Text 2. Further or Higher Education

1. Read the text quickly and correct the plan below

1) Entrance to Universities, colleges

2) University degrees

3) Work and study at 16

4) Tutorial system

5) Money for education

At the age of sixteen people are free to leave school if they want to. Most school leavers do not find employment immediately and do not want to go to FE College. They may take part in training schemes (the Young Opportunities Scheme, YOPS) which involve on-the-job training combined with part-time college courses. Some young working people are given “day release” so they can follow a course to help them in their job.

The next stage is “further” education at university, college or Polytechnics. Polytechnics are similar to Universities, but the courses are more practically oriented. A number of Colleges of Further Education do vocational training courses for particular jobs and careers, for example in engineering, typing, cooking or hairdressing. There are 91 universities and 47 colleges of higher education. The availability of higher education and finding a university place is not easy. Universities, although financed by the government, have autonomy and each one has complete control over what to teach, how to teach it, and how to test the students. They make their own choices and accept only the better students on their courses. Universities normally select students on the basis of top grades in several A-level results and an interview, and competition for places is fierce.

The labour-intensive system of instruction known as tutorials has been polishing minds for 800 years. The strength of the tutorial system is that it’s almost impossible to be lazy under it. Within the first week the freshman meets the tutor to whom he is assigned and begins his work. Undergraduates, students who are studying for degrees, go to a large formal lectures, but most of the work takes place in tutorials, lessons in groups of ten or more when the students discuss their work with the lecturer.

The academic year in Britain’s universities is divided into three terms, which usually run from the beginning of October to the end of June or beginning of July. Universities offer three- and four-year degree courses. After three years of study a university graduate will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Science (B.Sc.), Engineering (B.Eng.), Medicine, etc. A degree is the qualification you get from the university when you pass your final exams. Later a university graduate may continue to take the Master’s Degree (M.A.) and then the Doctor’sDegree (PhD). Research is an important feature of university work.

Most British students choose to go to university a long way from their home town: university is seen as a time to be independent, to live away from home and develop new interests. Students need money to live away from home while they are studying. Some students whose parents do not earn a lot of money are given a grant (money) from the local educational authority. Some students borrow money from the bank which must be paid back after they leave university.

Not all students study full-time at university or college. Many people combine their studies with work. Some companies release their stuff for training one or two days a week or for two months a year. There is an interesting form of studies which is called the Open University, when people study in their own free time and “attend” lectures by watching television, listening radio, using Internet. They keep in touch with their tutors by phone, letter or on-line.

2. Read the text more carefully and complete the sentences.

a) If a school leaver doesn’t want to go to a college or cannot find a job he (she) can…….

b) Educational institutions of Further education include……… .

c) Polytechnics are…… .

d) The universities accept students on the…….

e) The university degrees are…….

f) There are several ways to get money for the education……….

g) Studying at the Open University students………….

3. Give full answers to these questions.

1) Why are some young working people given a “day release”?

2) What are the main characteristics of different higher educational institutions?

3) Are Universities controlled by the government?

4) Why is a tutorial system so efficient?

5) When do students get their first academic degree?

6) Why do most British students prefer to study away from their homes?

7) What should they do to get higher degrees?

8) Is a full-time study the only way to get higher education?

9*) What are advantages and disadvantages of studying at the Open University?

10*) What do you like and dislike about the British system of professional education?

4. Translate using the dictionary.

From “Oxford life”

(by Dacre Balsden)

Lectures start on the first Monday of term. Lecturers are sometimes in fashion; lectures as such are never in fashion.

Why take notes when you could as well read it all in a book? The question is unanswerable.

In some subjects the lecture-list is itself carefully organized by the Faculty, so that all the necessary lectures are given and given in the terms in which undergraduates need them. In other faculties the freedom of the lecturer is not so rigidly curtailed. Let a lecturer lecture on whatever subject he chosen. If he hopes for an audience, he will choose a subject useful to undergraduates, and he will lecture on it twice a week. If he does not care about the size of his audience and prefers to lecture on some small field of learning on which he is researching or writing a learned paper, he will lecture one hour a week.

