Reading and vocabulary. 2.1Read the text about higher education in Great Britain

2.1Read the text about higher education in Great Britain. Check the meanings of the underlined words with a dictionary.

In Britain your first degree is a BA (Bachelor of arts or humanities) or a BSc (Bachelor of science). If you do post-graduate study, you can get an MA (Master of arts or humanities) or an MSc. After some years of original research and publishing a thesis, you can get a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). Undergraduates usually write essays. A long essay is called dissertation. A thesis is longer still and contains original research.

University teachers are called lecturers. In the UK the heads of university departments and some very important academics are Professors. A university usually consists of faculties, or colleges. They are headed by Deans. The head of a university can be called Rector, Chancellor, Master or Principal. Going to university is expensive. First, there are the tuition fees. If you live away from home, you have to pay for your accommodation. University halls of residence are not cheap. Some students get a grant, but most have to take out a student loan from the bank.

2.2 Complete the sentences with the words from 2.1.

a.Higher education means doing a ____ at a university.

b.There are students’ protests against high ____ ____ in Britain these days.

c.In the USA ____ ____ ____ are called dormitories.

d.A student ____ can take years to pay off.

e.A ____ is a person who gives lectures.

f.In UK, a head of a faculty must be a ____.

g.If you are good at sport, you can apply for a ____.

h.The mathematics ____ at Moscow State University is very popular and prestigious.

i.This website helps students find ____ if they plan to live away from home.

j.Students who do their first degree are called ____.

k.If you complete your first university degree, you become a ____.

l.The Master’s ____ is a long essay.

m.The Doctor’s ____ must contain original research.

2.3Use the words form the box to complete the sentences.

graduation academic assignment specialise tutorial term seminar course

a.The …… year begins in September and runs to the end of June.

b.Next year I have to decide which area of medicine I want to …… in.

c.It’s my first …… at university, and I don’t know many things about it yet.

d.I’m doing a …… in business administration.

e.On Tuesday I have to give a short presentation at my History …… .

f.Dr Barnes is very helpful and friendly when you have a …… with him.

g.When I have a big ……, I have to spend several evenings to do it.

h.It’s my …… ceremony next week. My parents are very happy for me.

Grammar

3.1 Which words are missing in these sentences? Use 2.1 and 2.2 for help.

a.If you are good at sports, you …… apply for a grant.

b.Most students …… take a student loan from the bank.

c.If you live away from home, you …… pay for your accommodation.

d.If you do post-graduate study, you …… get an MA or an MSc.

3.2 Read the sentences. What is the meaning of CAN in them? Sometimes both are possible.

1. I can do it. = I know to do it. 2. I can do it. = It’s possible for me to do it.

a.I can speak two languages.

b.I can do an MSc after I get my Bachelor’s degree.

c.We can’t play loud music in the hall.

d.Can I apply for this grant?

e.I can pay for my accommodation myself.

f.You can’t swim, can you?

3.3 Listen to the sentences. Are the positive or negative? Listen again and repeat.

3.4 Make sentences about yourself. Use CAN or CAN’T.

e.g. speak Chinese – I can’t speak Chinese.

a.speak German

b.run 20 kilometers

c.sing very well

d.play a musical instrument

e.swim

f.play football

g.ride a bicycle

h.understand my teacher of English

3.5 Listen and complete the conversation.

- Can you sing? - ……… - Can you play a musical instrument? - ……… - What can you play? - ……… - Can you dance? - ………

Listen again and repeat. Copy the rhythm.

3.6 Listen and answer the questions for yourself. Give true answers.

e.g. ­ – Can you speak English? – Yes, I can, but not very well.

3.7 Read the adverts from a newspaper and act out job interviews.

Classifieds
Musician wanted. A newly formed band needs a front man/guitarist/composer.	Secretary wanted. German, good English, computer skills, office machines.
Health Club looking for sports instructor. Winter sports.	Family with two small kids looking for a baby sitter. Weekends, evenings, cooking, driving kids from school.

 

3.8 Look at the pictures and match them with the correct sentences.

1. You have to show your passport. 2. You can show your passport.	1. You have to smoke here. 2. You can’t smoke here.	1. You have to switch off your mobile. 2. You don’t have to switch off your mobile.

 

3.9 Make sentences about your studies. Use HAVE TO or DON’T HAVE TO.

a.Students ____ wear a uniform.

b.Students ____ take exams.

c.They ____ to pay for their accommodation.

d.All students ____ pay tuition fees.

e.You ____ get up early every day.

f.You ____ speak English at your English lessons.

g.You ____ do reading for seminars.

h.You ____ pay off a student loan.

3.10 Listen and agree/disagree with the sentences.

e.g. – You have to wear a uniform. – No, I don’t have to wear it.

