Schools in the usa топик. Топик по английскому языку "The US Educational System - Американская система образования". Перевод топика на русский язык

The system of education in the USA varies greatly from state to state. School education in so called state public schools is free. Parents are free to choose any public school for their children. Although there are a lot of private schools, mainly religious, and parents have to pay for them. A school year starts in September and ends in June. It is divided into three terms or four quarters.

American children start attending elementary schools at the age of 6. They continue their studies for eight years there (8 grades). Their basic subjects in the curriculum at this stage are English, Arithmetic, Natural Science, History, Geography, Foreign Language and some others. After that pupils may enter a Senior high school or if they go to a 5- or 6-year elementary school, they then attend a 3- or 4-year Junior high school, and then enter a Senior high school. Pupils graduate from high schools at the age of 18. The high schools (also known as secondary schools) are generally larger and accommodate teenagers from four or five elementary schools. During the school year the students study four or five selective subjects according to their professional interests. They must complete a certain number of courses to receive a high school diploma or a certificate of school graduation.

In order to develop social skills and encourage students’ participation in extracurricular activities every high school has an orchestra, a music band, a choir, drama groups, football, basketball and baseball teams. School becomes the center of social life for students.

At American colleges and universities young people get higher education. They study for 4 years and get a Bachelor"s degree in arts or science. If a student wants to get a Master"s degree he must study for two more years and do a research work. Students who want to advance their education even further in a specific field can pursue a Doctor degree. The most famous American universities are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Columbia Universities.

Перевод

Система образования в США сильно отличается от штата к штату. Школьное образование в так называемых государственных школах является бесплатным. Родители могут свободно выбирать любую бесплатную школу для детей. Однако существует много частных школ, в основном, религиозных, и родителям нужно оплачивать обучение в них. Школьный год начинается в сентябре и заканчивается в июне. Он разделен на 3 семестра или же на 4 четверти.

Американские дети начинают посещение начальной школы в возрасте 6 лет. Они продолжают свое обучение в течение 8 лет (8 классов). Основными предметами в расписании на данном этапе считаются английский, арифметика, естествознание, история, география, иностранный язык и некоторые другие. Затем ученики могут перейти в Старшую среднюю школу или же, если они ходили в 5- или 6-летнюю начальную школу, тогда они посещают 3- или 4-летнюю Младшую среднюю школу и только затем переходят в Старшую. Учеников выпускают из средней школы в 18 лет. Средние школы, как правило, больше по размерам и вмещают в себя подростков из 4 или 5 начальных школ. В течение учебного года студенты изучают 4-5 выборочных предметов, в соответствии с их профессиональными интересами. Они обязаны пройти определенное количество курсов для того, чтобы получить диплом о среднем образовании или сертификат об окончании школы.

Для развития общественных навыков и поощрения студенческого участия во внешкольной жизни в каждой средней школе имеется оркестр, музыкальный коллектив, хор, театральная студия, команда по футболу, баскетболу и бейсболу. Школа становится центром общественной жизни для студентов.

В американских колледжах и университетах молодые люди получают высшее образование. Они обучаются в течение 4 лет и получают степень Бакалавра гуманитарных или естественных наук. Если студент намеревается получить степень Магистра, ему нужно учиться еще 2 года и провести исследовательскую работу. Студенты, желающие и далее продолжать обучение в отдельной отрасли знаний, могут получить степень Доктора. Самыми известными американскими университетами являются Гарвардский, Принстонский, Стэнфордский, Йельский и Колумбийский университеты.

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Higher Education in the USA
1. There is no national system of higher education in the United States. Higher education is given in colleges and universities. There are over 2100 various higher educational institutions, including colleges, technological institutes and universities. The average college course of study is 4 years. The academic year is usually 9 months or 2 terms (semesters) of four and a half months each. Classes usually begin in September and end in June. The first-year students are called freshmen.
2. Students choose a major subject (профилирующий предмет, дисциплина) and take many courses in this subject. After four years, they get a traditional Bachelor"s degree. Then the students may go on to graduate school (старшие курсы) and with a year or two of further study get a Master"s degree.
3. After another year or two of study and research, they may get a still higher degree as Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.). The student"s progress is evaluated by means of tests. term works and final examinations in each course. The student"s work is given a mark, usually on a five point scale (5-балльная система). Letters indicate the level of achievement. "A." is the highest mark. "F" denotes a failure.
4. Most American colleges and universities charge for tuition. The methods of instruction in the universities are lectures, discussions, laboratory and course works or seminars. Most cities have colleges or universities that hold classes at night as well as in daytime. In this way people may work for a degree or just take a course in the subject that interests them.

Higher Education in the USA 1. There is no national system of higher education in the United States. Higher education is given in colleges and universities. There are over 2100 various higher educational institutions, including colleges, technological institutes and universities. The average college course of study is 4 years. The academic year is usually 9 months or 2 terms (semesters) of four and a half months each. Classes usually begin in September and end in June. The first-year students are called freshmen. 2. Students choose a major subject (профилирующий предмет, дисциплина) and take many courses in this subject. After four years, they get a traditional Bachelor"s degree. Then the students may go on to graduate school (старшие курсы) and with a year or two of further study get a Master"s degree. 3. After another year or two of study and research, they may get a still higher degree as Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.). The student"s progress is evaluated by means of tests. term works and final examinations in each course. The student"s work is given a mark, usually on a five point scale (5-балльная система). Letters indicate the level of achievement. "A." is the highest mark. "F" denotes a failure. 4. Most American colleges and universities charge for tuition. The methods of instruction in the universities are lectures, discussions, laboratory and course works or seminars. Most cities have colleges or universities that hold classes at night as well as in daytime. In this way people may work for a degree or just take a course in the subject that interests them.