Dons in general hate lectures as much as undergraduates. That is why they lecture so badly. Nobody has ever taught them how to lecture well.

On the first Monday the lecturer has his largest audience for the term. Where there are a hundred young men and women today, there will, in eight weeks times, be no more than five or six. Where there is an audience of two today, there will perhaps be one next week and, after that, no audience at all.

A professor’s lecture is sometimes like the “pas seul ” * of a prima ballerina. He appears; he lectures; he retires. And then after an interval, he lectures again. But the College tutor’s public lecture is an interruption in a week otherwise devoted to teaching pupils in his rooms, listening to their essays and talking about them. These are “private hours” – “tutes”, as the undergraduates call them, or tutorials. Sometimes a student comes alone, sometimes in a pair, sometimes with two or three others.

Young tutors find the hour too long, old tutors find it too short. Undergraduates find it very long indeed and if there is no clock in the room, they find it even longer. When you reach a tutor’s age, it is less easy to listen than to talk, and observant undergraduates quickly realize that their tutors criticize in detail the final sentences of their essays but give little evidence of having observed the rest.

* pas seul [ֽpα: 'sə:l] (фр) сольный танец

5*. Read the advertisement of Sheffield University from “Railway Gazette” and translate it into Russian:

6. Write the facts about English higher education that interested you most of all.

(4-5 sentences).

7. What questions could you ask to get these answers?

1. No, they have to finance their own studies.
2. There isn’t much difference; it’s just that the courses are more practical in a polytechnic instead of being very academic.
3. It’s sixteen, but a lot of kids stay on until eighteen.
4. Because you can get higher education and earn some money.

2.3 Speaking.

1. Number these reasons why people enter universities in their order of importance from 1(most important reason) to 12 (least important reason).

to acquire general knowledge

to prepare for job

to meet with young people

to train one’s memory

to learn something about subjects

to find out what one is really interested in

to give one’s parents some peace and quiet

to test one’s intelligence

to learn how to study and work with books

to have a good time

to be independent

to learn discipline and order

2. Discuss with your partner.

a) Advantages and disadvantages of studying far from home.

b) Higher education is necessary to every young man.

c) No entrance exams. Think of pros and cons.

d) In British universities students are not obliged to attend all lectures. Is it good?

3. Here are some decisions that British students have to make:

at 16 – stay on at school?

- look for a job?

- apply for a place on a Young Opportunity Scheme?

- go to the Sixth Form College?

at 18 – go to University or a college?

- get a job?

- start a training course?

- do voluntary work?

- travel and work abroad?

- move away from home?

Make a list of decisions that students have to make in your educational system.

4. Render these texts in English* or in Russian.

1.

This is how a student spends his day. His working hours are from 9 to 1. At 9 o’clock he will see the tutor or go to the library, or to the lecture. From 2 to 5 he is engaged in sport and all kinds of exercise to prove himself on river or field. From 5 to 7 he usually either works in the library or in the laboratory. 7 o’clock is the dinner-hour when the undergraduates and dons are gathered in the hall. After dinner the students have club activities, debating societies, etc. At 10 o’clock the student must be in the college and sit down to work for about 2 hours.

2.

Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and the most prestigious universities in Great Britain. They are often called collectively Oxbridge to denote the best of its kind education. Both universities are independent.

The tutorial is the basic mode of instruction at Oxford and Cambridge, with lectures as optional extras. The normal length of the degree course is three years. Some courses, such as language or medicine, may be one or two years longer.

Oxford and Cambridge universities consist of a number of colleges. Each college is different, but in many ways they are alike. Each college has its name. Each college is governed by a Master. The largest ones have more than 400 members, the smallest colleges have less than 30. Each college offers teaching in a wide range of subjects.

The universities were only for men until 1871. There are now 24 colleges for men in Oxford, five for women and another five which have both men and women members, many from overseas studying for higher degrees. At Cambridge almost all colleges are now mixed.

The universities have over a hundred societies and clubs. Sport is part of student’s life at Cambridge. The most popular sport is rowing.

5. Render the text in English.

Поступить в университет или другое высшее учебное заведение можно, предъявив сертификат о сдаче экзаменов по двум или трем предметам учебного курса средней школы продвинутого уровня. При выпуске вы получите диплом о профессиональной квалификации и ученую степень. Очевидным достоинством образовательной системы Великобритании является ее исключительная гибкость. Среди множества разнообразных учебных курсов всегда найдется тот, что наиболее вам подходит. И в школе и в университете есть возможность по своему усмотрению выбирать дисциплины и специализацию. Более того, при желании выбранные предметы и направление можно поменять. Независимо от возраста и национальности учиться в учебных заведениях Великобритании может любой.

Если вы хотите учиться в Великобритании, то вполне вероятно, что британские колледжи и университеты признают свидетельство об образовании, полученное вами в России. Если у вас уже есть российский диплом об окончании высшего учебного заведения, имейте в виду, что, как академическая квалификация, он занимает промежуточное положение между “A-levels” и степенью бакалавра. Однако, в разных учебных заведениях вступительные требования столь различны, что с таким дипломом можно поступить и на второй, и даже на постдипломный курс на соискание степени магистра. Самый простой способ выяснить «стоимость» вашего диплома – связаться с учебным заведением.

Методика преподавания в Великобритании такова, что ответственность за успех обучения во многом возлагается на студентов, вся работа выполняется самостоятельно, и, следовательно, нужно много работать.

(Useful expressions: to enter the university, to graduate from the university, high flexibility, to suit smb , to choose specialization, irrespective of smth, to accept the certificate, to be somewhere between, to find out the value of the diploma, mode of teaching, responsibility for results, to contact the educational institution, to work all by yourself).

6. Using the chart from Part 1give a detailed description of vocational training in America.

2.4 Jokes

At a college examination a professor said: “Does the question embarrass you?”

“Not at all, sir,” replied the student, “not at all. It is the answer that bothers me”.

Professor: A fool can ask more questions than a wise man can answer.

Student: No wonder so many of us failed our exams!

In one of college classes the professor was unable to stay for the class, so he placed a sign on the door which read as follows: “Professor Blank will be unable to meet his classes today”.

Some college lad, seeing his chance to display his sense of humour after reading the notice, walked up and erased the “c” in the word “classes”. The professor noticing the laughter wheeled around, walked back, looked at the student, then at the sign with “c” erased – calmly walked up and erased the “l” in “lasses,” looked at the stunned student and proceeded on his way.

(lass – a young woman, ass – a stupid person or animal)

Pam: Hasn’t Harvey ever married?

Beryl: No, and I don’t think he intends to, because he’s studying for a bachelor’s degree.

(Bachelor – 1) холостяк 2) бакалавр)

A son at college wrote his father:

“No mon, no fun, your son.”

The father answered:

“How sad, too bad, your dad.”

(mon – abbr. money)

UNIT 2Education in Russia

Warm up.

1. Do you think that Russian educational system is a good one?

2. What did you like and dislike at school?

Part 1 Structure of Public Education in Russia

1.1 Vocabulary

Give Russian equivalents to these word combinations

to develop useful knowledge and skills

creative person

native language

equal right

co-education

free tuition

Education Standard Requirements

standard curriculum

supplementary programme

Unified State Exam

1.2 Reading

Text 1. Schools in Russia

1. Skim the text to understand the main points.

Educational policy in Russian Federation focuses on how to help people develop useful knowledge and skills. The idea is to develop the critical, adaptable, multi-skilled and creative person. Education is given in many languages, and according to their parents’ wish children may attend Russian schools or national schools where they are taught in their native language.

