3.2 Dr Landau

Pre-listening task: Do you think it is difficult to be a scientist? Why / Why not? What do you know about Lev Landau?

Main activity:

1) Track 10/CD1 You will hear a part of a talk about a famous Russia physicist. First listen and then complete the sentences.

1. As a child Dr Landau was a mathematical ___________.

2. He became a university student when he was _____years old.

3. Dr Landau worked both in Russia and ________.

4. Dr Landau won the Nobel prize in ___________.

5. One of the Moon`s _______ is named after him.

Follow-up:

Why do you think some scientists become well-known while others go to oblivion? Does money matter?

3.3 Careers advice office

Pre-listening task: Who helped you to choose your future profession? Would you like to have a chance to change your major at any point while studying?

Main activity:

Track 11/CD1 You will hear an interview with a career advisor. Choose the best variant to finish the sentences:

1.What is true about Martin`s appointments with students:

1) he sees about a dozen students every day.

2) students pay a small fee for the service.

3) he usually meets with a student for an hour.

2. The questionnaire asks students about:

1) previous work experience.

2) what career they are interested in.

3) the kind of situations they like.

3. What kind of answers do students give in regard to their interest:

1) they sometimes put down several completely different interests.

2) they give a clear indication of their interests.

3) they often don`t put anything down.

4. Students return to see Martin…

1) because they`ve changed their minds about their interests.

2) to fill out their questionnaire forms.

3) to complain about the advice they`ve been given.

5. What does Martin do with the students CV`s?

1) he doesn`t handle any aspect of that.

2) he reviews them and gives them to his assistant.

3) he gets his assistant to make initial comments.

6. Martin doesn`t do practice interview because…

1) he can`t fit them into his daily work schedule.

2) he doesn`t think they are useful.

3) students don`t like doing them.

7.What advice does Martin give about talking about weaknesses?

1) try to describe them so they sound more positive.

2) avoid being honest about them.

3) spend as little time on them as possible.

Follow-up: Would you like to have such an advisor in MSU? Do you think he can influence students` decisions?

Work in pairs: Make a list of possible questions an advisor may ask, compare it with the partner.

3.4 Academic Ladder

Pre-listening task: What distinctive differences can you name between Russian and American systems of high education?

Main activity:

Track 12/CD1 You will hear a lecture on the American system of education. Choose the best variant to finish the sentences:

1) Originally pre-school program was designed

A as part of compulsory schooling.

B for gifted and talented kids.

C to prepare kids from poor families for school

2) When the speaker says “State attendance laws vary” it means that each state can:

A recommend public, private or home education schooling for each kid.

B decide on the best age and grade division for school students.

C have different requirements for students’ academic performance

3) The term “middle school” in America can refer to school grades

A 4-6

B 6-7

C 7-9

4) School leavers can’t become university students if

A their parents have no ability to finance this education.

B they fail to get an academic or athletic scholarship.

C they do not meet the requirements of university assessment

5) Community colleges are colleges that are

A financially supported by the state.

B used mainly as feeders to the 4-year colleges.

C 2-year colleges that have occupational curricula

6) Bachelor degree is crucial for a professional career as it

A is the minimum entry credential for any profession.

B includes general and professional training components in a field.

C has both major and minor fields of study, needed for professional skills

7) Graduate students are student who

A want to get a university degree in higher education.

B are ready to study more than 4 years.

C try to get a doctorate degree skipping Master’s Degree.

Follow-up:

Why has it become so popular to get high education abroad? Can our education compete with the foreign one?