Decide whether you think these sentences about the presentation are true or false. Listen again to check your ideas.

1. The Bologna process is influencing education systems in countries outside Europe.

2. There is a new EU initiative forcing football supporters to wear earplugs at matches.

3. Under the old system, you could have ended up getting a degree simply by studying long enough.

4. Under the new system, the way a student performs in exams will not totally decide their final grades.

5. Most European countries are starting to introduce longer degree courses.

6. In several countries, the government now has less control over what happens at universities.

7. Attempts to put the Bologna process into practice have caused outrage in Greece and France.

8. The UK is happy about the changes.

 

Speak on what you have learnt from the presentation. Give your own opinion about the Bologna process and the changes it has involved.

GOING TO SECONDARY SCHOOL

(05:43)

 

You are going to listen to the man talking about secondary schools in Great Britain. Before listening complete the sentences using the words in the box below.

 

good exam results faith schools social segregation primary school “eleven-plus” exam private tutors grammar schools secondary school secondary modern schools facilities

 

1. In England children normally start going to __________ when they are about five.

2. At the age of ten children move to __________.

3. Some schools are very popular – for example, schools with __________, or good __________.

4. There is too much __________ in England – white middle class children at one school, poorer children at another.

5. Children in Britain used to sit an exam in their last year at primary school. It was called __________.

6. Children who did well in the “eleven-plus” exam went to schools called __________.

7. Children who did not pass the “eleven-plus” exam went to __________.

8. Sometimes parents pay __________ to prepare their children for school exams.

9. Schools in the state school system which are run by a religious group are called __________.

Listen and decide whether the statements are TRUE or FALSE.

1. Children go to primary school at the age of 6.

2. At the age of eleven they go to secondary school.

3. The move to secondary school is not a problem for parents.

4. Parents can’t choose a school for their children.

5. There is a way of deciding which children get places in the most popular schools and which do not.

6. There’s too much racial segregation in schools in Great Britain.

7. Children in Britain sit the “eleven-plus” exam in their last year at primary school.

8. Grammar schools offer more practical education.

9. Secondary modern schools offer an academic education.

10. The “eleven-plus” exam still survives in place in England – including here in Birmingham.

11. The grammar schools are largely middle class schools.

12. Faith schools in England are private schools.

13. In England places at secondary schools are offered by lottery.

Answer the questions.

1. Why is the move to secondary school a big problem for parents?

2. What is the most common way of allocating school places?

3. Why is there too much social segregation?

4. What exam did children use to sit in their last year at primary school?

5. What schools are there in the British state school system?

6. What is the latest way of allocating school places?

LIFELONG LEARNING

(02:36)

You are going to listen to a radio advertisement for university courses. Listen and choose the best answer.

Speaker 1 a. needs a career change.

b. promotes a special registration period at a specific university.

c. is interested in self­development.

Speaker 2 a. did his undergraduate degree and Masters with Oakgrove.

b. is looking after an elderly relative.

c. hasn’t taken a modular course.

Speaker 3 a. had to study for A­levels at college.

b. went through the traditional qualifications system.

c. is studying to get her first law degree.

Speaker 4 a. is sure there’re no sandwich courses at Oakgrove.

b. thinks post­graduate courses aren’t flexible at Oakgrove.

c. wants to get his doctorate.

Speaker 5 a. suggests living on campus at Oakgrove.

b. says courses can’t be studied in distance.

c. doesn’t give information about funding of courses.