My School

Why doesn´t Bob think much of Professor Ivanov´s lectures?

What does Professor Ivanov overload his lecture with, in the boy´s opinion?

Why does Bob think Professor Ivanov does not give any general overview in his lectures?

Why does Alec think Bob is exaggerating?

Do you think future specialists must know a lot of detail about their future speciality? Why? 

Exercise 3.1.2 Acting the scene. Characters: Helen and Mary are talking about their lectures on thermodynamics. You may use the following words and expressions:

What do you think of Professor B.´s course?; a brilliant speaker; to engage one´s interest; instructive; I quite agree with you; I don´t think much of it; he´s not much of a speaker; no general overview; to overload one´s lectures with detail; minute details; a load of detail and terms; over-detailed; to exaggerate. 

Exercise 3.1.3 Multiple-choice questions. Choose the best answer and comment on it.

1. The professor speaks (from notes, from a written lecture, from memory). 2. Lecture courses are valuable because the professors who teach them are (specialists in their fields, great enthusiasts, real orators). 3. Recitation classes are usually (rather small, quite large, very small). 

3.2 Congratulations 

Mary: You look happy today!

Peter: I am happy. I have just passed my Chemistry exam.

Mary: Congratulations! I´m glad somebody´s happy.

Peter: Why? What´s the matter?

Mary: Oh, I´m just worried, I guess. I have to take a history exam next week.

Peter:Oh, come on, you are always worried about your exams, but you get only

fives, as far as I know. You´ve passed some exams already, haven´t you?

Mary: Yes, I´ve passed my French exam.

Peter: Oh, I give up. I simply can´t learn French.

Mary: Why do you say that? I think you're making a lot of progress.

Peter: No, I´m not. I try and try and I still can´t speak it well.

Mary: Learning any languages takes a lot of effort. But don´t give up. Why don´t

we practise those dialogues together?

Peter: Good idea. That just might help. 

Exercise 3.2.1. Answer the questions.

Who looks happy? Why?

Who congratulates Peter?

Why is Mary worried?

What exam has Mary already passed?

Why does Peter say he can´t learn French?

What does Mary think about Peter´s progress in French?

What does Mary offer?

Do you agree that learning a language takes a lot of effort? 

Exercise 3.2.2 Acting the scene. Characters: Lisa and Bob. She has just passed her physics examination. Bob congratulates her. 

Exercise 3.2.3 Is it necessary for a future engineer to study a foreign language? Read pros and cons given below. Think of some more which are important in your opinion.

For

Against 

Can read foreign scientific journals as soon as they are published.

Can speak to foreign colleagues if necessary.

Can read foreign books.

It´s interesting to speak another language to people.

Can find out more about the world.

It takes a lot of time to study it.

Sometimes the results are rather poor.

Can wait till interesting articles are translated into your native language.

Can turn to a translator if it is necessary.

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_А__> -_ __>_-_____>_- 8--’_>_>H_> > Yes, I agree (with you); That´s true; I think so too; You are quite right.

To disagree with somebody: On the other hand; I don´t agree (with you); It´s not (entirely) true; I don´t think so. 

3.3 In a Coffee Bar 

Paul: Excuse me, is anybody sitting here?

Ann: No, no. Oh! I´ll just move my bag.

Paul: Thanks a lot. And could you tell me the time? I am afraid I may be late for my English lesson.

Ann: I hope we have some minutes left.

Paul: That´s fine. Are you a first-year student? I think we´ve met before. I´m Paul. I think we live in the same dormitory.

Ann: Yes, you´re right. My name is Ann. I am from Saratov.

Paul: Pleased to meet you. The bell´s ringing! I hope to see you in our video-club in the evening. A new film is on. See you later.

Ann: So long. 

Exercise 3.3.1 You are going to find out as much as you can about your groupmates. Think of the questions you would like to ask them (their family, native town, favourite subjects at school and at the university, hobbies, sports, TV, cinema, books; friends, future plans, etc.) 

