Text A: My Studies at the University Topic 1

Text A: My Studies at the University Topic 1

Let me introduce myself: I am Victor Below, a student at Brest State University. Now I am a first-year student and I am doing history. I take a special liking to the subjects in which I am going to major (to specialize). If you ask me why of all humanities I have chosen history, my answer will be: it interests me as a science because it helps to understand and explain the processes going on in various aspects of human history. It also helps to foresee the course of events in the future. But no one can really study any particular period of history unless he knows a lot about what preceded it and what came after it.

It was shortly before leaving school that I made up my mind to enter this faculty and take up history seriously as my future speciality. When at school, I was thinking to do the sciences, but then I changed my mind and decided to study history. The first day at the university was unforgettable. We gathered in the Assembly Hall where the Rector congratulated us on the beginning of the studies and wished us success in our academic life. Then the Dean of the faculty took the floor. He spoke about various departments of the faculty and the subjects we were going to study. He expressed hope that we should attend all the lectures, tutorials and seminars. Each year we must present a course paper to our scientific adviser (guide [gaid]) and make reports in class on different themes. At the end of each term we will take several examinations and credit-tests. In June, for instance, I will read for my exams in Archaeology, Ancient history, Latin and English. After the inside tour of the university my friends and I went to the hostel.

My classes at the university usually start at 1-30 or 3 pm and finish at 6 or 8 pm. We have three or four classes a day, both lectures and tutorials. But I come to the university earlier to get ready for the seminars. As for English we will be taught not only to read and translate historical documents and literature but to speak English as well. Our English teacher says we must work at the language very hard.

Whether I will be a good teacher or become successful in some other field of social life remains to be seen. But I am sure that my knowledge received at the University will help me to succeed in my future work.

Tasks to the Text

1. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующих слов и выражений:

Брестский государственный университет; студент первого курса; будущая специальность; решить поступать на факультет; собраться в актовом зале; декан факультета; кафедры факультета; посещать лекции, практические занятия и семинары; готовить доклады на различные темы; сдавать экзамены и зачеты; передумать; научный руководитель; семестр; готовиться к семинарам; общежитие; достичь успеха в будущей работе.

2. Составьте предложения, соединив начало и конец из первой и второй колонок:

1 I am interested in the subjects …	A we will take several exams and credit-tests.
2 On the first day we gathered in the Assembly Hall …	B to get ready for the seminars.
3 In January …	C in which I am going to major.
4 But I come to the university earlier …	D will help me succeed in my future work.
5 I am sure that my knowledge received at the University …	E where the Rector wished us success.

3. Ответьте на вопросы:

1. What happened to the students on the first day at the university?

2. What do the students do during each term?

3. What do you know about Victor’s typical day at the university?

4. Do your English classes differ from Victor’s? In what way?

5. Is Victor a diligent and hard-working student? Why do you think so?

4. Дополните предложения информацией о себе:

1. I am …

2. I have chosen to study … because …

3. During the term I should …

4. At the university we study …

5. At the end of the term we …

5. Расскажите о своей учебе в университете, используя следующий план:

1. Introduction

2. Reasons for my choice

3. My academic year

4. My typical working day

5. Hopes for the future

Прочитайте текст и ответьте на вопросы после текста:

Text B: Education around the World

Most nations divide education into the same stages as does the United States. Thus, formal education in these nations begins with early childhood education and continues through elementary, secondary and higher education. But unlike the United States, most other countries have an educational system that is completely or partly administered by the central government.

Nations vary greatly in the kind of education they provide and in the amount of schooling they require. They also vary in their ability to provide teachers and schools and in their manner of controlling and supporting education. Some nations, including most of those in Europe and North America, have well-developed economies and long-established educational systems. Almost all children in these developed countries receive at least elementary education, and most also receive a secondary education. As a result, the developed nations have highliteracy rates (percentages of citizens who can read and write). Many developing countries, on the other hand, have low literacy rates. Most of these countries have a serious shortage of teachers and classrooms. Some children do not receive even elementary education. A number of developing countries, such as India and Venezuela, make widespread use of radio to broadcast educational programmes to people in remote areas.

