EDUCATION Unit 1

University

a

b

d

c

Lead-in

1 A. Look at the pictures. What do they have in common?

b. Match the words to make job titles, then use them to label the pictures.

1 university a) tutor

2 teaching b) teacher

3 private c) lecturer

4 primary school d) staff

2 Let’s investigate the idea of education.

1. Write down some words and phrases related to education.

2. Read the quotes and choose the one you like best. Compare it with a partner. Give reasons. Follow the example.

e.g. I like the first quote because …

I agree with the second quote because …

I find the third quote the best one because …

1 Only the educated are free.

Epictetus (55AD – 135AD), Discourses

2 Education makes us what we are.

Helvetius (1715 – 1771)

3 Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.

Malcolm Forbes (1919 – 1990)

3. These quotations demonstrate different views on the meaning and purpose of education. How would you complete the statement, "The purpose of education is..."?

2 What makes a ‘good’ student? Rank the personal skills in order of importance, then compare your list to your partner’s. Place these qualities in order of their importance and motivate your reason. Add other qualities that you think are essential for making a good student. Exchange your opinions within the group. Follow the example.

e.g. “ I think that a student should be ambitious / patient / hard-working … because…”

• ambitious • disciplined • hard-working • intelligent • cooperative • determined • communicative • motivated • initiative • helpful

Reading 1

3 What do you know about the Altai State University? Are you familiar with some facts of its history, departments?

4 Watch the video about the Altai State University. What aspects of the University does the video talk about?

1. its composition and staff

2. its teaching methods

3. its age

4. its fees

5. its student accommodation

6. its academic profiles

7. its research work

8. its foreign exchange programmes

5 Now read the text and match each paragraph 1-8 with the suitable titles given in the box below. Fill in the gaps 2-8. There is an example.

A The teaching staff E Student’s body B International cooperation F Study programs and training centres C Extracurricular activities G Facilities for students D History H Departments

Altai State University

1

D

Altai State University is a federal state budget educational establishment of higher professional education. Altai State University is one of the youngest universities of Barnaul. It was founded in 1973 and became the pioneer of classical education in theAltai Region. Today the University is the centre for development of classical higher professional education, fundamental and applied sciences, social and cultural life in the south of Western Siberia.

2

There are 16 departments in the University: the Department of Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History, Journalism, Law, Mathematics, Open Education, Philology, Physics and Technology, Political Science, Psychology, Public Relations, Sociology, Teaching Training, and International Institute of Economics, Management and Informational Systems.

3

The University possesses significant research and staff potential. More than 900 teaching staff members collaborate here, including 97 Doctors of Sciences and 483 Candidates of Science.

4

More than 18000 students are enrolled into academic studies in the full-time, evening and correspondence departments. The University offers education in 52 specialities of higher professional education and 18 specialities of secondary professional education, 34 directions of Bachelor’s training and 32 directions of Master’s training, 56 PhD and 16 doctoral scientific specialities. The University includes 6 branches, 3 Scientific and Research Institutes, 21 Re-training and Qualification Improvement Centres, South-Siberian Botany Gardens, Lake Krasilovo field practice, 7 Research centres, 17 scientific schools have been formed and are actively developing in the University. The University is the founder of 5 small innovative enterprises.

5

There are Preparatory Courses, where about a thousand of students are being taught at a time, around 60% of whom, as a rule, successfully pass entrance exams. Nearly 2500 high school students have a special training provided by the University. Preparatory study is organized in more than 30 specially oriented classes of Barnaul secondary schools, in the Maths Lyceum, Natural Science College.

6

Altai State University is actively developing international cooperation. Altai State University has close connections with educational centres of Europe, Asia and America. The University participates in 25 various Russian and International programs, including Soros International Program. During the last years the international cooperation of Altai State University has essentially expanded (Hamburg, Berlin, Priston Universities are the foreign partners of the University). The extensive system of grants is in operation. During the year 2011 teachers, postgraduates and students got 30 grants and scholarships of various international organizations and funds.

Altai State University hosted All Russian Students’ Forum (On October 31 - November 3, 2011) and the Asian Students’ Forum “Education without borders” with the protection of Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Administration of Altai region.

7

The University possesses modern buildings for study, student dorms, scientific research labs, a computer-stock. New information technologies for education are being worked out and widely used in the University. In June, 2012 an electronic reading room with access to the resources of the Presidential Library was opened in the Altai State University. This reading room will help students to find the rich collection of documents on the history of Russia, including documents on the history of the Altai Territory.

8

The University offers a wide variety of interests for students to join or attend and realize their creative potential. Students can offer themselves as monitors of students groups, organizers of sports or cultural events. So they can join Students League, a social organization of the Altai State University students, the university student club "Legion" which organizes amateur performances, provides information about concerts, competitions and festivals held at the university and in the city.