Review №2

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

I am going to speak about the film “Dangerous Minds” and say how Louanne Johnson changed lives of her students. It is a 1995 American film, the director of which is John N. Smith and the main actress is Michelle Pfeiffer. Its genre is biography, crime and drama. The setting of the story is  Belmont, California, the USA.

Let me pass on to the plot of the film. The ex-marine Louanne Johnson is searching for a job and she immediately gets a job of a teacher in one of the schools in Belmont. She is surprised by it but wants to begin. No one tells her which students she is going to work with. Their first meeting was a difficult challenge for a new teacher but in sometimes she can get on with them. Louanne not only teaches them at school but helps them in their lives as well. She tries to cope with their difficulties with them but her only failure is Emilio who is shot. She breaks the school rules because of her students and they begin to respect and love her. When Mrs. Johnson says that she is going to leave the school, her explanation is not convinced her students who are needed in her and ask her to stay. The teacher decides to stay to be with her class.

I would like to mention the acting. I like Michelle Pfeiffer and I think that her performance was really good. The actress could convey the emotions and feelings of Louanne Johns with all her ups and downs. The scene when she came to the principal and then got to know about Emilio’s death impressed me greatly because her emotions seemed to be real but not artificial. Even I was not indifferent when she was talking to the students for the last time. I understood why she wanted to leave it and why she decided to stay.

Besides, I would like to single out the theme which I think is very important and was mentioned in the movie. In my opinion only her love and belief in her students helped Louanne to change their lives. In this film as well as in the previous one, no one did not believe in those teenagers and in their abilities. Except her. Only that teacher can become a good one who does not doubt in children and who is always help and encourage them. It is the main thing except get them knowledge, of course, which a teacher must do.

In conclusion I would like to say that I like this film and the atmosphere of it. There are many problems and difficulties which the main character had to deal with anв for me it was interesting to observe how she could cope with them. I think this film is worthy to watch those people who do not believe in themselves and their abilities in order to see how a person can change not only her life but lives of so many teenagers with already stable life positions.  

Review №1

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 speak on the movie “The Ron Clark Story” and comment on its tagline. It is a 2006 TV film, the director of which is Randa Haines and the actors are Matthew Perry, Judith Buchan, Griffin Cork. Its genre is biography and drama. The setting of the story is New York, the USA.

Let me pass on to the plot of the film. The school teacher Ron Clark moves to New York where he wants to find a new job. The only place where he can do it is Inner Harlem Elementary School, where he becomes the teacher of unruled, aggressive and wild sixth-grade students. Ron makes great efforts to help them but those children does not need any interference in their lives. They are rude with the new teacher, refuse to obey him, want him to leave their school. However, Mr. Clark does not give up and countinue to fight with them for them. The teacher wins proving everyone that the student about which nobody cares can achieve everything. This class passes the exams better than anyone in the city.

As for the acting I can say that I was impressed how masterfully the children played their roles. I believed them and felt with them. Especially, I like the characters of Shameika and Tayshawn whose stories were more memorable for me. Mattew Perry is known to me as Chandler from the series “Friends” seemed to me now from the other side. Here he gratefully conveyed the feelings of Ron Clark with all his ups and downs.  Besides, I would like to mention the tagline “No one believed in them. Except him.” And it is absolutely true. He chose them despite the principal’s warnings, he put his heart into these children and only he believed that his students were good little kids with huge problems and who were not interested by adults. Even he was going to give up, Mr. Clark’s assurance in his necessity to these children helped him to stay.  

Speaking about directing I can say that it was really good. The movie was made in 1998 and there were not special effects or super quality picture but it was not necessary at the same time. The story was shown as it was without embellishment: we can see the dirty streets, poor apartments. The atmosphere of the worst suburb of New York was conveyed in the best way.

In conclusion I would like to say that I like this film so much because it shows us strength of mind, true grit, and unlimited belief. Ron Clark is a born teacher, he knows how to behave with the most difficult children and I admire him. I think that almost everyone gave up in this situation but he could cope with any kind of difficulties and became the person who his students love and respect. 

Questions

School Education in Britain and the USA

1. What types of schools do they have in the UK? -  State, public, independent ( fee-paying ) , primary, infant, junior, special, preparatory, secondary, comprehensive, grammar, secondary modern school and sixth form

2. When do children start/leave school? – British law requires all children to be under full-time education from the age of 5 to 16

3. What are the stages of schooling according to age? - Depending on where they live, children may go to an infant school from age 5 to 7 and then a junior school until they are 11. Others attend a primary school from age 5 to 11. At 11 children begin their secondary education. They go to a grammar school, comprehensive school or high school. At 16 students who hope to go to university stay on at school or go to a sixth-form college.

