Vocabulary Exercises

Ex.1. Translate and revise the words and word combinations on the topic of “Education” from Texts A-D.

Higher education, higher educational institutions, graduates, high school, apply to, applicant, programme, degree, award a degree, research, full-time study, course, pass an exam, entrance examinations, thesis, post-graduate students, qualification, faculty, hall of residence.

Ex. 2. Match English and Russian equivalents:

1. campus	a. среднее образование
2. correspondent student	b. научно-исследовательская работа
3. compulsory education	c. начальная школа
4. secondary education	d. гуманитарные науки
5. school leaving certificate	f. детский сад
6. research paper	g. студент вечернего отделения
7. humanities	h. студент-заочник
8. enroll	i. государственные экзамены
9. state exams	j. университетский городок
10. part-time student	k. аттестат зрелости
11. kindergarten	l. зачислять в вуз
12. primary school	m. обязательное образование

Speaking

Ex.3. Role play the dialogues below. Make your own dialogues on the similar topics.

Degrees and Qualifications

A: Where did your elder sister get her science degree in Geography?

B: Well, she got her qualification at Vologda State University.

A: How long did it take her?

B: In Russia students normally take their first (Bakalavr’s) degree after four years.

A: What are her plans for the future?

B: She’s going to continue her education and take a higher degree.

A: And must you take any entrance exams to start a Magistr’s programme?

B: Yes, you must. You must take three exams.

Our Institute

A: What do you know about the history of our Institute? When was it founded?

B: The Pedagogical Institute was founded in 1918. In 1932 it was renamed the Vologda State Pedagogical Institute. In 1995 it was reorganized into the Vologda State Pedagogical Institute.

A: And what about its present status?

B: Now it is a structural unit of Vologda State University.

A: How many faculties are there at the Institute?

B: There are eight faculties: the Faculty of Applied Mathematics, Computational Technology and Physics, the Faculty of Social Work, Pedagogy and Psychology, the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Cultures and Arts, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, the Faculty of Russian Language and Literature, the Faculty of History, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Physical Education.

Full-time and Correspondent Students

A: How many students are there at the faculty of History?

B: About two hundred, I think. Including full-time and correspondent students.

A: So you’re doing a correspondence course, aren’t you?

B: Yes, I am. I have a job. I have to work to afford living on my own.

A: When do you study?

B: We study independently during the year. We meet twice a year at exam times in winter and in summer.

A: Do you do the same course as full-time students?

B: Yes, but our course lasts for five years instead of four.

A: Do correspondent students get the same qualification?

B: Yes, they do.

Notes:

afford living on my own – позволить себе (в материальном смысле) жить самостоятельно

Ex. 4. Interview another student on the topics given below and report your findings to the class:

• degree programs at your faculty

• entrance requirements and exams

• classroom environment

• teacher-student relationship

• student housing

• part-time employment

• extracurricular activities

Ex.5. Discuss the following questions:

1. Do you pay fees for your study? Does our University charge very high fees do you think? Should higher education be free for everyone?

2. How much is your grant? Is it possible to live on your grant? What do you spend it on?

3. What do you think about students who work part-time during their study?

4. Would you like to study in Moscow or St. Petersburg? What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying in a big city?

5. What career opportunities does a Bachelor degree holder have in Russia?

Notes:

grant – зд. ежемесячная стипендия