sciences, the history and theory of education and teaching methods in different subjects. The University provides a high standard of theoretical and practical knowledge.

Tasks to the Text

1. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующих слов и выражений:

Высшее учебное заведение; аудитория для практических занятий; аудитория для лекций; дневное, заочное и подготовительное отделение; получить высшее образование; студент стационара; студент-заочник; соответствовать требованиям общества; кафедра; курс обучения; обеспечить высокий уровень теоретических и практических знаний; овладеть прочными знаниями

2. Исправьте следующие неверные утверждения:

1. Brest State University dates back from 1946.

2. In 1995 Brest State University became an Institute.

3. Now the University occupies four academic buildings.

4. The faculty of physical education is housed in a seven-storeyed building.

5. The basic form of study for an internal student is independent work at home.

6. The course of studies at the University lasts six years.

7. The academic year is divided into two terms: an autumn term and a spring term.

3. Ответьте на вопросы:

1. When was Brest State University founded?

2. How many buildings does the University occupy?

3. What museums does the University have?

4. How many faculties does the University include? What are they?

5. How do external students get their education?

6. What do the teachers of the University do?

7. How long does the course of studies last?

4. Дополните предложения информацией из текста:

1. Brest State University is …

2. In 1945 …

3. In 1995 …

4. The University occupies …

5. Brest State University has three departments: …

6. The University includes 11 faculties: …

7. The course of studies …

5. Расскажите о Брестском государственном университете, используя следующий план:

1. The History of Brest State University

2. The Buildings of the University

3. The departments

4. The faculties

5. The teaching staff of the University

6. The Studies at the University

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Text B: Higher Education in the United States of America

The American system of school education differs from the systems in other countries. There are state public schools, private elementary schools and private secondary schools. Public schools are free and private schools are fee-paying. Each state has its own system of public schools. Elementary education begins at the age of six or seven, when a child goes to the first grade (form). At the age of twelve or thirteen schoolchildren leave the elementary school and may continue their education at one of the secondary schools or high schools, as they call them. The programme of studies in the elementary school includes English, Arithmetic, Geography, History of the USA, Natural Sciences, Physical Training, Singing, Drawing, Wood or Metal Work, etc. Sometimes they learn a foreign language and general history. Besides giving general education some high schools teach subjects useful to those who hope to find jobs in industry and agriculture or who want to enter colleges or universities. After graduating from secondary schools a growing number of Americans go on to higher education. The students do not take the same courses. During the first two years they follow a basic programme. It means that every student must select at least one course from each of the basic fields of study: English, Natural Sciences, Modern Languages, History or Physical Training. After the first two years every student can select subjects according to his professional interest. The National Government gives no direct financial aid to the institutions of higher education. Students must pay a tuition fee. This creates a financial hardship for some people. Many students have to work so that they could pay their expenses. The Americans place a high value on education. That’s why Kennedy said, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.”

In the United States there are 12 years of mandatory schooling. The first eight are solely referred to by numbers (e.g. 1st grade, 5th grade) so students may be referred to as 1st graders, 5th graders, etc. Grades 9 through 12 (high school) have alternate names for students, namely freshman, sophomore, junior and senior.

A freshman is a first-year student in college, university or high school. A sophomore is a second-year student. A "junior" is a student in the penultimate (usually third) year and a "senior" a student in the last (usually fourth) year of college, university, or high school. A college student who takes more than the normal number of years to graduate is sometimes referred to as a "super senior".

1. How do American public and private schools differ?

2. What subjects are taught in the elementary schools?

3. What follows elementary school?

What knowledge can students acquire there?

4. Is higher education free in the USA?

5. How do they call high school, college or university students?

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Text C: Education in Belarus

Before 1917 Belarus used to be a backward province of Russia and the major part of the population was illiterate. During the early years of the Soviet power Belarusian State University, Vitebsk Veterinary Institute, Gorki Institute of Agriculture as well as a lot of secondary vocational schools were founded. By1932 compulsory primary education was introduced throughout the republic. Illiteracy among adults and youth was successfully done away with. By the number of students and pupils per 10 thousand population Belarus came ahead of many highly developed countries. Today the educational establishments of the republic train highly qualified personnel for the needs of the national economy. Universities and institutes are located in the capital city Minsk and in regional centres. Nowadays the number of students attending different forms of educational establishments equals about one third of the population. The right of people to general secondary education is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus.

A continuity of study at all stages like pre-schools, secondary schools, vocational training schools and the high school level is being realized in the republic. Teachers and students are free in their choice of forms of education and teaching methods if they meet the requirements of the state educational standards.

Not long ago there appeared new types of educational establishments such as gymnasiums, lyceums, experimental schools, colleges as well as private kindergartens, non-state-owned secondary and higher schools. The main priority of education now is human values, national culture, humanism, democracy, the support of gifted children, nature protection. Now the government is doing everything possible for the young generation's present and future education.

Прочитайте текст и составьте аннотацию, используя следующие клише:

The text is about …

It is divided into … parts.

The author tells us that …

He believes/points out that …

In conclusion the author stresses the idea that…

Text D: English Universities

All English Universities except Oxford and Cambridge are fairly new. London University is the biggest of the modern English universities and is made up of a great variety of colleges and other institutions including medical schools.

A university usually has both faculties and departments. The most common faculties are arts, law, medicine, science and theology. The departments include engineering, economics, commerce, agriculture, music, and technology. After taking examinations a university graduate is awarded with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, etc.

Each faculty is headed by one or more professors, who are helped by a staff of teachers called lectures. Professors and lecturers spend some of their time giving lectures to large numbers of students or working with small groups where the students have a chance to argue and discuss.

All the universities admit both men and women, but within some universities there are colleges for one sex only. Most universities provide hostels for their students.