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EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN

 

Education is a subject about which many British people care deeply. Most believe that the state should provide education free of charge and to a high standard. At election time, politicians who promise to spend more on education are popular with voters. Recently, there has been a lot of debate about students having to pay their own fees at university, as well as their living expenses. Some people are afraid that poorer students will not receive enough financial help and will be discouraged from going on to higher education.

An increasing number of children under 5 receive pre-school education. Some go to playgroups several times a week and take part in structured play (= play with some educational purpose) with other children of the same age. Others go to a nursery school or to the nursery departmentor kindergarten of a school. The availability of pre-school education varies from area to area, and parents often have to pay for it.

Children are required to be in full-time education between the ages of 5 and 16. Different areas of Britain have different school systems. In some areas children receive their primary education at an infant school and then a junior school, or at a primary school that combines the two. At about 11 they begin their secondary education at a comprehensive school, a grammar school or a high school. In other areas children go to a first school at age 5, amiddle school at 8 and an upper school from 13 onwards. Some pupils, especially those hoping to go to university,stay at school for the sixth formor go to a sixth-form college.

Most children go to state schools. Some children go to independent schools run by private organizations, for which their parents have to pay fees. A few go to public schools, such as Eton and Harrow. Younger children may attend a private preparatory school (or prep school) until the age of 13. Some parents may send their children to private schools, even if this is against their principles, because they think that their children will receive a better education.

Young people are expected to show respect for their teachers and obey school rules. Pupils who misbehave may be punished, e.g. by having to stay behind after school. Corporal punishment, being smacked or caned, was ended many years ago. Sometimes students get into more serious trouble, e.g. by being violent or through using drugs, and risk being expelled.

The British education system aims to educate the whole person, so that each child develops his or her personality as well as gaining academic knowledge. Most primary and secondary schools offer a range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, community service and trips to places of interest. Secondary schools also give careers advice and help students to prepare for having a job by arranging short periods of work experience with local businesses.

Children have to study the core subjects of English, mathematics and science, and also the foundation subjectsof technology, geography, history, art, music and physical education. Older children take a foreign language. Children do standard assessment tests (SATs) at ages 7, 11 and 14. At 16 students take exams for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Some may take GNVQs(General National Vocational Qualifications) in work-related subjects. Some students go on to study for A levels in three or four subjects.

A smaller percentage of British students go on to further or higher education than in any other European country. Many students go to university and study for a bachelor's degree. Others study for a certificate or diploma at a college of further education. Most courses at these colleges train people in a particular skill and combine periods of study with work experience.

Some people return to education later in life and attend evening classes run by adult education institutes. Open learning schemes enable people to obtain recognized qualifications, such as a degree from the Open University or a qualification in accountancy, without having to leave their job.

Task 1. Match the term to its correct description. Write the correct letter next to the number.

1.  

2. Comprehensive School

3. Open University

4. SATs

5. Sixth Form

6. Grammar School

7. Foundation Subjects

8. Public School (UK context)

9. Work Experience

10. Nursery School

11. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)

A. Exams taken at age 16

B. Early education for children under 5

C. State secondary school for all abilities

D. Prestigious, fee-paying secondary school

E. Provides distance learning for adults

F. Subjects like technology, art, and geography

G. Traditional academic secondary school

H. Final two years of secondary education

I. Short periods in workplaces for students

J. Standard assessment tests at certain ages

 

 

Task 2. Fill in the blank with the correct words.

