Go through the list of educational terms and realia. Be able to explain the notions they describe.
Further Education
Further education is education in technical colleges, further education colleges, colleges of art and various other institutions which do not award degrees. The term describes a widely differing set of institutions.
The majority of the lower level courses, relating mainly to apprenticeship schemes and qualifications are provided in Colleges of Further Education or Technical Colleges. Middle level courses are also offered in Technical Colleges with those having a good share of more advanced work being called 'Colleges of Technology'. Polytechnics may have both degree and non-degree courses. But there are a number of specialized colleges such as the London College of Printing and the National College of Agricultural Engineering. Very few of the broad divisions here are clear cut, there is much overlapping.
One of the major areas of 'overlap' that has occurred during the past ten years or so has been between the school system and Further Education. There has been a growing provision of 'Sixth Form' level studies in Colleges of Further Education and Technical Colleges during this period and almost all of the 'non-advanced' technical colleges now offer a broad spread of subjects for the GCE Advanced Level ('A' level) examinations. Many sixth form students seem to prefer the more adult atmosphere of the Technical College to that of the school. A few Local Education Authorities have decided, partly because of this existing trend and partly for reasons of economy, that all the post-sixteen education in certain areas - both technical and academic - should be amalgamated in one establishment; such amalgamated institutions are called 'Tertiary Colleges'.
Whatever the type of establishment and its range of educational provision, most of the local inhabitants will probably refer to it as 'the Tech'. The Tech has played an important part in British educational history and its role will be no less important in the future.
Reading Comprehension Check
1. What is the difference between higher and further education?
2. What can you say about the role of Oxford and Cambridge in modern
Britain?
3. What degrees are awarded in British higher education?
4. How are British school leavers admitted to universities and colleges?
5. What are the tasks of the Open University?
6., What kinds of financial aid are available to British students?
7. What is Students' Union?
ASSIGNMENTS
Go through the list of educational terms and realia. Be able to explain the notions they describe.
education n
training n
applicant n
the Universities Central Council
on Admissions (UCCA)
prospectus
a full–time course/student
a part–time course/student
a sandwich course
a residential course
a degree/non–degree course
freshman n (fresher)
undergraduate n
graduate n
post–graduate n
non–graduate n
lecturer n
professor n
tutor n
tutorial n
don n
the sciences
the arts
a civic university
a red–brick university
a plate–glass university
campus n
hall of residence (hall)
lodgings (coll. digs)
finals n
degree examinations
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Master of Science (M.S.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
external degree
grant n
scholarship n
loan n
Students’ Union
the National Union of Students
apprenticeship n
polytechnics (polys)
optional subject
compulsory subject
the Open University
further education college
technical college
college of technology
tertiary college (the Tech.)
2. Study the phrase list you will need to discuss the text.
to award degrees
mass lecture system
to study/read for a degree
to enjoy equal standing
to upgrade to a … level
to enter a course
to provide a course
to release from work
to fall into categories
the ancient foundations
to prescribe the curricula
to issue a prospectus
to go down for a vacation
to take out loans
to overlap
to study by correspondence
distance learning
3. Compare the words and word-combinations:
grant-scholarship;
education-training;
further education - higher education
hall of residence-hostel
4. Complete the following sentences:
1) Higher education is provided in ...
2) Further education is provided ...
3) 'Red-brick' universities were established in ...
4) 'Plate-glass' universities lay emphasis on ...
5) In sandwich courses the period of full-time study ...
6) Part-time students are sometimes released ...
5. Fill in the blanks with prepositions:
1) Sometimes part-time students are released ... work ... pay ... their
employers
2) British universities fall ... four broad categories.
3) The basis ... tuition in Oxford is the tutorial ... which students
are required to meet ... their tutor once a week.
4) Civic universities were based ... the mass lecture system.
5) It is the only university which awards ... external degrees.
6) The Open University provides every person in Britain ... the
opportunity to study ... a degree ... leaving their home.