Education In-class material 1. Reading Read the text and decide which answer (a, b, c, d) best fits each space. Private schools in Great Britain The most famous schools in Britain are 1) ………… boarding schools, such as Eton College (1440), Harrow School (1571), Rugby School and Winchester School (1382). These famous public schools founded during the Middle Ages are theoretically open to the public, but in reality are only attended by those who can afford the 2)………… . Many of Britain’s leaders have attended these public schools which cater to the wealthy and influential, but also offer 3)………… to gifted poor children. Local authorities and the central authority also provide assistance to families who are unable to pay the tuition fees. Only a small percentage of the population can 4) ………… these old and highly prestigious schools. Various other schools are also public, including kindergartens, day schools and newer 5) ………… schools. Public schools that take in pupils from the age of 7 to the age of 11, 12 or 13 are called 6) ………… schools. Only 7 percent of British students attend public schools. 1. a) personal b) public c) civil d) general 2. a) fees b) charge c) tax d) duty 3. a) grants b) loans c) scholarships d) donations 4. a) visit b) go c) follow d) attend 5. a) boarding b) residential c) hostel d) hotel 6. a) ready b) adjustment c) arrangement d) preparatory 2. Listening (Timesaver Intermediate Listening, track 20) Some students are going to give you some information about the system of education in the UK. Listen and complete the missing information. · .................. education is ……....……. but some parents pay for …….....……. education. · Private schools are very ……………. and about …………… % of British kids go to them. · Children go to ………… school from ................... years old to .......……….. years old. · They go to …………….. school when ................... ................ five years old. · They start ……………...…. school at 11. Children in the UK ...................... go to school ........................ they are …….... years old. · They can stay at school for two ...................... years until they are .......……….. years old. · Children ................. secondary school in Britain have to study ………... subjects. · The ......................... subjects are English, mathematics, and ....……………. Children must .................…….. more time studying these subjects. · ............................ subjects are history, geography, art, one .................... language (French is the most ........................), design and technology, ................................ and music. · When they are 16 years old, students have to take G........................ C................. of S...................... E...................... exams (GCSEs) in as many subjects as they can manage, often about eight or ten. · At 18, they take A levels which qualify them for ...................... to universities. Students in the UK specialise early, ....................... just three or four subjects to study at A level. · About …………….. % of young people go to study to university or …………….. 3. In pairs discuss the differences between the Czech and British system of education based on your home preparation 1. 4. Vocabulary Practice 1 A) Choose the most suitable word or phrase to complete the sentence. 1. Margaret’s parents were very pleased when they read her school ……………….. a) report b) papers c) account 2. In Britain children start ……………. school at the age of five. a) kindergarten b) crèche c) primary 3. Eric has a ………… in French from Charles University. a) degree b) paper c) mark 4. Our English teacher ………… us some difficult exercises for homework. a) set b) put c) made 5. New students must ………… for classes before terms begin. a) enrol b) teach c) enter 6. Some schools have very ………… rules of behaviour which must be obeyed. a) straight b) strong c) strict 7. Greg has just taken an exam ………… History. a) on b) about c) in B) Match the words and expressions on the left with their definitions on the right. There are two extra definitions that you won’t use. 1. break a) final exams at university or college 2. campus b) a lunch brought from home 3. canteen c) not obligatory 4. optional d) a university-level qualification 5. degree e) a pause for rest between lessons 6. finals f) money given by an institution for a specific goal g) the site of a university or college h) the place in a school where you can buy food 5. Share your own experience with the system of education: 1. Did you go to crèche/nursery school? Do you remember anything from that time? 2. Did you like attending your elementary school? What did you/didn’t you like about it? 3. What kind of secondary school did you go to? Did you like it? 4. How many students were there in your class? 5. Which subjects were you good and bad at? 6. Which students/teachers did you have bad relationships with? 7. Which teachers did you like? Why? Which subject did they teach? Which personal and professional qualities of your favourite teacher would you like to have yourself? 6. Vocabulary Practice 2 A) Complete each sentence with a word from the list. cheat copy memorise pass pay revise 1. Lucy decided to ………… all her work at the end of every work. 2. The teacher saw Cathy trying to ………… during the test. 3. Your work is the same as Brenda’s. Did you ………… her work? 4. Try to ………… the most important rules. 5. Sue tried her best to ………… her examination. 6. It is difficult to ………. attention in a noisy classroom. B) Complete the text with appropriate expressions from the lists. Use each expression once only. take fail marks pass terms The school year is divided into three 1) ………… . Most children at secondary school have to 2) ………… exams at the end of the summer term. Copying in exams is strictly forbidden. Of course all pupils hope to get good/high 3) ………… and to 4) ………… their exams, not to 5) ………… them! arts courses degree science do research professors subjects At university you can do 6) ………… in many different 7) ………… (e.g. law). Some students prefer to do an 8) ………… course (e.g. languages) and others prefer a 9) ………… course (e.g. engineering). In Britain, it usually takes three or four years to get a university 10) ………… . When they finish their course, some people stay at university and 11) ………… . The most important teachers at a university are called 12) ………… . C) Which of the following school activities are done by teacher / students / both? teach learn read aloud count discuss make a mistake correct a mistake catch sb. cheating take attendance be in detention collect homework be late for school answer/reply examine orally ask a question put up one’s hand give/set homework copy from one’s neighbour cut/skip classes / play truant (GB)/ play hooky (US) answer a question give feedback on memorise concentrate on sth. Teacher Both Students 7. Listening (Face2face Pre-intermediate, CD2, track 4.10) Listen to the beginning of a TV programme where the guests express their opinion on the issue of tuition fees at universities. Are the following sentences True or False? a) Stuart thinks universities need more money. b) Stuart and Penny had to pay to go to university. c) There were more university students 20 years ago. d) Jackie thinks the government spends money on the wrong things. e) Mr Davis studied at university. 8. Express your own opinion: 1. Should universities be tuition-free or should students pay a tuition fee? Why /Why not? 2. What’s your opinion on private schools/universities? Do their educational standards tend to be higher?