University of California

Since the mid-1990s, the number of high school graduates wishing to get accepted at a university or college has been on the rise. And it is expected to keep growing. It's going to be really hard to be admitted at top schools even with high SAT*⁶['es 'ei 'ti:] scores. There's no such thing in America as a central system of higher education. Each state is responsible for organizing its own system of education. All colleges and universities are either state (public) or private, sponsored by the students' tuition fees and donor contributions. The tuition at state universities is smaller, especially for the state residents. It is generally believed that the quality of education in private universities and colleges is higher. These are usually prestigious schools known as Ivy League universities. But there some state universities as the famous University of California which are well known for their high standards of education and research. There are the following institutions of higher education in America: Community Colleges (public) and Junior Colleges (private). They have two-year programs of study. After graduation you get the Associate degree. Then there are Liberal Arts Colleges, which focus on general education in literature, history languages, philosophy. They also offer some science courses. The four-year education at these colleges leads to the Bachelor's degree, which is not a science degree. The third kind are Institutes of Technology.

The universities consist of two schools; the Undergraduate school, where you get the Bachelor's degree for four years of study – the Bachelor of Arts (B. A.) or the Bachelor of Science (B. S.). If students want to continue their education, after getting the Bachelor's degree, they go to the Graduate school where they get advanced degrees — the Master's degree (the Master of Arts or the Master of Science) and the Ph.D. degree (Doctor of Philosophy), which is the only science degree in this country. A College is a part of the university that teaches a special branch of knowledge in some way similar to what we call a "faculty" in a Russian university.

A School, if it's a part of a university, is also focused on one area of study and research. There are Business Schools, Medical Schools, Law Schools etc. On graduation, Schools, like Colleges, may grant both Bachelor's degrees and Master's degrees and the Ph. D.s. They also grant professional degrees, such as M. D. (Doctor of Medicine) after Medical School and so on. And an important thing to remember, is that the word "school" may be used when speaking about any American educational institution: you can use the word "school" speaking of high school and you can use the same word speaking of Harvard.

The terms "college" and "university" are often interchangeable. But there's some difference — Colleges usually offer four-year undergraduate programs and the Bachelor's degree, though some may offer the Master's degree. As for universities, they are usually larger than colleges and have undergraduate and graduate schools, where students can receive advanced degrees. It's also important to know that because this country does not have a Ministry of Education, there's a special accreditation system which guarantees the quality of education at a university or college.

s 10. Answer the questions:

1. How does the system of higher education in the United States differ from that in our country? (be centralized)

2. What is the difference between public and private universities and colleges? (be sponsored; pay tuition)

3. What kind of higher educational institutions are there in the United States and what degrees do they grant? (Community and Junior colleges; Liberal Arts Colleges; Institutes of Technology; Universities; Associate degree; Bachelor's degree; Master's degree; Ph. D.)

4. How is an American university structured? (the Undergraduate school; the Graduate school)

5. What is accreditation? (be accredited; guarantee the quality of education).

^ 11 a). Note how to say you're willing to answer a question. Here are the phrases used in the informal talk.

A:	I know very little about ... . My knowledge of …is practically nil. I would like to know more about ... . I know practically nothing about ... . I seem to have a lot of questions to ask. I'm pretty much in the dark about... .		But I'm afraid I've asked too many questions already. Do you think you could help? But I have asked too many questions, haven't I? But aren't you tired of my questions already? But I see you are about to leave.
B:	Shoot! I'll be delighted to help. No problem. I'll try to fill you in no time.	What's the first question?

Model:

A: The after school jobs we spoke about... . I'd like to know more about them. But aren't you tired of my questions already?

B: I'll try to fill you in no time…

b) Note what you say when you disagree:

Model:

A: I don't think there are many differences between British and American English.

B:

I can't agree (with you here). I disagree with you. No, I don't think so .

There are quite a few differences between them,

to my knowledge. as far as I know. for all I know.

