Questions:
1. When do
British boys and girls begin to go to school?
Compulsory
education begins at the age of 5 when children go to primary school. Primary
education lasts for 6 years. It is divided into two periods: infant schools
(pupils from 5 to 7 years old) and junior schools (pupils from 7 to 11 years
old).
2. What
subjects do they study at school?
Secondary
school is traditionally divided into 5 forms: a form to each year. Children
study English, Mathematics, Science, History, Art, Geography, Music, a Foreign
language and have lessons of Physical training. Religious education is also
provided.
3. How long
does secondary education last?
Compulsory
secondary education begins when children are 11 or 12 and lasts for 5 years
4. What
subjects are called "core" subjects?
English,
Mathematics and Science are called "core" subjects.
5. At what
age do children have their exams?
At the age
of 7,11 and 14 pupils take examinations in the core subjects.
6. What's
the difference between modern and grammar schools?
Grammar schools give secondary education of a very high standard but modern
schools don't prepare pupils for universities.
Entrance to the Grammar schools is based on the test of ability, usually at
11 and Grammar schools are single sexed schools but education in modern schools
gives good prospects for practical jobs.
7. What are
private schools?
There are
also about 500 private schools in Great Britain. Most of these schools are
boarding ones, where children live as well as study. Education in such schools
is very expensive, that's why only 5 per cent of schoolchildren attend them.
Private schools are also called preparatory (for children up to 13 years old)
and public schools (for pupils from 13 to 18 years old). Any pupil can enter
the best university of the country after leaving this school.
8. Would you
like to study in Britain? Why?
9. Compare
British and Russian education.
10. What types of British universities do you know?
There are 126 universities in Britain. They are divided into 5 types:
The Old ones, which were founded before the 19th century, such as Oxford
and Cambridge;
The Red Brick, which were founded in the 19th or 20th century;
The Plate Glass, which were founded in 1960s;
The Open University It is the only university offering extramural
education. Students learn subjects at home and then post ready exercises off to
their tutors for marking;
The New ones. They are former polytechnic academies and colleges.
The best universities, in view of "The Times" and "The
Guardian", are The University of Oxford, The University of Cambridge,
London School of Economics, London Imperial College, London University College.
Universities usually select students basing on their A-level results and an
interview.
After three
years of study a university graduate get the Degree of a Bachelor of Arts,
Science or Engineering. Many students then continue their studies for a
Master's Degree and then a Doctor's Degree (PhD).