3. Technical vocational education.

4. Higher education (institutes, academies, classic universities, polytechnics, specialized universities, technical universities). Entrance to the university is by competitive examination or by the results of the Unified State Exam which is open to anyone between the age 17 and 35 having secondary education. Those who passed entrance examinations with merit and credit receive monthly financial support in the form of state grants. Students pay nothing for lectures and for using the laboratory equipment. If the applicants did not fail in the examinations but their results are satisfactory they can gain entrance but must pay for their education. They are required to pay fees to contribute to the high standard of tuition and facilities that are provided.

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. Studying at the university is a great experience for students because theoretical material is always supported by practical exercises. During practical hours in the laboratories and shops they study the material of the lectures. Students learn their skills on state-of-the-art equipment and are taught by highly accomplished professionals with strongly balanced focus on both intellectual developments and real world preparation.

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. The curricular of correspondence and evening higher schools do not differ essentially in the subjects taught, but they differ in the system in which studies are organized. The basic form of study has tendered to give a high priority to independent work and self-study at home. The majority of evening and correspondence students study professions they are engaged in. It is for the same reason that the correspondence and evening higher institutions train highly qualified specialists.

5. Post-graduate education. Those who have a gift for research work may take advanced exams in philosophy, foreign language and a certain field of knowledge to 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. They should be very diligent and work hard to get the highest academic qualification which usually carries the title PhD (=Doctor of Philosophy). The time taken to complete a postgraduate degree varies, but it is generally expected to involve three years of more-or-less full-time study.

QUESTIONS

1. Is general secondary education compulsory in Russia?

2. What age do children start school at in Russia?

3. What do we call the primary school?

4. What kind of school is a national school?

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

6. Where may pupils, who leave school, continue their education?

7. Are there evening classes for adults in Russia?

8. When do applicants take examinations?

9. What subjects did you take examinations in?

10. Do students have to pay for their education?

11. Do students get grants for further education?

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

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

14. Where do students take textbooks? Do they usually buy them?

15. From your reading of this text, what can you say about the trends in Russian educational system? Is it moving towards greater or lesser uniformity? Is it concentrating more on purely academic subjects or on more practical ones?*

16. Would you say that people in Russia are more or less enthusiastic about university education than they are in Britain?*

17. 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? *

ORAL DRILLS

(1) On the vocabulary

What do we call:	We call him (her):
1) a person who takes an examination in order to enter a University?	a candidate or an applicant.
2) a first year student?	a freshman or a fresher.
3) a person who studies at a higher educational Institution?	an undergraduate.
4) a student in his final year of studies?	a graduate.
5) a student who lives (doesn’t live) in the hostel?	a resident student; a day student.
6) a student who combines (doesn’t combine) work with study?	a part-time student; a full-time student.
7) a graduate who continues his studies to receive a degree?	a postgraduate.
8) a student (graduate) who had been given his first degree?	a Bachelor of Arts.
9) a student who studies at the Extramural Department?	an external student.
What do we call a room:	We call it:
1) where meetings, conferences and parties are held?	an assembly-hall.
2) which is used for gymnastics?	a gymnasium (gym).
3) which is used by the teaching-staff for work and rest during the breaks?	a staff common room.
4) which is used as a place of business where students’ progress, attendance and testing of knowledge are given day-by-day guidance?	the Dean’s office.

(2) On the use of prepositions

(A)

I went in for I sat for I took I had	my examination		in Mathematics in Physics in Economics in History in English		in spring.
I did well		At (in) the English examination
I did well		in Physics
I passed my examination I got through		in Mathematics		- with merit. with credit. satisfactory.
I failed		- in History in (at) my examination in English.		miserably.
Read the same in the Future Simple. Begin your sentences with I think, I hope, I don’t think, No doubt, according to the sense.

(B)

At	to have a subject … one’s fingers’ ends to be back … the University	- в
For	to be late … the lecture to have a gift (a bent) … research work to sit (to go in) … an examination to get a mark … a composition	На к - за
From	to graduate … from the University to be excused … Physical Training	- от
In	to get a mark … a subject to be well grounded … a subject to be weak … a subject (English) to be … the first (last) year of one’s studies	по по по на
Of	To have a good commamd … the language	-
On	to ask questions … the text	по
To	to be late … the University	в
through	to look … a book	-
After having studied the above table, read the same covering the left-hand column. Use these word combinations in the sentences and various questions of your own.

ORAL PRACTICE

Topic. Siberian State University of Railways (Siberian Transport University)

You passed your entrance exams thanks to the knowledge you gained at school or a vocational school or a technical college. Say a few words about the educational institution you studied at before entering the university i.e. present your educational background. Give information about:

1) the type of school you studied at;

2) the place where it is situated;

3) the age at which you began to attend it;

4) compulsory and optional courses which you were interested in;

5) how many times a week you had your lessons of English;

6) your favourite subjects (Did you get good marks in them?);

7) the entrance exams you passed before entering the university;

8) what you like and what you didn’t like about your school.

And now tell some facts about your student’s life. Present information on:

1. the name of your university;

2. its location;

3. the departments at your university (day-time, evening or correspondence);

4. how long the complete course lasts;

5. the number of students at the university;

6. the subjects you study (humanities, technical subjects, sciences);

7. the equipment the university is provided with;

8. the examinations you take and the grants you receive;

9. the students’ hostels;

10. what do you like and what do you don’t like about your university.

Words combinations and information to be used: