Lab. Work #4

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?

 They say that there are more opportunities in a public school. If you attend a public school, you have got better facilities and an opportunity to make useful connections. Employers are ready to take on students of public school. However, for somebody it can be interesting to study at state school, because it’s attended by different people. I think that it’s true that some companies consider students, who finished a public school to be better, however, nowadays, it’s not as important, as it was earlier. Today it’s more important what you can that what you finish.

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
• Well, in general, the education system in Russia, the UK and the USA differs not very much. All the stages of education are present in all the three countries. However, British kids begin to study a bit earlier than ours, and the way they study differs. While Russian pupils sit at their desks and plug away at their textbooks, British and American children play. Also, the overseas pupils pass more exams than ours and they are to choose more subjects for them. However, they have some optional courses, unlike our kids. Speaking about Britain, we can also say that to enter the university they are to pass A-levels (for which they prepare for two years), while Russian pupils pass the Unified State Exam, which is both outlet and entrance at the same time. The American students pass SAT or ACT, write essays and gather materials about their achievements (as well as in Britain). It’s very interesting that they have the so-called “a gap year” when they can rest from their studies and try some profession. Moreover, it’s not necessary to choose any faculty immediately, because students in the USA possess the right for transferring from one faculty to another.
• As for uniform, I think it’s better when students wear it, because it makes them equal in some way. It’s necessary, since some children feel humbled if their family is poor and their rich classmates mock at them because if their outfit. Moreover, it tune for the serious mood and self-discipline.
• I think that state – wide exams are better than continual assessment, since it allows schools and universities to create the whole picture of what represent their students without making the latter experience the continual stress.