Discuss the following text. Compare the day of English pupils with that of our schoolchildren. Speak about the differences.

A DAY AT SCHOOL

Come and spend a day at an English school. It is nearly 9 on a Monday morning and the boys and girls are coming to school again after having had Saturday and Sunday free. Some of them walk to school, some come on their bicycles and others who live farther away from the school come by bus.

It is eleven o'clock: time for the mind-morning break. The boys and girls go out into the playground to collect their milk: every boy and girl at school in England is given milk every day. When they have drunk their milk, they can play until it is time to go back inside for lessons.

After break there are more lessons. Then it is one o'clock. Time for lunch! Nearly all schoolchildren in England have their lunch at school, though some who live very near to their school, go home. The break for lunch lasts about an hour. After lunch, there is still time to go out and play.

At two o'clock lessons start again. In this school children do not do lessons like history, geography and maths – the girls learn to type and sew and to cook and the boys do metalwork and woodwork.

At three o'clock it is time for games. At English schools girls usually play hockey in winter and tennis in summer; the boys play football in winter and cricket in summer.

Lessons finish at four. The children collect the books they need to do their homework and go home. Very soon after four o'clock the school is empty, except for a few children and teachers. One or two children have to stay behind as a punishment. Others are staying for a club or society, which has its meeting after school. Then they will go home too and the school will be empty until tomorrow.

Lyun Faulkner is in the Lower Sixth of a comprehensive school. Here she writes about a typical day at her school. Write a typical account of a typical day at your school.

MY SCHOOL

A typical day at school starts at 8.40 a.m., with the first of many bells ringing throughout the building. Pupils must go then to registration, which lasts until 9 o'clock.

After registration, lessons begin. Sixth form pupils must attend the subject lessons that they choose, either at "O" level or "A" level standard. My first lesson on a Wednesday morning is English. During this lesson we usually read a set "A" level textbook, then comment and discuss the language and style. After this I have two free study-periods.

The courses chosen by sixth formers are all mixed, occupy different amounts of time every week. Therefore students usually have a number of periods in which they may study privately. After my two free periods, I have three lessons of Geography, one before morning break and two afterwards. During break pupils buy drinks, sweets and crisps from the school tuck-shop. For lunch many pupils bring sandwiches, but hot and cold meals are available in the school canteen. At 1.15 on Wednesday, school band practice is held. It is quite a big band with about 30 members.

Lessons recommence at 2 o'clock. Lower Sixth pupils have social education on a Wednesday afternoon, which is held in the library, and taken by the headmaster. This lesson lasts until quarter past 3 - the end of school.

Get ready and discuss these questions. Should secondary education be selective or comprehensive? What are the advantages and disadvantages of both systems?

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1201