Определить язык Клингонский Клингонский (pIqaD) азербайджанский албанский английский арабский армянский африкаанс баскский белорусский бенгальский болгарский боснийский валлийский венгерский вьетнамский галисийский греческий грузинский гуджарати датский зулу иврит игбо идиш индонезийский ирландский исландский испанский итальянский йоруба казахский каннада каталанский китайский китайский традиционный корейский креольский (Гаити) кхмерский лаосский латынь латышский литовский македонский малагасийский малайский малайялам мальтийский маори маратхи монгольский немецкий непали нидерландский норвежский панджаби персидский польский португальский румынский русский себуанский сербский сесото словацкий словенский суахили суданский тагальский тайский тамильский телугу турецкий узбекский украинский урду финский французский хауса хинди хмонг хорватский чева чешский шведский эсперанто эстонский яванский японский Клингонский Клингонский (pIqaD) азербайджанский албанский английский арабский армянский африкаанс баскский белорусский бенгальский болгарский боснийский валлийский венгерский вьетнамский галисийский греческий грузинский гуджарати датский зулу иврит игбо идиш индонезийский ирландский исландский испанский итальянский йоруба казахский каннада каталанский китайский китайский традиционный корейский креольский (Гаити) кхмерский лаосский латынь латышский литовский македонский малагасийский малайский малайялам мальтийский маори маратхи монгольский немецкий непали нидерландский норвежский панджаби персидский польский португальский румынский русский себуанский сербский сесото словацкий словенский суахили суданский тагальский тайский тамильский телугу турецкий узбекский украинский урду финский французский хауса хинди хмонг хорватский чева чешский шведский эсперанто эстонский яванский японский Источник: Цель:

Результаты (русский ) 1:

Высшее образование в США 1. Существует нет национальной системы высшего образования в Соединенных Штатах Америки. Высшее образование предоставляется в колледжах и университетах. Есть более 2100 различных высших учебных заведений, в том числе колледжей, технологических институтов и университетов. Средняя колледж курс обучения - 4 года. Учебный год обычно составляет 9 месяцев или 2 семестра (семестров) четырех с половиной месяцев. Занятия обычно начинаются в сентябре и заканчиваются в июне. Первый год студенты называют первокурсников. 2. студенты выбирают специальность (профилирующий предмет, дисциплина) и множество курсов в этой теме. После четырех лет они получают традиционные степень бакалавра. Затем студенты могут перейти к выпускник школы (старшие курсы) и с год или два из дальнейшего исследования получить степень магистра. 3. После еще год или два исследования и исследования они может получить еще более высокой степени доктора философии (Ph. D.). Прогрессе студента оценивается с помощью тестов. срок работ и выпускных экзаменов в рамках каждого курса. Работа студента дается знак, обычно по пяти бальной шкале (5-балльная система). Буквы обозначают уровень достижений. «А» является наивысший балл. «F» обозначает сбой.4. Большинство американских колледжей и университетов взимать плату за обучение. Методы обучения в университетах, лекции, дискуссии, лаборатория и курс работ или семинаров. Большинство городов имеют колледжей или университетов, которые проводят занятия в ночь, также как и в дневное время. Таким образом люди могут работать для получения степени или просто взять курс в теме, что их интересы.

Результаты (русский ) 2:

Высшее образование в США
1. Там нет национальной системы высшего образования в Соединенных Штатах. Высшее образование дается в колледжах и университетах. Есть более 2100 различных высших учебных заведений, в том числе колледжи, технологические институты и университеты. Средняя колледж курс обучения составляет 4 года. Учебный год, как правило, 9 месяцев или 2 семестра (семестра) четырех с половиной месяцев, то каждая. Классы обычно начинаются в сентябре и заканчиваются в июне. Студенты-первокурсники называют первокурсников.
2. Студенты выбирают основную тему (профилирующий предмет, дисциплина) и принимать различные курсы по этому предмету. После четырех лет, они получают традиционную степень бакалавра. Затем студенты могут перейти в аспирантуру (старшие курсы) и через год или два дальнейшего изучения получить степень магистра.
3. Еще через год или два изучения и исследования, они могут получить еще более высокую степень как доктор философии (Ph. D.). Прогресс студента оценивается с помощью тестов. Термин работ и выпускные экзамены в рамках каждого курса. Работа студента дается знак, как правило, на пять балльная шкала (5-балльная система). Письма показывают уровень достижений. "А." это самая высокая оценка. "F" обозначает отказ.
4. Большинство американских колледжей и университетов взимать плату за обучение. Методы обучения в университетах лекции, дискуссии, лабораторные и курсовые работы и семинары. В большинстве городов есть колледжи или университеты, которые проводят занятия в ночное время, а также в дневное время. Таким образом, люди могут работать по специальности или просто взять курс в теме, которая интересует их.

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Результаты (русский ) 3:

Высшее образование в США
1. Нет национальной системы высшего образования в Соединенных Штатах. Высшее образование в колледжах и университетах. Существует более 2100 различных высших учебных заведений, в том числе колледжей, технологические институты и университеты. Среднее колледж курсы обучения - 4 лет.Учебный год обычно 9 месяцев или 2 (семестров) четыре с половиной месяца каждый. Классов обычно начинается в сентябре и в конце июня. В первый год учащиеся называются Юрий Гуров.
2. Студенты выберите вопрос (профилирующий предмет, дисциплина) и многочисленные учебные курсы в этой теме. После четырех лет, они получают традиционных степень бакалавра.Затем учащиеся могут перейти в высшей школе (старшие курсы) и с год или два новых исследования получить степень магистра.
3. После еще год или два исследования и научных исследований, они могут получить еще более высокой степени, доктор философии (рн. D.). Студент в оценивать с помощью тестов. срок работ и выпускных экзаменов в рамках каждого курса.Студенческие - знак, обычно по пяти балльной шкале 5-балльная Москве). Буквы указывают на уровень достижений. "А." является самой высокой отметки. "F" обозначает.
4. Большинство американских колледжей и университетов бесплатными. Методы преподавания в университетах, лекций, дискуссий, лабораторных и конечно работает или семинаров.Большинство городов, колледжей или университетов, в которых проведение занятий в ночное время, а также в дневное время. В этом случае человек может работать в степени или просто проходить курс в этой теме, что их.

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HIGHER EDUCATION SECONDARY EDUCATION ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION				Postgraduate studies	Doctor’s Degree (e.g. Ph.D) Master’s Degree (e.g. M.A., M.S.) Bachelor’s Degree (e.g. B.A., B.S.)
				Graduate studies
	Technical Institute	Private Career School	Junior College	Undergraduate studies
	4 – YEAR HIGH SCHOOL		SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL			HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
	ELEMENTARY
			SCHOOL
	KINDERGARTEN				(Grade School Year)
	NURSERY		SCHOOL

(Age)

EDUCATION IN THE USA

Text 1. General Pattern of Education in the USA

The general pattern of education in the USA is an eight-year elementary school, followed by a four-year high school. This has been called 8 – 4 plan organization. It is proceeded, in many localities, by nursery schools and kindergartens. It is followed by a four-year college and professional schools. This traditional patterns, however, has been varied in many different ways. The 6 - 3 – 3 plan consists of a six-year elementary school, a three-year junior high school, and a three-year senior high school. Another variation is 6 – 6 plan organization, with a six-year elementary school followed by a six-year secondary school.

American education provides a program for children, beginning at the age of 6 and continuing up to the age of 16 in some of the states, and to 18 in others.

The elementary school in the United States is generally considered to include the first six or eight grades of the common-school system, depending upon the organization that has been accepted for the secondary school. It has been called the “grade school” or the “grammar school”.

There is no single governmental agency to prescribe for the American school system, different types of organization and of curriculum are tried out.

The length of the school year varies among the states. Wide variations exists also in the length of the school day. A common practice is to have school in session from 9:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 1:00 to 3:30 in the afternoon, Monday through Friday. The school day for the lower grades is often from 30 minutes to an hour shorter. Most schools require some homework to be done by elementary pupils.

Questions:

What is the general pattern of education in the USA?
What are the variations of the traditional 8 – 4 plan?
When do children begin to go to school?
What is the length of the school year in the USA?
Which days of the week is school in session?

Text 2. School Curriculum

From Hawaii to Delaware, from Alaska to Louisiana, each of the 50 states in the USA has its own laws regulating education. From state to state some laws are similar, others are not. For example, all states require young people to attend school (the age limits vary: seven to sixteen, six to eighteen, etc.). Though there is no national curriculum in the united States, certain subjects are taught across the country. Almost every elementary school provides instruction in these subjects: mathematics, language arts(a subject that includes reading, grammar, composition and literature), penmanship, science, social studies (a subject that includes history, geography, citizenship and economics), music, art and physical education. In many elementary schools courses in the use of computers have been introduced. And in some cases, a foreign language is offered in the upper elementary school. Not all schools offer any foreign languages, if they do, if they do, it usually lasts for no longer than half a year. In general, it is not necessary to study a foreign language to get a high school diploma. But if one plans to enter a college or university, one should study a foreign language for no less than two years.

penmanship – каллиграфия, чистописание

citizenship - права и обязанности граждан

Questions:

Are the laws regulating education the same across the USA?
What are the subjects offered in elementary schools?
What courses have been introduced in elementary schools?
Is it necessary to study a foreign language to get a high school diploma in the USA?
How long should a student study a foreign language at high school before entering a college?

Text 3. Elementary Schools, High Schools and Institutions of Higher Learning

There are eight years of elementary schooling. The elementary school is followed by four years of secondary school, or high school. Often the last two years of elementary and the first years of secondary school are combined into a junior high school.

The school year is nine months in length, beginning early in September and continuing until about the first of June, with a vacation of week or two at Christmas time and sometimes a shorter one in spring. There are slight variations from place to place. Students enter the first grade at the age of six and attendance is compulsory in most states until the age of sixteen or until the student has finished the eighth grade.

The elementary schools tend to be small. The high schools are generally larger and accommodate pupils from four or five elementary schools. A small town generally has several elementary schools and one high school. In some rural communities the one-room country school house still exists. Here may be found from five to twenty-five pupils in grades one through eight, all taught by the same teacher.

Admission to the American high school is automatic on completion of the elementary school. During the four-year high school program the student studies four or five major subjects per year, and classes in each of these subjects meet for an hour a day, five days a week. In addition, the students usually has classes in physical education, music and art several times a week. If he fails a course, he repeats only that course and not the work of the entire year. Students must complete a certain number of courses in order to receive a diploma, or a certificate of graduation.

Institutions of higher learning supported by public funds are not absolutely free. The state colleges and universities charge a fee for tuition or registration. This fee is higher for those who come from outside the state. Working one’s way through college is common-place.

Usually there is no admission examination required by a state university for those who have finished high school within the state. Sometimes a certain pattern of high school studies is necessary, however, and some state universities require a certain scholastic average, or average of high school grades.

Private colleges and universities, especially the larger, well-known ones such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, have rigid scholastic requirements for entrance, including an examination.

It usually takes four years to meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. A Master of Art or Master of Science degree may be obtained in one or two additional years. The highest academic degree is the Doctor of Philosophy. It may take any number of years to complete the original research work necessary to obtain this degree.

Task 1. Find sentences that give the information about:

the school year;
a one-room country school house;
the subjects studied at high school;
fee for tuition;
academic degrees.

Task 2. Find sentences with the following words and phrases in the text and translate them into Russian:

vacation, attendance is compulsory, to accommodate, rural community, a one-room country school house, to be taught by the same teacher, admission to school, major subjects, to receive a diploma, a fee for tuition.

Questions:

When does the school year begin?
Are elementary schools big or small?
Do one-room country school houses still exist?
What does the curriculum in high school include?
Are there any admission exams required by universities?
Is higher education free of charge or fee-paying?
What academic degrees exist in the USA?

Text 4. Public Education: Historical Review

The history of education in the United States has certain peculiarities which are closely connected with the specific conditions of life in the New World and the history of the American society.

The early Colonies and different politics of education for the first white settler who came to the North America from Europe in the 17 th century brought with them he educational ideas of the time most typical of the countries they represented. In Virginia and South Carolina, for example, education was entirely private. The children of the rich either had tutors or were sent to Europe for schooling. Many of the children of poor parents had no education at all. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York many of the schools were set up and controlled by the church.

In Massachusetts, which was much more developed at that time, three educational principles were laid down: 1) the right of the State or Colony to require that its citizens be educated; 2) the right of the State to compel the local government decision such as towns and cities, to establish schools; and 3) the right of the local government to support these schools by taxation.

At the very beginning, school buildings were often rough shacks. They were poorly equipped with a few benches, a stove, and rarely enough textbooks. Discipline was harsh, and a corporal punishment was frequent.

The program of studies consisted largely of reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and Bible lessons. Since each community was responsible for solving its own educational problems, there was no attempt to find a common standard of excellence. Even the Constitution of the United States, ratified in 1789, contained no direct mention of education.

The schools of the early 1800s were not very different from those of the pre-revolutionary period. Some historians consider hat they actually deteriorated in the three or four decades following the American Revolution, for the new country turned its attention to the development of its land, cities, and political institutions.

And yet, in attempt to generate interests in education, a number of communities continued founding schools. Some classes were opened to children for secular instruction and a number of schools for poor children which were a forerunner of the public schools in several major cities. Some States tax-supported schools and urged their spread.

The purpose of the public or “common” schools was to teach the pupils the skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. No particular religion was to be taught.

By the mid-19 th century, the desire for free public education was widespread. But the States couldn’t find enough means for its financial support. It was during those years that communities began to support the schools within their boundaries. The States finally required local school districts to tax themselves for that purpose through the “real property” tax. This tax originated as financial support for public schools, and remain today the major financial resource for the public school system in the United States though it can no longer carry the entire burden.

Towards the second part of the 19 th century compulsory attendance laws came into effect, starting with Massachusetts in 1852 Now in most States the minimum age at which a pupil may leave school is sixteen; in five States seventeen; and in four States eighteen.

As has already been mentioned, education remains primarily a function of the States. Each State has a board of education, usually 3 to 9 members, serving mostly without pay. They are either elected by the public or appointed by the Governor. The board has an executive officer, usually called a State school superintendent or commissioner. In some cases he is elected; in others he is appointed by the board.

In theory, responsibility for operating the public educational system is local. Schools are under the jurisdiction of local school board, composed of citizens elected by residents of the school district. In fact, however, much local control has been superseded. State laws determine the length of the school year, the way in which teachers will be certified, and many of the courses which must be taught.

Though the Federal Government has no powers at all in the field of education, from time to time Congress passes different Acts which help to “assist in the expansion and improvement of educational programs to meet critical national needs”. Such Acts provide money for science, mathematics, and language instruction; for the purchase of laboratory equipment.

TASK 1.

Make up a list of words which can be joined under the headline “Education”. Give reasons for your choice.

TASK 2. Discussion.

Describe the development of education from the 17 th through the 19 th centuries.
State the role of the Church.
Comment on the three principles of education laid down in Massachusetts.
Express your attitude towards corporal punishment.
Tell the story of the “real property” tax.
Say how the public education system operates nowadays.

Text 5. Higher Education

There are about 3,000 colleges and universities, both private and public, in the United States. Students have to pay to go both private and State universities. Private universities are generally smaller but very expensive, which means that the tuition fees are extremely high. State colleges and universities are not that expensive, the tuition fees are usually lower, and if the students are State residents, they pay much less.

Every young person who enters a higher educational institution can get financial assistance. If a student is offered a loan, he should repay it (with interest) after he has left the college. Needy students are awarded grants which they do not have to repay. Scholarships are given when a student is doing exceptionally well at school.

American universities and colleges are usually built as a separate complex, called “campus”, with teaching blocks, libraries, dormitories, and many other facilities grouped together on one site, often on the outskirts of the city. Some universities are comprised of many campuses. The University of California, for example, has 9 campuses, the biggest being Berkeley (founded in 1868), San Francisco (1873), Los Angeles (1919), Santa Barbara (1944), Santa Cruz (1965).

All the universities are independent, offering their own choice of studies, setting their own admission standards and deciding which students meet their standards. The greater the prestige of the university, the higher the credits and grades required.

The terms “college” and “university” are often used interchangeably, as “college” is used to refer to all undergraduate education; and the our-year undergraduate program, leading to a bachelor’s degree, can be followed at either college or university. Universities tend to be larger than colleges and also have graduate schools where students can receive post-graduate education. Advanced or graduate university degrees include law and medicine.

Most colleges and universities undergraduate courses last for four years. During the first two years students usually follow general courses in the art or sciences and then choose a major – the subject or area of studies in which they concentrate. The other subjects are called minors. Credits (with grades) are awarded for the successful completion of each course. These credits are often transferable, so students ho have not done well in high school can choose a junior college (or community college), which offers a two-year “transfer” program preparing students for degree-granting institutions. Community colleges also offer two-year courses of vocational nature, leading to technical and semi-professional occupations, such as journalism.

