3. Task 1

4. Read the text and express in your own words the main idea of the text

5. Higher Education in Russia

Russia’s higher educational system started with the foundation of the State Moscow University founded in the middle of the 18th century. The getting of higher education was and still is very prestigious.

Students with secondary education can be admitted to higher educational institutions. In previous years school leavers had to take both secondary schools leaving examinations and higher education entrance tests. In 2004 a choice is given to the school leavers after the Unified State Exam was introduced. Many but not all faculties of the universities admit applicants on the basis of the results of the three USE chosen by the applicants. On average, competition to enter state university now is 187 applications for 100 places.

One of the great attractions of education in Russia is the cost. Degree study tuition is from $2000 to $8000 per year, with other costs (room, books, etc.) ranging from $1500 to $5000 per year, depending on location and spending habits.

The types of the educational institutions in the Russian Federation are:

• University: a higher educational institution with activities aimed at developing education, science, and culture by performing fundamental scientific research and training at all the levels of higher, postgraduate, and further education within a wide range of Natural Sciences, Humanities, and other branches of sciences, technology, and culture.

• Academy: a higher educational institution with activities aimed at developing education, science, and culture mainly in one specific area of science, technology, and culture.

• Institute: an independent higher educational institution, which applies vocational education curricula in specific areas of science, technology, and culture.

Russian higher educational institutions can grant the following types of degrees and diplomas:

Intermediate Diploma; Bachelor’s degree; Diploma of Specialist; Master’s degree.

The function of the degree of Intermediate Higher Education granted after no less than two years of training is to certify that a student has successfully completed the first two years of the fundamental higher education, which is considered to be a basis of the chosen field of training. Besides, this degree provides mobility between various higher educational institutions.

The Bachelor’s degree is awarded after at least four years of training. It covers almost all fields of knowledge, except medical science. Final state certification procedure includes the presentation of the graduation paper.

Degree of a Specialist is awarded after 5–6 years of studies. The degree of a Specialist has a double function. It provides access to occupational activities and also gives the possibility to enter postgraduate courses (doctoral programs). Final state certification includes presentation of the graduation paper. Besides, in the majority of cases students have to pass final state examinations.

2. Task 2

3. Use the information in the text to find answers to the following questions

1. Who can be admitted to a higher educational institution?

2. What are the types of educational institutions in Russia?

3. What is a USE?

4. What types of degrees can Russian higher education institutions grant?

5. What are the functions of an Intermediate Diploma?

6. What does the final state certification procedure include?

Task 3

Finish the sentences using the information from the text

1. To enter university a student with secondary education have to _________

2. The types of higher institutions in Russia are___________

3. After 6 years of training a student gets _________

4. A traditional Russian final qualifying degree is that of a _______

5. The function of the Intermediate Higher Education degree is to provide_____

6. Final state certification includes_______

Task 4

1. Look at the scheme of giving а summary to the text and enumerate the 4 main

2. elements of the summary

1. Give the title of the text summarized.

The title of the text is….

2. Begin the summary with one of the introductory general phrases:

The text deals with… (speaks about, say that, present, points out, describes, is devoted to, gives some comments on, offers an overview)

3. The main body must not be more than six plain statements generalizing the main ideas of the text in a logical sequence.

4. Conclude the abstract with your personal opinion of both the content and the language used, using given phrases:

The text is informative….; The text is dry, dull and boring…; The reading of the text gives (does not give) some satisfaction and pleasure…

The information is up-to-date (out-of-date)…

The text is (not) worth reading and abstracting….

There are practically no unknown words….

3. Task 5

4. Look at the example summary and say what element among the enumerated ones

does it lack? Give your own variant of the summary.