There have been many changes in the system of Public Education in Russia but the basic principles have remained unchanged. Characteristic features of our public education are:

1. the equal right to education for all citizens is guaranteed by the Constitution;
2. full-time education is compulsory up to the middle teenage years;
3. co-education, no separate men’s or women’s schools;
4. free tuition throughout the state system;
5. non-state and private educational establishments must meet the Education Standard Requirements.

The unified system of public education in Russian Federation consists of several stages.

Compulsory general secondary educationis provided by municipal educational establishments, state general secondary schools, lycees, gymnasiums, non-state schools. The educational reform at school has been through a period of constant change. Today children start going to school at 7. But they are expected to start schooling at the age of 6 from 2006. The first three or four years at school are the primary school. While the standard curriculum is the same for all students, the supplementary programme varies from school to school, covering anything from computer science to marketing. Supplementary classes are becoming more popular for parents who are ready to pay for them. Parents worry that their children might otherwise be denied a proper education. Pupils may leave school after the 9^th form and continue their secondary education in evening or shift school for working youth. Those who complete the course of the 10^th and 11^th Forms take Final Exams or the Unified State Exams in several subjects and receive the Certificate of Secondary Education.

Vocational training is provided by technical colleges,institutes, academies, classic universities, polytechnics, specialized universities, technical universities.

2. Read Text 1 more carefully and say if these statements are true or false.

1. Education in Russian Federation is given in Russian language.

2. Primary education lasts three or four years.

3. State and non-state schools have the same standard curriculum.

4. Supplementary classes are compulsory for all schools and are financed by the government.

5. There are no exams for school leavers.

3. Give detailed answers to the questions

1. Is general secondary education compulsory in Russia?

2. What age do children start school at in Russia?

3. What do we call the primary school?

4. What kind of school is a national school?

5. What’s the school-leaving age in Russia?

6. Where may pupils, who leave school, continue their education?

7. When do school-leavers take examinations?

8. What subjects did you take examinations in?

1.3 Speaking

1. Discuss the following problems with your partner.

a) Where is it better to study: in state or non-state school? Why?

b) What is the main goal of school: to give knowledge or to bring up?

c) School uniform.

Perhaps you will need to object your partner mildly. Here are some useful expressions:

2. Make a project for an ideal school of the future. Write a short essay and make a report.

3*. Speak on the main problems of Russian schools.

4. Read the following quotations and comment on them.

a) Raising a child is very much like building a skyscraper. If the first two stories are out of line, no one will notice. But when the building is 18 or 20 stories high, everyone will see that it tilts.

b) Any man can be a good teacher.

c) Teaching machines and computers can be substitutes for any teacher.

5. Render the text in English.

Негосударственная образовательная сеть в России начала развиваться с 1991 года. Появление частных школ – ответ на возникший спрос. Получив возможность учить чадо в более приемлемых условиях, многие родители облегченно вздохнули.

В частном секторе условия гораздо лучше: классы маленькие, от 5-12 учеников, трех – четырехразовое питание, нормальный отдых, современное оборудование. Минимум заботы родителям: утром ребенка заберет школьный автобус, вечером привезет обратно. Более того, здесь целый штат психологов, врачей.

Кто преподает в элитных учебных заведениях? Да те же школьные учителя, только высокого профессионального уровня. Там платят несколько другие деньги. Такое образование недешево стоит.

Признавая, что частные учебные заведения являются одним из проявлений социального неравенства, негосударственная сеть считается хорошим дополнением к государственной.

(Useful expressions: a network of private educational establishments, ideal conditions, to have four meals a day, a staff of psychologists, elite educational establishment, social inequality, a good supplement to smth.)

Part 2 Higher Education in Russia

2.1 Vocabulary

1. Give Russian equivalents to these expressions

2. Practice using the following vocabulary

3. Practise using prepositions

A)

Read the same in the Future Simple. Begin your sentences with I think, I hope, I don’t think,

No doubt, according to the sense.