There are no final examinations at colleges and universities, and students receive a degree if they have collected enough credits in a particular subject. The traditional degree which crowns the undergraduate course is that of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.C.) The lower level of graduate school is for obtaining the Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.C.), and the upper level is for the degree of a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Vocabulary

tuition fee плата за обучение

loan заем

interest зд. процент (с суммы взятой взаймы)

to repay возмещать, возвращать

needy нуждающийся

grant субсидия, дотация

scholarship стипендия

dormitory (dorm) студенческое общежитие

bachelor’s degree степень бакалавра

Bachelor of Arts бакалавр гуманитарных наук

Bachelor of Science бакалавр естественных наук

graduate school аспирантура

the arts гуманитарные науки

the science(s) естественные науки

major предмет специализации

“transfer” program подготовительный курс

Master’s Degree степень магистра наук

(M.A. or M.S.) (гуманитарных или естественных)

Doctor of Philosophy степень доктора наук

TASK 1. Agree or disagree with the following statements:

The system of university education in the US is centralized.
There is no difference between private and State universities.
A University course usually lasts for four years.
One can obtain a bachelor’s degree at any college or University.
There are no special advanced University degrees.
Any University has only one campus.
There are no colleges which offer “transfer” programs.
M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are research degrees.

TASK 2. Additional text. Read and translate without using the dictionary.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

Higher education began in the United States in 1636, when Harvard College was founded in Massachusetts. The aim was to train men for service in church and civil state. Yale College, Princeton University, Columbia University are the oldest and the most famous American higher educational institutions.

Now there are about 3,000 colleges and universities, both private and public, in the United States. Students have to pay to enter universities.

All the universities are independent, offering their own choice of studies, setting their own admission standards. Higher educational institutions usually are governed by a board of trustees.

A college grants a bachelor’s degree at the conclusion of studies.

A college prepares the student for either graduate study leading to master’s or doctor’s degree or a job immediately after graduation.

Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors

All students who have graduated from the senior class and who continue studying at a university are classified as graduate students. Scholarships are given when a student is doing exceptionally well at school.

American universities and colleges are usually built as a separate complex, called “campus”, with teaching blocks, libraries, dormitories, and many other facilities grouped together.

TASK 3. Discuss the following:

Different types of colleges and Universities.
The structure of American graduate school.
American and Russian Universities. (Pay special attention to the entrance standards and admission policies).

Text 6. World famous

The most famous American higher educational institutions that were already in operation during the early period came into being through the religious zeal and philanthropy of their founders.

Higher education began in the United States long time ago, when the Puritan leaders of the settlement called the Massachusetts Bay Colony founded in 1636 Harvard College (Massachusetts). Established by John Harvard, English clergyman, this college was to turn into the most famous of the American Universities.

The College of William and Mary (Virginia, 1693) was the second institution of higher education founded in the Colonies. In 1701 Connecticut Puritans established Yale College (Connecticut).

All these Colonial colleges which were gradually turned into Universities with classical education established a balance between the Humanities and Science. Their aim was to train men for service in church and civil state.

By the 1770s several more colleges had been opened: University of Pennsylvania (1740), Princeton University (1746), Washington and Lee University (1749), Columbia University (1754), Brown University (1764), Rutgers College (1766), Dartmouth College (1769).

Though the colleges in the first half of the 19 th century were numerous and widely scattered over the settled area, their enrollments were comparatively small. Since 1870s the colleges have developed enormously. Their resources have multiplied, the number of their students has increased by leaps and bounds, the program of studies has broadened and deepened, the standards have been raised, and the efficiency of the instruction has greatly increased. Rigidly prescribed courses of study have given way to elective courses.

In the course of time, when research centres and experiment stations were attached to the Universities, these institutions turned into the strongholds of science and higher education. They developed a unique, typically American structure unlike ant other existing University system in the world.

TASK 1 .

Give a review of University education in its historical development.

TASK 2.

Using the text and your background knowledge, describe one of the American Universities.

Text 7. Higher Educational Institutions

It has become common for the college program to be divided into broad fields, such as language and literature, the social science, the science and mathematics, and the fine arts. Many colleges require all freshmen and sophomores to take one or two full-year courses in each of three fields. Certain courses, such as English or history, may be required for all, with some election permitted in the other fields.

Higher educational institutions usually are governed by a board of regents or a board of trustees.

The executive head of a college or a university is usually called the president. The various colleges or schools which take up a university are headed by deans. Within a school or a college there may be departments according to subject matter fields, each of which may be headed by a chairman. Other members of the faculty hold academic ranks, such as instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Graduate students who give some part-time service may be designated as graduate assistants or fellows.

Professional education in fields such as agriculture, dentistry, law, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, teaching, etc. Is pursued in professional schools which may be part of a university or may be separate institutions which confine their instruction to a single profession. Often two, three, or four years of pre-professional liberal arts education are required before admission to a professional school. Three to five years of specialized training lead to professional degrees such as Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Law, etc.

Vocabulary

Freshman студент–первокурсник
Sophomore студент второго курса
graduate student аспирант
to govern управлять
regent член правления университета
a board of regents Совет управителей
a board of trustees Совет попечителей
executive head глава исполнительной власти
President of the University ректор университета
instructor = professor преподаватель
to pursue заниматься, преследовать цель

to confine ограничивать
to designate назначать (на должность)
liberal arts courses гуманитарные науки

university fellow стипендиат

TASK 1 . Look through the text and say which of its paragraphs gives information about:

professional education;
the broad fields into which the college education may be divided into;
the administration of a college.

TASK 2. Find answers to the following questions:

Which are the fields the college program is commonly divided into?
Which courses do many colleges require all freshmen and sophomores to take?
Who usually governs higher educational institutions?
Who is the executive head of a college or a university?
Who governs the department of a college or school?
Who are other members of the faculty?
How are graduate students who give some part-time service called?
What professional education fields can you name?
How many years of pre-professional liberal arts education are required?
How many years of specialized training are required for getting a degree?

Text 8. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

American colleges and universities are either public or private, that is, supported by public funds or supported privately by a church group or other groups acting as private citizens although under a state charter.

A public institution is owned and operated by a government, either a state or a municipal government. He government appropriates large sums of money for the institution’s expenses. Yet these sums are normally not sufficient to cover all expenses, and so the institution is partially dependent on student fees and on gifts.