4. Reading and speaking

4.1 Read about the Open University in the UK. How is it different from other universities?

The Open University (OU) is a British long-distance learning institution. It allows all kinds of people to study for a degree. Housewives, grandfathers, busy workers, and people with health disabilities (ограниченные физические возможности) can do a bachelor degree course. You can have almost unlimited time to complete a degree. The students choose how many modules to do each year, until there are enough (достаточно) for a degree. So they can continue to work and study in their spare time. The time of exams and assignments, however, is not flexible, so self-discipline is very important. The OU uses various methods for distance learning, for example, written and audio materials, the Internet, television programmes and materials on DVD. For most courses, students contact with tutors at face-to-face tutorials, by telephone, and/or on the Internet.

Guess the meaning of the highlighted words. Check it with a dictionary.

Make 5-6 sentences about OU students and what they have to/don’t have to do to complete a degree.

e.g. OU students have to take exams. or OU students don’t have to live in university accommodation.

4.2 Roxy Freeman is a web journalist, a loving mother of two children and an Open University student. In her blog she often writes about her studies there. Interview Roxy about her life, and act out the conversation.

e.g. – Do you have to work? or How often do you have to contact your tutor?

 

Reading and listening

5.1 Read the text and answer the questions.

a.Who has to study longer, a technologist or an engineer?

b.Which is higher in educational context, a diploma or a degree?

c.Can you get BEng at college in the UK?

 

Can ‘sandwich’ course students work and study at the same time? What is the difference between a technologist and an engineer? The main difference is in level of education and training. Engineers have advanced training and normally hold university degrees. In training contexts, a technologist is normally someone usually trained for 2-3 years. You can progress from technologist to engineer by following courses at colleges and universities. Colleges offer certificates and diplomas (a diploma is a higher level qualification than a certificate). Universities offer degrees. As an example, in the UK system, most young people who want a career in technology start by studying at a college of further education or university. They would normally follow the scheme: HNC (Higher National Certificate), HND (Higher National Diploma), BEng (Bachelor of Engineering degree). Some universities allow students to transfer to a degree course early, after completing only one year of a diploma course. It is also possible for students to leave school at sixteen and work as an apprentice with a company. The company can then release them from work for some time every week to study at a college. This is called a part-time, or ‘sandwich’ course.

5.2 In the text find the words which mean the following.

a.a person who learns through work

b.to develop in a positive way

c.more complex, high level

d.profession, life occupation

e.to move from one course to another

f.to let someone go

g.post-school education, but not at university

5.3 Alex is a college student from Scotland. He takes an HND course in Civil Engineering. Civil engineers work in the planning and construction of buildings, airports, bridges, highways etc. Listen to him and mark the sentences True or False. Listen again and check your answers.

a. The course takes two years.

b.Alex is in the second year.

c.There are no girls in his group.

d.Alex wants to do a degree at university.

e.He wants to take Structural Engineering.

f.A BEng takes three years.

g.Alex is interested in building roads.

h.He wants to travel in his job.

Conversation patterns

6.1 Which reply is the best in these situations? Listen to the conversations and check.

a. Student: Can you say that again, please? Teacher: 1) No, thanks. 2) Yes, it’s ‘uncle’.	b. Student: Can you write it on the board, please? Teacher: 1) Yes, sure. 2) I don’t understand.
c. Student: Can you play the recording again? Teacher: 1) Yes, please. 2) Yes, of course.	d. Friend: Can I use your phone? You: 1) Go ahead. 2) Yes, please.

6.2 Listen and copy the rhythm.

a.Can you say that again, please?

b.Can you write it on the board, please?

c.Can you play the recording again?

d.Can I use your phone?

e.Can I have a pen?

f.And can I send a fax, please?

6.3 Practise asking politely for more things. Work in pairs. Let your partner reply.

a.You want the bill in a café.

b.You want to use a computer.

c.You want to send an email.

d.You want to have a glass of water.

e.You need some paper.

f.You ask to open the door for you.

g.You want to know the time.

h.You want to use the toilet.

i.You want someone to take your photo.

Writing

International undergraduate students have to complete a special application for admission form.

1. Read the sample form of Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. Complete the form carefully with your personal details.

2. Write a short personal statement to explain which course you want to take and why. Choose a course from the list.

Course title ……………………………………………………………………………

Name …………………………… Nationality ………………………………………

Male/female………………………... Date of birth …………………………..………

Tel. ………………………………… Email …………………………………………

Please list in chronological order all the academic studies completed and current. You must include certified copies of your certificates and exam results. English languages qualifications can be listed here.

…………………………………………………………………………………...........

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Include reasons why you want to study at Leeds Met, the reason for your choice of course and any future career plans.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

Date …………………………….. Signature …………………………………………

______________________________

List of courses for international undergraduate students:

Electrical Engineering; Health and Safety; International Management; Public Relations; Information Technologies; Sport Management; Petroleum Engineering;

Construction Design; Architecture; Geology; Forest Management etc.

OVER TO YOU:

1. Can you describe a university course?

2. Can you say what students have to do to complete a degree at your university?

3. Can you say what you have to do to become a specialist in your field of studies?

Module 5

ALMA MATER