Laboratory Work. School Education

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

MP3 AUDIO 3.1

1. You’ll hear short descriptions of the education systems in England, the USA and Australia. Make notes on how a ‘typical’ pupil passes the system in each country.

Educational Institutions in Order	England	the USA	Australia
1	primary school (age 5)	elementary school (age 6)	Primary school (age 5- 11)
2	Secondary school\Comprehensive School (afe of11-16)	Junior High School (age 11)	Intermediate school (age 11-12)
3	GCSE examinations (age 16)	Senior High School (age 14)	High School (age 12-13)
4	After GCSE Some children: -start working -take vocational courses Other children: -stay at school for 2 years (A level)	High school (age 18): The First year – freshman The Second year- sophomores The Third Year-Juniors The Fourth Year - Seniors	After General Exam: -leave school at 16 -go on and pass the university examinations
6	college or university (age 18)	High School graduators: -college (4 year course) -university (4 year course) -junior college (2 year course)

2. Listen again and check your knowledge of the education systems in Britain and the USA. Fill in the gaps in these sentences.

1.    Before they start school, very young children in Britain may go to a kindergarten where they play with other children and learn to socialize.

2.    British children start primary school at the age of 5 and move to a secondary school at 11 or 13. At the age of 18 or 19 they may go on to higher education at a university, polytechnic or college.

3.    At the age of 16, British pupils take GCSE exams. They may stay on at school to take more two years later when they are in the sixth form.

4.    A British school or university year is divided into three terms; in America the year is divided into two terms.

5.    In Britain, private boarding schools are known as private schools – in the USA, this term refers to the normal kind or state schools.

6.    At the end of a university course, graduates are awarded a degree - probably a BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science) or Bed (Bachelor of Education); post-graduates can take a further course or do research and write a diploma in the hope of getting an MA (Master of Arts) or a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

3. What are the main differences between the education system in Russia and those described in the recording? Give a brief account of the education system in Russia

The educational system in Russia: Today's educational system in Russia is federal, centralized. Currently, it consists of: pre-school education, primary education, secondary education within 5 years, full secondary education, higher education. Formal education is from 7 to 18 years. The duration of the school year is 34 weeks. Students are trained 5-6 days a week. In Russia, many types of secondary schools (f.e. common schools, lyceums, gymnasiums) and the variety of educational programs. In Russia, as in the UK private and public schools exist. Basic education lasts for 9 years (9 classes). It is completed by passing the exam "GIA" (State Final Attestation). After finishing 9 classes students receive an incomplete secondary education. At the end of the 11th form students pass the exam "RSE"(Russian State Exam) in order to get the certificate of finishing school.

After finishing the 9th form one can go on to a vocational school which offer programmes of academic subjects and a programme of training in a technical field, or a profession.
After finishing the 11th form of a secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium one can go into higher education. All applicants must take competitive exam. Higher education institution, that is institutes or universities, offer a 5-years programme of academic subjects for undergraduates in a variety of fields, as well as a graduate course and writes a thesis, he or she receives a candidates degree or a doctoral degree.

Conclusion: All in all, we can make the following conclusion of the differences. They are: the grades of education; the duration of the year; the types of school; the specification of studying programs; the age of students; types of passing exams.

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

MP3 AUDIO 3.2

1. You’ll hear two accounts of a first day at school – one from a little boy’s point of view, the other from a young teacher’s point of view. The first extract is taken from ‘Cider with Rosie’ by Laurie Lee (1959), the second extract is from ‘Decline and Fall’ by Evelyn Waugh (1928). How did the two protagonists feel about the first class before the day started and after it finished? Sort the adjectives in the table to characterize the emotions of the main characters on the first day at school. You will not need to use ALL the adjectives.  

