TEXT 2.

Education in Britain

In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the age of five, but before that age children
can go to a nursery school, also called play school. School is compulsory till the children are 16
years old.
In Primary School and First School children learn to read and write and the basis of arithmetic.
In the higher classes of Primary School (or in Middle School) children learn geography, history,
religion and, in some schools, a foreign language. Then children go to the Secondary School.

When students are 16 years old they may take an exam in various subjects in order to have a
qualification. These qualifications can be either G. C. S. E. (General Certificate of Secondary
Education) or «O level» (Ordinary level). After that students can either leave school and start
working or continue their studies in the same school as before. If they continue, when they are
18, they have to take further examinations which are necessary for getting into university or
college.
Some parents choose private schools for their children. They are very expensive but considered
to provide a better education and good job opportunities.
In England there are 47 universities, including the Open University which teaches via TV and
radio, about 400 colleges and institutes of higher education. The oldest universities in England
are Oxford and Cambridge. Generally, universities award two kinds of degrees: the Bachelor’s
degree and the Master’s degree
Questions:
1. When does compulsory school begin?
In England and Wales compulsory school begins at the age of five
2. How long does a child stay in compulsory school?
up to 16 or 18 years
3. What subjects do children learn in Primary School?
children learn geography, history,religion and, in some schools, a foreign language.
4. What kind of exam do students have to take when they are 16?
G. C. S. E. (General Certificate of Secondary Education) or «O level» (Ordinary level).
5. Do students have to leave school at the age of 16 or to continue their studies?
After that students can either leave school and start working or continue their studies in the same
school as before.
6. How do private schools differ from the regular ones?
They are very expensive but considered to provide a better education and good job opportunities.
7. How many universities are there in England?
In England there are 47 universities
8. What is the Open University?
University which teaches via TV and radio
9. What kinds of degrees do universities award?
the Bachelor’s degree and the Master’s degree
TEXT 3.
Education in Great Britain (continued)
At the age of 16 pupils can leave school. But quite a lot of them want to continue their education.
Only 1/3 of all leave school at 16 and look for a job. (The general level of unemployed is high
today. Some of them find job immediately and many take part in training schemes (which means
job combined with part-time college courses).
In England and Wales those who stay at school study just three subjects in preparation for taking
A-level exams (Advanced Level).
These academic exams are set by the same examining boards that set GCSE exams. They’re
taken by pupils at the age of 18 years old, who wish to continue their education.
Universities usually select students on the basis of A-level results and an interview (students who
wish to enter Oxford and Cambridge have to take certain exams). Those who have better A-level
results are usually accepted.
Higher education has become more available in the second half of the 20th century. In 1960
there were less than 25 universities in Britain. By 1980 there were already more than 40, and by
1995 there were over a hundred institutions with university status.
Universities take the better students, that’s why nearly all students complete their studies. The
normal course of study lasts three - four years. Students are not supposed to take a job during the
term. Unless their parents are rich, they receive a state grant, which covers most of their
expenses, including the cost of accommodation. Quite a lot of students live on campus (or in
college) or in rooms nearby.
However, nowadays the government reduces the amount of the students and encourages a system
of top-up loans. That’s why quite a lot of students can’t afford to live in college and many more
of them are forced to do a part-time job, but this reduces the traditionally high quality of British
university education. And, in addition, the number of students from low-income families has
been greatly reduced.
There are no great distinctions between different types of universities in Britain. But still there
are some categories of them.
First of all, Oxbridge. Oxford and Cambridge were founded in the medieval period. These
Universities consist of semi-independent colleges, each of them having its own staff
(«Fellows»).
The «Fellows» teach the college students either one-to one or in very small groups. This system
is unique in the world and known as tutorials in Oxford and supervisions in Cambridge.
Then, Scotish universities. By 1600 Scot-land had four universities — Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Aberdeen and St. Andrews. St. Andrews resembles Oxbridge very much. In the other three most
of the students live at home or find their rooms in town. The process of study at these
universities is very close to the continental one. There is less specialization than at Oxbridge.
During the 19th century various institutions of higher education (usually technical ones) were
founded in the industrial towns and cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
Their buildings were of local brick, so they got the name «redbrick» universities. They
contrasted chiefly with Oxford and Cambridge. At first, they prepared students for London
University degrees, but later they were given the right to award their own degrees. They became
universities themselves. Now they accept students from all over the country. These universities
are financed by local authority.
One of the developments in education in Britain is certainly the Open University. It was founded
in 1971. Some people don’t have an opportunity to study full-time, and this university allows
them to study for degree. The university’s courses are taught through television, radio and course
books. Its students work individually and with tutors, to whom they send their papers. The
students discuss their work at meetings or through correspondence. In summer they attend short
courses.
EXERCISES
I. Answer the questions.
1. Do pupils at 16 prefer to continue their education or to find job?
Only 1/3 of all leave school at 16 and look for a job
2. How many subjects are studied by pupils in preparation for taking A-level exams?
just three subjects
3. When do pupils take their A-level exams?
A-level exams are taken at 18 years old.

4. How do universities select students?

Universities usually select students on the basis of A-level results and an interview
5. Why do all students usually complete their studies?
Universities take the better students, that’s why nearly all students complete their studies
6. When was the Open University founded?
It was founded in 1971
II. Explain the meaning of the following words and expressions.
1. training schemes програми для підготовки
2. on campus в гуртожику
3. a part-time job тимчасова робота або робота на пів ставки
4. low-income families малозабезпечені сім'ї
5. staff персонал
6. «redbrick» universities "університети з червоної цегли"
III. Fill in the gaps.
1. At the age of 16 pupils can leave school.
2. Only 1/3 of all pupils leave school and look for a job.
3. Those who stay at school study just three subjects.
4. A-level exams are taken at 18 years old.
5. Universities select students on the basis of exams.
6. By 1986 there were more than . 40 universities in Britain.
7. The course of study at universities lasts three - four years years.
8. The government encourages a system of top-up loans.
9. Oxford and Cambridge were founded in the . medieval. period.
10. The unique system of education in Britain is known as tutorials at Oxford and supervisions at
Cambridge.
11. One of the developments in education in Britain is certainly the Open University