Letter 2. Tyumen State University

Hi, Susy,

1) Now it is high time to tell you about our university. Tyumen State University is one of the oldest higher educational institutions in Western Siberia, with its history dating back to 1930, when Tyumen Agricultural and Teacher’s Training Institute was established. For more than 80 years, it has undergone a considerable change, receiving the university status in 1973 according to the government’s decision.

2) Today Tyumen State University is the most powerful educational complex in the region, with a developed network of branches. It has several branches and representative centres in the Tyumen Region and Kazakhstan, as well as field practice centres on the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus and in the surroundings of Baikal.

3) The campus is mainly located in the historical centre of the city, in Respubliki, Lenina, Volodarskogo, and Perekopskaya streets. However, several buildings and hostels are situated in other parts of Tyumen.

4) The University employs more than 1200 academic staff and 500 other staff members. There are many researchers engaged in various research activities in its institutes and laboratories. More than 30,000 undergraduates, graduates, and postgraduates are currently enrolled at the University. Besides, specialists are taking refresher courses for their career enhancement.

5) The University provides а wide range of degree programs, which number increases each year. Students have access to up-to-date computer laboratories, spacious lecture halls and classrooms. They can use any of a number of computers connected to the Internet. University courses give students a chance to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience during their studies.

6) Only imagine, the University library has over 2,000,000 volumes that are electronically cataloged. The library is proud of its unique collection of rare books from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

7) The multi-level educational system of Tyumen State University allows students to progress through different stages of higher education: high school, bachelor, specialist, master, candidate and doctoral degrees. It takes four years to become a Bachelor of Science (BSc.), or five years to become a specialist. After receiving the first degree in physics, biology, etc., a graduate can continue the studies to get an advanced degree in the same or another field of science – Master of Science (MSc.).

8) You asked me to tell you about the educational system of our university. The University structure includes: the Academic School for students who are completing their secondary education, several academic institutes, postgraduate courses, and language teaching centres. There is also Evrasion TV & Radio channel, Publishing House, Information Technology Centre,Innovation and Technology Centre, and several research institutes. The University’s leisure facilities include four museums (University History; Currency; Archaeology and Ethnography; and Zoology); the Art Gallery; sport halls; a swimming pool; students’ holiday centres in the suburbs of Tyumen and at the Black Sea.

9) The University conducts a great deal of research, focusing attention on the problems of environmental protection, information technologies, nanotechnologies, etc. Each year the University holds academic conferences at international, Russian, and regional levels. In April students take part in the Annual Students’ Scientific Conference where they can present their own researches.

10) I’m sure you want to know about the international contacts of the University which began in 1988. Since that time a lot has been achieved. The University takes part in different international projects of the European Union. Our partners are more than twenty higher educational institutions of European countries and the USA. As a result, students have an opportunity to improve their education abroad and participate in international projects. The development of international contacts helps the students to find their place in a globalized world. The most significant spheres where our professors cooperate with their foreign colleagues are ecology, law, information technologies, energy saving, biology, etc.

11) The academic year starts in September and lasts till June. It is divided into two terms (semesters), at the end of each term, in January and June, students take their tests and exams. Besides, they write course projects, do practical work in different companies, and take part in research expeditions.

12) It goes without saying, if you work hard, you can have a good rest. Students participate in a wide variety of sports. There is also a tradition of organizing different students’ celebrations and performances at Tyumen State University. Students really enjoy drama, dance, and creative writing. Works of talented students are often exhibited in the University buildings.

13) No doubt the University provides a wide range of opportunities for education and research; therefore, its graduates have high employability rates. Among them are prominent professors, scientists, artists, sportsmen, successful managers and businessmen. Tyumen State University was the first step in their careers. It is my first step, too!

Kind regards,

Alex

● Read Letter 2 and decide what is new for you. Give examples.

2.5 Translate and memorize the following word-combinations:

an educational institution	branches and representative centres
to undergo changes	to improve their education
to have access to	to gain knowledge
to give a chance	to hold the conference
bachelor degree	to have an opportunity
master degree	to participate in different projects
undergraduate courses	to take part in research expeditions
graduate courses	a wide range of opportunities
postgraduate courses	high employability rates

2.6 Express your ideas. Tell some sentences aboutthe University using the words and word-combinations from activity 2.5.

Model: There are many educational establishments in our town.

2.7 Match the words in A with their meanings in B:

A B

1 institution	a) grounds of a university or college
2 considerable	b) listed in a catalogue
3 career	с) ready to be used
4 government decision	d) division, department
5 powerful	e) fairly great in amount or importance
6 spacious	f) being the only one of its kind
7 campus	g) a large important organization that has a particular purpose, e.g. university
8 electronically cataloged	h) providing much space, roomy
9 unique	i) residential area outside the central part of a town
10 available	j) way of making one’s living, profession
11 suburbs	k) take part in something
12 branch	l) judgment, resolution, decree
13 to participate	m) having great power or influence
14 undergraduate	n) someone who has completed a university degree, especially a first degree
15 postgraduate	o) someone who is studying at a university to get a Master’s Degree
16 graduate	p) the information, skills, and understanding that you have gained through learning or experience
17 prospective	q) a student at college or university, who is working for their first degree
18 diploma	r) the process of teaching and learning, usually at school, college, or university
19 education	s) someone who is likely to do a particular thing or achieve a particular position
20 knowledge	t) a document showing that someone has successfully completed a course of study or passed an examination

2.8 Give the English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations:

Подвергаться значительным изменениям, решение правительства, сеть филиалов, студенты бакалавриата (специалитета) и магистратуры, аспиранты, курсы повышения квалификации, получить теоретические знания и практический опыт, коллекция редких книг, проводить большую научно-исследовательскую работу, проводить конференции, совершенствовать знания, получить диплом ТюмГУ, иметь возможность, предоставлять широкий диапазон возможностей, получить знания, иметь в своем распоряжении, высшее учебное заведение, принимать участие в, написать курсовой проект.

2.9 Match the names of the Institutes in A with their Russian equivalents in B:

A B

Academic Institutes	Учебные институты
1 The Institute of State and Law	a) Институт филологии и журналистики
2The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science	b) Институт психологии и педагогики
3 The Institute of Philology and Journalism	c) Институт физической культуры
4 The Institute of Psychology and Pedagogy	d) Институт математики и компьютерных наук
5 The Institute of Physical Training	e) Институт биологии
6 The Institute of Biology	f) Институт физики и химии
7 The Institute for Professional Education	g) Финансово-экономический институт
8 The Institute of Distance Learning	h) Институт дополнительного профессионального образования
9 The Institute of Earth Sciences	i) Институт государства и права
10 Financial and Economic Institute	j) Институт наук о Земле
11 The Institute of History and Political Sciences	k) Институт дистанционного образования
12 The Institute of Physics and Chemistry	l) Институт истории и политических наук

2.10 Study the information. What have you already experienced?

If you want to go (enter) university, you must first pass examinations. Students usually take examinations in three or four subjects, and they must do well to get a place at university.

Entrant is a person who joins a university.

If you get a place, you don’t have to pay tuition fees (money for teaching). Your education is free of charge. Some students have to pay their tuition fees, but some students need a loan (money you borrow from a bank) to cover the cost of (pay for) university life. Students at university are called undergraduates.

When people study one subject in great detail (often to find new information), we say they are doing research.

Scholarship is grant of money towards education.

Grant is money given for a particular purpose, especially from public funds.

A university teacher gives a lecture on (geography, etc.) and the students take notes.

Students can do an (English, etc.) course in many colleges and universities. At the end of a course, you often have to take / do an exam. You hope to pass your exams. You don’t want to fail your exams.

If you pass your final exams at university, you get a degree.

A graduate is a person who holds a university degree.

Most university courses last (=continue for) four years, some courses last five years. During this period students can say they are doing a degree, and when they finish and pass their exams, they can say they have a degree. This can be a BA (= bachelor of arts) or a BSc (=bachelor of science).

When you complete your first degree, you are a graduate. Some students then go on (=continue) to do a second course or degree, called a postgraduate course/degree (or postgrad course). These students are then postgraduates and they often study for: an MA (Master of Arts), e.g. I’m doing a Masters in English or an MSc (Master of Science), e.g. She did a Masters in Biology or a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), e.g. He’s got a PhD in computer science.

■ What do we call:

1 the name we give students during this period at university?

2 the money some students receive if they get a place at university?

3 the study of the subject in great depth and detail, often to get new information?

4 the talks / lessons that students go to while they are at university?

5 a university official who heads an university/institute?

