2. Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and the most prestigious universities in Great Britain. They are often called collectively Oxbridge to denote the best of its kind education. Both universities are independent.

The tutorial is the basic mode of instruction at Oxford and Cambridge, with lectures as optional extras. The normal length of the degree course is three years. Some courses, such as language or medicine, may be one or two years longer.

Oxford and Cambridge universities consist of a number of colleges. Each college is different, but in many ways they are alike. Each college has its name. Each college is governed by a Master. The largest ones have more than 400 members, the smallest colleges have less than 30. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects.

The universities were only for men until 1871. There are now 24 colleges for men in Oxford, five for women and another five which have both men and women members, many from overseas studying for higher degrees. At Cambridge almost all colleges are now mixed.

The universities have over a hundred societies and clubs. Sport is part of student’s life at Cambridge. The most popular sport is rowing.

5. Render the text in English.

Поступить в университет или другое высшее учебное заведение можно, предъявив сертификат о сдаче экзаменов по двум или трем предметам учебного курса средней школы продвинутого уровня. При выпуске вы получите диплом о профессиональной квалификации и ученую степень. Очевидным достоинством образовательной системы Великобритании является ее исключительная гибкость. Среди множества разнообразных учебных курсов всегда найдется тот, что наиболее вам подходит. И в школе и в университете есть возможность по своему усмотрению выбирать дисциплины и специализацию. Более того, при желании выбранные предметы и направление можно поменять. Независимо от возраста и национальности учиться в учебных заведениях Великобритании может любой.

Если вы хотите учиться в Великобритании, то вполне вероятно, что британские колледжи и университеты признают свидетельство об образовании, полученное вами в России. Если у вас уже есть российский диплом об окончании высшего учебного заведения, имейте в виду, что, как академическая квалификация, он занимает промежуточное положение между “A-levels” и степенью бакалавра. Однако, в разных учебных заведениях вступительные требования столь различны, что с таким дипломом можно поступить и на второй, и даже на постдипломный курс на соискание степени магистра. Самый простой способ выяснить «стоимость» вашего диплома – связаться с учебным заведением.

Методика преподавания в Великобритании такова, что ответственность за успех обучения во многом возлагается на студентов, вся работа выполняется самостоятельно, и, следовательно, нужно много работать.

(Useful expressions: to enter the university, to graduate from the university, high flexibility, to suit smb , to choose specialization, irrespective of smth, to accept the certificate, to be somewhere between, to find out the value of the diploma, mode of teaching, responsibility for results, to contact the educational institution, to work all by yourself).

6. Using the chart from Part 1give a detailed description of vocational training in America.

2.4 Jokes

1

At a college examination a professor said: “Does the question embarrass you?”

“Not at all, sir,” replied the student, “not at all. It is the answer that bothers me”.

2

Professor: A fool can ask more questions than a wise man can answer.

Student: No wonder so many of us failed our exams!

3

In one of college classes the professor was unable to stay for the class, so he placed a sign on the door which read as follows: “Professor Blank will be unable to meet his classes today”.

Some college lad, seeing his chance to display his sense of humour after reading the notice, walked up and erased the “c” in the word “classes”. The professor noticing the laughter wheeled around, walked back, looked at the student, then at the sign with “c” erased – calmly walked up and erased the “l” in “lasses,” looked at the stunned student and proceeded on his way.

(lass – a young woman, ass – a stupid person or animal)

4

Pam: Hasn’t Harvey ever married?

Beryl: No, and I don’t think he intends to, because he’s studying for a bachelor’s degree.

(Bachelor – 1) холостяк 2) бакалавр)

5

A son at college wrote his father:

“No mon, no fun, your son.”

The father answered:

“How sad, too bad, your dad.”

(mon – abbr. money)

UNIT 2 Education in Russia

Warm up.

1. Do you think that Russian educational system is a good one?

2. What did you like and dislike at school?

Part 1 Structure of Public Education in Russia

1.1 Vocabulary

Give Russian equivalents to these word combinations

to develop useful knowledge and skills

creative person

native language

equal right

co-education

free tuition

Education Standard Requirements

standard curriculum

supplementary programme

Unified State Exam

1.2 Reading