A private institution receives no direct financial aid from any government, municipal, state or federal. The money used to pay the operating expenses has a threefold origin: tuition fees paid by the students, money given in the form of gifts for immediate use, and the income from invested capital in the possession of the institution and originally received by the institution in the form of the gifts to be invested with only the income to be spent.

Of the nation’s nearly 1,900 institutions of higher learning roughly one-third are state or city institutions. About 1,200 are privately controlled. Approximately 700 of these are controlled by religious groups. Less than half of these institutions are liberal art colleges and universities which stress the languages, history, science and philosophy. The rest are professional and technological schools and junior colleges.

A college is usually defined as an institution of higher learning which offers a course of instruction over a four-year period, and which grants a bachelor’s degree at the conclusion of studies. As part of university, a college graduate is distinguished from a graduate of professional school. However, the professional schools in some universities are called colleges.

A college prepares the student for two things: either graduate study leading to master’s or doctor’s degree or a job immediately after graduation. A student who majors in business administration for example, may be fully prepared for a career in business when he has finished college.

On the other hand, a student majoring in psychology often must do a great deal of graduate work before he is competent in this field.

Students are classified as freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. A freshman is a first year student, a sophomore, a second year student, a junior, a third year student, and a senior, a fourth year student. All students who have graduated from the senior class and who continue studying at a university are classified as advanced students or graduate students. Some graduate students receive grants which cover the cost of their education; a person on such a fellowship is called a university fellow.

TASK 1. Skim through the text and say which of its paragraphs gives information about:

classification of students;
what is a college;
what a college prepares the student for;
what is a public institution;
what is a private institution.

TASK 2.

Say what information given in the text specifies the old facts you knew.
Say which facts given in the text were new for you.

TASK 3. A dditional text . Read the text (using the dictionary if necessary) and find the information about:

social origin of drop-outs;
the reasons which keep the people out of college in the USA;
courses of study which have a lower pay-off in the job market in the USA.

Colleges Which are as Different as Geese Are Different From Swans

Entering a college does not mean much in itself. What is meaningful is how long students stay and what college they enter. Many people enter a college, take one or two courses, and drop out.

More than half of al students who enter colleges drop out before graduation. The drop-outs are more often from middle class than upper America, and more often from blue-collar than from professional families. It is the college degree that really counts in the world of work and income. Anything less than a degree is not much better than high school graduation. Students enter colleges that are different as geese from swans. In the range are Negro junior college of Natchez, say, and Harvard. Again: in the world of work and income, the difference is huge.

High costs, high admission standards, the need to work – all conspires to keep the sons of middle America out of college. Seldom will they enter a first-rate university, except on an athletic scholarship. At best, they go to a junior college or perhaps even a state college.

Middle Americans are more often part-time students than the affluent (=rich ones). Many must limit their college work to an occasional course in the evening. They usually enter a course of study that has a low pay-off in the job market – such as teaching, social work, nursing, etc.

Nationally, only about one of four boys go to college after the high school classes. According to the National Science Foundation, the main reason the other three do not attend is inadequate financial resources.

Text 9. TEACHING PROFESSION IN THE USA

Requirements for teachers’ certificate vary among 50 states. Usually the state department of education, or a state certificate board, issues certificates which permit teachers to be employed within the state. Forty-four of the 50 states require at least the completion of a four-year course, with the bachelor’s degree, as a minimum for high school teaching: the tendency to require a fifth year beyond the bachelor’s degree is increasing. Graduation from a two-year normal school or at least two years of college education is the minimum requirement for elementary teaching in 36 states; others demand the completion of a four-year course and the bachelor’s degree.

Because of the decentralization of school control in the USA teachers are employed by local districts rather than by the national government. The American teacher does not have the absolute security of tenure which the French or Australian teachers enjoys. A high proportion of the teaching force are women.

The teacher-training institutions have not been able to provide sufficient numbers of fully trained teachers to replace those retiring and dropping out of the profession and at the same time to meet the requirements for new classes each year. The problem of recruiting and supply of teachers remains a serious one. In general the problem of shortage of teachers has not been met by lowering certificate standards.

requirement – требование

certificate board – аттестационная комиссия

normal school – педагогическое училище

security of tenure [ ′tenju∂] – сохранность рабочего места

shortage – нехватка

to be in force – являться действительным

TASK 1. Answer the questions:

Are the requirements for teachers the same or are they different among the 50 states?
Who usually issues certificates for teaching?
What is the minimum requirement for the teacher of high school?
What is the minimum requirement for elementary teaching?
How does the decentralization of school control concern employment of teachers?
Does the American teachers enjoy the absolute security of tenure?
Are the more men or women teachers in the USA?
Which are the major problems in the teaching profession in the USA?
Are teachers’ certificates in force throughout the country or only within a given state?
Why were certification standards lowered?

REVISION

TASK 1. Check up your knowing of the subject answering the following questions:

Is public education in the USA centralized?
Is there a unified system of education in the USA?
At what age do children begin to attend school in the USA?
What is a high school in the USA?
What is an elementary school in the USA?
If a person studies at a state university or college, does it mean that his education is absolutely free or does he still pay tuition fee?
Is tuition fee the same for those who live in the state and for those who come from outside the state?
Do private colleges and universities require an admission examination?
Do private colleges and universities have rigid scholastic requirements for entrance?
What is the duration of a school year in the USA?
Which are the best higher educational institutions in the USA, are they private or public?
What is the classification of the first-, second-, third- and fourth-year students in the USA?

TASK 2. TALKING POINTS

The pattern of education in the USA and in Russia.
Teaching profession in the USA and in Russia.
Higher educational institutions in the USA, public and private, the quality of education in them.
History of establishing some of the colleges in the USA.
Elementary and high school in the USA.
The system of pre-school, school and higher education in Russia.
Types of schools in the USA and differences between them.