2.11 Replace the underlined verbs with less formal verbs that have the same meaning in the context:

1 It is very difficult to obtain a place at university.

2 You have to pass exams before you can enter university.

3 He is studying physics, I think.

4 Did she receive a grant for her course?

5 The course continues for five years.

2.12 Fill in the gaps with a suitable word:

1 My brother is 20. He is still …… university in York.

2 She has got a degree …… chemistry.

3 He’s …… research …… various types of world climate.

4 Who is the head in your ……?

5 Is …… free if you go to university?

6 She’s already got a BA. She’s doing a …… degree now.

7 Students at university are called …… while they are studying for their first degree.

8 I’ve got a …… in English from Oxford University.

9 If you pass your graduate course you may want to go on to a …… course.

10 University teachers are usually called …….

2.13 Match the beginning of each sentence in A with its ending in B.

A B

1 Tyumen State University is one of the	a) to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience during their studies.
2 It was given the university status	b) to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience during their studies.
3 The University provides	c) oldest higher educational establishments in Western Siberia.
4 The library is proud of its	d) in January the1st, in 1973 according to the government’s decision.
5 The students have the opportunity	e) in government agencies and controlling bodies at all levels.
6 Tyumen State University allows students	f) several branches and representative centres in the Tyumen Region and Kazakhstan,as well as field practice centres on the Black Sea coast in the Caucasus and in the surroundings of Baikal.
7 Within the University there are	g) unique collection of rare books from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.
8 The University has extended its borders and it has	h) participating in a wide variety of sports, organizing many different students’ celebrations and performances at Tyumen State University.
9 University courses give students a chance	i) different international projects of the European Union.
10 The development of international contacts allows students to	j) improve their education abroad and participate in international projects.
11 The University takes part in	k) excellent opportunities for education in а wide range of educational programs.
12 There is a wide range of opportunities for	l) to work in up-to-date computer classes, spacious lecture halls and classrooms.
13 Graduates of the University work	m) seven institutes, an Academic college, which serves students who are completing their secondary education, post graduate courses, the Internet Educational Centre, Language Teaching Centres.

2.14 Translate the following sentences into English:

1 ТюмГУ – это крупный образовательный центр в области.

2 Обучение в университете дает студентам возможность приобрести теоретические знания и практический опыт.

3 Университетская библиотека гордится уникальной коллекцией редких книг.

4 Университет проводит большую научно-исследовательскую работу.

5 Студенты могут представить свои собственные исследования на ежегодной студенческой научной конференции.

6 Каждый год университет проводит конференции международного, областного и российского уровня.

7 Студенты пишут курсовые проекты и принимают участие в исследовательских экспедициях.

8 Международные соглашения дают студентам возможность улучшить свои знания за рубежом.

9 Студенты принимают участие в международных проектах.

10 Профессиональные знания и творческий организационный опыт, полученные в университете, позволяют студентам успешно достигать своих целей.

11 ТюмГУ – это первый шаг в карьере многих людей.

2.15 Read the sentences and decide which word A, B, or C best fits each space.

Model: The university provides an … excellent … opportunity for education.

A) excellent B) beautiful C) heavy

1 Tyumen State University is a …… educational centre for the region.

A) powerful B) enormous C) strong

2 Tyumen’s Institute of Higher Education underwent a …… change.

A) huge B) considerable C) constant

3 The main buildings of the campus are located in the..… centre of the city.

A) strange B) outside C) historical

4 Students have access to …(1)… computers, …(2).. lecture halls and classrooms.

(1) A) well-built B) up-to-date C) current

(2) A) spacious B) slightest C) impossible

5 Students can always use one of numerous computers …… to the Internet.

A) condensed B) connected C) reserved

6 The University gives students …… to gain theoretical knowledge.

A) a chance B) development C) projects

7 The University conducts a great deal of …… work.

A) problem B) protection C) research

8 The University takes part in different …… projects of the European Union.

A) international B) successful C) amusing

9 Students have an opportunity to …… their education abroad.

A) to increase B) to store C) to improve

2.16 Answer the questions:

1 When was Tyumen State University founded?

2 What is Tyumen State University now?

3 Where are the buildings of the University located? How many of them do you know?

4 What do the students have at their disposal?

5 How does the University allow students to progress the education?

6 What does a graduate mean?

7 What does an undergraduate mean?

8 Do the students get scholarships?

9 When did the University begin looking for the international links?

10 What are the results of the development of these international contacts?

11 What leisure activities are offered at the University?

12 How long does the course of study last?

13 What opportunities does the University give to its students in their future life?

2.17 Read the text and guess which building is described in each part. Choose the answer from the list below:

The Institute of State and Law / the Institute of Biology / the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Institute of Physics and Chemistry / the Institute of Earth Sciences/ the University Administration Building / the Institute of Philology and Journalism

1) Podaruevskaya Street was named in honour of Prokopy Ivanovitch Podaruev (1818-1900), a patron of the arts (меценат) and the mayor of Tyumen, now the street has another name. In this street, the University occupies a very remarkable old building made of red brick that was erected in 1901. Its architecture is notable for strict geometry of decoration. The interior of the building reflects the respect to academic process typical of pre-revolutionary Russia, and evokes self-respect, desire to study and to acquire knowledge. Beautiful cast-iron stairs with Masharov’s manufacture mark decorate it inside. There is a charming rosary in its premises. The building neighbours several historical monuments belonging to the 18^th, 19^th centuries and the beginning of the 20^th century. Among them Znamensky Cathedral that was built in the 18^th century, and nowadays is considered to be one of the most beautiful church buildings in Siberia.

