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.

Individual Reading. The moon and sixpence. Part 6

Strickland withstands the news about his serious illness (lepra) with fortitude. All people in Tahiti break with Charles after having learnt about this. Strickland’s only support is his wife with whom he continues to live all alone. Charles’ wife Ada tries to support him morally by any means thanks for her great love for the artist. Strickland paints on the walls of his house until of his death. It is the way of his self expression and revelation of all he has learnt from the life. After Charles’ death, Ada burns the house at the instance of her husband, thus destroying only evidence and mention of his greatness and talent. So, he creates his own world according to his life experience, but then, realizing its beauty and uniqueness, he destroys it. 

Individual Reading. The moon and sixpence. Part 5

It must be mentioned about the interesting fact that by the time the story continues, Strickland has already died, and narrator attempts to piece together his life there from recollections of others. Strickland had to overcome many difficulties – poverty, cheap doss-houses, hunger, cold and even fight, however he never lost heart from all these unpleasant events. After many years of wandering, he found himself in Tahiti. In fact, this island had turned to be the place Charles had been looking for through his life. It was a fertile field for inspiration as well as for his creative work. Here Strickland got married with a local woman who has already had two children.  They had been living all alone for many months, during which he painted profusely, totally devoting for his art. Again it had proved that his only passion was art. Then the narrator emphasizes the fact that inter vivos, all Charles’ paintings were considered to be not worth of a pin and only after his death, their cost grew greatly.

Individual Reading. The moon and sixpence. Part 4

Accidently, the author meets Charles walking on the street. Being on visit to the narrator, Mr. Strickland tells about acquaintance with Dirk and Blanche and the further tragic development of the events. However, Charles doesn’t regret about Blanche’s death and speak on her very cold. Charles invites the writer to his studio. Just having a look at his works, the story teller realizes that all Charles’ works are somehow revolution and a step forward in art. He considers Strickland to be a genius of great talent. All his works convey all Charles’ feelings, emotion, in other word his real personality. His works, which the narrator considers as pieces of art, is full of his soul, and the writer realizes that art is only one true Charles’ passion. 

Rendering 15

The editorial published on 5 May on The Telegraph is headlined “Dead Man Down
”. The article discusses the situation of how Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace team up in a bafflingly-plotted underworld thriller.
The author of the editorial begins with pointing out that Dead Man Down is a curious beast of a film: not so much straightforwardly bad as simply odd, like eating a jam sandwich laced with gherkins. Speaking of this movie. It’s interesting to note that it is directed by Niels Arden Oplev who is the director of the film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. it’s a neo-noir mix of an arthouse love story, a revenge spree and a violent action thriller. And the unlikely combination of explicit brutality and attempted sensitivity leaves behind a rather strange taste.
As for the main characters, one of them is performed by Colin Farrell, as Victor, the right-hand man to a crime boss called Alphonse (Terrence Howard), who immerses him in an underworld dominated by drug deals and shootings. Taciturn and mono-syllabic, he nonetheless forms a fragile connection with his neighbour Beatrice (Noomi Rapace), who lives in the apartment across from his own (they wave tentatively at each other from their respective homes, like two melancholic puppets).
The editorial gives a reader the possibilities to learn synopsis of the film, which is rather interesting and breathe taking.
Comparing the actor and his film character, it’s worth mentioning that Farrell, a naturally complex and subtle actor in the right circumstances, seems frozen by the warring demands of his character: Victor is, of course, locked in a kind of trauma, but Farrell too seems unsure of how to interpret what is supposed to be a good person sporadically engaged in disgusting acts.
The correspondent concludes the editorial by saying that by the film’s grand finale, however – which all too unfortunately resembles a scene spliced in from Die Hard – the flood waters of nonsense are up to their chins.
As for me, the synopsis of the film has attracted my attention, and now I am going to watch the movie. Besides, I like actors’ performance of Collin Farrell and it’s interesting to watch him acting this role. Anyway, he and Rapace have enough star wattage to keep you watching, even as the plot chaos mounts around them.