Disagree with the statements below using one of the above phrases.

1. One can't get the Bachelor's degree after graduating from a Community college.

2. There is no difference between the Master's degree and the PhD.

3. The American system of education is centralized.

4

Don* - преподаватель

(в Оксфорде и Кембридже)

Syn: professor

. American high school students do not work after school because their parents can afford to buy them everything they want.

& 11. Read the text about British university students.

At 18, British c with A-levels can apply for a degree course at university. Most of these courses last for three years, and students must pay all of their own accommodation and living costs, and some of their tuition fees. Since 1990, the government has offered student loans to help the situation. The loans are between 3,000 and 5,000 per year depending on whether students live with their parents or away from home, and also whether or not they live in London.

S tudents have to pay back their loans when they leave university, but not until their c reaches £10,000 per year. The interest rates are low and there is no deadline for repayment.

However; most students find that the loans do not fully meet their needs, so many have to stay with the family home to avoid accommodation costs or take part-time jobs while they are studying.

s 12. Choose the correct answers to the questions.

1. British degree courses are usually

a. five years long.

b. three years long.

c . two years long.

2. The British government gives loans to help students pay for

a. their education.

b. their living expenses.

c . both.

3 . a. Every student receives

b. Some students receive loans of 14,000 per year.

c. No student receives

4 . Students have to pay back their loans as soon as

a. they finish their degree.

b. they get a job.

c. they start earning a certain sum.

5 . a. There is always

b. There is sometimes a time limit on the repayment of student

c. There isn't loans.

–13a) Look at the logos of the British universities. Which cities have the most famous ones?

b) Can you describe the logo of the State Marine Technical University of Saint-Petersburg? Suggest your own logo design for your university and give your partner instructions how to draw it.

& 14. Amanda Jenkins, 20, is a student at the University of Cardiff, her home town in Wales. Read Amanda's diary and answer the questions.

M onday 15th March had a big row with mum and dad today. They still treat me like I'm at school even though I'm 20 now. It's not my fault that I have to live at home. I would have loved to have gone to university in Scotland - Glasgow or St Andrew's - but there's no way we could have afford it.

Tuesday 16th March. went to the job centre today to look for a -part-time job. I have to start saving some money for my future - after all, I'll have a £12,000 loan to -pay off when I graduate. I've got interviews with McDonald's and a pub, so I can work after my lectures are finished. And then l can do more studying when I finish work.

Wednesday 17-th March. went into the uni library to study, then went to see Kate and Ali in their flat. They're really lucky - I'm really jealous of my friends who have their own accommodation. But their rent's £120 a week!

Thursday 18th March. Another row with mum. To be honest, I think she resents me being here. She thinks that I'm too old to be living at home; it was OK when she was a student in the 70s. She got a grant from the government, so she had more freedom to choose her university and her accommodation. Anyway, I've got my interview at McDonald's tomorrow. Perhaps something will come of that.

1. What accommodation does Amanda live in?

2. How much money will she owe the government when she leaves university?

3. How much is the rent on her friends' flat?

4. How was the situation different when her mum was at university?

$15. Find words in the texts of 11and 14 that mean:

1. money that you must pay a university for teaching you.

2. students who have just taken their A-levels.

3. to leave university with a degree.

4. talks given by a university tutor to a large number of students.

5. a slang abbreviation for 'university'.

8 16. Listen to two people, Maria and Dave and try to answer the questions:

1. What does the man want to do after he graduates?

A. He wants to become a teacher.

B. He hopes to go on to graduate school.

C. He'd like to work at a hotel.

2. What is the woman majoring in?

A. history

B. French

C. computer science

3. How does the woman pay for college?

A. She has a part-time job.

B. She received a scholarship.

C. Her parents are paying for it.

4 . Where does the man work part-time?

