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