PART I. GENERAL INFORMATION

Unit I. Moscow State Teachers` Training University.

1. 1. The text is dedicated to Moscow State Teachers` Training University. Say what you have already known about it.

2. Pay attention to the following terms:

to found – основывать;

to provide – обеспечивать;

to occupy – занимать определенное место;

contemporary pedagogical education – современное педагогическое образование;

to offer – предлагать;

profound – глубокий;

significant – важный;

to allow – позволять, разрешать;

to carry on research work – проводить исследования (опыты);

eminent scientists – знаменитый, выдающийся;

fundamental points of pedagogical science – фундаментальные основы педагогических знаний;

to investigate – проводить исследования (расследование);

kindergartens – детские сады;

the difficulties and hardships – трудности и невзгоды (военного времени);

faculty stuff – работники, сотрудники факультета;

compulsory – обязательный;

the offset limitations – компенсация недостатков;

to derive – происходить из ч.-л.;

intellectual capacity – умственные способности;

to circumvent impairments – преодолеть, компенсировать недостатки;

motility functions – двигательные функции;

residential schools – интернаты;

to segregate – отделять(ся), выделять(ся);

to deem – полагать, думать, считать;

to evaluate – оценивать достижения;

to contribute to smth. – иметь большой вклад во ч.-л.

3. Find the sentences in the text in which the word combinations listed above are used.

2. 1. What is the English for the following Russian words and word combinations:

- учреждение высшего образования;

- обучать;

- глубокие теоретические и практические знания;

- работодатели;

- индивидуальные особенности каждого студента;

- важный;

- изобретатель;

- судебно-медицинская экспертиза;

- цель;

- при правильном, объективном педагогическом подходе;

- рассматривать ч.-л. в новом свете;

Make a sentence with each word and word combination.

2. Read the text “Moscow State Teachers` Training University”. Use dictionary if necessary.

Our university was founded as the first educational establishment in the country providing higher education for women and during its bright history became the leader in pedagogical education and one of the best universities of Russia. Thus, the university occupies a very special position within the national science, culture and education. Since foundation in 1872 MSPU has trained more than 250,000 teachers and more than 20,000 PhD’s and Doctors of Sciences both for Russia and abroad. Contemporary pedagogical education offers a wide range of knowledge in various fields of science and practice and MSPU diplomas are well received by prospective employers. It’s worth mentioning that there are many famous scientists, educators, politicians and businessmen, representatives of art and culture among our graduates. During studies at our university students gain profound theoretical and research knowledge as well as significant professional skills. MSPU educators are great supporters of individual student creativity and newest educational techniques. There are recognized authors of original textbooks and educational programmes among our faculty members known far outside Russia. It’s important to mention that while the visit to MSPU on September 1st 2001 President Vladimir Putin stated: “Pedagogue’s profession, no doubt, is the right choice within one’s course of life”. November 1, 1872 is the date when in the former building of the first College for Men in Prechistenka st., under the initiative of top – tier professors, headed by V.I. Gerye, the Moscow Courses for Women (MCW) were organized. It was the first Higher Education Establishment for women at those times. Starting from 1874 women started for3 years such disciplines as Russian and Foreign literature and history, physics, mathematics, ancient and modern languages. In 1900, there existed two departments: historic, philosophical and physic-mathematical. In 1906, the third, medical department was founded. In 1912 the post – graduates of MCW were allowed to carry on research work that was crucial for Russian science and emphasized the role of women in it. 4 years later the diploma of MCW was equal to the one of the Moscow State University. Eminent scientists worked in MCW: N.D. Zelinsky (the inventor of the gas – mask), P.A. Minakov (one of the founders of forensic medicine expertise), M.N. Shaternikov (the founder of the physiology of nourishment), A.K. Kots (the founder of Darwin Museum of Natural History) and many others. In 1818, MCW got the title of the second Moscow State University. During the period of severe Russian revolution some fundamental points of pedagogical science were investigated. In 1921, the pedagogical department was founded. Among its outstanding professors were P.P. Bolonsky, L. S. Vigodsky, S.T. Shatsky, O.U. Shmidt. At that time the second MSU started preparing teachers for village schools and work practice was introduced as well as the guidance of schools and kindergartens. In 1930, the second MSU became the first pedagogical institute in the Soviet Union. In 1934 Moscow State Pedagogical Institute (MSPI) comprised a few departments: 1) language and literature; 2) history; 3) physics and mathematics; 4) natural studies; 5) geography; 6) pedagogical; 7) defectology. At that period on the basis of MSPI the union of Pedagogical Universities of Moscow and Moscow region was established. Its aim was to introduce new pedagogical methods into the teaching process. Before the Great Patriotic war, the university was named after V.I. Lenin. MPI came through all the difficulties and hardships of the War. Students, members of the faculty stuff, professors were at battlefields, in factories and hospitals. At the end of 1950 when it became compulsory to fulfill a course of 7 years school study (later 8 years). MSPI became the leader in preparation of young teachers. In 1960, the Moscow Potemkin Pedagogical University became part of MSPI. The scientists of MSPI contributed a lot to Russian science. Inhibitors of atmospheric corrosion were discovered and applied in industry in the laboratory of S.A. Balezin, under the guidance of E.V. Shpolskiy a new physical effect that was entitled after him, was founded. The winner of the Lenin prize, the investigator of algorithms, P.S. Novikov, the founder of the soil zoology, M.S. Gilyanov used to be the professors of MSPI. In 1990 MSPI was transformed into MSPU. Nowadays Educational programmes are realized throughout 18 faculties: Biology and Chemistry, Geography, Defectology/ Special Training, Preschool pedagogics and psychology, Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics, Music, Primary education, Pedagogics and Psychology, Slavonic and West-European Philology, Sociology, Economics and Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Physics, Physical Education, Philology, Chemistry, Artistic and Graphic. At the university a post-graduate (PhD) course is realized in 17 directions. Defectology/ Special Training – literally the study of defect – is a science unique to the region, based on the idea that special education is the best way to the offset limitations associated with disability. It was developed in the USSR in the 1920s by L. S. Vygotsky and still derives much of the thinking and action related to children with disabilities in the region. The theory says that intellectual capacity has endless potential and, if helped by proper educative methods, personal contacts and stimulation, it can correct or circumvent impairments in lesser motility functions. In practice special education has been carried out in residential schools and institutions, segregating children from society, community and family. Many have been deemed inadequate. The benefits of special education for children with disabilities are still a matter for debate in international circles. Revising Vygotsky`s work with a fresh eye could help turn defectology in a new direction. The faculty of Defectology/ Special Training provides training of the following specialists: ‘Special preschool pedagogics and psychology’ with supplementary specialty ‘Speech therapy’; ‘Speech therapy’ with supplementary specialty ‘Special psychology’; ‘Special psychology’ with supplementary specialty ‘Oligophrenopedagogics’; ‘Oligophrenopedagogics’ with supplementary specialty ‘Speech therapy’; ‘Deaf-and-dumb pedagogy’ with supplementary specialty ‘Special psychology’; ‘Deaf-and-dumb pedagogy’ with supplementary specialty ‘Special psychology’ (for hearing impairment people); ‘Special preschool pedagogics and psychology’. September 1, 2001 Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, visited MSPU. He positively evaluated the work of MSPU and pointed out its crucial position in the system of higher education of Russia. Preserving traditions MSPU has entered the new, XXI century, having perspective and promising plans for the future and they are inclined to improve the system of Pedagogical education in Russia and contribute to the development of pedagogical sciences on the international level.