4. Reading and speaking

4.1 Read about the Open University in the UK. How is it different from other universities?

The Open University (OU) is a British long-distance learning institution. It allows all kinds of people to study for a degree. Housewives, grandfathers, busy workers, and people with health disabilities (ограниченные физические возможности) can do a bachelor degree course. You can have almost unlimited time to complete a degree. The students choose how many modules to do each year, until there are enough (достаточно) for a degree. So they can continue to work and study in their spare time. The time of exams and assignments, however, is not flexible, so self-discipline is very important. The OU uses various methods for distance learning, for example, written and audio materials, the Internet, television programmes and materials on DVD. For most courses, students contact with tutors at face-to-face tutorials, by telephone, and/or on the Internet.

Guess the meaning of the highlighted words. Check it with a dictionary.

Make 5-6 sentences about OU students and what they have to/don’t have to do to complete a degree.

e .g. OU students have to take exams. or OU students don’t have to live in university accommodation.

4.2 Roxy Freeman is a web journalist, a loving mother of two children and an Open University student. In her blog she often writes about her studies there. Interview Roxy about her life, and act out the conversation.

e.g. – Do you have to work? or How often do you have to contact your tutor?

5. Reading and listening

5.1 Read the text and answer the questions.

1. Who has to study longer, a technologist or an engineer?

2. Which is higher in educational context, a diploma or a degree?

3. Can you get BEng at college in the UK?

4. Can ‘sandwich’ course students work and study at the same time?

What is the difference between a technologist and an engineer? The main difference is in level of education and training. Engineers have advanced training and normally hold university degrees. In training contexts, a technologist is normally someone usually trained for 2-3 years. You can progress from technologist to engineer by following courses at colleges and universities. Colleges offer certificates and diplomas (a diploma is a higher level qualification than a certificate). Universities offer degrees. As an example, in the UK system, most young people who want a career in technology start by studying at a college of further education or university. They would normally follow the scheme: HNC (Higher National Certificate), HND (Higher National Diploma), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering degree). Some universities allow students to transfer to a degree course early, after completing only one year of a diploma course. It is also possible for students to leave school at sixteen and work as an apprentice with a company. The company can then release them from work for some time every week to study at a college. This is called a part-time, or ‘sandwich’ course.

5.2 In the text find the words which mean the following.

1. a person who learns through work

2. to develop in a positive way

3. more complex, high level

4. profession, life occupation

5. to move from one course to another

6. to let someone go

7. post-school education, but not at university

5.3 Alex is a college student from Scotland. He takes an HND course in Civil Engineering. Civil engineers work in the planning and construction of buildings, airports, bridges, highways etc. Listen to him and mark the sentences True or False. Listen again and check your answers.

1. T he course takes two years.

2. Alex is in the second year.

3. There are no girls in his group.

4. Alex wants to do a degree at university.

5. He wants to take Structural Engineering.

6. A BEng takes three years.

7. Alex is interested in building roads.

8. He wants to travel in his job.