Английский язык. Higher education

III. Find out whether the statement is true or false according to the information in the text:

The SAT is a test in English language and literature which can be taken only once.

Tuition fees are high in community colleges.

The aid to a student may be given in the form of a grant, or stipend which the student must pay back after college.

Those who study at a university or four-year college are known as undergraduates, and those who have received a degree after four years of studies are known as graduates.

A first-year student is called a sophomore, and a second-year student — a freshman.

During one term or semester a student will study six or seven different subjects.

PART IV

DIRECTIONS:

Answer the questions:

What are the four conditions which every applicant must know to enter a college of higher education?

When does a graduate receive the BA or BS?

Why do most students study at public institutions of higher education?

How can a student receive financial aid from a college?

What is the difference between "majors" and "electives"?

Does a student have to earn a certain number of "credits" to receive a degree at the end of four years of college?

On what scale are college grades in the USA?

ACTIVITY E

ORGANIZING YOUR THOUGHTS

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Working in groups discuss possible answers:

Why are many Americans not satisfied with the condition of higher education in their country?

Name the four categories of higher educational institutions in the USA.

How is the students' progress controlled during the term?

PART II

DIRECTIONS:

Role play the following situation:

Student A: Imagine you’re an American. Ask about the system of higher education in B’s country.

Student B: Answer A’s questions.

ACTIVITY F

WRITE AND SPEAK

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Give a summary of the text.

PART II

DIRECTIONS:

Ask questions about the texts and let your fellow-students answer them.

PART III

DIRECTIONS:

Express your opinion and fill in the following table:

Britain’s higher education

U.S. higher education

Belarusian higher education

Pros

Cons

ACTIVITY G

LISTENING COMPREHENSION:

DIRECTIONS:

Listen to the conversation between a receptionist and a student enquiring about a course. While listening take notes about the essential characteristics of the course.

season of the year

full time/part time

intensive/extensive

length of the course

hours per week

number of students in class

dates of the course

fee

deposit

accommodation

Enquiring about a Course

Receptionist: Good morning. Can I help you?

Student: Yes please. I would want to have some information about the courses at Swan School.

R: Is that a summer course you're interested in?

S: Yes. Yes, please.

R: Yes. Fine. OK. Well, we have … erm … short intensive full-time courses during the summer.

S: Mm-mm. I would want to know the length of one course.

R: Yes. Each course lasts for three weeks.

S: How many hours per week, please?

R: Well, it's about twenty-three hours a week. Usually four and a half days each week.

S: You must have a lot of students in the class, haven't you?

R: We have a lot of students in the school but in the classes only about between twelve and fourteen students.

S: Twelve and fourteen. Could you please give me the dates of the first and the second course?

R: Yes, certainly. The first course begins on 3 July and lasts until 20 July and the second course is from 24 July until 10 August.

S: What about the fees per course?

R: Yes, each … each course costs $150 plus VAT, which is 15 per cent and a $5 registration fee.

S: And deposit, please?

R: Yes, for each course we need a deposit of $20 and the $5 registration fee.

S: Oh thank you. Do we have to find our… our own accommodation?

R: No, we can do that for you. We have a lady who arranges the accommodation for you with a family.

S: How much does it cost?

R: Well you can choose to have bed and breakfast only which is $20 a week, or bed, breakfast and dinner which is about $27 a week.

S: $27. Thank you very much.

R: You're welcome.

ACTIVITY H

SELF-WORK:

PART I

DIRECTIONS:

Study the following topical vocabulary:

- to continue in higher education

продолжить образование в вузе

a community college

местный колледж

a technical school

техническое училище

a vocational school

профессиональное училище