28. What are the usual stereotypes about the Irish? the Welsh? the Scots?

Wales is closer to England than Scotland or N. Ireland, yet Welsh are proudly independent in culture and

outlook. They cling to their traditions and way of life. The Welsh language is much more relieved the Gaelic.

The Welsh are well- known for their highly developed artistic sense, their passion for music and poetry, song,

drama. Wales is often refered to as the Land of Song. Another important symbol of Welsh identity is rugby,

which has become a national game of Wales.

Scottish people are known for their continuous struggle for independence from Britain. The Scottish are famous

for their courage, implacability. They are clever, simple and hardworking people with natural sense of humour.

They have also a reputation of being the stingiest people on earth. As the Scottish explain, they don’t like to

spend money, but they like spending money on their friends and visitors, not on themselves. In fact, there’s

a big cultural difference between the lawlands and highlands. The lawlanders are thought of as quite, moral,

hardworking. The highlanders are exuberant, carefree, unreliable.

Nowhere else has the sense of conflict with England being stronger than in N. Ireland, where population is

composed of Protestants and Catholics. Protestants don’t feel English, though some would call themselves

British and the Catholic population feels more Irish than British. Irish people repute as optimistic, reckless and

leg-pulling. They take delight in the jokes made against them. They’re witty and ironical about themselves.

The Irish are mostly famous for their writers. The Irish, as well as the Scottish and the Welsh, are proud of

their traditional music and dance.

29. What are the stages of education in the UK?

Today in Britain schooling is compulsory for 12 years, for all children aged 5 to 16. There are also two

voluntary years of schooling thereafter.

School education is divided into three stages: primary, secondary and further. The primary cycle lasts from 5

to 11. The transition from primary to secondary school is made at the age of 11.

At the age of 16 pupils take the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and they can leave school

or continue the education. For those who wish to stay on school can include 2 final years of school education

( in Britain known as the ‘6th form’). During the two voluntary years of schooling, pupils specialize in two or

three subjects and take the General Certificate of Education Advanced level, or simply ‘A level’ examination.

The ‘A level’ exam which is taken at the age of 18 is the main standard for entry to University Education.

The Academic year usually begins in September and is divided into three terms with holidays for Christmas,

Easter and for the month of august. In addition to each term there is normally a mid term one week holiday,

known as the ‘half-term’.

Scotland, with a separate education tradition, has a slightly different system. Children stay in the primary cycle

until the age of 12. They take the Scottish Certificate Of Education (SCE) usually at the age of 16 and, instead

of A levels, they take the Scottish Higher Certificate which is more like Continental European examinations.

Many take ‘Highers’ aged 17 rather that 18, with some opting to take a further examination later, the

Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS).