Образование в Беларуси на английском языке

     В. Coming to conclusions 

     I didn't actually know where you were staying, but Mark said you were with a relative. So I put two and two together and guessed it was that aunt of yours, [concluded from the facts I knew]

     I'm sorry, I got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick. I thought you were complaining about something, [came to the wrong conclusion] 

                                                        

                                           ‘I think he's got hold of the wrong end of the stick.' 

     2. Correct mistakes in these idioms. 

1) I don't have even a faint idea where he is today; you'll have to ask somebody else.

2) The title of the CD has familiar rings to it, but I don't think I've ever heard it.

3) My cousin knows the tax laws outside and in, so if you want advice on your tax, he'll help you.

4) I can't for life think what it was I came into the kitchen for.

5) I saw Tom and Lily together in a restaurant looking adoringly into each other's eyes. I added up two and two, and decided they must be madly in love. 

     3. Use the corrected idioms from exercise 2 to rewrite the underlined parts of this paragraph. Use each idiom once only. 

     I always thought I knew my computer in every detail, but the other day it started to crash every time I opened a certain program. I could not in any way understand why it was doing this, and I didn't have any idea at all about what to do to fix it. I rang the helpline which I had used in the past, and after about 20 minutes I spoke to someone who said his name was Patrick, and that he was there to help me. He gave me some advice which sounded quite familiar to me from previous calls I had made to the same helpline. I thought about all this, put the facts together, and concluded that they give the same advice to everybody, and that it's just a way of getting rid of you. The computer still crashes every time I open the program. 

     4. Write sentences that mean the opposite of these sentences. Use appropriate idioms and make any other necessary changes.

1) Yes, that name is very familiar to me. I think I've met her several times.

2) I'm really up to date with TV soap operas these days. I watch them every day.

3) She knows absolutely nothing when it comes to the history of this area.

4) I correctly interpreted what she was trying to tell me and it solved a big problem.

5) No, sorry, her name means nothing to me. I may have met her, I just can't remember. 

     5. Complete each sentence with a different idiom which refers to 'not knowing'. 

1) I.............................how to use the photocopier. Do you think you could help me? (weakest of the three)

2) I   ...........................where I left that letter I brought for you. I'm really sorry, (stronger than 1)

3) I   ..............................what she's talking about. She's crazy! (even stronger than 2) 

     SPEAKING 

     1. Imagine a friend is going away to University. Give him or her some advice by completing these sentences. The first one has been done as an example: 

1) In the first week, go to all the meetings to … (get to know other students).

2) When you meet the staff, ask lots of questions to …

3) Go for a walk around the university campus, so …

4) Find out what your timetable is, so as not to …

5) Make lots of notes in every lecture, so that …

6) Do as much work as you can now in case …

7) Buy all the recommended books straight away in case … 

     2. a) Read the dialogue. Make up 10 questions and answer them. 

     A college instructor from abroad is interested in the training and employment of Belarusian school leavers.

     College instructor. How do you cope with the army of young people who leave your secondary schools?

     Correspondent: Thousands of higher, special secondary and vocational schools, plants, construction sites, collective farms in all parts of the country are always eager to receive the young people. There is a suitable place for every school leaver.

     College instructor: Are there any changes in the admittance rules and the programme of entrance examinations in connection with the increased number of school leavers wishing to attend higher school?

     Correspondent: There are no particular changes. The only criterion for admittance to higher and special secondary schools is knowledge and ability. The majority of students receive a monthly state scholarship. If the student comes from another town or from a village, he is given a place in a hostel. There are many opportunities for every leaver to find work or continue to study.

     b) Dramatize the dialogue with a partner. Make up your own dialogue about your University. 

     3. Suggested topics for conversation: 

1) Education in Belarus. BSEU. (A dialogue between a Russian and an English student)

2) Your first day at the University.

3) The examination you have failed at.

4) Your favourite lecturer. 

