Laboratory Work. Higher education

MP3 AUDIO 5.1

1. You’ll hear five speakers talking about problems they or their relatives face while studying. Fill in the chart with the information given in the recording. Be especially precise with the column “Your solution to the problem”; here, you’re supposed to give your personal advice to avoid or ease the problems mentioned by the speakers.

Speaker	Problem	Signs of the Problem	Your Solution to the Problem
1	examination	the ability to learn	develop process of examination
2	preparation for an exam	tired face, sleepless nights etc.	not to worry; more sleep
3	entrance to university	Lost weight, rings under eyes, lack of sleep	not to worry; more sleep
4	the highest grade	Stunned, confidence	to do one’s best to achieve more
5	automatic checking of tests results	reduce the time of checking papers	develop this system in order to exclude possible mistakes in checking

2. Have you ever experienced problems while studying?  What were these problems like? How did you cope with them?

I experienced stress before examinations. In order to cope with it, I tried to be positive, handled each task as it came, or selectively dealt with matters in some priority.

3. What are other difficulties that contemporary university students face while studying? When do the problems usually occur? Are there special stresses that cause them? Do you agree that the quality learning is “the travel of hardships”? Give account of about 100 words on the questions mentioned.

Studying is likely to bring a number of changes to students’ life. Hopefully it should be enjoyable and interesting, but it can also be challenging – especially if you are experiencing a mental health problem. Some changes or new experiences that many people experience are: meeting and working with new people, new demands such as deadlines for written work or presentations, exams, balancing the demands of studying with work or caring commitments, maintaining relationships with family and old friends, leaving home or moving house. Besides, it is important to know how to de-stress. Learning how to de-stress is crucial. Straightforward, effective, self-help techniques are going to be very helpful when you have a heavy workload, in the run-up to the exams, and even when you’re sitting in the exam room. For instance, you can do some physical activity, consider complementary therapies, get enough sleep and so on.

MP3 AUDIO 5.2

Listen to a talk given by a university advisor to a group of students and answer the following questions:

1.    What is the standard grading system in the USA?

Standard letter-grading system of A, B, C, and F

2.    What are the ‘special grades’ that the speaker mentions in the recording?

Satisfactory (S) and Unsatisfactory (U)

3.    Comment on the standard grading system in your country?

In Russia there is a number-grading system of 2 (bad), 3 (satisfactory), 4 (good), 5 (excellent).

4.    Do schools and colleges practice non-standard grading systems? What are they?

Qualifiers + and – are often used to add some degree of differentiation between the grades, e.g. 4+ is better than 4 but not as good as 5–. Grading varies greatly from school to school, university to university and even teacher to teacher, and tends to be entirely subjective even for courses that lend themselves to objective marking such as mathematics and applied sciences. Even though the grades technically range from "1" to "5", "1" is not very common and is rarely given for academic reasons—in many cases a "1" is given as a result of failure to show up for an exam or to answer any questions. A "2" grade usually means that the student showed little or no knowledge in a subject.

5.    Give examples of other grading systems throughout the world? Which of them do you think are efficient for the students’ academic assessment?

• In Germany, school grades vary from 1 (very good, sehr gut) to 6 (insufficient, ungenügend). In the final classes of German Gymnasium schools that prepare for university studies, a point system is used with 15 points being the best grade and 0 points the worst. The percentage causes the grade can vary from teacher to teacher.
• Most New Zealand secondary schools use the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) marking schedule, even in pre-NCEA years for commonality. There are four grades, from lowest to highest, Not Achieved (N), Achieved (A), Merit (M), and Excellence (E). The minority of schools using other secondary school qualifications (usually CIE or IB) have different grades. Grading at tertiary institutions generally centers around a letter scale, with a corresponding 9 point GPA scale (C=1, A+=9).
• In Peru grades range from 0 to 20, in an almost unique grading table. The passing grade is 11 in almost all schools and universities, while certain ones require 13. In some preschool facilities, grades usually range from F to A+, following the American system, and in a few colleges, the passing grade is 10.