B)

After having studied the above table, read the same covering the left-hand column. Use these word combinations in the sentences and various questions of your own.

2.2 Reading

Text 1. Russian Universities

1. Read the text and choose headings to each of the 5 parts of it from the box

1. Entrance to universities is by competitive examination or by the results of the Unified State Exam which is open to anyone between the age 17 and 35 having secondary education. Those who passed entrance examinations with merit and credit receive monthly financial support in the form of state grants. Students pay nothing for lectures and for using the laboratory equipment. If the applicants did not fail in the examinations but their results are satisfactory they can gain entrance but must pay for their education.

2. The complete course at the university lasts for 5 years, in some educational establishments it may be a little longer or shorter. Students have lectures and practical hours. They attend lectures on different subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Philosophy, History of Russia, Economics, Strength of Materials, Drawing and others and take notes of them. Studying at the university is a great experience for students because theoretical material is always supported by practical exercises. During practical hours in the laboratories and shops they study the material of the lectures. Students can borrow books from the university library and use computer-assisted learning materials to read for credit tests and exams.

The academic year is divided into two terms from September to January and from February to July. Students take examinations at the end of a term and can be transferred to the next course. On completion of studies the student passes final state examinations and presents a graduation thesis.

3. The classic universities train highly qualified specialists in sciences and humanities. The specialized universities train specialists for one of the fields of culture or national economy. The graduates of specialized technical universities are well grounded in a specific field of engineering. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport, industrial and housing construction.

In all higher educational institutions there are some optional courses which provide students with an opportunity to study besides obligatory subjects, subjects they are most interested in.

5. Besides full-time education many institutions offer evening and correspondence teaching. The curricular of correspondence and evening higher schools do not differ essentially in the subjects taught, but they differ in the system in which studies are organized. The basic form of study has tendered to give a high priority to independent work and self-study at home. The majority of evening and correspondence students study professions they are engaged in.

6. Those who have a gift for research work may take advanced exams in philosophy, foreign language and a certain field of knowledge to enter the post graduate course. A postgraduate carries out his research and works at the doctoral thesis under the guidance and supervision of the experienced professors and academics. They should work hard to get the highest academic qualification.

2. Answer the questions.

1. Do students have to pay for their education?

2. Do students get grants for further education?

3. How long does the course of studies at the university usually last?

4. How many terms are there in the academic year?

5. Where do students take textbooks? Do they usually buy them?

6*. What can you say about the trends in Russian educational system? Is it concentrating more on purely academic subjects or on more practical ones?

7*. Would you say that people in Russia are more or less enthusiastic about university education than they are in Britain?

8*. What would you say are the successes and failures of Russian educational systems? Compare British and Russian educational systems.

2.3 Speaking

Using the chart make a report on higher engineering education in Russia.

		Faculties

UNIT 3Siberian Transport University

1. Vocabulary

Give Russian equivalents to these word combinations:

2. Reading

1. Skim the text and say what new facts you have learned.

Siberian Transport University

Historical Background. Siberian State University of Railways is one of the oldest higher schools of Russia in the field of transport and transport engineering. It was established in 1932 and named Novosibirsk Institute of Railway Engineers. The building itself is unique for its expressive architecture. The University Museums preserve and share historical spirit with new coming generations. The university is one of the largest educational and scientific centers in Siberia with long-standing cultural, military and sport traditions.

The list of famous university graduates is long and impressive ( 2 Ministers of Russian Railways: N.Aksyonenko and V.Starostenko, 25 Executives of Railway branches, Kemerovskaya region Governor A.Tuleev and others).

Currently the University with more than 10,000 students is proud of its mission to provide career qualifications and prepare graduates for employment both in Russian and international environment as well as in the reformed railway system.

The University achieves highest graduate employability rates because of its reputation and strong links with railways. The professors develop courses that are highly regarded in the railway system because of the balance between theory and practical application. It prepares graduates to make a positive contribution to the professional railway community.

