- •Focus on Language
- •Subject area
- •Fill in the application form for admission. Write in block capitals. Put n/a if the information is not applicable.
- •Introduce yourself and start a conversation.
- •Read and remember some of the terms describing academic positions.
- •Focus on Language
- •It is interesting to know
“Education is a companion which
no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy,
no enemy can alienate, no despotism can enslave”
Joseph Addison (1672-1719)
Learning Objectives
In this module you will
learn how to deliver an oral presentation
talk about universities, fields of study and subject courses
use key words for efficient reading
organize and develop ideas into a paragraph
learn how to fill in an application form
revisit subject and verb agreement
Unit 1 Making Choice can be Hard Work |
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Lead In |
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Choosing the right place to study is a very personal decision that will have a lasting impact on your life. To make your choice you have to answer a lot of questions. Think of a few reasons that helped you to make up your mind, e.g.:
university location
fields of study
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How did you get information about the university and faculty you study at: through University Prospectus, University Open Days, from your friends, etc?
Reading |
Look through the advertisement of the University of Birmingham. Take notes under these headings.
Levels of study
Fields of science
Accommodation provided
University structure
Number of students and staff
Facilities and services
Students life
Internationally recognised among the world’s best universities, University of Birmingham enables and inspires individuals to develop their potential so that they grow intellectually throughout life, are well equipped for work and can make an impact on society. It increases knowledge and contributes to the advancement of its application for the benefit of the world.
provides diverse opportunities for study and research within a broad subject range for students at all levels.
needs of busy professionals.
includes
support if you have a disability
organizes and supports
“What brings the Birmingham experience to life is a vibrant, diverse learning community that is not just talented, but constantly inquisitive.” |
(Adapted and abridged from the University of Birmingham website)
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alumnus (pl. alumni) - выпускник
mentor - куратор, наставник
en suite facilities - удобства индивидуального пользования
Look through the text and write down all the words and phrases that correspond to the following Russian words. Check the differences in their meanings in the dictionary. Make up sentences of your own with these words and phrases.
несколько
разный
много
Match words in A with the words in B to make phrases used in the text.
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Look back in the text and find words and phrases that have similar meaning.
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Focus on Language
Look at the entry for the word book from the English-Russian Dictionary. It will help you to work with dictionaries more effectively.
Pronunciation in phonetic symbols |
Part of speech
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b ook [ buk ] n. 1. книга; 2. литературное произведение; v Translation . 1. записывать, регистрировать; 2. заносить в список; 3. заказывать, бронировать места, продавать билеты (обычно заранее); приглашать, договариватьсяa dj. книжный, ~ learning – теоретические знания |
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nformation in brackets (…) helps you to choose the right translation or shows which country this word is widely used in |
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Identify what parts of speech the words in bold are.
Pull down the blinds before you light the lamp.
This bright light blinds my eyes.
The words below have more than one meaning. Use a dictionary to find out which part of speech they are and what meanings they have. Write two sentences to illustrate different meanings of every word.
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Sentence 1
Sentence 2
book
I’ve bought a new book.
Have you already booked a room at a hotel?
train
might
last
course
honour
subject
degree
way
Get real |
Study the website and prospectus of your university. Then write your own advertisement for university applicants. Use the University of Birmingham text as an example. University rank
Levels of study
Fields of science
Accommodation provided
University structure
Location, facilities and services
Number of students and staff
Students life activities
Listening |
B
Subject area
module
efore you listen, discuss the meaning of these words and phrases with a partner. Use a dictionary if necessary.
compulsory
credit points
subject
unit of study
elective
optional
route of study
end-of-module assessment
Match the verbs in A with the words and phrases in B to make word combinations related to education. Translate them into your native language. Some words are used more than once.
A
B
offer
suit
transfer
a course
cover
a qualification
specify
credit points
gain
one’s interest
design
progress
take
a route of study
provide
an opportunity
develop
skills
pass
modules/subjects
broaden
monitor
Listen to James Couzin, Education Consultant at “Universities UK” speaking on the new modular schemes. Complete the notes.
Description
A modular course is made up of ____________________________________________________________________
Course organization
1. A full-time programme will require _________________________________________ each year.
2. Students have to take a number of ______________________________ or “core” modules from a list of _________ _____________________________ within the specialist area or in an associated field.
3. A number of _______________ modules are available. They focus on _______________________________
Advantages
1. Flexibility: _______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Easier to monitor the progress through ___________________________________________________________
Disadvantages
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Questions
What is CAT? ______________________________________________________________________________
Where can I study a modular course?_______________________________________________________
(Adapted from The HERO.ac.uk site)
Reading |
Read the interview by Helen Joyce from Plus Magazine with Emily Dixon, a third-
year mathematics student at Oxford and answer the questions below.
Emily, how did you choose to take the course of maths?
When it came to choosing A Levels I wasn't quite sure which route I wanted to take. I knew I definitely wanted to do maths, just because it was a subject I was good at, and it interested me more than most subjects. My teacher was very good at encouraging me to go beyond the scope of the syllabus and we went to lectures in London and at the University of Cambridge. So I knew I only got a very small glimpse of what maths was about at school. It changes dramatically when you get to university.
So, it was easy for you to choose a university, wasn’t it?
Well, as I had high grades, I was advised to consider Oxford or Cambridge. But I had lived in Cambridge all my life, so I wanted a change and I didn't want my parents checking up on me every five seconds! That’s why I considered various universities, but in the end I set my sights on Oxford, choosing to apply to St John's College.
Did you have to do exams?
Yes, I needed to achieve three A grades out of four, two of which had to be in maths and further maths. I also went for an interview at the college.
So you were offered place and started the college.
Yeap, I found my first term at university something of a shock to the system.
What do you mean?
A level maths was the sort of maths I could do; it didn't take too much hard work. And some lecture courses start where A level left off. But you do what took you two weeks at A level in one lecture maybe, or even less. Suddenly I had to come to terms with the concept of lectures and structuring my own work schedule and doing my tutorial! The first time I was thinking: 'I haven't done everything right. I don't know what to do, the tutor's going to kill me!' But they're there to help you through it. There are some people who can just look at a problem sheet and do it. I am not one of those people! But with enough work, it generally makes sense.
How long are you going to study?
For four years.
But, you don't have to do a fourth year. Three will give you a B.A.
Right. However, the fourth year gives you M.Math. For the three-year course you have to do a paper in something outside maths and for the four-year you really just do maths.
Well, have you decided on your future career yet?
I’m still undecided. There are so many things you can do with maths –but definitely not a research mathematician. I don't think I'm good enough. I think a Masters degree is as far as my maths is capable of taking me.
(Adapted and abridged from http://plus.maths.org/issue28/interview/index.html
What reasons did Emily have for choosing Oxford University?
Why did she decide on the course in mathematics?
How long is the course?
How do studies at college differ from studies at school?
What qualification will she get?
What is Emily planning to do in future?
Writing |
Application forms mostly ask for information rather than ask questions. Match a line in A with a question in B.
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A
B
First name
Where are you living at the moment?
Surname
Are you married or single?
Date of birth
Where were you born?
Country of origin
What’s your surname?
Present address
Where do you live?
Permanent address
What do you do?
Marital status
When were you born?
Occupation
How much do you earn?
Annual income
What’s your first name?