2) The next site is Respubliki Street, former Tzarskaya Street. Here it is situated another university building, that was constructed in 1964. Nowadays it houses aninstitute and the University Publishing house. This building faces the University Information Library Centre and Regional Centre of Internet Education Federation erected in 2001.

3) The former Spasskaya Street involves us into a journey along the buildings that house most of the University institutes. At the corner of Perekopskaya Street (former Trusovsky Lane) and Lenina Street (former Spasskaya Street) there is another university complex. Students study in the building constructed in 1982. In 1995 the students of two faculties moved into the block designed purposefully for them. This complex neighbours both old buildings of Knyazev’s house and Polish Catholic Cathedral of St. Jozeph. It is situated in the very historical part of Tyumen.

4) In 1999, at the corner of two streets, Chelyuskintsev and Lenina, at the very centre of the town, another university building, housing the popular Institute, opened its doors. The facade of this building presents a sort of a huge mirror wall that reflects splendid architectural monuments: Spassky Cathedral, the Palace of Children’s Creative Activity, Yankel Shaichik’s house. From the point of view of the interior planning, halls, corridors and lecture-halls of this Institute are the most remarkable among the whole of the University buildings.

5) Going down Dzerzhinsky Street in the direction to the Tura River you cannot fail to notice an amazing Burkov’s House and a wooden two-storied house with a balcony. Both houses were built according to the “modernist” style, as well as the building of another institute of Tyumen State University, the target of our stroll along Dzerzhinsky Street. From the very beginning, the rooms of this building were designed as classrooms. In 1914, it started as a private technical school.

6) Outside historical centre of Tyumen there is another University building that houses one more institute. It is located in the suburb of Tyumen. It allows to have not only a site for the building itself constructed in 1980 but also a plot of land for an experimental hothouse. If you come into the building you will find yourself among green plants and beautiful flowers. There is also the taxidermy laboratory where you can see stuffed wild animals and birds (чучела зверей и птиц).

2.18 Speak about the University according to the following schemes:

Tyumen Agriculture and Teacher’s Training Institute (1930)

Tyumen State University (1973)

branches practice centres representative centres

2.19 Role Game Welcome to Our University!

Student 1. You are the Rector of Tyumen State University

You may start with: Welcome to Tyumen State University. We very much hope that your time here will be both highly productive and highly enjoyable. Let me introduce …

Student 2. You are the Director of the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science. Be ready to answer questions.

Student 3. You are the Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences. Be ready to answer questions.

Student 4. You are the Director of the Institute of Biology. Be ready to answer questions.

Student 5. You are the Director of the Institute of Physics and Chemistry. Be ready to answer questions.

Student 6. You are the Director of the Information Library Centre. Be ready to answer questions.

Student 7. You are the head of the Students’ Union. Be ready to answer questions.

You meet entrants and their parents in the University Conference Hall. Use the following conversational formulas:

I wish to stress the extreme importance of…

In addition I would like to mention that… In this context I would add that…

I want to point out that… Please, pay attention to…

I would like to draw your attention to… It is worth pointing out that…

I should like to note / emphasize…

I should like to add in connection with…

I should like to stress the importance of… Finally let me add that…

Students 8 (9, etc). You are going to enter the University. You are interested in subjects and degree programs, leisure facilities, qualification you get at the end of university. You want to know how many foreign languages you can learn and how long this course lasts.

Students 10 (11, etc). You are entrants’ parents. You are interested whether you have to pay tuition fees or the education is free of charge, whether any accommodation is provided, what the course length is. Ask questions using the following conversational formulas:

Would you tell me …? I’d like to know ….

Be so kind as to explain … Please, say some words about …

My question is the following … Is it possible ….?

Is it necessary (for me) to…? Do I have to…?

How аbout…ing…? As far as I know….

Frankly speaking… If I am not mistaken…

One question is… The second is…

I would like to ask one question in this connection

Is it possible to describe how…? Thank you (very much)

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