UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
There are 46 universities in Britain. But not all univesities are equal. They differ from one another in history, tradition, academic organization. Not all British universities are backed by a well-known reputation.
Oxford and Cambridge, the oldest universities are world-known for their academic excellence. The University of London has the size and breadth to rank among the UK's top universities.
A university usually consists of colleges. The department of the colleges are organized into faculties.
University teaching in the UK. differs greatly at both undergraduate anci postgraduate levels from that in many othe countries.
An undergraduate progromme consists of a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes which in tots account for about 15 hours per week.
Following a particular programme students take series of lecture coursts which may last one academic term or the whole year. Associated with each lecture course are seminars, tutorials laboratory" classes which illustrate tlie topics presented in the lectures.
Lectures are given to large groups of students (from 20 to 200). Seminars and tutorials are much smaller than lecture classes and in some departments can be on a one-to-one basis (one member of staff and one student).
Students prepare work in advance for seminars and tutorials. And this can take the form of researching a topic for discussion by writing essays or by solving problems.
Lectures, seminars and tutorials arc all one hour in length, laboratory classes last two or three hours. Much emphasis is put' on the private study nature of a UK- degree.
Each student has a tutor whom he can consult on any matter whether academic or personal.
The academic year is split into three terms. Formal teaching takes .place in the first two terms which last for twenty four weeks in total. The third term is reserved for classes and examinations and lasts for six weeks.
Universities teach in all major subject areas: arts, science,law, engineering,medicine, social sciences .
University staff are at the foreground of knowledge in their subject. The teaching encourages students to team in the most effective way.
University degree courses extend from three to four years. After three yeas of study a university graduate will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science. He can continue to take his Master's Degree and then the Doctor's.
Vocabulary
Arts - гуманитарный
Science - естестественный
essay - письменная работа
tutor - наставник
staff - штат преподавателей
academic year - учебный год
Education in the USA
Like in England, school education in the USA consists of two stages: primary education and secondary education.
Primary education begins at the age of six, when children go to an elementary school. They stay at the elementary school for eight years, until the age of 14. The subjects taught at the elementary school include reading, grammar, literature, mathematics, science, social studies (which is a subject that combines history, geography and economics), computer, music, art and physical education.
At the age of 14 American children pass on to secondary education, which they get at high schools. The course of secondary education lasts for four years. High schools are large. As a rule, a high school takes pupils from several elementary schools. A high school offers a wide range of subjects, so that teenagers can choose a course of studies according to their individual inclinations and abilities. They may choose to study the English language and literature, or foreign languages, history, geography and economics, or advanced mathematics, physics or chemistry. They can also learn such subjects as accounting or typing or shorthand, or other subjects which will help them later, when they enter the business world.
In some states children stay at elementary schools for six years instead of eight. After that they go to the so-called intermediate or junior high schools, where they stay for another three or four years, and then pass on to a senior high school to complete their secondary education.
US UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
There is no Nattional University in the USA. Each state controls and supports at least one University. The National Goverment gives no direct financial aid to these sfte schools. The students do not go to the University free of charge. Everyone must pay a tuition fee. The amount various from state to state. Students' lotal expenses throughout the year are very high. This creates a financial hardship for fome people. Though each University offers a number of scholarships many of the students have to work to pay their expenses.
Most of the Us Universities have a central campus. Colleges of Law, Business, Medicine, Engineering, Music, Journalism can be found on one campus. Thus a student can attend courses at various colleges.
The students do nnt take the same courses. During the first two years they follow a basic programme. It means that every student must select at least one course from each of the basic fields, of study: English, science, modem languages, hustor^ or physical education.
After the first two years every student majors in one subject and minors in, another. A student can major in history and minor in sociality. In addition to these major and minor courses he can select other subjects according to his professional interest.
After completing four years of study the students receive a Bachelor Degree (either B.A. or B.S.) with an additional year of study he may receive a Maker's
Degree and after two or three years of graduate work and writing of the dissertation he receives a Doctorate Degree. Over four years at tile end of each year students have a final written examination. They take oral exams and write a dessertation only for advanced degrees.
Education in Russia
There are two stages of school education in Russia: primary education and secondary education.
At the age of 6 or 7 Russian children go to school.
During the first three or four years they get a primary education: they learn to read, write, count, and draw. They also have lessons of music, physical training and handicrafts.
Unlike England or the U. S. A., in Russia primary schools are not, as a rule, separated from secondary schools: we have large schools which combine a primary education department and a secondary education department under one roof. In fact, a typical Russian school is actually a secondary school with a primary education department. Only in small country places there may be separate primary schools, on finishing which, the pupils pass on to the nearest larger secondary school.
The course of secondary education is, in its turn, subdivided into two stages: the first stage, which might be called intermediate, and the second one.
The intermediate stage is compulsory and embraces forms from the 5th up to the 9th. During the intermediate stage the pupils get a basic knowledge in the Russian language and literature, a foreign language, mathematics, physics, chemistry, history, geography, biology. They also have lessons of music, art and handicrafts. A computer course is also included in the curriculum.
On completing the intermediate course of studies, at the age of 14, the pupils may either go to vocational or technical schools, which give a professional training, or stay on at the secondary school for another two years. The curriculum of the last two years offers a wide range of subjects, so that teenagers can choose a course of studies, according to their individual inclinations and abilities.