20. A) Work in pairs. Look at the pictures below and discuss the questions below.

1) What was your most / least favourite subject at school? Why?

2) Which do you think are the three most important subjects to study at school? Why?

3) Are there any subjects you wish you had studied harder? Why?

4) Do you think it’s important for students to do sport, music and drama at school? Why? / Why not?

b) Listen to two friends, Martin and Debbie, talking and complete in the gaps in the sentences.

When at school Martin hated (1) _______ because he had an (2) _____ and he didn’t understand a thing. Looking back he wishes he (3) _____ at school because he really needs it now. Martin’s wish is to become (4) ______. The thing is that in the UK it’s necessary to have (5) ______qualification to train to be any kind of teacher. Now Martin realizes that (6) ______ and _______ gives you more choice in life. That’s one of the biggest lessons he’s ever learned. It’s only with the benefit of hindsight that you realize these things. When you are young, you often can’t see the point of some things. Her friend Debbie wonders how you were to know that doing well (7) _____ then, would help you become (8) ______ now.

c) Think about your school days and complete sentences below to make them true for you.

1) Looking back, I wish I _________________________________.

2) It’s only with the benefit of hindsight that I’ve realized that _________________.

3) One of the biggest lessons I’ve ever learned in life is that ___________________.

d) Work in pairs and compare your sentences with your partner.

21. A) Read the text about national curriculum subjects and fill in the table below. National curriculum subjects in British subjects

State schools in England must teach a range of subjects according to targets set by the National Curriculum which was established in 1989. The main aim of the National Curriculum is to raise standards, making sure all children have a broad and balanced education up to the age of 16.

The National Curriculum is divided into four Key Stages that children are taken through during their school life. It specifies what children must study and what they are expected to know at different ages. Targets defined in the National Curriculum are assessed at the end of each Key Stage. For example, Key Stage 1(6-7 year olds) is taught during Years 1 and 2 of primary school, Key Stage 2 (8-11 year olds) – during Years 3 and 6 of primary school, Key Stage 3 (12-14 year olds) – during Years 7 and 9 of secondary school, Key Stage 4 (15-16 year olds) – during Years 10 and 11 of secondary school.

Compulsory national curriculum subjects at primary school (Key Stages 1 and 2) include English, maths, science, design and technology, history, geography, art and design, music, physical education (PE), including swimming, information and communication technology (ICT). At secondary school (Key Stages 3 and 4) compulsory subjects are the same as at primary school, besides they learn modern foreign languages and citizenship. From Key Stage 3 schools must also provide religious education (RE) and sex and relationship education (SRE). SRE involves teaching children about reproduction, sexuality and sexual health. It doesn’t promote early sexual activity or any particular sexual orientation. Some parts of SRE are compulsory – these are part of the national curriculum for science. Parents can withdraw their children from all other parts of SRE if they want. Pupils can choose to withdraw themselves once they’re 18. During Key Stage 4 most pupils work towards national qualifications, usually GCSEs.

The compulsory national curriculum subjects are divided into the core and foundation subjects. Core subjects include English, maths, science. Foundation subjects are information and communication technology (ICT), physical education, citizenship.

The above subjects are compulsory because they cover essential knowledge and skills that everyone needs for the future. The subjects students’ll have to take exams in are English, maths, science. This usually means GCSEs, but these subjects may also be available at entry level. There are some other subjects that they have to study, but may not lead to exams: careers education, citizenship, ICT, PE, religious studies, sex and relationships education, work-related learning.

From Key Stage 4 in years 10 and 11 children can take optional subjects, which vary from school to school. However, the school must provide children with access to at least one course in such areas as arts (including art and design, music, dance, drama and media arts), design and technology, humanities (history and geography), modern foreign languages. It’s not essential for the child to choose one subject from each area, but it’s necessary to remember that studying a range of subjects at this stage is useful so that pupils have a wider base of options for later study and career choices.

Age	Year	Curriculum stage	Subjects to learn
4	Nursery
5	Reception	Foundation stage
6	Year 1
7	Year 2
8	Year 3
9	Year 4
10	Year 5
11	Year 6
12	Year 7
13	Year 8
14	Year 9
15	Year 10
16	Year 11

b) Think about your school days and discuss what subjects Ukrainian pupils study at school. Fill in the table for Ukraine.