Glossary

alumnus (pl: alumni)	person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
benchmark	standard by which something can be measured or judged
bullying	act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something
convene	meet formally
detrimental	causing harm or injury
endowment	natural qualities or talents
knack	special way of doing something
nurturing	properties acquired as a consequence of the way you were treated as a child
penultimate	next to the last
stadia	large structure for open-air sports or entertainments
tenured	position of having a formal secure appointment until retirement, especially at an institution of higher learning after working there on a temporary or provisional basis
wary	marked by keen caution and watchful prudence

Comprehension

Exercise 1. Fill in the table:

Age	Under 5	5	6	7	8	9	10	11		12	13	14		15	16	17	Over18
Grade
Type of School

Exercise 2. Answer the following questions about school education in the USA:

1. What are the three levels of governmental control over education in the US?

2. What is the compulsory age of school education in the USA?

3. What is difference between public, private and home schools?

4. How can the school year be organised?

5. What subjects are taught on the primary education level?

6. What subjects are taught on the intermediate level?

7. What are the required subjects on the high-school level?

8. What are the electives? What are the most common types of electives offered by high schools?

9. What are the most common extracurricular activities in US schools?

10. Do the American students have pass a graduation examination?

Exercise 3. What role does the following play in the universities and colleges admission system:

• high school transcript

• GPA

• letter of recommendation

• College Entrance Examination Board and American College Testing Program

• SAT and ACT

• Advanced Placement Program and International Baccalaureate

• interview

Exercise 4. Characterise the following types of American colleges and universities, name some of the institutions belonging to each group:

• The Ivy League

• “Public” Universities

• Small Liberal Arts Colleges

• Technical Institutes

• Denominational or Religiously-Affiliated Schools

• Community or Junior Colleges

Exercise 5. Fill the table with information about university degrees in the USA:

Degree	Duration	Requriments	Kinds of degree
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctor's Degree

Exercise 6. Answer the following questions about the learning process in American universities:

1. Describe the three systems used to structure the academic year.

2. What is a credit? What are the advantages of the credit-based system of education?

3. What is the difference between graduate and undergraduate study?

4. What learning styles are used in American universities?

5. What is the most widely used system of grading in the US universities?

6. What is the cost of tuition in American universities?

7. What kinds of help can a student receive towards their tuition fees?

Exercise 7. Fill in the blanks with the words from the boxes

funds loans taxes scholarships student fees federal funds

a. Funding. All universities and colleges receive (1)________ from a variety of sources. Private colleges depend primarily on (2)__________ and on endowments and gifts. Public institutions also have these sources, but depend mainly on state and local (3)_________ for operating funds. Both public and private institutions may receive (4)_________for research activities. The federal government distributes aid among colleges and universities according to various formulas based on the number of students who receive (5)_________ and (6)_________, and on the enrollment of graduate students and veterans.

board of regents chancellor academic dean president board of trustees

b. Management. In most cases, a (7)__________ or (8)__________ is the chief administrator of a university or college. Other officials handle educational programs, registration, management of funds, and collection of tuition. Each college or separate school of a university generally has an (9)___________ or director. He or she leads the faculty in preparing the course of study for the college or school, and takes part in university planning. Most universities and colleges are controlled by a (10)_______________or a (11)______________, which approve educational policies. They also appoint the chief administrative officer of the institution.

assistant professors scientists chairman (x2) teachers research fellows

departments teaching fellows

c. Faculty includes the (12)__________ of a college or university. A college's faculty is divided into (13)___________, each of which deals with one general course of study, such as English, mathematics, or physics. Its head is a (14)__________, who is usually a professor. Under the (15)__________ are other professors, associate professors, (16)______________, and instructors. Some departments also have (17)______________ or (18)_____________. These are graduate students who teach or do research part-time. Some faculties include (19)____________ or other workers whose main activity is research, not teaching.

freshman coeducational graduates (x2) junior sophomore senior

undergraduates (x2)

d. The student body of a university or college is divided into (20)________ and (21)__________. (22)__________ have already received their bachelor's degree and are working more or less independently for a master's or doctor's degree. (23)____________ are studying for their bachelor's degree. The undergraduates belong to one of four classes – (24)_________, (25)_________ , (26)_________, and (27)__________ – according to year of study. Most institutions are (28)__________, with both men and women students. Others admit students of only one sex.

Exercise 8. Answer the following questions about teacher training in the US:

1. What types of courses do teacher-training programs include?

2. How does the curriculum of various years of study differ?

3. What documents are required to obtain a teaching job?

4. In what ways can teachers increase their professional level while working?