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Chapter 9. The systems of education in Belarus and Great BritainText 1. The System of Education in BelarusRead the text and do the exercises that follow it.Study the following vocabulary before reading the texts: compulsory – обязательный a vocational school – училище great emphasis is laid on – большой упор делается на 1. Pre-school and secondary education According to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus secondary education is compulsory. The first stage of education system consists of pre-school establishments: the nursery school and the kindergarten. Secondary education is provided at general secondary (11-year) schools, vocational schools or specialized secondary schools. School starts at the age of 6. Ordinary general secondary school is divided into 3 stages: primary school, incomplete secondary school and complete secondary school. The first 4 years are considered to be primary. The next level is incomplete secondary school (the 5th−9th forms). There are exams following the 9th–11th forms. Upon finishing 9 classes a pupil can go either to a vocational school (where highly-skilled workers are trained) or to a specialized secondary school, known as a technicum (technical, music, medical, teachers’ training, etc). Every year a pupil studies from 10 to 12 compulsory subjects including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, foreign languages and other academic subjects. Great emphasis is laid on the all-round development of the individual. Drawing and music classes, handicrafts and physical education play their part in the curriculum. On the completion of their studies at secondary school young people get a school-leaving certificate. It serves as an entry qualification for the young people who seek further education. 2. Higher education The wide range of higher educational establishments includes universities, academies and specialized institutes which train research workers, teachers for higher and secondary school and engineers for various fields of industry. The term of training at higher educational establishments varies from 5 to 6 years. The applicants for a higher or specialized school take entrance tests. All forms of state education are free. Besides, most students receive scholarships. But there are students who pay for their studies. Apart from the University departments for day-time training there are extra-mural, preparatory and evening departments. They are for people combining work with studies. Exercises 1. Reproduce the sentences from the text using these words: a) to be divided, to be provided, to be laid, to get, to consist, to include, to take, to receive, to seek, to start; b) paid, state, various, secondary, complete, compulsory, free, primary, vocational, further; c) establishment, development, completion, range, worker, form, level, stage, curriculum, term, department. 2. Express your agreement or disagreement. Add some more information: 1. The first stage of education takes place in pre-school establishments. 2. Secondary education is provided at general secondary schools, vocational schools, specialized secondary schools and universities. 3. Ordinary general school is divided into 2 stages. 4. Upon finishing 8 classes a pupil can go to a vocational school. 5. Pupils take exams after the 9th−10th forms. 6. Vocational and specialized schools train highly-skilled workers, research workers, teachers and engineers. 7. The applicants for a higher school must have a school-leaving certificate and take entrance exams. 8. All students receive scholarships. 3. Answer the questions on the text: 1. Is secondary education compulsory in our Republic? 2. What does the first stage consist of? 3. When does school start? 4. What is secondary school divided into? 5. What subjects do pupils study in our schools? 6. What kinds of further educational establishments are there in Belarus? 7. What departments are there at higher educational establishments? What department do you study? 4. Be ready to speak about the system of education in our republic. Use the text as a help to your topic. Text 2. The system of education in Great Britain Read the text and do the exercises that follow it.Study the following vocabulary before reading the texts: a nursery school – детский сад, ясли an infant (junior) school – начальная школа a grammar school – грамматическая школа a technical (modern) school – техническая школа a comprehensive school – объединенная школа a public school – частная школа to submit a thesis – защитить диссертацию practical vocational training – профессиональное обучение School education is provided in 3 successive stages: primary, secondary and further. Primary education covers nursery school or classes (3 to 5), infant school (5 to 7) and junior school (7 to 11). Free secondary education has been available to all children in Britain since 1944. Compulsory education begins at 5 when children go to primary schools, first to infant schools and then to junior schools. The curriculum in the junior is arranged into individual subjects: arithmetic, reading, composition and other subjects such as nature study, history, geography, singing, physical education and so on. In primary school the first lesson is the Bible study, the second – arithmetic. Before 1965 all children took an examination at the age of 11 called “11+ examination” to determine what secondary school they should attend: modern or grammar school. In modern school pupils received a vocational (practical skills) education, while at grammar school – academic and prepared pupils for higher education. The top 20% were chosen to go to the grammar schools. Those who failed the “11+” went to secondary modern schools. Now this exam is gradually disappearing. Secondary education starts at 11 and runs till 16–18. In 1947 it was decided to establish comprehensive schools. Now about 80% of secondary schools are comprehensive. This type of school provides an all-round education for all children. These schools are not selective – children don’t have to pass an examination to go there. They offer a wide choice of subjects, from art and craft, woodwork and domestic science, modern languages, computer studies, etc. All pupils move to the next class automatically at the end of the year. Many people leave