The educational system in Great Britain

Education in Britain is provided by the Local Education Authority (LEA). Educational planning and organization are not controlled as much by central government as in many other countries.

Nursery education (under 5 years)

Children do not have to go to school until they reach the age of five, but there is some free nursery-school education before that age.

Private education (5 to 18 years)

Some parents choose to pay for private education in spite of the existence of free state education. Private schools are called by different names to state schools: the preparatory (often called ‘prep’) schools are for pupils aged up to 13, and the public schools are for 13 to 18 year-olds. These schools are very expensive and they are attended by about 5 per cent of the school population.

Secondary education (11 to 16/18 years)

Free secondary education is available to all children in Britain. Children must go to school until the age of 16, and pupils may stay on for one or two years more if they wish. These schools are not selective – you don’t have to pass an exam to go there.

Comprehensive schools

Comprehensive schools want to develop the talents of each individual child. So they offer a wide choice of subjects, from art and craft, woodwork and domestic science to the sciences, modern languages, computer arts, etc. All these subjects are enjoyed by both girls and boys.

Universities

There are many universities in Britain. Good ‘A’ level results in at least two subjects are necessary to get a place at one. However, good exam results alone are not enough. Universities choose their students after interviews, and competition for places at university is fierce.

Most 18 and 19 year-olds in Britain are fairly independent people. It is very unusual for university students to live at home.

When they first arrive to the college; first year students are called ‘freshers’. Freshers live near the campus; they can rent a house in their second or third year. During the first week, all the clubs and societies hold a ‘freshers fair’. Students learn how to live alone, also they learn the new way of studying. As well as lectures, there are regular seminars, at which one of a small group of students reads a paper he or she has written. The paper is then discussed by the tutor and the rest of the group.

After three or four years these students will take their finals. Most of them (over 90%) will get a first, second or third class degree and be able to put BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BC (Bachelor of Science) after their name.

(Module I. Student’s book)

D) Read and discuss the following questions.

1. How do British schools differ from schools in your country?

2. Is it a good thing to leave home at the age of 18?

3. Many British people believe that if you do nothing more than study hard at university, you will have wasted a great opportunity. What do they mean and do you agree?

LISTENING

Ex. 9. A) Listen to the podcast and fill in the gaps.

Online university

Carlos: So where are you planning on attending college?

Torrie : I’ve picked Harford University.

Carlos: The only Harford University I’ve heard of is 1)_____________________.

Torrie : I’m sure it’s not the same one. The Harford University I’m attending is 2)______________, at least I’m pretty sure it is. The best part of going to Harford is I’ll never have to attend classes on 3) ______________. I can do all of my 4)______________ online.

Carlos: You want to attend an 5)________________________________? There are some 6)_______________ ones that offer good 7)_______________________, but many have low 8)_____________________________ and don’t provide a very good education.

Torrie : Not Harford. It’s a good 9)___________________________________ institution and they even give you 10)______________ for 11)__________________ life experience. I won’t need to take very many courses to graduate.

Carlos: That sounds pretty 12)_______________ to me.

Torrie : Don’t worry. My 13)___________________ and 14)______________ will be 15)__________________________ from those from a traditional university, without nearly as much work.

Carlos: That should tell you something. How is their 16)____________________?

Torrie : I’m not sure, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be as 17)______________________ as any other college 18)___________________.

Carlos: If you say so. What are you doing right now?

Torrie : I’m playing a video game stealing cars. At Harford, that’s considered relevant life experience. Cool, huh?

Carlos: Yeah, cool.

B) Work in pairs or groups and answer the questions.

 

1. What courses should be offered in the online format?

2. Who should be teaching online courses?

3. Who should be taking online courses?

4. Online universities have more advantages than traditional universities. Do you agree?

SPEAKING

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