Training of Social Workers in Russia.

There are a lot of medical educational establishments in our country ranging from a medical college, institute or academy to a medical university. They differ in the number of faculties, courses and teaching facilities but their structure, application requirements and the curriculum are much alike.

Those who want to enter a medical university should have considerable (if not outstanding) academic achievements at school reflected in the universal state exam results. An applicant has to gain a high score in such subjects as biology, chemistry and Russian. The applicants whose score is the highest become university students.

First-year students have to get used to a new mode and pace of life. Some students live at hostels, others rent rooms or flats. Local residents live with their parents and relatives.

A course of study varies from four to six years. Those who seek for a bachelor’s agree (prospective social workers) do a 4-year course. The future dentists, pharmacists and clinical psychologists study for 5 years while the future therapeutists (Amer. – therapists) and pediatricians study for 6 years. The courses are mainly full-time but there are also part-time courses (the one for pharmacists).

The structure of a higher educational establishment is similar for all the universities. A university is headed by a rector and pro-rectors. A dean and a deputy dean are at the head of a faculty. University courses are delivered by various departments. A head of the department (mainly a professor) is in charge of the department. The staff of a department includes professors, assistant professors, senior lecturers, and instructors. Post-graduate students participate in the research work of the department.

The most common forms of teaching process are lectures, practical classes, seminars, laboratory works, case studies and on-the-job training. The most hard-working and enthusiastic students join scientific societies.

At the end of each term (academic year) students’ performance is evaluated by means of credit tests and exams. In their last year students take State Examinations and get a diploma. After that they can either get a job based on qualifications obtained or to apply for a post-diploma course.

Professional training of social workers is currently provided in more than 120 higher education institutions all over Russia. Graduates are qualified either as bachelors or specialists in social work depending on the length and syllabus of the course they have completed.

The syllabus of a bachelor’s course includes a number of subjects such as humanities, social sciences, mathematics, social ecology and some others which are studied in junior years. While doing professionally oriented courses in senior years students find out/learn about legal, economic, methodological, and psychological aspects of social work. They also have practice placements to gain required experience and learning in practice settings.

Task 2. Match the English and Russian equivalents.

1. curriculum	A учебная программа
2. applicant	B. заочное обучение
3. department	C. бакалавр
4. full-time course	D. академическая успеваемость
5. part-time course	E. требования для поступления (к поступающим)
6. application requirements	F. зачет
7. academic achievements/performance	G. учебный план
8. bachelor	H. очное обучение
9. credit test	J. абитуриент
10. syllabus	K. кафедра

Task 3. Pick out from the text all the verbs which name the teaching staff positions.

1. Arrange them from the highest to the lowest.

2. Say what each of them is in charge of. Use the patterns:

The rector is in charge of/responsible for V + ing... .

Task 4. Match the academic form with their descriptions. Give Russian equivalents to the words provided:

1. A lecture	A. an academic form intended to provide evidence for theoretical conclusions by using laboratory equipment
2. A practical class	B. an oral presentation intended to teach people about a particular subject by a university teacher
3. A practice placement	B. training taking place in a normal working situation, using the actual equipment, documents or materials that trainees will use when fully trained.
4. A laboratory work	C. a small class of only a few students, in which the tutor gives individual attention to students.
5. A case study	D. an academic form aiming to clarify theoretical issues and develop practical skills;
6. A tutorial	E. practical training provided in occupational settings
7. On-the job training	F. analysis of persons, events or other phenomena within their real-life context