Film Review 4. 8 Mile

Film Review

Directed by Curtis Hanson

Produced by Curtis Hanson
                        Brian Grazer
                         Jimmy Iovine

Written by  Scott Silver

Starring           Eminem
                          Kim Basinger
                          Brittany Murphy
                          Mekhi Phifer
                         Taryn Manning

Music by Eminem

Cinematography Rodrigo Prieto

Editing by Jay Rabinowitz

Studio Imagine Entertainment

Distributed by Universal Pictures

Release date(s) November 8, 2002
Running time 110 minutes

Country United States
Language English
Budget $41 million

Box office $242,875,078[

Plot

1995. Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith Jr. (Eminem) is a young factory worker. Because of the fact he learns that his girlfriend is pregnant, he her  and as  a result he has to move back to his family which lives in poverty in a trailer, in north of 8 Mile in Warren. At the same time Jimmy tries to start his rap career which seems to be In progress as he has a real talent in it. Jimmy has proved it while choking in the middle of a rap battle and getting booed off stage. Meanwhile, his private life is also full of events – he breaks with his pregnant girlfriend and begins new relationships with Alex (Brittany Murphy), who he meets at the factory he works in. Jimmy begins to realise that the most important aim he wants to achieve is his rap career which gradually becomes of primary importance for him. It is fillowed by strained relations between black and white people of this area which symbolizes a barrier and difficulty for Jimmy to be included tis subculture. In fact, for Jimmy rap is not only his hobby but the real way to support financially his mother and sister. The rap battle acts as a final conflict between Jimmy and a rap group known as "The Leaders of the Free World which they try to resolve with the help of so called rap battle.  In the last round, Jimmy is pitched against "Papa Doc" (Anthony Mackie), who is considered to be the most fear and skillful rapper  Fortunately, Jimmy wins the battle, and as Jimmy leaves the venue, Future suggests that he stay and celebrate his victory while also offering a position that would allow him to host battles at The Shelter. Jimmy turns him down, claiming he has to get back to work and to find success his own way.

Direction

First of all, I’d like to begin with mentioning the fact that the director of the film,  Curtis Hanson, is known in the world of cinema for his great skills of directing such movies. They are known for the spiritual depth and unique way of raising different themes which may vary from racial conflict to the role of music in our life. Besides, the mixture of such themes makes his movies worth watching. It’s obvious how he was sensible to the life story of the famous rapper Eminem and it’s perfectly proved in this film. Curtis Hanson’s particular style and specific way to tell the story has made the film is worthy of  96 minutes of your time. This direction is a striking example when both direction and actors’ performance are equally great.

Editing

The film is considered to be a classical drama with some element of biography, thus the computer-generated graphics with numerous explosions, inconceivable shootings and pursuits are not supposed to be used. In fact, I like it because this circumstance makes the film worth watching as it attracts your attention due to real people and their talent to perform and tell the story of their characters.

Actor’s performance

Speaking about this aspect of the film, there is no doubt that such film has become so famous not only thatnks for direction and celebrity cast but for brilliant actors’ performance as well. It must be admitted that I have chosen to watch this film because of my interest to Eminem as the world famous rapper. Eminem's performance as the struggling actor is very impressive. He tells his own life story without any high coloured stuff. People might say that he's just playing himself, so, they say it might not be very difficult. But, just imagine how it is hars to open yoir hear and sole and tell so intimate story of your life to millions of people all over the world. Besides I’d like to mention about Brittany Murphy who plays Alex who is looking for a way out of the town.

Costume design

There is not anything unusual in it. The film is not historical one, so it is OK. However, some Jimmy’s clothing, especially during his rap battles help to express his feelings and emotions in addition to her facial expression and gestures. Many costumes tell us more about this genre of music and is called rules of this sub culture. The racial difference between two different groups who live in the town is also conveyed with the help of clothes.

Impression

It's a nice movie in spite of the fact it was sometimes too difficult to understand for me. |It’s very specific movie, not for all peole. I believe it was rather easier to watch if you know something about this music genre. However, it has turned to be closely connected with the theme of music and it was very interesting and useful to learn more about this subculture and its origins.

Individual Reading. The moon and sixpence. Part 3

Just before Christmas, Dirk and the author learn that Mr. Strickland is seriously ill. They come to his house and find him lying and dying on a garret. Both of them understand the seriousness of this situation and as a result they decide to take care of him. Dirk tries to persuade his wife to let Mr. Strickland to move to them and live for some time before his recovery. However, Blanche is against it because of her negative attitude towards this man. Fortunately, Blanche agrees and Charles moves to the Stroeves. Looking after Charles, Blanche, to her own surprise and shock, falls in love with him. Sometime later, she confesses his husband without any regret or shame and is going to leave home with her new lover. However, Dirk so adores his wife, even after such betrayal, that he leaves the house, thus giving them possibilities to live in his own apartment. He tries to make Blanche come back but all his attempts fail. Meanwhile, Charles breaks up relationship with Blanche. Being unable to bear all this, Blanche commits suicide by taking a poison. Dirk returns to his flat and finds Charles’ work 0 a portrait of Blanche which turns to be a real piece of art.