MP3 AUDIO 5.3

Listen to a talk by a student advisor on campus. Answer the following questions.

1. What are the rules for dropping a course in the talk provided?

You can drop a course within the four three weeks of the semester, to drop a course you first need to get the signature of the professor of the course you want to drop in an official drop card, then you should get the signature of your advisor.

2. What warnings does the student advisor give?

·         You can officially drop a course after the first three weeks of the semester.

·         If you are having problems in a course and you decide later on that you want to drop the course it’s impossible to do so.

3. How can you avoid getting a failing grade, according to the recording?

·         If you stop attending your course without going through the official drop-procedures, the course will remain on your schedule and you will receive a falling grade. It is important to understand these procedures and follow them. If you do so, you won’t have any problems.

4. What are the official drop procedures for the elective courses in your country?

There are no official drop procedures for the elective courses in Russia. Everything depends on the place where you study at.

MP3 AUDIO 5.4

Listen to a talk given on a college campus.

1. What are the places of a college campus that the speaker mentions in the recording?

·         library, student center, administration complex

2. Can you find the similar campus places in your college/university? What are other places that are worth mentioning? Characterize them briefly.

In our Institute we do not have a student center, and there is no a separate administration complex. There are 2 dormitories, 3 gyms, a stadium, a canteen, and a huge complex where lectures take place.

3. Pick out the places from the previous task and make a similar tour around your college/university to inform the freshmen about the campus.

There are 2 dormitories where the students live; a library with a computer lab and thousands of books, journals and magazines which are necessary for studying; a huge complex where lectures take place.  

Movie Review #2

"Dangerous Minds"

9.     Movies. Give a review of the movie “Dangerous Minds”. How did Louanne Johnson change lives of her students?

I would like to tell you a review of the movie “Dangerous Minds” directed by John N. Smiths. The film stars Michelle Pfeiffer as LouAnne Johnson, Courtney B. Vance as George Grandey and others. It is an American drama/hood film which is set in Belmont, California. Dangerous Minds is based on LouAnne Johnson's “My Posse Don't Do Homework”, an account of her teaching experiences in a northern California high school.

“Dangerous Minds” tells the story of an ex-marine Louanne Johnson who comes to a Palo Alto high school in search of a job as a student teacher. What she gets instead is a full-time position teaching English to a group of bright but "socially challenged" students. When her first-day wardrobe choice and meek attitude earn her the nickname of "White Bread", she tries a radical approach: wear a leather jacket, curse as proficiently as the kids, and teach karate as a lead-in to English Literature. It works, and the students start to come around. Despite protestations from an uptight, by-the-book principal George Grandey, lives are changed as a result of Louanne's unorthodox approach of using Bob Dylan lyrics to teach poetry and rewarding completed assignments with trips to amusement parks and dinners at fancy restaurants.

As for the acting, I should say that the film rests squarely on the shoulders of Michele Pfeiffer who puts her heart and soul into her portrait of a dedicated inner city teacher who, day by day, moves closer to burnout, thanks to an uncooperative principal, some antagonistic parents, and the violence of the streets. She is very convincing in her role and I think her performance is really terrific. 

Besides, this movie revolves around several crucial ideas. It relates to sociological events and delves deeper into the problems that these students have to deal with growing up. This type of film will be an eye opener to most people in society, as it shows the hurt and the effects certain things have on the students. It opens your eyes to poverty, equal rights, and how family can be torn apart and how friends that you really care about can be lost in an instant and when it does your life comes crashing down. 

All in all, I like this movie for it demonstrates how a bright person can change ‘‘dangerous minds'' and make them active rather than rejecting them and drive them to the streets selling drugs and the likes. It shows us that every single kid has the same opportunities. All kids have different potential. Just need to encourage him/her to bring it about and use it like LouAnne Johnson did. The passion that LouAnne exudes about teaching and just about life is an inspiration to anyone.

Movie Review #1

"The Ron Clark Story"

8.     Movies. Give a review of the movie “The Ron Clark Story”. Comment on its tagline, “No one believed in them. Except him.”