Exercise 3.3.2 When everyone has finished tell the whole class the most interesting things you have found out about your partner. 

Exercise 3.3.3 Acting the scene. Introduce yourself and try to find out as much as you can about your groupmate. (Let me introduce myself. I am…) 

3.4 Choosing a department

Exercise 3.4.1 Your friend is 20 years old. He left a technical college, so he has got a secondary education and the occupation of a car mechanic. A month ago he got married and his wife works in a kindergarten.  He is eager to become an engineer but he can´t make up his mind what department to choose: day-time or evening. Help him to solve this problem. Give your reasons. 

Exercise 3.4.2 Your friend has already made up a list of pros and cons. Look through it and think of some more.

Day-time institute

Evening institute 

For

For 

a lot of time to take part in experimental work (in the labs, shops…);

the opportunity of self-study with the help of qualified teachers;

time to take part in sport activities.

some experience combining work and study;

the possibility to get a salary enough for a growing family;

prospects of promotion. 

Against

Against 

the grants are not enough for a growing family;

too many subjects to study.     

the course is a year longer;

rather tired after a day of work. 
 

Exercise 3.4.3 Discuss the problem in groups of 3-5 students in order to make a decision. 

4. Moscow University 

Moscow University itself is like a town. In it are all the services you require from a polyclinic to a newspaper stall, including chemist's, shoe repairer's, photographers, post-office, hair-dresser's, canteens, food shops, etc.

Each student has his own study/bedroom complete with a divan, a desk, a table, a bookshelf, a cupboard, a built-in wardrobe and a radio speaker. The rooms are arranged in pairs which share a common vestibule with a bathroom on one side and a toilet on the other. Along the corridor there is a television room with a piano, a common kitchen and a sort of gathering place around the phone that  serves the floor.

As a part of University there is a special cultural section – a House of Culture. This puts on lots of concerts, meetings, recitals and films. There is a  film nearly every night of the week and often the university gets films earlier than other cinemas.

The sport facilities in the university are very good. There are two large gymnasiums, and besides them there is a large natural skating-rink which in summer becomes a basket-ball and tennis courts. The university has its own indoor swimming pool too.

The university has two main libraries. They are light and comfortable to work in. 

      Exercise 4.1. Answer the questions.

What furniture is there in each room of the university dormitory?

What common rooms do we find on every floor?

Why is the University itself like a town?

What services does a student find in it?

Where can a student rest?

What does the University House of Culture put on?

What sport facilities do the students have at their disposal?

How many main libraries does the university have? 

Exercise 4.2. In not more than 100-150 words describe the building of your university, your dormitory, libraries and sport facilities. 

5. Choosing a Career 

Young people in our country are encouraged to choose their own careers (professions) according to their personal abilities and interests. They are given all sorts of facilities. Usually personal qualities show up at school and teachers should guide and encourage the young people to take up the careers for which they are best suited.

Apart from the academic careers in science, medicine, law and the arts, more and more boys and girls go in for special training in the trades and the professions and take up a career seriously. They can apply to a vocational school, a technical or a polytechnic college.

Our country needs skilled specialists in all kind of trades. Young people should be encouraged to see the value of all trades, crafts and professions and to take upon the career they have chosen with interest and pride. 

Exercise 5.1. Answer the questions.

When do young people in our country start choosing their career?

When do personal qualities of children show up?

What jobs do boys and girls take up when they leave school?

Why did you choose your speciality? 

Exercise 5.2. In not more than 100 words describe the career opportunities open to young people in Russia. 

Exercise 5.3. Acting the scene. Characters: two schoolgirls / schoolboys are talking about choosing a career. You may use the following words and expressions:

Career; to give it much thought; to have something in mind; many professions are open to; would you like to be a ...?; I´d love to; I should … if I were you; a highly competitive career; you shouldn´t waste any time getting started. 

Exercise 5.4. You know some professions are usually preferred by women, some by men. Some people think that there are some professions, which are only for men or for women. Do you agree that nowadays there are women´s and men´s professions? 