WRITING 

     1. You are members of the University Council. You’ve worked out new University Rules for students and for teachers. Suggest and write down a set of sensible rules. These modal expressions are sure to help you:

     Should (not)…, be (not) allowed to …, be (not) supposed to …

      

                Do & Don’t                      Do & Don’t

                for students                       for teachers 

     2. Read the text, single out the main facts from it and present your summary in English.

     Meждународные связи

     Международная деятельность является неотъемлемой составляющей жизни БГЭУ и строится по следующим  основным направлениям:

• прием на учебу иностранных граждан на контрактной основе и в рамках двусторонних межправительственных соглашений;
• двустороннее академическое сотрудничество с зарубежными университетами и фондами;
• работа в рамках международных академических проектов/программ с зарубежными университетами и организациями;
• рекламная работа по привлечению иностранных граждан на учебу и стажировку в БГЭУ;
• анализ международной информации, поступающей через электронную почту, Интернет и поиски новых партнеров для реализации совместных академических проектов.

     Международная деятельность университета направлена на развитие международных связей, содействующих модернизации образования, становлению вузовской науки, освоению мирового опыта в сфере высшего образования, привлечению иностранных инвестиций и расширению экспорта образовательных услуг.

     Свыше 30 лет БГЭУ осуществляет подготовку специалистов из-за рубежа. В университете обучается около 500 иностранных граждан из 22 стран Азии, Африки, Ближнего Востока, Европы, Балтии и СНГ. В последние годы это число постоянно увеличивается на 80-100 человек. В свою очередь, наши студенты, аспиранты и преподаватели направляются на учебу и стажировку в Китай, Францию, Германию, Италию, США.

     Университетом подписаны двусторонние соглашения об академическом сотрудничестве в  области образования более чем  с 70 зарубежными вузами и научными организациями из 17 стран мира. Это направление деятельности БГЭУ постоянно укрепляется и расширяется. Сегодня Белорусский государственный экономический университет является членом ряда международных ассоциаций и объединений. 
 

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

     Text 1 University Degrees

 

     A university or college awards a degree to a person who has completed a required course of study. The institution presents the degree in the form of a diploma, a document which certifies the award. The basic kinds of degrees are called bachelor, master, and doctor. An honorary degree may be awarded for an outstanding contribution in a certain field.

     Most students wishing to take a degree course seek entrance to a university. In some countries students can take degree courses as external students, through correspondence and television courses.

     Most universities require a good pass in the final secondary school examination, and competition is keen for entry into such faculties as medicine and law. If possibly, a student planning to study in a university should seek information two years before completing a secondary school course. This will permit a choice of subjects appropriate for the intended course.

     First degrees. First degrees are generally called bachelor's degrees. They include the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BSc). The BA is given for such subjects as history, literature, line arts, and, in some universities, for science. The BSc is given for science, engineering, and economics. Law students receive the Bachelor of Laws (LIB) in some universities, and the BA in others.

     Until the late 1950's, students could take only two main types of the course: a general, or pass, course, or a special, or honours, course. Many universities still offer such courses, which last for three years. Students following the general course take three or four related subjects. Those taking the special course generally study one subject. The general courses were designed for students who wished to have general knowledge of a group of related subjects, such as science. The special courses were intended for those who wished to specialize in a specific subject, such as chemistry.

     Some newer universities have tried to avoid rather narrow training provided by the special courses. They plan their studies so that all students follow the same broad course in the first year, and then study at least one science and one arts subject for another three years. Students do not specialize until the second year at the earliest. They may also study both scientific and non-scientific subjects, because the division into families common in many universities, has been abandoned.

     In non-English-speaking countries, there is no standard name for the first degree. In France, the first degree is called the licencie es lettres. In Germany, it is called the staatsexamen. In Sweden, it is called the filosofie kandidatexamen (FK). The Italian Laurea takes the place of the first and second degrees in other countries. In Japan, the bachelor's degree is called gakushi. It is awarded after four years of study. In the countries of the former Soviet Union, students receive a diploma after studying for four or five years. The Candidate of Science degree is equivalent to a PhD.

