The educational system in the USA

In the US, the education system goes from kindergarten (the first year of elementary school) to 12^th grade (the final year of high school). Parents can send their children to nursery school from the age of two or three. Children must attend school from the age of five onwards. The first year of school is called kindergarten. Children aged between five and eleven go to elementary or grade school. Between 12 and 14 they attend junior high school and between 14 and 17 they go to high school. Students in high school take examinations at the end of each semester. All the grades they have earned are given a number value and a grade point average (G.P.A.) is calculated. Students who have passed enough coursesgraduate from high school. If they want to go to university, they must earn good enough grades and take a special test.

 

b) Answer the questions about the educational system in the USA.

1. At what age do American children go to nursery school?

2. What is kindergarten in the USA?

3. When do children start elementary/ grade school?

4. When do they go to high school?

5. At what age can children complete compulsory education?

6. What is G.P.A.?

7. How can they graduate from high school?

8. What do they need to do to continue education?

 

c) What do you call:

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

- the qualification you get at the end of university?

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

- teachers at university?

- students when they have completed their first degree?

- students studying for a second, higher degree?

professors a scholarship/ a grant a degree undergraduates graduates post-graduates

 

d) Work in groups. Ask and answer the questions.

a) Did you go to nursery school?

b) Do most children start primary school at the age of five in Russia?

c) How many subjects did you study at secondary school?

d) How many lessons did you have every day?

e) Was your school a state school or private school?

f) At what age can you leave school in Russia?

g) How many terms are there in a school year?

h) How many exams do you have to take during school years?

i) Do you need to pass examinations before you can go to university?

j) Do some students get a grant to study at university?

k) Is the tuition free if you go to university?

l) Do most degree courses last three years?

 

6. a) Before you read the text discuss the following questions.

 

1. How is the main building of MSU decorated? Do you find it impressive (outdated)? Why (why not)?

2. What facilities are there in the campus? Which of them are popular with you most of all?

3. What can you say about the library? Is it really helpful? Do you often go there?

4. Do you know any famous graduates of MSU?

5. What disciplines are stronger in MSU?

6. Is it a challenge for you to be a student of MSU? Why?

 

b) Read the text and answer the questions.

The Faculty of Physics

Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) is the oldest university in Russia. It was founded in 1755 and originally consisted of three faculties: law, medicine and philosophy.

The tradition of physics research at Moscow University goes back to the very foundation of the university when a physics laboratory was established at the Philosophy Faculty. Since 1757 lectures on experimental physics have been delivered and experiments have been demonstrated. In 1859 the Physics and Mathematics Faculty was founded. In 1933 the Physics Department became an independent Faculty.

Today the Faculty of Physics is the major centre for Physics teaching and research in Russia. There are six divisions which deal with experimental and theoretical physics, solid state physics, radiophysics and electronics, nuclear physics, geophysics, astronomy. A separate division provides complementary educational programs. As of September 2012, the Faculty has 41 departments carrying out research and covering educational courses in practically all fields of fundamental and applied modern physics.

The Faculty of Physics has a unique way of training specialists. Teaching at all levels is undertaken by staff with a real command of their subject. The faculty offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Science (MSc), Specialist, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Science (DSc). Degrees gained by our graduates are highly regarded by employers and are valued all over the world. You may start your career as a professional physicist, but can also enter many other professions as a person who has been trained to understand complex data, think logically and critically and communicate ideas effectively.

 

1. When was Moscow State University founded?

2. When did the Faculty of Physics get its present status?

3. What divisions are there?

4. How many departments does the faculty have?

5. Why did you enter the Faculty of Physics?

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