Lesson 3

Introduction

We studied the education system in Russia and Great Britain. Today we are talking about the education in the United States of America.

ACTIVE VOCABULARY

Lexical exercises

Match the words and their definitions given below:

primary school, preparatory, comprehensive school, craft, domestic science, woodwork, campus, nursery, tutor, bachelor degree, compulsory, total number, non-government, applicant.

general quantity;

something, which doesn’t belong to the government;

someone who applies for something; a person who wants to be a student;

a school for children between the ages of four of five and eleven;

a school for students of different levels of ability between the ages of 11 and 18;

a traditional skill of making things by hand;

the householding;

the activity or skill of making things of wood;

an area of land containing all the main buildings of a university;

a school or a place where very young children are looked after;

a teacher in a college or university;

a first university degree;

as preparation for something else.

obligatory.

LISTENING

Reading

New words

Before reading try to give, if possible, the synonyms or close meanings of the following words and word combinations and try to pronounce them correctly:

State, elementary, high school, public schools, junior high school, senior high school, grade, kindergarten, graduate schools, comprise, taxes, fund, assignment, mandatory, college.

Education in the United States comprises three levels: elementary, secondary and higher education. There are two types of educational institutions – private and state. State institutions are called public schools, they are open to all classes and financed by taxes collected from all citizens. Kids start school by going to kindergartens at the age of 6, which is often a part of grade schools (each year of study is called a grade).First six years are elementary school, then come junior (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12).

Most pupils follow a course that includes basic subjects – English, science and mathematics, social sciences and physical education – as well as elective subjects for high school students who plan their careers and select subjects that will be useful in their chosen work – foreign languages, fine arts, advanced mathematics and science, and vocational training.

Students usually receive grades from A(excellent) to F(failing) in each course they take on the basis of the performance in tests given throughout the year, participation in class discussions and completion of written and oral assignments.

Sometimes during grade school students are given an IQ test (an Intelligence Quotient test). It is not a test of their knowledge, but their ability to think. The results (scores) from these tests are known only by teachers, and not by the students or their parents.

Private schools are not supported by public funds and charge frees. Their organisation and curriculum are similar to those of public schools, but the tuition costs are so high that only the wealthiest families can afford. Many private schools are boarding schools.

Most young Americans graduate from school with a high school diploma upon satisfactory completion of a specified number of courses. Each student is given a high school transcript with grades obtained. That is the end of mandatory free public education, however, some students drop out of schools and never graduate.

One half of the students enter institutions of higher education, others may get further education at special colleges.

G. Nevzorova, T. Nikitushkina, St.-Petersburg, 2001.

Reading comprehension

I. Match the pairs of synonyms among the following words:

to select; to comprise; elective; to be a must; to receive; to be mandatory; task; to obtain; specified; education; vocational; optional; assignment; to choose; certain; professional; to include; training.

II. Match synonyms from the two columns:

1. establishment a/ subsidize

2. receive b/ final

3. finish c/ semester

4. admit d/ accept

5. support e/choose

6. scores f/ obtain

7. differ g/ finance

8. standards h/ autumn

9. term i/ graduate

10. fund j/ holidays

11. select k/ requirements

12. fall l/ results

13. end-of-the year m/ vary

14. vacations n/ institutions

Now you will listen to The Voice of America. Before listening try to guess the meanings of the following words and word combinations:

Fall, undergraduate, estimate, investigation, living expenses.

Washington University in Saint Louis.

Find out more: http://www.wustl.edu

Listening comprehension

I. True or False?

1. Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri, is one of the largest schools in the Midwest.

2. The new school year begins this autumn and will cost 52 thousand dollars for undergraduates.

3. Graduate tuition doesn’t differ by the program.

4. The University doesn’t offer any financial assistance for international students because its resources are limited.

5. International students may take out only private loans.

II. Answer the questions.

1. What types of schools are there at the university?

2. What is the difference between graduate tuition?

3. What kind of assistance does the university offer to the international students?

III. You are one of the international students, who want to study at this University and needs some information about it. Your partner is the representative of the university staff. Make an interview, using newly learnt words, useful expressions from the previous lessons.

IV. Answer the following questions:

1. What are the levels of education in the USA?

2. What age groups do they include?

3. What are the basic subjects at school?

4. What does the word “elective” mean?

5. Do the students and their parents know the IQ test scores?

6. Is there a separate educational system for the wealthy?

7. What are boarding schools? Who can afford to study there?

8. What information does a high school transcript include?

9. What are the possible ways to get further education?

On-line/off-line activity

Find from the Internet additional materials about education in the USA and compare with education in Russia and Great Britain: Divide into two groups and discuss differences and similar features in groups, then express your opinion in class.

Recommended resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States

Homework

Write an informal letter to your penfriend in the USA about your study at the University, your interests, etc. Ask him/her 5-6 questions about his/her study. Don’t forget about organisation of the letter.

Do grammar and revision test.