The US educational system is much decentralized and schools vary greatly from state to state. There are three levels of subsidizing of education: federal, state and local. They subsidize 3-5 per cent on a federal level, around 20 per cent on a state level and 70-80 per cent on a local level.

There are 15,000 school districts which are different in size. A school district is governed by the Board of Education/School Board/School Council which is elected every two years by the residents of the school district. Members of school boards perform their responsibilities on a volunteer basis, that means they do not get any salaries. They are to define the policies for the administration of the school district. Teachers, in turn, decide about the program and approaches of teaching.

Every resident pays a school tax to the school district he/she lives in, no matter he/she has school children or not. School education in the United States is free and parents are free to choose a school for their children. But if parents send their child to a school of another school district they have to pay the sum equivalent to the school tax directly to the school the child goes to.

There are also a lot of private schools, mainly religious, and parents have to pay for them. The cost is $ 5,000 - $ 10,000 a year.

There is no home education in the United States. Each invalid is supposed to attend school. School provides all the necessary conditions for them to study.

The school system structure in the United States looks like this. Children start going to school at the age of five. First they go to eight-year elementary school and then to high school or if they go to five- or six-year elementary school, they then attend three- or four-year middle school, and then high school. Teenagers study at high school four years and graduate from it at the age of eighteen. Members of each grade in high school have special names:

A ninth grader is called a Freshman,
- a tenth grader - a Sophomore,
- an eleventh grader - a Junior,
- a twelfth grader - a Senior.

The completion of high school is called graduation. In order to graduate, students must accumulate a certain amount of credits during their four years at school. Credits are points given for every subject that is passed successfully. In addition to that, students must successfully complete specific subjects required by the state or local educational authorities, such as US history, English, mathematics and physical education. This may vary from state to state.

Over 60% of school graduates continue their education in two- or four-year colleges or universities. At least 10% of high school students are allowed to finish school at the age of 16.

A school year starts at the beginning of September or at the end of August and ends in late June or early July, just before the Independence Day, and is divided into three terms/trimesters or four quarters. School children have winter and spring breaks for two or three weeks and summer vacation for six up to eight weeks.

There is a great variety of Saturday, Sunday, vocational and other schools. The most popular one is summer school. It is for students who want to get a deeper knowledge in a particular subject, or to skip a year, or just fail their examinations. It lasts six weeks and parents have to pay for it.

Students go to school five days a week. They get to and from school by a school bus. A typical school day in America starts at 7.30 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance in which the US flag and the whole nation is glorified. Then follows the homeroom period during which a homeroom teacher calls the roll and the principal makes his/her announcements over the intercom. Every day students usually have seven periods which last 50-55, sometimes 45 minutes. In some schools there are four periods lasting 90 minutes. There are 2-5 minute passing between periods and a break of 30 minutes for lunch.

American schools today house a large number of students but making friends can be difficult, as the same group of students does not attend all the classes. In order to encourage meeting and knowing a broader population at school, special emphasis is placed on so-called extracurricular activities where interests, rather than academic ability, bring students together.

Extracurricular activities are the many club meetings, music or drama rehearsals, and sport practice sessions that take place in American high school in the afternoon after classes. These meetings are a very important part of high school life, since they are a link between different groups of students who are placed in various academic programs. Students who usually would not meet in the classroom get to know each other in areas of common interest. They give students the opportunity to further their specific interests in various fields and to spend their free time together.

Even though they are not mandatory, many students get involved in different extracurricular activities. Since students spend a lot of time participating in various activities, school becomes the center of social life for students. They not only go to school to study the material presented in class, but they also meet together to socialize and to pursue their interests.

Other important activities in American high school are sports teams. Most schools offer a variety of teams for both boys and girls. American football, basketball and base-ball are played in the majority of schools. In addition, one may find tennis, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, golf, volleyball, cross-country, and track and field teams, depending again on the size and financial resources of the school. Soccer is also growing in popularity.

Usually schools have varsity teams, which complete with other schools and which have very intensive training, and intramural teams, which play other teams within the school itself. In most schools, there is a great deal of competition between students to join the varsity team. There often are schools regulations that make it difficult for new students to join. On the intramural teams most students are welcome to participate.

In many schools girls have fewer possibilities than boys. Smaller schools may not have some of the above-mentioned teams for girls. But a special group of girls and boys play an important part at the football and basketball games. They are called cheerleaders and they lead the crowd in cheers for their team.

In addition to clubs and sports teams, one will find the Student Council and the class officer meetings. Students are elected by their school and classmates to represent them in these bodies and to organize activities for their school.

U.S. colleges and universities offer a vide variety of programs ranging from highly academic courses to very practical ones. Students can be educated not only for academic professions, but also for technical professions, such as mechanics, nursing, medical technology, computer technology and book-keeping.

In universities young people study four years to get bachelor"s degree. If one wants to get master"s degree he/she must study two years more and do a research work. If one has master"s degree, studies more, does a research work and passes an oral, comprehensive examination he/she gets doctor"s degree (PhD).

System of Higher Education in the USA

‘Americans regard education as the means by which the inequalities among individuals are to be erased and by which every desirable end is to be achieved.»
George S. Counts

Types of educational institutions. Basic subjects, grades, exams, certificates.

Education in the United States comprises three levels: elementary, secondary and higher education. There are two types of educational institutions — private and state. State institutions are called public schools, they are open to all classes and financed by taxes collected from all citi-zens. Americans view their public school system as an educational ladder, rising from secondary school to university programs. ! Kids start school by going to kindergartens at the age of 6, which is often a part of grade schools (each year of study is called a grade). First six years are elementary school, then come junior high (grades 7 -8) and high school (grades 9-12).