school after the 5th form at the age of 16. They take their Ordinary-Level examination (O-Level) and may go to a Further Education College for practical vocational training, for example, in engineering, typing, cooking or hairdressing. For university entrance pupils have to stay in the 6th form running for 2 years and leading to an Advanced Level exam (A-Level) in 3 or more subjects. Most people take “A-level” when they are 18. Parallel to the state system of secondary education which provides free education there are also fee-paying private independent schools. They are preparatory and public schools. Preparatory schools prepare children for public schools. Usual age of entry to a public school is 13 and leaving age is about 18. The schools provide general education of a very high quality. The most famous are Eton, Harrow, Marlborough and Winchester. Further education in England is voluntary and fee-paying. It is provided at universities and colleges of further education (teachers’ training, art, technical, etc.). The candidate must be at the age of 18. Good A-level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at one. Admission to further educational establishments is by interview. At Oxford and Cambridge there is an entrance exam. A University consists of a number of faculties: theology, medicine, arts, philosophy, law, economics and others. The normal duration is 3 years at the end of which a student gets a Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s degree is awarded after a further year or 2 years study. The highest degree is Doctor’s degree awarded for research and a submission of a thesis. Exercises 1. Use the text to complete the sentences: 1. School education is provided in … . 2. Compulsory education begins … . 3. Primary education starts from … . 4. Secondary education is provided at … . 5. Pupils take exams after … . 6. Private schools are … . 7. Further education is provided at … . 8. A University consists of … . 2. Decide if the following statements are true or false: 1. School education is provided in 2 stages. 2. Compulsory education begins at 5 when children go to junior school. 3. Comprehensive school provides an all-round education for all children. 4. Parallel to the state schools there are private schools. 5. Further education in Great Britain is not voluntary. 6. The Doctor’s degree is awarded on the results of examinations. 3. Answer the questions on the text: 1. What are the stages of school education in Great Britain? 2. What do children do in primary school? 3. What kind of exam do children take at the end of primary education? 4. What are the two types of secondary education? 5. What educational establishments provide further education? 6. What degrees are students awarded after their study at a University? 4. Be ready to speak about education in Great Britain. Compare it with education in Belarus. Use the texts as a help to your topic. Additional texts for reading Text 1. The history of development of education in our Republic Read the text and do the exercise that follow itBefore 1917 Belarus used to be a backward province of Russia and the major part of the population was illiterate. There were no higher educational establishments or research institutions on the territory of Belarus. Some research was done by three stations which employed only 12 specialists. During the early years of the Soviet power Belarusian State University, Vitebsk Veterinary Institute, Gorki Institute of agriculture as well as many secondary vocational schools were founded. By 1932 compulsory primary education was introduced throughout the country. Illiteracy among adults and youth was done away with. Today the educational establishments train highly qualified personnel for the needs of the national economy. The right of people to universal secondary education is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. A continuity of study at all stages is being realized in the republic. Teachers and students are free in the choice of educational forms and methods if they correspond to the state educational standards. Not long ago there appeared new types of educational establishments such as gymnasiya, lyceum, experimental schools, colleges as well as private kindergartens, non-state-owned secondary and higher schools. Use the text to choose the right variant: 1. Before 1917 most Belarusian people were ... – backward – illiterate – happy 2. Compulsory education throughout the country was introduced ... – during 1917 – in early years – by 1932. 3. Not long ago there appeared new types of educational ... – methods – standards – establishments Text 2. Teachers’ training in Belarus Read the text and answer the questions that follow it.Study the following vocabulary before reading the text: to be eligible – иметь право rewarding – вознаграждение Over 500000 teachers are employed in the educational system of Belarus. The specific conditions for the development of education in various regions of the country called for a flexible approach to teachers training. At present pedagogical schools and teacher training colleges train teachers for the country’s schools. Pedagogical schools train elementary school teachers who get general secondary education and special pedagogical training. These schools accept young people who have finished an eight-year school and have passed the entrance exams. The course of study is four years. All those who complete their studies and pass the final exams receive diplomas which give them the right to teach in elementary school, as well as the right to enter any university-level school after having completed three years of teaching in an elementary school. Teachers’ training colleges are university-level educational establish-ments. They train teachers in all specialities for the school system. In many teachers’ training colleges teachers are trained not in one but in two subjects such as mathematics and physics, biology and chemistry, geography and biology, etc. Graduates receive diplomas and are eligible to teach either one or two subjects in a secondary school. Mozyr State Teacher’s Training University is one of the institutions of such kind. It has an efficient teaching staff. Among them there are academicians, Doctors of Sciences, Candidates of Sciences. Only within the recent years hundreds of monographs, textbooks and other academic works have been published by the scientists of the University. The University has some problem laboratories. Researches carried out in these laboratories are of vital importance for national economy and for the development of science and culture of the country. The results of research are used in study process. Answer the questions on the text: 1. What establishments train teachers in our country? 