Speaking 3

19. Business Maze. Running a private school

(NB. To get ready for this activity revise all the texts of this Unit.)

Read the information about the situation on Card 1 given below. There are different ways of solving the problems, so consider every option carefully working in groups of three or four. Make your decisions and go to the next step that will be outlined on the numbered card the teacher will give you.

1. You are going to start your own business. You’ve considered the matter carefully and come to the conclusion that a private school would be the right thing as you feel that this business sector is going to develop. You’ve got some money but it’s far from enough. What are you going to do?

Get a bank loan. – See card 2. _____________ Go into business with a partner. (A friend has just won a lottery and might be willing to try his luck with you.) - See card 3.

Good Luck!

You’ve come to the end of this activity. Now follow the development of the game closely and see if:

1. you took the right decisions;

2. the given options are probable. If you find them unreasonable, explain why you think so;

3. you could suggest a better way of solving the problems.

Discussion

20. Revise all the articles of this Unit and get ready to discuss the following points.

1. What role do you think private education should play in the system of education? Should it be looked upon as pure business or should it be a means of raising the national elite?

2. What advantages does the Internet bring to education? Are there any disadvantages?

3. Does cheating lead to lower quality of education? Why?

4. Do you think there is a correlation between affluence or poverty and the level of academic attainment at schools? Why?

5. Must schools be strictly controlled by education authorities? Why do you think so?

6. To what extent does academic attainment of school children depend on the teacher? Can you give examples of pupils getting good knowledge thanks to the teacher, irrespective of the teacher and in spite of the teacher?

7. Must schools only give academic knowledge or must they develop the character of the pupils and give them some practical skills?

8. Should there be extracurricular activities at schools (sport, art, music clubs and the like)?

9. Comment on the following quotation. Edward F. Halifax: “Education is what remains after we have forgotten all that we have been taught.”

Writing

21. Write an essay (about 250 words): “The school of the future”. Describe the way things are now, how they are going to change and why.

Suggested procedure:

1. Revise the articles of the Unit and see what ideas and concrete information you can use in the essay.

2. Arrange the ideas in a logical order and make up a plan of the essay giving an introduction that will state the subject of the essay and a conclusion which will summarize your ideas and, if possible, give recommendations.

3. See the word list of the Unit and decide what vocabulary would be appropriate in your essay.

4. Write the essay. Introduce each idea or paragraph with linking words like ‘first and foremost, most importantly, above all, furthermore, clearly, therefore, in addition, moreover, however, as a result of, to sum it up’.