EDUCATION
Vocabulary
Study the words and expressions.
1. Point out the words related to education. Translate.
School attendance is compulsory for all children in Britain between the ages of 5and 15, that is all
children between these ages have to attend school. Children under 5 may attend nursery schools. At 5
they all go to a primary school, passing through two stages, first the infants school till they are 7,
then the junior school from 7 to 11. At 11, a child will be sent, according to his or her ability, to one
of the three kinds of secondary schools: a grammar school, a modern school, a technical school.
Those schools are free and publicly maintained. Besides them, there are independent schools, called
Public Schools (e.g. Eton, Harrow and Rugby), with centuries-old traditions and for which very
heavy fees have to be paid.
2. Replace the underlined words with their synonyms. Choose among the following:
Get ploughed - get through - go in - learned men - win.
At 18 or 19, public schoolboys, if they pass the necessarily exams and secondary schoolboys, if they
are clever enough to obtain a scholarship, go to a university. The two older universities are Oxford
and Cambridge. Their students reside in one of the colleges. The other British universities are on the
main non-residential. Students prepare for their degrees by attending lectures given by professors and
by working under the direction of a tutor. In all universities the degree course generally extends over
three years. While taking it the student is undergraduate. The award of the first degree of Bachelor,
either BA or B.Sc. depends upon success in the final examination. Not all students who sit for an
exam pass it. Some fail. Some graduates who undertake further studies or research work will obtain
higher degrees, for instance that of MA or Ph.D. The aim of education in Great Britain is not so
much to produce scholars as to develop young mens characters and prepare them for life.
3. Match the following.
1. anthology a. a book containing a selection of the words of a
language, usually arranged alphabetically, giving information about
their meanings, pronunciations, etymologies, etc.
2. dictionary b. a book of instruction, guidance, or information, as for an occupation,
travel, or reference
3. encyclopaedia c. a book of selected writings by various authors, usually in the same
literary form or on the same subject
4. handbook d. a book of words, usually with definitions, explanations,
etc.
5. lexicon e. a book or set of books containing articles on various topics, usually
in alphabetical arrangement, covering all branches of knowledge or all
aspects of one subject
6. manual f. a book used by students as a standard work for a particular branch of
study
7. textbook g. a small book, especially one giving information or instructions
8. wordbook h. a wordbook or dictionary especially of Greek, Latin, or Hebrew
Study the words/expressions and their definitions:
to attend classes: to go to classes
bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by
post
face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in a
classroom with colleagues and a teacher
to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
to give feedback: to offer guidance on a students work
a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her
academic degree
higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after
high school or secondary school
an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as
short a time as possible
to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
to learn something by heart: to memorize it
a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to
education after a period at work
masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors
degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic
course
to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex
school)
to sit an exam: to take an exam
state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they
teach.
to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support
yourself financially
Paraphrase
1. Education is the first national priority and the basic factor for a sustainable development
of the society based on the knowledge.
2. The main purpose of education is to build and develop a system of skills that includes
integral multi-functional knowledge, competency and values.
3. Improving education outcomes depends heavily on links with the health and social
protection sectors.
4. In all societies, governments assume the responsibility for giving their people the
opportunity to become educated and thus receive these benefits.
