Make as 10 questions to the text. Then, ask your partner to answer them.

With a partner, make a list of reasons for going to university. Then read the article quickly and check the reasons given. Are they the same as yours?

Read the article again and fill the gaps with these extracts.

a) As it is, with the current virtually non-existent level of financial support in this country, students already often have to take out loans to pay for general living costs.

b) many graduates have to accept positions which are not challenging or well-paid.

c) and most accept that they should pay something towards the benefits they receive from a university education.

d) but the proposed increase is too much.

e) The intended increase in university fees has come at the wrong time.

Find reasons in the article for not going to university. Read the article.

The true cost of university fees

The recent government announcement of an increase in university fees for the coming academic year has angered young people planning to go to university. In addition, it has caused some of them quite understandably to question the value of a university education.

In an ideal world, university education would be free and open to all. However, in most western countries, students do contribute to the cost of going to university, 1) … . These benefits include the opportunity to get good jobs in the future.

But is it that simple? It is true that university graduates may get better jobs, but this clearly means that they will then pay higher taxes, whichcontribute to the economy of the whole country. So, isn't adding further increases to university fees in effect asking students to pay twice? 2) … This can result in them getting heavily into debt. Annie Costello, who became President of the National Union of Students earlier this year, says that the average student debt already runs into thousands of pounds. Furthermore, many students have to depend on their parents to finance their education.

3) ... . It will discourage some students from going to university because they simply cannot afford it. This is not good news for the Government, whose stated aim is to encourage 50 percent ofyoung people to go on to higher education. Already, many young people are questioning the value of a university education. Everyone seems to have a degree these days, they say, so when they graduate from university, they cannot be sure they will get awell-paid job. And this seems to be the reality: 4) … . Therefore the decision to raise university fees will almost certainly affect the student intake, leading to a drop in numbers.

The proposed increase in fees is unfair to students. Many are already having problems dealing with debt. There's nothing wrong with asking students to contribute to the costs of a university education, 5 …. We call on the Government to reconsider their decision or risk losing a generation of educated young people.

Make as 10 questions to the text. Then, ask your partner to answer them.

III. LISTENING

You are going to hear an interview with Alan, a Scottish student of electronics at a college of further education. Here is Alan’s weekly timetable. Some of the information is missing. Before you listen, try to answer these questions about the timetable.

1) What time does Alan start in the morning?

2) What time does he finish for the day?

3) What do you think happens between 10.15 and 10.45?

4) What other time does this happen?

5) How often does he have Maths?

6) When is the lunch break

Now listen to the interview again and answer these questions.

1.Why did so many students drop out of the Alan’s course?

2.Why does he dislike communications?

3.Why is it hard to use the indoor stadium?

4.Why is there a problem with his motorbike?

Fill in the gaps in this text. Each gap represents one word. Compare your answers with your partner. More than one answer is possible for many of the gaps.

In the UK, you 1) … study electronics at a college of further education or a university.

A college of further education will 2) … students who have completed a minimum of four years 3) … secondary school. Most students study full-time 4) … colleges also offer day release classes 5)… people employed by local businesses who are given time 6) … work to attend courses. Colleges also provide evening 7) … for full-time workers and members of the local community 8) … want to study in their spare time.

Most university students will have completes six years of secondary 9) … . Some will have completed four years and 10) … taken a course at a college of further education.

From a college you can 11) … a certificate or diploma. A diploma usually requires a longer period of study 12) … a certificate. Universities give degrees. A Bachelor’s degree takes three to four years of 13) … . A Master’s degree usually requires a further 14) … .

Now listen to the text and note the words used on the tape for each gap.

IV. SPEAKING