LAURIE LEE	PAUL PENNYFEATHER
clumsy defeated eager embarrassed helpless panicky scary thankful worried	Angry bewildered fierce grumpy helpless nervous panicky uptight

2. Comment on each emotion in the above task using the information in the audio stories.

1. Laurie Lee

• Laurie Lee was clumsy because he didn’t know how to behave and just stood rooted to the ground.
• Laurie Lee was defeated because everything was unusual and even odd for him at school.
• Laurie Lee was eager because it was his first day ay school and he didn’t know what to expect.
• Laurie Lee was embarrassed because he attracted much attention as a new pupil.
• Laurie Lee was helpless because he didn’t know anybody who could help him or support.
• Laurie Lee was panicky because he was forced to go to school without any warning.
• Laurie Lee was scary because everything was new and even frightening for him.
• Laurie Lee was thankful because he was rescued at last by a gracious lady - the sixteen year-old junior-teacher.
• Laurie Lee was worried because he didn’t get a present from school which he was sure to receive.

2. Paul Pennyfeather

·        Paul Pennyfeather was angry because pupils annoyed him.

·        Paul Pennyfeather was bewildered by pupils’ repetition of the phrase: “Good morning, sir”.

·        Paul Pennyfeather was fierce because pupils didn’t want to keep silence.

·        Paul Pennyfeather was grumpy because of the children’s behavior.

·        Paul Pennyfeather was helpless because he didn’t know what to do exactly in this situation and how to make children calm down.

·        Paul Pennyfeather was extremely nervous because it was his first day at school

·        Paul Pennyfeather was panicky and he even didn’t know what he was to teach them because he didn’t have any experience in it.

·        Paul Pennyfeather was uptight because even the master didn’t know what to do with these pupils who seemed to be uncontrolled.

3. Here are some excerpts about school from ‘Decline and Fall’ by Evelyn Waugh. What impression about school education do you get after reading the excerpts? Give a small account of the school, the staff, and pupils described by the author.

We may conclude that the school described in the story is not elite one. According to the master’s words, there are 4 grades of schools: “Leading School, First-rate School, Good School, and School”. In his opinion, a school which is ruled by him is “pretty bad”. I think it’s caused by the teaching staff and its low quality as well as poor school equipment. The second given makes us pup the master’s professionalism and his professional tact in doubt. Although he is rather honest to Paul, he only makes him feel much more nervous and as a result helpless. He seems to be unable to give useful advice. As for the pupils, I believe that the lack of discipline is caused by the low quality of the school itself. As a result, a teacher doesn’t seem to be an example of imitation for them, they even don’t respect him. Pupils try to unsettle Paul by idling, and they quickly achieve their aim.

4. How do your own experiences of school compare with Laurie’s and Paul’s? Write an account of your first day at a new school or in a new class. Use 100-150 words.

LIVE AND LEARN

MP3 AUDIO 3.3

1. In your opinion, what are the reasons students stay away from school? Think about boredom, influence of friends, problems at school, family problems. What problems can truancy cause a student?

Some reasons for not wanting to go to school are:

• Separation anxiety (being afraid to be away from parents). This may be because some time in the past there has been an unhappy separation such as the child or parent being in hospital.
• Fear of losing a parent. The child may think something bad will happen to the parent. This could be due to:
• a parent being ill, (sometimes happens after the parent gets better)
• marriage problems and fighting
• parents separating
• knowing another child who has lost a parent or whose family has broken up.
• Fear that a parent might leave while the child is at school.
• Moving house in the early primary years when the child does not fully understand distance and space and so feels she has lost contact with her home.
• Jealousy if there is a younger brother or sister at home - the child may think the mother is doing all sorts of good things with the younger child while she is at school.
• Problems at school which could be:
• being bullied
• not having friends
• not understanding where things are - feeling lost at school
• learning problems
• not getting along with a teacher.
• Parents being unreliable about when they pick up after school. Some parents are very late picking up their children, and the children feel they have been forgotten.
• Parents’ worries. If the parents show they are worried about the school refusal, the child is more likely to believe there is something to really be worried about.

As for the consequences of truancy, although most truancy laws impose a penalty on the parent or guardian of the student, state law also imposes a direct consequence on a student by suspending the driving privileges of any student who drops out of school or is habitually absent. When a student withdraws from school entirely for any reason other than a change of residence and is not attending any other school, the school district is obligated to report this fact to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the juvenile court. The Registrar will then suspend the student’s driver’s license or permit or deny issuance of a license or permit if it has not been issued yet. This suspension will be in effect until the student turns 18 or until the superintendent informs the Registrar that the student is now attending school.
 