2. Are teachers trained only on one subject? 3. What can you say about Mozyr State Teacher’s Training University? Text 3. COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION IN SCOTLANDRead and translate the text with a dictionary.Compare schooling in Great Britain with the school education in Belarus. Pupils start attending secondary school at the age of 12 and are alphabetically divided into classes. During the first 2 years they follow the same courses, studying subjects such as English, mathematics, history, geography, chemistry, physics, biology, a foreign language (French or Germany), art, physical education, music, homecraft (cookery and needlework) or technical training. The day is divided into 35-minute lessons beginning at 9.15 a.m. There is a 15-minute interval at 11 and lunch break lasts from 12.25 to 1.50 p.m. Meals are provided in the school canteen where a good choice is available. The school day ends at 4.00 and pupils are given a small amount of homework. As in all British schools there is a 5-day week. In the second year the time-table is the same as that of the first year except that pupils are offered the opportunity of taking up Latin instead of homecraft or technical training. At the end of each term pupils are tested, the most important tests are at the end of the summer term. The results are recorded on Report Sheets, which must be signed by the parents of each pupil. In the 3rd year streaming begins and pupils are divided into subject groups according to ability. Pupils have a wide choice of subjects which they will now concentrate on, in preparation for the “O-level” examination which takes place in the 4th year. It is possible to begin learning a new foreign language or even 2 (Russian is offered in some schools). On the other hand it is possible to concentrate on sciences and drop languages altogether. Those wishing to study science at university usually continue studying a foreign language to “O-level” as this is one of the basic entrance requirements. For those who do not wish to go on to higher education, opportunities are given to study accounts, commerce, more technical subjects or homecraft. In the 4th year serious work for “O-grade” examinations held in February and their chances of gaining a good pass in the “O-grades” are assessed. The examinations are held in May – June and the results are published in July. These examinations are school-leaving examinations and armed with them a pupil may leave school and seek employment. Alternatively he may choose to stay on at school for a 5th year either to gain more “O-grades” or attempt the “A-grade” examinations which are those required for entry to university. At the end of the 5th year pupils may go to university, provided that they fulfil the entrance requirements or they may choose to stay at school for a 6th year. Teachers usually recommend those who wish to enter university to stay at school for a 6th year as they feel that it gives the pupil a greater chance of success at university. Text 4. higher and further education in BritainRead and translate the text with a dictionary.Say about the main differences in British and our higher education.Study the following vocabulary before reading the text:redbrick university – университет, построенный из красного кирпича pre-eminence – превосходство don – старший преподаватель apart from – кроме part-time education – вечерняя форма обучения There are now 46 universities in the United Kingdom: 35 in England, 8 in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland and 1 in Wales. All British universities are private, that is not state-controlled institutions. Each has its own governing council, including some local businessmen and politicians as well as a few academics. Students have to pay fees and living costs, but every student may receive a personal grant from the local authority of the place where he lives. British universities can be divided into 3 main groups: the old universities; the redbrick ones, which include all the provincial universities of the period 1850–1930, as well as London University; the new universities, founded since the Second World War. In the group of old universities Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest ones. Although they have together less than a tenth of the whole student population, they have special pre-eminence. A number of well-known scientists and writers, among them Newton, Darwin and Byron, were educated in Cambridge. These 2 universities differ greatly from all the others in general organization, methods of instructions, syllabuses, traditions, history, etc. They are based on colleges (law, music, natural science, economics, agriculture, engineering, commerce, education, etc.), each college having about 300 students. The teachers there are commonly called “dons”. Part of the teaching is by means of lectures organized by the university. Apart from lectures teaching is carried out by tutorial system, for which these 2 universities have always been famous. This is a system of individual tuition organized by the colleges, each tutor being responsible for the progress of the students. The students go to the tutor’s room once every week to read and discuss essays which they have prepared. The typical academic programme for university students in Britain is composed of a varying number of courses or subjects. The academic obligations for each subject fall into 3 broad types. Lectures, at which attendance is not always compulsory, often outline the general scope of the subject matter and stress the particular specialization of the lecturer. Tutorials, through individual or group discussion, reading extensively, and writing essays under the tutor’s direction, ensure focused and in-depth understanding of the subject. Examinations on each subject require the student to consolidate his knowledge of the subject, which he has gained through