Word Bank: after school, free, personality, state, further, fees, foundation, 5, 16, nursery, General, evening

1. Many British people believe that the state should provide education _____________ of charge and to a high standard.

2. There is ongoing debate about students having to pay university _____________ and living expenses.

3. In Britain, children must attend full-time education between the ages of _____________ and _____________.

4. Most children attend _____________ schools, which are funded by the government.

5. The British education system encourages both academic learning and the development of students' _____________.

6. Some children go to _____________ schools or nursery departments before starting primary school.

7. Pupils who misbehave may be punished, for example, by having to stay behind after _____________.

8. The curriculum includes both core and _____________ subjects such as technology, geography, and art.

9. At age 16, students take exams for the _____________ Certificate of Secondary Education.

10. Some students choose to return to education later in life by attending _____________ classes.

Task 3. Put each of the following words or phrases in its place.

state

academic

seminar

co-educational

terms

private

secondary

tutorial

nursery school

degree

grant

primary

lecture

compulsory

 

fees

graduate

break up

authorities

 

When, children are two or three years old, they sometimes go to a (1)..., where they learn simple games and songs. Their first real school is called a (2)... school. In Britain children start this school at the age of five. The (3)... year in Britain begins in September and is divided into three (4)....

Schools (5)... for the summer holidays in July. (6)...education begins at the age of about eleven, and most schools at this level are (7)... which means boys and girls study together in the same classes. In Britain education is (8)... from five to sixteen years of age, but many children choose to remain at school for another two or three years after 16 to take higher exams. Most children go to (9)... schools, which are maintained by the government or local education (10)...,but some children go to (11)... schools which can be very expensive.

University courses normally last three years and thenstudents (12)..., which means they receive their (13).... At university, teaching is by (14)... (an individual lesson between a teacher and one or two students)..., (15)... (a class of students discussing a subject with a teacher), (16)... (when a teacher gives a prepared talk to a number of students) and of course private study. Most people who receive a university place are given a (17)... by the government to help pay their (18)... and living expenses.

 

Task 4. Choose the correct answer from the choices for each question.

1. What is a recent concern about higher education in Britain?

○ A) Not enough schools are being built

○ B) Students must pay their own university fees and living expenses

○ C) Teachers are not qualified

○ D) Schools do not offer extra-curricular activities

2. Which type of school do most British children attend?

○ A) Public schools like Eton

○ B) Private preparatory schools

○ C) State schools

○ D) Sixth-form colleges

3. At what age do British children typically begin compulsory full-time education?

○ A) 3

○ B) 5

○ C) 8

○ D) 13

4. Which subjects are considered "core subjects" in British schools?

○ A) Art, Music, and Geography

○ B) English, Mathematics, and Science

○ C) Physical Education, History, and Technology

○ D) Foreign Languages and Community Service

5. What is one purpose of extra-curricular activities in British schools?

○ A) To make the school day longer

○ B) To develop students’ personalities and skills beyond academics

○ C) To increase homework assignments

○ D) To prepare students for punishment

6. What is a comprehensive school?

○ A) A private school for young children

○ B) A type of secondary school attended by many children after primary education

○ C) A school that only offers sports

○ D) A place for adult education

7. What are SATs in the UK education system?

○ A) University entrance exams

○ B) Standard assessment tests taken at ages 7, 11, and 14

○ C) Exams for teachers

○ D) Only for students in private schools

8. Which of the following is NOT typically a foundation subject?

○ A) Technology

○ B) Science

○ C) Geography

○ D) Art

9. What is the purpose of work experience arranged by secondary schools?

○ A) To replace academic lessons

○ B) To help students prepare for having a job

○ C) To punish students

○ D) To provide extra vacation

10. What is the Open University known for?

○ A) Only admitting young students

○ B) Providing distance learning and qualifications for adults

○ C) Offering only art courses

○ D) Being a private institution

 

Task 5: Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Ответы на Английском языке очень просто

1) Why do some people worry about students having to pay for university education in Britain? 

2) Describe the difference between state schools and independent schools in Britain. 

3) How does the British education system support both academic and personal development? 

4) What are some ways children under 5 might receive early education in Britain? 

5) Why might some parents send their children to private schools even if they disagree with the idea? 

6) What subjects are considered core and which are foundation subjects in British schools? 

7) How do schools handle students who misbehave? 

8) Describe one benefit of extra-curricular activities in British schools. 

9) What opportunities are available for adults who wish to continue their education in Britain? 

10) Why might the availability of pre-school education differ from area to area in Britain?