1. Choose the statement that expresses the main idea of the text most accurately.

1. Education is an essential part of a multicultural society.

2. It’s impossible to overestimate the role of education nowadays.

3. The main purpose of education is to provide people with knowledge and skills.

2. Answer the questions.

1. Why is education so important today?

2. What is the ideal product of education?

3. What are the problems our society has to cope with?

4. How can education help to integrate into the global community?

2. International Cooperation and Academic Mobility in the Sphere of Higher Education and Research

a) Read the text.

The system of Higher Education all over the world suffers from cultural, socio-economical and academic barriers. The Bologna [bə'ləunjə] process is an attempt to lower these obstacles within the European higher education area. In 1999 Education Ministers from 29 European countries signed the Bologna declaration. This document promotes international cooperation in the sphere of higher education and research because academic degree standards and quality assurance standards become more comparable and compatible throughout Europe. The processes in education can draw benefit from systematic exchange of experiences, support to best practice, innovative products and educational cooperation.

The Bologna declaration has given rise to academic mobility which allows professors’, research workers’, students’ and post-graduates’ moving to another higher education institution inside or outside their own country to study or teach for a limited time. It cleared the way for various international organizations, funds and programs which provide informational and financial support of mobile students and teachers. The students may be taught and examined in particular subjects similar to those at their home universities.

Mobile students use exchange programmes at department, faculty, institution or national level. As programme students they may choose Erasmus [ɪ'ræzməs], Nordplus or Fulbright programmes. These programmes contribute to the development of quality and innovation in the educational systems by means of educational cooperation, development projects, exchanges and networking (установление деловых контактов, налаживание связей).

Some of mobile students are called  free-movers. They travel entirely on their own initiative. Free-movers may apply any university satisfying their educational needs.

One of the key aims of academic mobility is to place an emphasis on studies measured by results and to make an assessment of what students actually know and what they don't.

b) prepare a summary of the text.

c) Webquest.

• Search the sites for details of exchange programs. Copy the details into this table for each program (at least three).

Program name	Purpose	Target	Countries involved	Peculiarities

• Prepare a report on one of them.

www.fulbright.state.gov/

www.esn.org/

www.isep.org/

www.exchanges.state.gov/programs/university.html

3. Higher Education in Russia

1. Skim the text through fairly quickly to understand the topic and the main points.

2. Read the text for the second time very carefully. When you have finished reading, see how much you can recall.

3. Answer the questions after the text.

Entrance to the university is by competitive examination or by the results of the Unified State Exam. Those who passed entrance examinations with merit and credit receive monthly state grants. If the applicants did not fail in the examinations but their results are satisfactory they can gain entrance but must pay for their education.

The complete course at the university lasts for 5 years, in some educational establishments it may be a little longer or shorter. Students have lectures and practical hours. They attend lectures on different subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, philosophy, history of Russia, economics, strength of materials, drawing and others and take notes of them. During practical hours in the laboratories and shops they study the material of the lectures. Students can borrow books from the university library and use computer-assisted learning materials to read for credit tests and exams.

The academic year is divided into two terms from September to January and from February to July. Students take examinations at the end of a term and can be transferred to the next course. On completion of studies the student presents a graduation thesis or passes final state examinations.

The classic universities train highly qualified specialists in sciences and humanities. The specialized universities train specialists for one of the fields of culture or national economy. The graduates of specialized technical universities are well grounded in a specific field of engineering. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport, industrial and housing construction.

In all higher educational institutions there are some optional courses which provide students with an opportunity to study besides obligatory subjects, subjects they are most interested in.

Besides full-time education there are evening and correspondence higher educational establishments which train specialists in most fields. Correspondence and evening higher schools differ in the system in which studies are organized. The basic form of study is independent work and self-study at home. The majority of evening and correspondence students study professions they are engaged in.

Post-graduate education. Those who have a gift for research work may enter the post graduate course. A postgraduate carries out his research and work at the doctoral thesis under the guidance and supervision of the experienced professors and academics. The time taken to complete a postgraduate degree varies, but it usually involves three years of study.

Questions

1. What’s the school-leaving age in Russia?

2. Do students have to pay for their education?

3. Do students get grants for further education?

4. How long does the course of studies at the university usually last?

5. How many terms are there in the academic year?

6. Where do students take textbooks?

7. What types of universities are there?

8. What is the purpose of optional courses?

9. Where can working people study if they wish?

10. What is the difference between full-time and correspondence education?

11. What possibilities exist for graduates who want to continue their education?

12. *What would you say are the successes and failures of Russian educational systems? Compare the British and Russian educational systems. How do British schools and universities differ from schools and universities in Russia?