4. What exams do pupils have to take?  - They have SAT at 7, 11, 14; GSCE at 16; A-level at 18; GNVQ

5. Do school leavers have to take entrance exams to go to university? – Yes, A-level exam

6. It is well known that there is no written constitution in the UK. Is there such a thing as a national curriculum? - National Curriculum – was introduced in 1988. It sets programmes of study in a range of subjects for all state schools in England and Wales.

7. How long should it take to complete full-time compulsory education? – It should take 12 years

8. What should primary school and secondary school concentrate on? – They should concentrate on the education of high quality, appropriate behavior and preparation for exams

9. In what case can entrance exams be abandoned? – When you are not going to continue your education

10. What should be admission requirements to primary and secondary school? – The subjects which are in National Curriculum, size of classes, a uniform

11. What is the purpose of elite school education? – The purpose is to provide children more comfortable conditions to study and give them more opportunities in their future

12. What subjects should be an integral part of school curriculum? What subjects can be optional for university students? - The National Curriculum consists of 10 subjects which all the children must study at school. The subjects are English, Mathematics, Science, a modern foreign language (for 11-16 year olds), Technology and Design, History, Geography, Music, Art, Physical Education (PE).

13. What is the essence of private schooling in Russia? - Class sizes are generally smaller, facilities much improved and extra-curricular activities more numerous.

14. What is a problem pupil? – A problem pupil is a person with difficulties in behavior and studying.

15. What is your idea of a good teacher? – A good teacher is a person who tries to understand his students, help them to study more interesting and easier.

16. Looking back on your school days, what experiences can you describe as the most 1) memorable, 2) exciting, 3) painful? – 1) our trip to St. Petersburg. 2) our Last Bell 3) I can’t remember anything

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

18. In your opinion, which exam is easier to pass: oral or written? – I think oral because you can call to memory during your answer and say additional facts, you can change something in the answer

19. Do you prefer to be the first to answer in an oral exam? – Yes, but when I am sure in my abilities

20. Do you use rough-work sheets in a written exam? Why? – Yes, to make my thoughts more structural

21. Do you feel uncomfortable if a teacher stands next to you during a written exam? – Yes, it makes me nervous

22. Do you think a crib can be of any use? – It can help but not every time because if do not understand what you are talking about any additional question can confuse you

23. Have you ever panicked during an exam? – No, it can only take your time

24. Do you think it is a way out to copy from other students? – No, it is not

25. What is the most difficult thing about exams? – The evening before it

26. What are the advantages and disadvantages of private schools (boarding schools, co-educational vs single-sex schools, school uniforms)? - Nearly 65 per cent of pupils leave fee-paying schools with one or more A levels, compared with only 14 per cent from comprehensives. Pupils at independent schools show greater improvement in the examination results than those at state-maintained schools. In later life, those educated outside the state-maintained system dominate the sources of state power and authority in government, law, the armed forces and finance.

27. Is it a good idea for pupils to specialize in their “best” subjects at school? – Yes, because pupils would learn it with pleasure

28. What’s the best age for children to start primary school? Why? – I cannot say exactly because it is the question for psychologists who are good enough at children’s mind

29. Should children stay at school until they are 18 or 19? – I do not think so; it is the age more for the further education

30. Is it a good idea for pupils to participate in the running of schools? – Yes, it is a good idea because pupils would think that their opinion is important.

31. Are national and international exams necessary? What are the pros and cons of regular performance tests and continuous assessment by teachers and lecturers? – Exams are a necessary part of education; it is a method of checking knowledge and a stimulus to learn.

32. Can computers assess learning? – In modern world computers are an integral part of education which helps pupils in learning

Lab.work

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

MP3 AUDIO 3.1

1.

Educational Institutions in Order	England	the USA	Australia
1	primary school (age 5)	elementary school (age 6)	Primary school (5)
2	secondary (11-16)	Junior high school (11)	Intermediate school (11)
3	GSCE (16)	Senior high school (14)	High school (13)
4	A-level (18)	High school (16)

2. 1. Before they start school, very young children in Britain may go to a nursery school where they play with other children and learn to socialize.

British children start primary school at the age of 5 and move to a secondary school at 11 or 13. At the age of 18 or 19 they may go on to further education at a university, polytechnic or college.

At the age of 16, British pupils take GCSE exams. They may stay on at school to take A-level two years later when they are in the Sixth form.

A British school or university year is divided into three terms; in America the year is divided into two terms.

In Britain, private boarding schools are known as public schools – in the USA, this term refers to the normal kind or state schools.

At the end of a university course, graduates are awarded a degree- probably a BA Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science) or Bed (Bachelor of Education); post-graduates can take a further course or do research and write a dissertation in the hope of getting an MA (Master of Arts) or a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

3. Russians have always shown a great concern for education. The right to education is stated in the constitution of the Russia Federation. It's ensured by compulsory secondary schools, vocational schools and higher education establishment. It is also ensured by the development of extramural and evening courses and the system of state scholarship and grants.