I would like to tell you a review of the movie “The Ron Clark Story” directed by Randa Haines. The film stars Matthew Perry as Ron Clark, Brandon Mychal Smith as Tayshawn, Hannah Hodson as Shameika, Micah Stephen Williams as Julio and others. The film is the television drama which is set in Harlem, New York. 

"The Ron Clark Story" tells the real-life tale of Clark (Matthew Perry), a teacher from upstate New York who moves to Manhattan and re-instills courage and hope into the lives of many down-and-out students. Via highly innovative teaching strategies and rule sets Clark manages to turn several lives around and raises students' test scores to admirable levels. His star pupils include a young girl Shameika forced to both attend school and care for her siblings and a graffiti-prone young man Tayshawn who rechannels his energies into more traditional painting with Clark's encouragement. In the end, even when pneumonia threatens to keep Clark down, he refuses to let it. Mr. Clark's class gets the highest average in the state and Clark is regarded by his students as their best teacher.

Speaking about the actors it should be mentioned that their performance is great. Matthew Perry truly carries this movie. He is funny, heartfelt and real. Perry gives us all the elements of his personality that we fell in love with in “Friends” while also being able to show off his skill as a dramatic actor. He plays both the comedic and dramatic scenes equally well. Basically, he is perfect in this role, and this story is one that needed to be shared. Another stand out is Brandon Mychal Smith who plays Tayshawn. This character is very emotionally driven, particularly in some of his final scenes. He is a very talented artist who comes from an abusive home, and, in the end, this kid really holds his own having to portray someone with this life.

One of the merits of the film is its directing. In spite of the fact that “The Ron Clark Story” is a made-for-television film, it is really good made and for me it is one of the best biographical films. It is a fairly realistic depiction of the inner city school system in Harlem. However, Director Randa Haines resorts to melodramatic scenes on occasion, in order to embellish a story that doesn't really need melodrama in order to be interesting. Nevertheless, she wisely chooses to downplay a couple of subplots including Mr. Clark's low key romance with his friend Marissa, and his student's dysfunctional family lives.

In conclusion I want to say that “The Ron Clark Story” tagline is “No one believed in them. Except him”. In other words, this film concentrates on a teacher believing in the worth of every human being and finding ways to convince even the lowest performing students of their own potential. Ron fights his own self-doubt along the way as he teaches the students to believe in themselves, to set high goals, and guides them to recognizing their hidden potential. So every single kid has the same opportunities. All kids have different potential. Just need to encourage him/her to bring it about and use it like Ron did. The incredible passion that Ron exudes about teaching and just about life is an inspiration to anyone.

Discussion Questions

School Education in Britain and the USA

1. What types of schools do they have in the UK?

State schools, primary schools, secondary schools, grammar schools, fee paying schools, independent schools, public schools, prep schools.

2. When do children start/leave school?

Children usually start school at the age of 5 and leave it at 16 or 18.

3. What are the stages of schooling according to age?

3-4 – nursery schools/playschools

5-11 – primary education

11-16 – secondary education

16-18 – sixth forms

4. What exams do pupils have to take?

Standard Assessment Tests (SATs) at the ages of 7, 11, and 14

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at 16

General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) – exams in work-related subjects

A level (Advanced level) at 18

5. Do school leavers have to take entrance exams to go to university?

In order to go to University students take their A level exam, which is the main standard for entrance to University or other higher educational institutions

6. It is well known that there is no written constitution in the UK. Is there such a thing as a national curriculum?

Yes, the National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. The purpose of the National Curriculum was to standardize the content taught across schools to enable assessment, which in turn enabled the compilation of league tables detailing the assessment statistics for each school. These league tables, together with the provision to parents of some degree of choice in assignment of the school for their child (also legislated in the same act) were intended to encourage a 'free market' by allowing parents to choose schools based on their measured ability to teach the National Curriculum.

7. How long should it take to complete full-time compulsory education?

British law requires all children to be in full-time education from the age of 5 to 16, but parents like, if possible to send younger children to a nursery school or playschool from the age of 2 or 3.