A. at a bakery

B. in a library

C. at a restaurant

5. What thing did the man NOT say about his job?

A. His co-workers are friendly.

B. He works long hours.

C. The pay is okay.

Now listen again and cover the listening script. Check your answers. Maria = M: Dave = D:

M: Oh, hi Dave. Long time, no see!	О, привет, Дэйв. Давненько тебя не видно!
D: Hi Maria. I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd drop by.	Привет, Мария. Я был здесь неподалеку, решил заглянуть.
M: Come on in. [Thanks.] Take a seat. Would you like anything to drink? I have Sprite or orange juice.	Заходи, заходи. [Спасибо.] Садись. Пить хочешь? У меня есть спрайт и апельсиновый сок.
D: Sprite would be fine. Uh, so, how have you been?	Спрайт был бы кстати. Ну, ты как, как дела?
M: Oh, not bad. And you?	О, (совсем) неплохо. А ты?
D: Oh, I'm doing okay, but school has been really hectic these days, and I haven't had time to relax.	У меня все окей, но в универе сумасшедшие дни, просто не вздохнуть.
M: By the way, what's your major anyway?	А, кстати, у тебя какая специаль­ность?
D: Hotel management.	Гостиничный бизнес.
M: Well, what do you want to do once you graduate?	Ну, и чем хочешь заниматься после окончания?
D: Uh... I haven't decided for sure, but I think I'd like to work for a hotel or travel agency in this area. How about you?	Э-э, я ещё точно не решил, но думаю, что хотел бы работать в отеле или в турагенстве где-нибудь поблизости. А ты?
M: Well, when I first started college, I wanted to major in French, but I realized I might have a hard time finding a job using the language, so I changed majors to computer science. [Oh]. With the right skills, landing a job in the computer industry shouldn't be as difficult.	В общем, когда я только поступила, я хотела заниматься французским, но потом поняла, что не так просто будет найти работу, где пригодится язык. И я выбрала теорию вычислительных машин и систем. [Ого!] Имея нужные навыки, устроиться на работу будет не так трудно.
D: So, do you have a part-time job to support yourself through school?	Ну и тебе приходится подрабатывать, чтобы продер­жаться во время учебы?
M: Well, fortunately for me, I received a four-year academic scholarship [Wow] that pays for all of my tuition and books.	Мне повезло, я получила стипендию на четыре года [Ух ты!], которая покрывает все расходы на обучение и литературу.
D: Wow. That's great.	Да! Здорово!
M: Yeah. How about you? Are you working your way through school?	Ага. Ну а ты? Приходится совмещать?
D: Yeah. I work three times a week at a restaurant near campus.	Да, работаю три раза в неделю в ресторане недалеко от кампуса.
M: Oh. What do you do there?	О! И что там делаешь?
D: I'm a cook.	Работаю поваром.
M: How do you like your job?	Нравится?
D: It's okay. The other workers are friendly, and the pay isn't bad.	Нормально. Люди там приветливые и платят неплохо.

@ 17. Write 5-6 sentences explaining your opinion on these questions:

1. How are the British and American higher education systems different to the system in our country?

2. Do you think students in the UK and in the USA are in a better or worse position than students in Russia?

$18. Find in the unit English equivalents for the following Russian words and phrases:

Жилье; абсолютное большинство; предельный / конечный срок; дневник; заглянуть (в гости); бросать (учёбу, работу); поколение ссуда; работа по совместительству / на неполный рабочий день; базовые знания / основы; плата за обучение; Давно не виделись! - Не моя вина в том, что… - Что-нибудь из этого получится…

KEYS TO EXERCISES

p. 7. ex. 5: 1. a, 2. a, 3. b, 4. c, 5. b.

ex. 7: allowance, assign, average, couple, divorce, expensive, hire, immediately, increase, lonely, lowest - highest, quiet, realize, relatively, share, unacceptable, vacuum, waking hours.

p. 9. ex. 2: arcade, bowling alley, cute, end up, food court, hang out, ice cream parlor, indoor skate park, movie, spa

p. 10. ex. 5: 1. a, 2. b, 3. a, 4. c, 5. b.