Most pupils follow a course that includes basic subjects — English, science and mathematics, social sciences and physical education — as well as elective subjects for high school students who plan their careers and select subjects that will be useful in their chosen work — foreign languages, fine arts, advanced mathematics and science, and vocational training.

Students usually receive grades from A (excellent) to F (failing) in each course they take on the basis of performance in tests given throughout the year, participation in class discussions and completion of written and oral assignments. End-of-the-year examinations are given in many schools, but it’s not a must.

Sometime during grade school students are given an IQ test (an Intelligence Quotient test). It is not a test of their knowledge, but of their ability to think. The results (scores) from these tests are known only by the teachers, and not by the students or their parents. If you have a high IQ score the teachers expect more of you, and give you more interesting work to do. At the same time, you could have a bad IQ score and be quite bright because the tests aren’t perfect and often fail to bring out your best abilities.

Though there is no separate educational system for the wealthy, there have always been private schools at all levels which are not supported primarily by public funds and charge fees. The organization and curriculum of private schools and colleges are similar to those of public schools but the administration differs. Private schools are usually smaller, some are open to all classes and some are not. The latter are elite private schools which serve mainly upper-class chil-dren. The tuition costs are so high that only wealthiest families can afford. Many private schools are boarding schools where kids often stay at school and don’t go home after classes, so their parents have to pay not only for better training but for their rooms and food as well. Some schools are single-sex, whereas most public schools are coeducational (coed). Private high schools are sometimes called prep schools, that is, preparatory schools, meaning preparation for college.
Most young Americans graduate from school with a high school diploma upon satisfactory completion of a specified number of courses. Each student is given a high school transcript which summarizes the courses taken and the grades obtained. That is the end of mandatory free public education, however, some students drop out of school and never graduate). At that point young people have to decide whether they want to continue their education or whether they want to seek employment. Overlialf of the students enter institutions of higher education, others may get further education at special colleges. It is mainly vocational, and leads to a certificate, or a diploma, not a degree. Courses vary in length — from a few months to two years. There are full-time, part-time and sandwich courses, that is, courses where periods of full-time study alternate with periods of full-time work, usually in industry.

Перевод текста (через Promt):

Система Высшего образования в США

‘Американцы рассматривают образование как средства, которыми должны быть стерты неравенства среди людей и которым каждый желательный конец должен быть достигнут.»
Джордж S. Counts

Типы образовательных учреждений. Основные предметы, сорта, экзамены, свидетельства.

Образование в Соединенных Штатах включает три уровня: элементарное, среднее и высшее образование. Есть два типа образовательных учреждений — частные и государственные. Государственные учреждения называют общественными школами, они открыты для всех классов и финансируются налогами, взимаемыми от всех граждан. Американцы рассматривают свою государственную школьную систему как образовательную лестницу, повышающуюся от средней школы до университетских программ. Дети начинают школу, идя в детские сады в возрасте 6 лет, которые часто является частью начальных школ (каждый год обучения называется классом). Первые шесть лет — начальная школа, затем следует младшие высшие (классы 7-8) и средняя школа (классы 9-12).

Большинство учеников следует за курсом, который включает основные предметы — английский язык, наука и математика, общественные науки и физкультура — так же как выборочные предметы для студентов средней школы, которые планируют карьеру и выбирают предметы, которые будут полезны в их выбранной работе — иностранные языки, искусства, продвинутую математику и науку, и профессиональное обучение.

Студенты обычно получают оценку от A (превосходно) до F (плохо) в каждом курсе, котором они берут на основе успеваемости в тестах в течение года, участия в обсуждениях класса и завершении письменных и устных назначений. Экспертизы конца года даны во многих школах, но это не обязательно.

Иногда во время начальной школы студентам дают IQ тест (тест Коэффициента умственного развития). Это не тест их знания, но их способности думать. Результаты (баллы) этих тестов известны только учителями, а не студентам или их родителям. Если у Вас есть высокий IQ балл, учителя ожидают больше от Вас, и дают Вам более интересную работу. В то же самое время, Вы могли иметь плохой балл IQ и быть весьма умным, потому что тесты не идеальны и часто не в состоянии показать Ваши лучшие способности.

Хотя нет никакой отдельной образовательной системы для богатых, всегда были частные школы на всех уровнях, которые не поддерживаются прежде всего общественными фондами и берут плату. Организация и учебный план частных школ и колледжей подобны таковым из общественных школ, но администрация отличается. Частные школы обычно меньше, некоторые открыты для всех классов, а некоторые нет. Последние — элитные частные школы, которые служат главным образом детям высшего сословия. Затраты за обучение настолько высоки, что только самые богатые семьи могут позволить себе это. Много частных школ — школы — интернаты, где дети часто остаются в школе и не идут домой после классов, таким образом их родители должны заплатить не только за лучшее обучение, но и за их комнаты и пищу также. Некоторые школы являются однополыми, тогда как большинство общественных школ является относящимся к совместному обучению. Частные средние школы иногда называют подготовительными школами, то есть, предварительными школами, подразумевая подготовку к колледжу.
Самые молодые американцы заканчивают школу с дипломом средней школы после удовлетворительного завершения конкретного количества курсов. Каждому студенту дают расшифровку стенограммы средней школы, которая суммирует взятые курсы и полученные оценки. Это конец принудительного бесплатного общественного образования, однако, некоторые студенты заканчивают школу и никогда не получают высшее образование). В том случае молодые люди должны решить, хотят ли они продолжить их образование или хотят ли они искать работу. Более чем половина студентов входят в учреждения высшего образования, другие могут получить дальнейшее образование в специальных колледжах. Это является главным образом профессионально-техническим, и приводит к свидетельству, или диплому, но не степени. Курсы изменяются по длине — от нескольких месяцев до двух лет. Есть полный рабочий день, неполный рабочий день и кусочные курсы, то есть, курсы, где периоды полностью занятого обучения чередуются с периодами полностью занятой работы, обычно в промышленности.