8. What should primary school and secondary school concentrate on?

Secondary schools should concentrate on preparing students for their exams, and primary schools should teach children the three R’s and develop their creative abilities

9. In what case can entrance exams be abandoned?

Entrance exams can be abandoned if a student does not want to continue his/her education and starts working.

10. What should be admission requirements to primary and secondary school?

schools may give priority to children: who have a brother or sister at the school already, who live close to the school, from a particular religion (for faith schools), who do well in an entrance exam (for selective schools eg grammar schools or stage schools), who went to a particular primary school (a ‘feeder school’), in care or being looked after (all schools must have this as a top priority).

11. What is the purpose of elite school education?

With elite education you’re part of elite group of future leaders and world-changers. The future of civilization depends on you. You form some of your closest, longest-lasting friendships in college. Elite-university-goers tend to stick together long after they have graduated. They network, they meet friends-of-friends. Everyone within their circle believes strongly in the prestige and importance of an elite education. Elite universities are feeders for other institutions: the professions (law, medicine, etc.), academia, and large corporations. These institutions are filled with graduates from elite universities (and college graduates, in general). Within these institutions, the importance of an elite education is usually accepted as irrefutable fact.

12. What subjects should be an integral part of school curriculum? What subjects can be optional for university students?

Mathematics, Science, a modern foreign language, History and Geography should be an integral part of school curriculum. Philosophy, Music, Literature and Technology can be optional for university students.

13. What is the essence of private schooling in Russia?

Such schools are small institutions, offering individualized attention for children.

14. What is a problem pupil?

A problem pupil is a pupil who misbehaves at school and has learning difficulties.

15. What is your idea of a good teacher?

A good teacher is one who is able to bond with his/her students, to understand and to resonate with their feelings and emotions. A good teacher has a positive mental attitude, is flexible and is open to change. A good teacher should also be a role model to the students.

16. Looking back on your school days, what experiences can you describe as the most 1) memorable, 2) exciting, 3) painful?

1) receiving my diploma; 2)school parties and hanging out with friends; 3)occasional bad marks

17. How do you feel on the morning of an exam?

Nervous and worrying

18. In your opinion, which exam is easier to pass: oral or written?

I think it is easier to pass an oral examination.

19. Do you prefer to be the first to answer in an oral exam?

Not always, it depends on the difficulty of an exam.

20. Do you use rough-work sheets in a written exam? Why?

I take a sheet of paper with me on the exams simply to write down my answers

21. Do you feel uncomfortable if a teacher stands next to you during a written exam?

No, I don’t care about it

22. Do you think a crib can be of any use?

It depends on the kind of an exam, but anyway it’s better to know perfectly all the material if you want a good mark. Cribs cannot save you.

23. Have you ever panicked during an exam?

Yes, several times.

24. Do you think it is a way out to copy from other students?

No, for an examiner, doubting your knowledge, can ask you such questions you do not know. In this case copying doesn’t work.

25. What is the most difficult thing about exams?

Preparation for them

26. What are the advantages and disadvantages of private schools (boarding schools, co-educational vs single-sex schools, school uniforms)?

1) Private schools usually have greater access to resources and technology than public schools. Private schools usually have a smaller student body, and a lower teacher-to-pupil ratio than public schools. Unlike public schools, private schools have far less bureaucracy. The final say is at the school level, not the district level. Private schools tend to have more parental involvement than public schools. However, there are generally fewer minorities in private school than in public school. Also, the parents of exceptional children; whether the child is gifted or whether she needs special education services, generally find that private schools cannot give their child the services she needs. Finally, there's the cost of private education, which can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

2) Advantages of wearing school uniforms. It gives students a sense of pride as they know they belong in that school. If any crime happens outside of school, members of the public can identify which school they attend. Some of the less privileged students may not be able to afford fashionable clothes - so students may get bullied. It looks much more formal. Students can get into the routine of wearing uniforms. So when they attend meetings and university they will know how to dress formally.