Exercise 5.5. Look through the following list of professions. Which of them would you recommend for girls and which of them for boys? Why?

a plumber; a fireman; an officer; a doctor; a cook; a poet; a pilot; a butcher; a book-keeper; a shop-assistant; a postman; a nurse; a secretary; an engineer; a teacher; a pianist. 

Exercise 5.6. Read the following arguments which the supporters of opposite points of view have. Think of some more.

There are some women´s and men´s professions: 

For

Against 

Some professions are dangerous for women´s health.

Some people think that some jobs only women can do well (a nurse, a teacher, etc.), some only men can do well (a spaceman, a captain of a ship, etc.).

Some professions don´t allow women to combine it with looking after children.

All the people are equal so both men and women have equal rights to choose a profession.

Having both men and women of one profession gives good results.

Women are as clever as men. 
 

Exercise 5.7. Discuss the problem in groups of 3-5 students to make a decision. Give your reasons. 

6. Questions on the topic 

      6.1. When did you enter the University? Who was the first to congratulate you on this event? Was it difficult to realize your dream – to become a student of the faculty chosen? If so, why?

6.2. What entrance exams to the University did you take? Were they oral or written exams? Which examination turned out to be the most difficult exam of all for you? Why?

6.3. What is your purpose in learning English? Have you a good knowledge of English? Which aspect do you find the most difficult one? What should you do to acquire a good knowledge of English? 

7. Asking questions on the topic 

7.1. Imagine that a Russian student is asking a student of Oxford University about the system of higher education in Great Britain. What questions would the student ask?

7.2. Imagine that you´re discussing some course of lectures with a friend of yours. You highly appreciate them; your friend criticizes the lectures. What would you both say?

7.3. You´re talking to a student of a university about the university, his department, his studies, his future profession. What questions would you ask him?

7.4. Imagine that you're discussing the problem of choosing a career or your future profession with a student from some country. You also want to know whether there is equality of men and women in choosing a profession in his country. What questions would you ask him? 

8. Talking points 

Our examination session is not a holiday time.

Learning a foreign language takes a lot of efforts.

Choosing a career for life is not a simple problem.

Some people say we can be too old to learn certain things. Do you agree with it?

What do you think is more difficult – learning or teaching? 

Higher education in the U.S. 

Higher education refers to education at a university or college. A college may be an independent institution or a part of a university; e.g., some universities have a college of engineering, college of liberal arts, etc. Some students attend a community  college / junior college [a two-year government-supported college that usually offers technical and vocational studies]. School usually means K-12 [kindergarten through high school], but it can also mean university or college, e.g., "Where did you go to school?" "Harvard." We also say graduate school. College frequently means either university or college, e.g., "My son is in college." 

If you go to a state college or a community college, the tuition [the money you pay for courses] is lower than at a private institution. Some students get [receive] a scholarship [money to pay all or part of the tuition]. Students at a university are called undergraduates while they are studying for their first degree [the qualification when you complete university/college requirements successfully]. It can be a B.A. [Bachelor of Arts] or a B.S. [Bachelor of Science] at four-year institutions, or an associate degree after two years at a community/junior college. 

Subjects

You usually take/study these subjects at a university or college but not usually in high school or in the lower grades. (Note: The underlined letters show the syllable with the main stress.)

agriculture       business       history of art / art history  political science

anthropology      education      hotel  administration          psychology

architecture      engineering    philosophy                    sociology

The main subject that a student takes at college is his/her major. We can also say:

"Chris is majoring in psychology." 

Postgraduate courses

When  you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. Some students then go on to do/take a second degree (postgraduate degree). They are then postgraduates / graduate students. Some of the possible postgraduate degrees include M.A. (Master of Arts) or M.S. (Master of Science), and Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), the most advanced degree. When people study one subject in great detail (often to find new information), we say they are conducting/doing research; e.g., "I'm doing research into/on the languages of African tribes." [not "I'm doing a research."]