Education in the UK

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 615.

UNIT 2. EDUCATION IN BRITAIN AND THE USA

1 Introduction

1.1 Read the text title and hypothesize what the text is about. Write down your hypothesis.

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1.2 What do you know concerning this issue? List your ideas in the table left column “I know”.

1.3 If you know answers to these questions write them down in the space given after each question.

1.4 Circle in the list the words and expressions you know. Write down their translation in the table and calculate the percentage of your lexical competence.

Education is a subject about which many British people care deeply. Most believe that the state should provide education free of charge and to a high standard.

An increasing number of children under 5 receive pre-school education.

Some go to playgroups several times a week, others go to a nursery school or kindergarten of a school.

Compulsory education begins at 5 and children attend primary school until they are 11, when they begin their secondary education at a state comprehensive schools, or at the private schools, the most expensive and prestigious of which are called public schools.

Most children go to state schools. These schools are grant-maintained, i.e. receive money direct from central government and are run by a board of governors consisting of parents and members of the public.

In state schools the subjects are taught according to “National Curriculum”, which also sets the standards to be achieved. Children do standard assessment tests (SATs) at ages of 7, 11 and 14. At 16 students take exams for the General Certificate of Secondary Education.

Some students go on to study for “A-levels” in three or four subjects. In case you pass your exams well you have a chance of going on to university. Students usually apply to several universities through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) and receive offers of a place.

At most British universities the academic year is divided into three terms. Students study a main subject throughout their degree course, which is usually a mix of compulsory courses and electives. Teaching methods vary between universities. Most students have lectures and seminars and there are practicals. At some universities students have individual tutorials and supervisions.

Many students go to university and study for a bachelor's degree that usually takes three years.

Most courses end with exams called finals. Some graduates go on to study for a further degree, often a master degree or a doctorate. Students must pay all of their own accommodation and living costs, and some of their tuition fees (since 1999 most have to pay £1000 a year).

Since 1990, the government has offered students loans to help the situation. The loans are between £3000 and £5000 per year. Students have to pay back their loans when they leave university, but not until their income reaches £10000 per year. The interest rates are low and there is no deadline for repayment.