Education in Russia is compulsory up to the 9th form inclusive. The stages of compulsory schooling in Russia are: primary education for ages 6-7 to 9-10 inclusive; and senior school for ages 10-11 to 12-13 inclusive, and senior school for ages 13-14 to 14-15 inclusive. If a pupil of secondary school wishes to go on in higher education, he or she must stay at school for two more years. Primary and secondary school together comprise 11 years of study. Every school has a "core curriculum" of academic subjects.

After finishing the 9th form one can go on to a vocational school which offer programmes of academic subjects and a programme of training in a technical field, or a profession.

After finishing the 11th form of a secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium one can go into higher education. All applicants must take competitive exam. Higher education institution, that is institutes or universities, offer a 5-years programme of academic subjects for undergraduates in a variety of fields, as well as a graduate course and writes a thesis, he or she receives a candidates degree or a doctoral degree.

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

MP3 AUDIO 3.2

1.

EMOTIONS	LAURIE LEE	PAUL PENNYFEATHER
agreeable         angry              bewildered brave               calm                clumsy defeated         delightful        eager embarrassed    fierce               grumpy happy              helpless           jolly lively               nervous           obedient obnoxious       panicky           proud relieved           repulsive         scary thankful          thoughtless     uptight victorious        worried           zealous	Grumpy Nervous Panicky Angry	Panicky Worried Angry

2. Comment on each emotion in the above task using the information in the audio stories.

Laurie Lee felt grumpy as he behaved too childish on his first day at school.

Laurie Lee felt nervous and panicky because it was his first day at school.

Laurie Lee felt angry after he had not receive a present from his teacher

Paul Pennyfeather was panicky and worried because it was his first day

Paul Pennyfeather was angry because of his students

3. It is a very strange school where the teacher should teach an unknown subject for him. Teachers are professionals of their subjects and spheres of knowledge but Paul is not in it. That is why I can think that the level of education in this very school is low.

LIVE AND LEARN

MP3 AUDIO 3.3

1. I think that it is a very topical problem in our society. Well, one of the common causes of truancy and disruptive behavior in children is the influence of friends and peers. Many times these peers are seen encouraging truancy as a status-seeking activity or as a way of joining in or blending in. The child's natural instinct to want to be a part of a larger crowd or group dynamic will take over, even if they are taught better habits. Moreover, relationships with teachers, seen as lacking respect/fairness, play a large factor in truancy rates among children. Often times this inability to get along with teachers and/or students will result in disciplinary problems which may lead to suspension, or expulsion. Besides, individual (personal) factors related to child truancy include: lack of self-esteem/social skills/confidence; poor peer relations; lack of academic ability; special needs; and lack of concentration/self-management skills. By the way, bullying is a prime component in the making of an unsafe school environment; if a child does not feel safe at school, or on the way to/from school, they are much more likely to become truant. 

1     Dr Greenway implies that some children who play truant

A   do so in order to earn money.

B    behave badly in public.

C   are never punished.

2    Why do some parents take their children on holiday during term time?

A   Because it's peak season.

B   To spend time together as a family.

C   To save money.

3    Why is it difficult for schools to convince students to attend regularly?

A   Parents set a bad example for them.

B   There is no good reason to attend.

C   Some teachers behave irresponsibly.

4    How has the government reacted to truancy?

A   They have been trying to stop it for years.

B   They are only just beginning to help.

C   They think it is too late to do anything.

5    Why are the government having talks with travel agents?

A   To convince them to offer parents cheap holidays.

B    To make sure that children don't play truant.

C   To get help from them in combating truancy.

6    What are the aims of 'behaviour improvement projects'?

A   To teach parents to be nwe responsible.

B   To teach students the lessons they have missed

C   To teach students to take school more serious

7    What does Dr Greenway say about the law against truancy?

A   The law is not strict enough.

B    Parents are not often prosecuted.

C    Many parents face criminal charges.

3. - more responsible parenting (everything comes from the family, if parents were good enough to explain children the importance of school, children wouldn’t miss it)

- teaching students to respect school (it’s strongly connected with parents’ responsibility because it’s their obligation)

- strict punishment (it’s sad but true that children and parents are often afraid only of punishment and only it can make them not break the rules)

- police involvement (it’s connected with the previous one when children are afraid of policemen and law)

- more interesting lessons (lessons can’t be uninteresting because every subject for children is something new)

MP3 AUDIO 3.4

It is clear that state school is free and available for every child while public school is expensive or even very expensive. Going to a public school a student has more abilities and his or her quality of education is higher so life chances are better. There are more opportunities in public school but its cost does not let everyone to study there.