Our graduates can be found working everywhere from the Ministry of Railways and Local Administration Authorities to various railway companies. The STU is one of the leaders among Russian railway educational establishments.

In 2003 Siberian Transport University ranked 20th among 174 technical universities of Russia, 3rd among 10 railway universities of Russia, 2nd among 28 technical universities of Siberian Federal District, 1st among 6 technical universities of Novosibirsk.

Course of Training. The Siberian Transport University provides Railway Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics, Information Technology, Railway Transportation Management, International Business, Law, Human Resources Management and other programmes. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport and construction.

All students of engineering must have an understanding of the physical sciences and mathematics. The basic engineering sciences are: mechanics of solids and fluids, electrical science, thermodynamics, mechanics, material science, information transmission, logic and computing devices, systems analysis. The University programmes in Railway Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering equip on- and off-campus students with the professional skills of engineering. The courses consist of formal lectures, reinforced by tutorials, laboratory classes and projects, practical design and computing work. All programmes include obligatory foreign language training, which prepare students for a variety of real life and professional situations.

The University provides some extra help and full assistance to students who are having difficulties with their studies. Teachers offer extra remedial tutorials in core subjects, as well as personal counseling and assist students in developing good study skills so that student’s time in the university will be productive and rewarding. Students are required to undertake self-study outside formal classes at least equal in time to the number of hours of formal classes per week.

The complete course of study lasts 5 years. Each academic year consists of two terms. Several times a term students are graded according to their achievements. At the end of the term students earn credits and are allowed or not allowed to take exams. Any student caught cheating in the examination is disqualified. Those failing exams or disobeying the rules are dismissed from the University.

Faculties, Departments and Specialities:

1. Railway Transportation Management Faculty (Rolling Stock and Freight Operation Department; Railway Stations and Junctions Department; Railway Operation Management Department; Vital Safety Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Transportation and Transport Operation Management; Engineering Environmental Protection, Industrial Safety.

2. Railway Construction Faculty (Track and Track Facilities Department; Railway and Highway Surveying and Design Engineering Department; Engineering Geodesy Department; etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Railway Construction, Track and Track Facilities; Highways and Airdromes.

3. Building and Road Machines Faculty(Mechanization of Track, Loading and Unloading and Construction Works Department; Transport Mechanical Engineering Technology and Machine Maintenance Department; Electrical Engineering and Electric Technologies in Railway Industry Department, etc.) It trains specialists in the following fields: Lifting and Hoisting, Road Building Machines and Equipment; Maintenance of Transport, Engineering Machines and Equipment (Building and Road Machines); Standardization and Certification; Automobiles and Automobile Facilities; Machine Building Technology .

4. Civil Engineering Faculty(Railway Structures and Buildings in Railway Industry Department; Technology, Engineering Management and Construction Economics Department; Hydraulics and Water Supply Department; Building Materials Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Civil Engineering; Water Supply and Sewerage; Expertise and Property Management; Economics and Management in Construction Industry; Water Resources Integrated Usage and Protection.

5. Bridges and Transport Tunnels Faculty (Bridges Department; Tunnels and Underground Railways Department; Geology, Footings and Foundations Department; Structural Mechanics Department; Theoretical Mechanics Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Bridges; Transport Tunnels and Undergrounds; City and Transport Structures.

6. Engineering Economics Faculty (Transport Economics Department; Accounting and Auditing Department; Management in Transport Industry Department; etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Accounting and Auditing; Enterprise Economics and Management (Railway Industry).

7. International Business and Law Faculty (Economic Theory Department; International Business Department; Civil Law Department; Public Law Department; Criminal Law Department; Finance and Credit Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Law; Finance and Credit; International Business; Social and Cultural Services and Tourism; Customs; Antitrust Management.

8. Human Resources Management Faculty(Social Psychology Department; Psychology and Education Science Department). It trains specialists in the following fields: Human Resources Management; Psychology; Professional Training.

