Put the words and phrases from the text below into two groups: studies and social life.

to pass exams, to get good grades, to apply to university, to live in a Hall (dormitory), to do a degree course, to call smb for an interview, to organize social events, a single study-bedroom, to be independent, to be fun, to leave home, to end up with a Bachelor degree, to do the Postgraduate degree, to move other places

Use some of these phrases and make sentences about your student life.

Read the email exchange between two girls. What do they do?

> Hi, Tanya! How are you? I’ve got great news! I’ve already written to you that I passed 3 A-Levels with good grades and applied to Sheffield University and three more. Last week they called me for an interview and yesterday I knew that Sheffield accepted me! I can’t believe it. I’ve always wanted to join this University and to do a degree course in Information Management here because it’s one of the most popular universities in the country! So now I am a student like you!

Best wishes. Elly.

> Hello, Elly. Many congratulations from me and my family. I’m so happy for you. It sounds like you feel quite privileged to be in that University. I know that most of the students in England live in Halls of Residence because they usually leave their home cities and move other places to study which is not very common in Russia. Are you also going to live in a Hall? And how long will your course last?

Tanya.

> Yes, Tanya, you are quite right. I will live in a Hall. It’s about one mile from the Uni, close to shops and bus-routes. Most of the rooms are single study-bedrooms, the fee includes all meals except lunches Monday-Friday. Hall life is really good fun. It is run by students themselves. Each Hall has the President. His job is to organize all the social events that go on in a Hall. He also has a secretary, a treasurer on his committee and the list goes on.

My course will last 3 years and I will end up with a Bachelor degree. I will then have the choice to do the Postgraduate degree. I could take a Master degree and go on into a PhD. But you have to be very intelligent to do that and I don’t think I am!

Elly.

> Thanks, Elly. Now I’ve got some idea of what it’s like to be a student in England. I’d also like to live in a Hall. I think it’s really good fun. Living at home with parents has some advantages but I’d like to be more independent. Sorry it is only a short email – a lot of studies today! Congratulations once again!

Bye for now.

Tanya.

 

Complete the following sentences using the information from the emails. Develop the idea.

1) Elly is happy because she …

2) She is going to do a course in …

3) In order to come to University in England you have to …

4) Most of the students in England live …

5) Elly will live in …

6) Hall life is …

7) The course will last …

8) She is unlikely to do …

A. Look at the following aspects of student life and choose the five most important aspects for you. Number them (1-5) in order of importance. Give your reasons.

1) Your accommodation

2) The subjects you study

3) Staff-student relations

4) Teaching and learning resources

5) The social side of life

6) Sport facilities

7) Money in your pocket

8) The city where you study

 

5 B. Work in groups of four and discuss your ideas. Agree on the top five aspects and number them in order of importance. Use the following words and phrases:

Toagree/support other people’s opinions:

I (fully) agree with you / Yes, that’s right.

I think so, too / Exactly.

To disagree/ contradict other people’s opinions:

I don’t agree / I don’t think so.

That’s not the point/problem… / Oh, no.

Report your decision back to the class.

Write an email to your friend in England about your reasons for entering the University. Use the examples from 3.

Section II Grammar in Practice

PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSES

Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Perfect Continuous.

1) We … (study) English for 10 years. 2) He … (do) his lessons since lunch. 3) Ever since my University years I … (study) the history of Russia. 4) How are you? I am a little tired. I … (prepare) for my exams all afternoon. 5) He is an experienced interpreter because he … (work) for 20 years in this field. 6) What … (you / do) all this time, Pat? 7) I know the names of everyone in the village. I … (live) here all my life.

 

2. Write what Elly has already done and how long she has been doing smth. Use for and since with Present Perfect Continuous.

to pass 3 A-Levels

to do a degree course

to leave home

to move to Sheffield

to take a Bachelor degree

to live in a Hall

Answer the questions.

1) How long have you been living in this city? 2. Have you been studying English for a long time?3. How long have you been working on the computer? 4. How long have you been living in a dormitory? 5. How long have you been answering these questions? 6. How long have you been doing Information Technology? 7. How long have you known your best friend? 8. How long haveyou been a student of this Faculty and how long have you been studying inthis group?