Text 3. Academic year and stages of education

The duration of academic year in American universities is usually nine months. They study from September to the end of June. Students have three semesters (terms) and holidays: Christmas, Easter and summer.

At the beginning of each term student can choose which lectures he will attend. Attendance is not compulsory, and no records of attendance are kept. Apart from lectures a system of individual tuition is organized. A tutor gives instructions in his subject at least once a week and requires him to write essays and papers.

During the term students study 5 or 6 different subjects. The progress is often assessed by quizzes, term papers and final exam in each course.

The first stage is devoted to a profound study in humanities, sciences and arts. It is aimed at providing general education. It lasts 3 or 4 years and leads to a Bachelor’s degree.

The Master’s degree requires 1 or 2 years of advanced studies and ends in a final examination or presentation of a thesis.

The Doctor’s degree is the highest academic degree. It requires minimum of two years of personal research, success in qualifying exam, proficiency in 1 or 2 foreign languages and completion of doctoral dissertation.

Words and phrases to remember:

to attend lectures, attendance – посещать

to be devoted – быть посвященным чему-л., предназначенным для чего-л.

to be aimed at – быть направленным на

to write an essay, term paper, a quiz – сочинение, курсовая, тест

to assess the progress – оценивать успеваемость

to require – требовать

to complete, a completion – заканчивать

an individual tuition – индивидуальные занятия

compulsory/optional subjects – обязательные/необязательные предметы

profound studies – глубокое изучение

advanced studies – углубленное изучение

a presentation of a thesis – написание диссертации

a proficiency – знание

Answer the questions:

1. How much does the academic year last?

2. How many terms and holidays are there?

3. What do the students choose at the beginning of each semester?

4. What is tutorial system?

5. How is the progress assessed?

6. What are the main stages of education?

Ex. 1. Translate from Russian into English.

1. В США посещать лекции не обязательно.

2. Этот курс предназначен для получения общих знаний.

3. Второй этап обучения направлен на глубокое изучение предмета.

4. Прогресс оценивается посредством сочинений, курсовых и тестов.

5. Получение степени магистра требует двух лет дальнейшего обучения.

6. Присуждение степени доктора требует от кандидата знания одного или двух иностранных языков.

Ex.2. Be ready to speak about the higher education in the USA.

UNIT 6

Topic: The Russian Federation

Text 1. Russia

The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world. The country is situated in Eastern Europe, Northern and Central Asia. It occupies over 17 million square km.

Our land is washed by 12 seas, most of which are the seas of three oceans: the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific. In the south and in the west the country borders on fourteen countries. It also has a sea border with the USA.

There is hardly a country in the world where such a great variety of flora and fauna can be found as in our country. Our country has numerous forests, plains and steppes, taiga and tundra, highlands and deserts. There are over two thousand rivers in our country. Our land is rich in various lakes with the deepest lake in the world, the Baikal.

There are 11 time zones. The climate conditions are rather different: from arctic and moderate to continental and subtropical. Our country is one of the richest in natural resources countries in the world. There is oil, natural gas, coal, different ores, ferrous and non-ferrous metals and other minerals.

The Russian Federation is a multinational state. It comprises many national districts, several autonomous republics and regions. The population of the country is over 140 million people. The official language is Russian. Our country is a constitutional republic headed by the President. Moscow is the capital of our Motherland.

Words and phrases to remember:

to occupy – занимать

to comprise – состоять

to be headed by – возглавляться

Answer the questions:

1. What is the total area of the Russian Federation?

2. What can you say about its geographical position?

3. What can you say about our flora and fauna?

4. What is the climate in Russia?

5. What natural resources can be found in Russia?

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