lectures, discussions and a great deal of independent study. These 3 categories of academic activity – lectures, tutorials and examinations – provide the means by which students prepare themselves in specialized fields of knowledge in British universities. The course of study at a university lasts 3 or 4 years. In general Bachelor’s degree, the first academic degree, is given to the students who pass their examination at the end of the course: Bachelor of Arts, of history, philosophy, language and literature, etc., Bachelor of Science or Commerce or Music. In 1971 the Open University was set up for the people who do not have time or the qualifications to study at a conventional university. The students of the Open University need to study about 10 hours a week, to write essays, and to prepare for exams. There are weekly Open University lectures broadcast on BBC television and radio. The final mark is based on the exam and the written assignments done during the year. It takes 6 (or 8) years to get a degree. One who gets a degree may have a better job, higher pay or post-graduate studies. Some universities have extra-mural departments. Besides universities there are 30 polytechnics, numerous colleges for more specialized needs, such as agriculture, accountancy, art and design and law, a few hundred technical colleges providing part-time and full-time education. It is common for students to leave home to study, and only 15% of all university students live at home while they study. Text 5. FAMOUS Universities of the UK Read the text with a dictionary and answer the questions that follow it.1. OxfordOxford is a beautiful city on the river Thames about 50 miles from London. The first written record of the town of Oxford dates back to the year 912. Oxford University, the oldest and most famous university in Britain, was founded in the middle of the 12th century. It began when some teachers, each with a few students, decided to live and work together in the same house. Later they built colleges and by 1300 there were already 1,500 students. Little by little the great university we know today grew up. Most of the Oxford colleges are fine buildings of grey or yellow stone and many of them have stood there for more than 500 years. The oldest college is Merton which began in 1264. The newest one has only been opened for a few years, so the university is still growing. Nowadays there are about 12,000 students in Oxford and over 1000 teachers. Outstanding scientists work in the numerous colleges of the University, teaching and doing research work in physics, chemistry, mathematics, cybernetics, literature, modern and ancient languages, art, music, philosophy, psychology. Oxford University has a reputation of a privileged school. Many prominent political figures of the past and present times got their education at Oxford. The Oxford English Dictionary is well-known to students of English everywhere. It contains approximately 5,000,000 entries, and there are thirteen volumes, including a supplement. Oxford University Press, the publishing house which produces the Oxford English Dictionary has a special department called the Oxford Word and Language Service (OWLS for short). If you have a question about the meaning of a word or its origin, you can write or telephone and the people there will help you. 2. CambridgeCambridge is situated at a distance of 70 miles from London, the great part lies on the left bank of the river Cam crossed by several bridges. The dominating factor in Cambridge is its world famous University, a centre of education and learning. Newton, Byron, Darwin, Rutherford and many other scientists and writers were educated at Cambridge. Today there are more than twenty colleges in Cambridge University. The oldest college is Peterhouse, which was founded in 1284, and the most recent is Robinson College, which was opened in 1977. The most famous is probably King’s College, because of its magnificent chapel. Its choir of boys and undergraduates is also well known. The University was only for men until 1871. In 1871 the first women’s college was opened. Another was opened two years later and a third in 1954. In the 1970s, most colleges opened their doors to both men and women. Nowadays almost all colleges are mixed. 3. Oxbridge specific system of education Oxford and Cambridge Universities are the ones known for their specific system of education. Great emphasis is laid at Oxford and Cambridge on what are called “tutorials” in which a Don (a university tutor) gives personal instruction in his subject at least once a week to the students numbering not more than 4. The central University, in general, arranges lectures for all students in a particular subject and holds examinations and grants degrees; an individual college provides for residence and tutoring. This system of teaching differs greatly from that of other universities. In the faculty of Modern Languages in Oxford the average student attends 1–2 literature tutorials per week. In addition for language work he will be obliged to attend 2 prose classes per week – to read out the proses he has prepared during the week. For literature tutorials the student is given an essay to prepare which he will read out in the next tutorial and must be prepared to discuss and criticize. Most of the material for this may be obtained from criticism and texts. In Oxford more emphasis is placed on original texts than on criticisms which are considered of secondary importance to the student’s own views. The other source of material is, of course, lectures, which, unlike other universities, are optional. The effect of this system on the student is profound. As almost nothing is compulsory except the weekly tutorials the student must learn to discipline himself perhaps for the first time in his life. Answer the questions on text 3: 1. Why is the town of Oxford famous all over the word? 2. How does Oxford University justify its reputation of a privileged school? 3. What is Oxford University Press? 4. What is Cambridge famous for? 5. How many colleges are there in Cambridge University? 6. Which is the oldest college? 7. When was the most recent college opened? 8. What is it famous for? 9. Why is a system of education in Oxford and Cambridge specific? 10. Would you like to study at one of these universities? Why? |