A school district may pass, at its discretion, a resolution applying the above statue to habitually absent students as well. If such a resolution is passed, the parents of a student who is absent without legitimate excuse for more than 10 consecutive school days or a total of 15 school days, will be given written notice. The parents and the student may then choose to appear before the superintendent and challenge this information. After the appearance, the superintendent may give notice of the habitual absences to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the juvenile court. Again, the license or permit will be suspended until the student turns 18 or receives a GED or high school diploma, or until the superintendent informs the Registrar that the student has completed at least one semester or term and has not been absent for more than 10 consecutive school days or 15 total school days.

2. You are going to listen to the interview with headmaster of East Crompton Comprehensive School Dr. Charles Greenway. For questions 1-7 choose the correct answer (A, B or C).

1     Dr Greenway implies that some children who play truant

A   do so in order to earn money.

B    behave badly in public.

C   are never punished.

2    Why do some parents take their children on holiday during term time?

A   Because it's peak season.

B   To spend time together as a family.

C   To save money.

3    Why is it difficult for schools to convince students to attend regularly?

A   Parents set a bad example for them.

B   There is no good reason to attend.

C   Some teachers behave irresponsibly.

4    How has the government reacted to truancy?

A   They have been trying to stop it for years.

B   They are only just beginning to help.

C   They think it is too late to do anything.

5    Why are the government having talks with travel agents?

A   To convince them to offer parents cheap holidays.

B    To make sure that children don't play truant.

C   To get help from them in combating truancy.

6    What are the aims of 'behaviour improvement projects'?

A   To teach parents to be nwe responsible.

B   To teach students the lessons they have missed

C   To teach students to take school more seric

7    What does Dr Greenway say about the law against truancy?

A   The law is not strict enough.

B    Parents are not often prosecuted.

C    Many parents face criminal charges.

-         3. Which of the following things would be most effective in combating truancy? Rank them and give a short account describing your choice

1.      more responsible parenting. I believe that parents are the first who are to blame for their children’s truancy because it’s parents’ duty to Set up a behavior contract with a child providing rewards for attending school and consequences for not attending. Besides, parents should teach a child relaxation techniques.

2.      more interesting lessons. I place it at the second place because I think that the learning environment is also important to student performance. Teachers must arrive on time, give students frequent praise, interact with the entire class (preferably asking open-ended questions), minimize verbal reprimands and other forms of punishment, and deemphasize competition in the classroom 

3.      teaching students to respect school. It’s very important to make your child understand why education is so important. Furthermore, it’s necessary to teach him to respect teachers and a school as a whole because a child’s future mainly depends on his school attainment.

4.      police involvement. Collaborate with your police department on truancy prevention and intervention efforts. For example, start a "truancy patrol" and engage local businesses and residents to participate. When youth are caught skipping school, they can be reported to the school system and either returned to class or home to their families.

5.      strict punishment. It’s useful only in case three things mentioned above are not effective at all.

MP3 AUDIO 3.4

1. Listen to two people discussing the issue of public vs. state schooling. What are they saying about: cost, quality of education, increased life chances? What do you agree with most?

Two people are talking about the types of school: state and public ones, their pros and cons. They begin their conversation by saying that both kinds of schools have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, public school is rather expensive while state school is free for all students. Besides, studying at state school gives you possibility to make acquaintance with different people which is rather interesting. On the contrary, public schools are traditionally only for the rich and it is resulted in a lack of variety of people who attend it. On the other hand, public school provides you with connections with people who may offer you a better job. Furthermore, better employers look for people, studying at private schools, and only in case they can’t find anyone to take a job, they might look for the students at state schools. All in all, while the biggest advantage of state schools is the fact they are free, the public schools can give you a better chance to get a really good job.

2. Think about the similarities and differences between:

-         the education system in your country/the education system in the UK or the USA

-         wearing school uniform/wearing what you like

-         state-wide exams/continual assessment

 Choose one of the above issues and write an essay of about 100-200 words.