     Graduation. When the student has passed a final examination, he or she is qualified to receive a degree. But students cannot use the letters BA, BSc, and so on, until they have been formally admitted to the degree. This process is called graduation, and at a university or similar institution it is a dignified ceremony. For many students, the first degree marks the end of their university education.

     Higher degrees. In most universities, students must complete one or two years of advanced study beyond the first degree to obtain a second or higher degree. Many universities require a thesis, a written report of a special investigation in the student's main subject of study. In most English-speaking universities, second degrees are called master's degrees. Such degrees include the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Arts and Economics (MEcon), and Master of Science (MSc).

     Doctorates. The doctor's degree is the highest earned degree in many countries. There are two distinct types of doctor's degrees. One is a professional degree required to practise in certain professions, such as medicine. The other is a research degree that indicates the candidate has acquired mastery of a broad field of knowledge and the technique of scholarly research. The research doctorate may require at least two or three additional years of study beyond a master's degree. The candidate may be required to complete examinations and present a written thesis or dissertation. The doctoral thesis represents an original contribution to knowledge, and is a more detailed study of a research problem than that required for master's degree. In many English-speaking universities, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is the most important research doctorate and may include specialization in almost any academic subject. In some European countries, students of nonprofessional subjects also take a doctor's degree as the second degree. For example, the German degree of Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) is the equivalent of the MA in English-speaking countries. In Russia and in Belarus, the Doctor of Science (doctor nauk) degree is awarded by a special commission. To receive this degree post-graduate students must research new and important material. In Japan the doctorate degree is called nakushil.

     Honorary degrees. Many universities have adopted the custom of awarding honorary degrees to persons for achievement in their chosen fields. Chief among these are the Doctor of Letters (DLitt) and the Doctor of Laws (LLD). These degrees are often given to prominent authors, scholars, and leaders in  professions, business, government, and industry. 

     THE MASTER OF ARTS (MA.) DEGREE IN ECONOMICS

     The M.A. in economics prepares students for careers as professional economists in business and government. It is also excellent preparation for continued graduate study in economics.

     Requirements: strong motivation, aptitude and basic intellectual ability are needed for success in graduate study in economics.

     Program requirements: all students are required to take courses in advanced economic theory and economics. Students preparing for professional careers choose additional applied courses in industrial organization, international economics, natural and human resources, and urban and public economics. Students preparing for doctoral studies select from these and additional courses in economic theory and mathematics.

     Students must satisfy all University requirements for the M.A. degree. Courses should be selected with the approval of graduate advisor.

     Required courses:

     - microeconomics: microeconomic behaviour of consumers, producers, and resource suppliers; price determination in output and factor markets; general market equilibrium.  

     - aggregate economics: advanced macroeconomics analysis of income; employment; prices; interest rates and economic growth rates.

     - econometrics I.

     - econometrics II.

     THE MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE (M.B.A.)

     The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is a professional degree designed to prepare graduates for managerial roles in business and non-profit organizations. Graduates will develop the necessary skills and problem-solving techniques that will permit them to make an early contribution to management and eventually to move into broad, general management responsibilities at the executive level. 

     Text 2 Major Developments in Higher Education Today 

     The new century has brought changes practically in all spheres of global communication and global economy. This directly made an impact in education sector leading to several structural changes in the form, organisation and delivery of educational services.

     • Expansion: The share of highly-qualified persons is increasing. This is a world-wide trend not limited to economically advanced societies. Changing employment structures, increasing expectations of educational participation and the academization of a growing number of professions, promote the expansion of higher education.

     • Differentiation: Apart from providing scientific training in a given subject, study programmes must meet differentiated social requirements and convey technical skills which higher education has not offered so far.

     • Greater flexibility: The disappearance of traditional professional patterns and growing individualisation call for a multiplication of study options. Individual combinations of studies should be allowed; students should acquire self-organisation and self-upgrading skills.

     In terms of contents, the emphasis lies increasingly on the transmission and acquisition of key competencies, or multi-functional skills. These skills comprise competencies to be acquired in addition to subject-matter know-how and are to enable students to cope with the requirements of different work settings and cultures, as well as with work-related crises.