1. In what institutions can people obtain education?

2. What is the main difference between American educational system and those in other countries?

3. What is literacy?

4. What are literacy rates in developed and developing countries?

5. Why is broadcasting of educational programmes widespread in developing countries?

Письменно переведите текст на русский язык:

Text C: Lectures and Seminars

A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, either by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history, background, theories and equations. Usually the lecturer will stand at the front of the room and recite information relevant to the lecture's content.

Though lectures are much criticised as a teaching method, universities have not yet found practical alternative teaching methods for the large majority of their courses. Critics point out that lecturing is mainly a one-way method of communication that does not involve significant audience participation. Therefore, lecturing is often contrasted to active learning. Lectures delivered by talented speakers can be highly stimulating; at the very least, lectures have survived in academia as a quick, cheap and efficient way of introducing large numbers of students to a particular field of study.

Seminar is a form of academic instruction at an academic institution. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is requested to actively participate. This is often accomplished through a dialogue with a seminar leader or instructor, or through a more formal presentation of research. Normally, participants must not be beginners in the field under discussion. The idea behind the seminar system is to familiarize students more extensively with the methodology of their chosen subject and also to allow them to interact with examples of the practical problems that always occur during research work. It is essentially a place where assigned readings are discussed, questions can be raised and debates can be conducted. It is relatively informal, at least compared to the lecture system of academic instruction.

Прочитайте текст и составьте аннотацию, используя следующие клише:

The text is about …

It is divided into … parts.

The author tells us that …

He believes/points out that …

In conclusion the author stresses the idea that …

Text D: Students’ Life in Britain

British Universities and colleges have Students' Unions which are concerned with students' life and studies. Unions have their Presidents, their role is basically to represent the interests of the students. Almost all power rests in the hands of the whole membership as expressed at General Meetings. For practical purposes the decision-making is delegated to Union Council.

Each Union Council has sub-committees each of which has the job of overseeing a small area of the Union's work. They help to settle various students' problems in the academic year — with grants, accommodation, rents. They are also responsible for the coordination and organization of extra-curricular activities. If at any time a student needs advice, members of the Union Council will be glad to be of assistance. All these committees are open - any student may take part in the elections to them.

Лексико-грамматические задания

1. Поставьте прилагательные в скобках в нужную форму (сравнительная или превосходная степень сравнения).

1. My college is (big) than yours.

2. This is the (interesting) lecture I have ever attended.

3. Which is the (prestigious) higher educational establishment in the world?

4. Who is the (clever) person on the earth?

5. He was the (bad) student of all.

2. Найдите прилагательное в первом предложении и, образовав от него наречие, дополните второе предложение:

1. Her English is fluent. She speaks English ….

2. Our teacher was angry. She spoke to us ….

3. His handwriting is awful. He writes ….

4. Jim is a wonderful piano player. He plays the piano ….

5. This exercise is simple. You … have to put one word in each space.

3. Выберите правильный вариант.

1. You should study … to pass all the tests and exams.

A) hard B) harder C) hardly D) hardest

2. At the university students make … on various topics.

A) report B) report’s C) reports D) reports’

3. … State University is a higher educational establishment.

A) Brest’s B) Brests’ C) The Brest D) Brest

4. Seminars are … for me than lectures.

A) interesting B) more interesting C) interestinger D) the most interesting

5. The dean of the … gathered us in the Assembly hall.

A) faculty B) faculties C) facultys D) faculty’s

6. I am a … student at Brest State University.

A) year-one B) one-year C) first-year D) year-first

7. At the Assembly Hall the … congratulated us on the beginning of our studies.

A) Rector B) Lector C) Teacher D) Director

8. At the end of the term students … exams and credit-tests.

A) make B) take C) get D) write

9. I come to the university earlier to … for the seminars.

A) put ready B) stay ready C) come ready D) get ready

10. The knowledge received at the university help graduates … in their future work.

A) succeed B) success C) achieve D) win

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