Disadvantages of wearing school uniforms. Students can get very hot, during the summer term, in school uniform. If any student is involved in violence or has been attacked members of the public will not be able to tell what school they attended. Students will feel unique if they wear there own clothes whereas if they wear school uniform they are pretty much the same as all the students. Teachers will be able to identify students easier. Own clothes are much cheaper than school uniform. Students will not have to worry about bringing incorrect uniform to school. Less detentions = students having more time to study.

3) Advantages and disadvantages of boarding schools.

Advantages. In a boarding school setting, a student may be able to learn independence and a sufficient sense of self. Because he is in a more enclosed environment, a stability is present within all of the student's educational and social settings. Educational advantages begin with the ability of students and teachers to cultivate personal relationships that encourage more growth and provide extra help with academic and personal betterment. At a boarding school, students are provided with study sessions that are supervised by teachers, thus improving performance in school. Many classes are also available that better fit in with each student's specific interests.

Disadvantages. It can be difficult for a student to adjust to boarding school because she has been placed in completely new surroundings with unfamiliar people and circumstances. Time spent with family and friends from home becomes limited, which can make the transition seem harder. A personal life away from school is also difficult to maintain due to the high expectations of academic excellence in a typical boarding school. Also, extracurricular activities provided by the school often occupy a student's time after classes and on the weekends. And although rules and guidelines are needed to implement discipline in students, oftentimes a boarding school student must strictly adhere to even minor rules or risk expulsion.

4) Pros and cons of single-sex schools. Many students at single sex schools point to the lack of opposite sex as an enormous advantage. Many students find it easier to focus on academics when they aren’t distracted by members of the opposite sex. Others may find it easier to participate actively in classes where everyone is the same sex. Others enjoy the camaraderie that often connects classmates at single-sex schools. But that advantage can also be a disadvantage. For one thing, student diversity suffers at a single sex school. In addition, although it may be easier for students to participate actively and do well academically at a single sex institution, the real world is not single sex. It may prove difficult for students from single sex schools to adjust to a co-ed work atmosphere after they graduate.

5) Pros and cons of co-educational schools. Co-ed schools are likely to offer you more in the way of student diversity. Having both men and women in classes allow students of both sexes to interact with a wider range of people and learn how to work with and talk to people of the opposite sex. However, the mixing of the sexes can also serve as a disadvantage for some students at co-ed schools. Students who are intimidated by the opposite sex may find it difficult to participate in class at co-ed schools, while others (admit it!) simply find the opposite sex to be a distraction from their academic work.

27. Is it a good idea for pupils to specialize in their “best” subjects at school?

Only if pupils sure that they want to continue studying them at the University.

28. What’s the best age for children to start primary school? Why?

I think that formal schooling should be delayed until the age of six or seven because early education is causing “profound damage” to children.

29. Should children stay at school until they are 18 or 19?

It depends on the type of school and students’ abilities.

30. Is it a good idea for pupils to participate in the running of schools?

Yes, for it develops pupils’ activity, responsibility for their choices and actions, the ability to make decisions.

31. Are national and international exams necessary? What are the pros and cons of regular performance tests and continuous assessment by teachers and lecturers?

Different examinations check the students’ abilities and knowledge of particular subjects. They also help them to apply for a University or other higher educational institutions.

32. Can computers assess learning?

The move to on-line and computer based assessment is a natural outcome of the increasing use of information and communication technologies to enhance learning. At the same time, in a climate of increasing academic workloads, the adoption of on-line assessment may help to manage large volumes of marking and assessment-related administration efficiently. The automation of routine on-line tasks, in particular, may have the potential in the long-term to provide time/cost-efficient student assessment.

Nevertheless, there is some evidence that on-line assessment, unless carefully planned, can encourage students to focus on lower level cognitive skills. The educational effectiveness of on-line assessment that concentrates primarily or exclusively on true/false or multiple choice responses, for example, is highly questionable in a higher education environment. As is widely known, such approaches to assessment can have direct negative effects on student approaches to learning by encouraging narrow reproduction rather than the development of higher order cognition that involves, for example, critical evaluation.