Education in Great Britain and in Russia. Школьное образование в Великобритании и России.

С девятым классом мы начали изучать новую тему «Образование». Я предложила перевести моим девятиклассникам статью, в которой рассказывается о британской системе школьного образования, выписать в словари новые слова по изучаемой теме и ответить на прилагаемые ниже вопросы.

Education in Great Britain

Education in Britain is compulsory (1) between the ages of 5 and 16 (4 and 16 in Northern Ireland).
 Primary education includes three age ranges: nursery for children under 5 years, infants from 5 to 7, and juniors from 7 to 11 years old. About half the children under the age of 5 receive nursery education (2), and many other children attend pre-school playgrounds mostly organised by parents.
Compulsory primary education begins at the age of 5 in England, Wales and Scotland, and 4 in Northern Ireland. Children usually start their school career (3) in an infant school and move to a junior school or department (4) at the age of 7.
Pupils in England and Wales begin to tackle (5) a range of subjects including those stipulated (6) under the National Curriculum, which will form the basis of their education until the age of 16. Subjects covered include English, mathematics and science, along with technology, history, geography, music, art and physical education and, for older pupils, a modern language. Religious (7) education is available (8) in all schools, although parents have the right to withdraw (9) their children from such classes. Secondary schools are generally much larger than primary schools. A small proportion attend fee-paying (10) private, or ‘independent’ (11) (‘public’) schools. The large majority of schools teach both boys and girls together. The school year in England and Wales normally begins in September and continues into the following July. In Scotland it runs from August to June and in Northern Ireland from September to June and has three terms. Pupils of all ages take part in workplace activities (12) that, teachers believe, ‘help them to develop personal as well as commercial skills (13)’.
At 7 and 11 years old, and then at 14 and 16 at secondary school, teachers measure children’s progress in each subject. Parents receive regular information about the way their child’s school is performing (14), as well as their child is progressing. The main school examination, the General Certificate of secondary education (GCSE) examination is taken in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at around the age of 16. If pupils are successful, they can continue to more advanced (15) education or training. Many study for ‘A’ (Advanced) and ‘AS’ (Advanced Supplementary (16)) level qualifications. These are two- year courses in single subjects. Students usually take two or three subjects which may be combined with one or two ‘AS’ courses, which are offered by both schools and colleges. These exams are the main standard for entry university education and for many forms of professional training.
There is also a Certificate of Pre-Vocational (17) Education (CPVE) for those staying at school for a year after the age of 16; this provides (18) a preparation (19) for work or vocational courses.

 Vocabulary

1. compulsory [kəm'pʌls(ə)rɪ] - обязательный
2. nursery education - образование в детском саду
3. career [kə'rɪə] - карьера
4. department - отдел
5. tackle - иметь дело (с), заниматься
6. stipulate ['stɪpjəleɪt] - предусматривать
7. religious [rɪ'lɪʤəs] - религиозный
8. available [ə'veɪləbl] - припадок, полезный
9. withdraw [wɪð'drɔː] - изымать, отводить
10. fee-paying - платный
11. independent - независимый
12. workplace activities - работа в мастерских или на производстве
13. skill - навык, умение
14. perform - здесь: учиться
15. advanced - передовой, прогрессивный, повышенной сложности
16. supplementary - дополнительный
17. vocational - профессиональный
18. provide - предоставлять, обеспечивать
19. preparation - подготовка

Questions

1. What is the compulsory schooling age in different parts of Great Britain?
2. What can you say about religious education?
3. What other schools besides comprehensive give (provide) secondary education?
4. How long does the school year last in Britain?
5. When do teachers measure children’s progress in each subject?
6. What is the main school examination?
7. When is the GCSE examination taken?
8. What are ‘A’ and ‘AS’ level qualifications?
9. What are these exams the main standard for?

В качестве иллюстрации к тексту публикую ещё один видеоролик «Жизнь британского школьника в 21 веке». Это презентационный ролик городской школы Бирмингема. При всей его поверхностности, здесь наглядно показана организация учебного процесса, основные предметы и оснащённость школы.

К следующему уроку я попросила ребят подготовиться к свободному рассказу на английском языке о нашей школе, об их образовательных планах на будущее и профессиях, которые они хотели бы получить. Я довольна, как лидеры класса справились с заданием. Наша беседа была неформальной, без «заученности» и шпаргалок: камера подстёгивала и беспристрастно фиксировала прямой взгляд девятиклассников и достаточно свободное общение. Потом появилась красивая идея – вмонтировать их рассказы в презентационный фильм о нашей школе, который мы сняли раньше. Сказано – сделано: теперь у нас есть школьный видеоролик на английском языке, который я предоставляю вашему вниманию.