9. Information Technology in Business Faculty (General Information Science Department, Information Technology in Transport Industry Department, Systems Analysis Department, Applied Mathematics Department). It trains specialists in the following fields: Applied Computer Science (Economy); Information Systems and Technologies.

10. Correspondence Faculty.

Research. STU provides all the necessary facilities, laboratories and up-to-date information technologies for research. These make it possible to not only obtain knowledge but to use new developments in railway industry. In well-equipped laboratories and research centers students carry out their research under the guidance of Professors and Doctors of Technical Sciences. Fundamental and applied research at the university is carried out in 23 research laboratories and centers. Developments in the field of railway engineering, operation and management are introduced in Russian railway industry. The university library occupies the area of some 3000 square meters and has its own web-page at the University Internet site. The on-line library catalogue is constantly replenished. It is a very comfortable and sophisticated learning environment, conveniently located at the STU campus. Students have access to computers and Internet both in class and after class.

Student’s Life. The University campus consists of several academic blocks, stadium, gym, swimming pool, canteen, clinic and students dormitories. STU is fully brought to life by the lively students’ extracurricular activities, for instance in music and sport. Student life within the University is characterized by a plethora of different theatre groups (the drama studio “Sphera”, the dance theatre “Imperia”, short play theatre “Factorial”, etc.), the Club for Cheerful and Inquisitive, the University choir and the Drawing and painting studio where students apply their artistic talents. Student Leisure Centre regularly organizes a wide range of leisure activities, concerts, shows, celebrations and discos. Sports Centre develops various kinds of sports: track-and-field, ski racing, skating, swimming, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, chess, aerobics, even judo and sambo wrestling, weight lifting, biathlon and mountain climbing. STU has all the facilities for sports: open-air stadium, 2 skiing centres, Physical Education classes. A new gym with a swimming pool is built. Sporting, cultural and social events and entertainments both on and off campus take place all year round and students can also enjoy after class activities as a way of making new friends or to pursue new interests.

2. Read the text more carefully and answer the questions.

1. What is the most common name of our University?

2. What is its current official name?

3. When was it established?

4. Who are the famous graduates of the university?

5. What programmes does it provide?

6. How long does a complete course last?

7. What are the basic engineering sciences?

8. What are types of academic activity?

9. How does teaching staff help students having difficulties with their studies?

10. Students are required to undertake self-study, aren’t they?

11. What happens if students fail to earn credits?

12. What are the faculties of the University?

13. What faculty do you study at?

14. What is the name of your speciality?

15. Where do students carry out their research?

16. What can you say about university library?

17. Where can students apply their artistic and sport talents?

3. Speaking

1. You passed your entrance exams thanks to the knowledge you gained at school or a vocational school or a technical college. Say a few words about the educational institution you studied at before entering the University, i.e. present your educational background. Give information about:

1) the type of school you studied at;

2) the place where it is situated;

3) the age at which you began to attend it;

4) compulsory and optional courses which you were interested in;

5) how many times a week you had your lessons of English;

6) your favourite subjects and marks;

7) your teachers.

2. And now give some facts about your students’ life. Present information on:

1) the name of your University;

2) its location;

3) the departments at your University (day-time, evening or correspondence);

4) the number of students at the University;

5) the entrance exams you passed before entering the University;

6) the subjects you study (humanities, technical subjects, sciences);

7) the equipment the University is provided with;

8) the examinations you take and the grants you receive;

9) the students’ hostels;

10) the students of your group and the teaching staff;

11) what you like and dislike about the University.

3. Render the text in English or in Russian.

Setting up in 1932 five railway specialities in new Novosibirsk Institute of Transport Engineers marked a new stage in developing higher transport education in Siberia. The new educational establishment was aimed at supplying Russia with engineers capable to do all types of work.

The first chancellor of the Institute was Sergey E. Propastin, a former military officer who participated in World War I and in the Civil War. He was killed in the battle near Kiev in 1941. Those who worked out the first curriculum strove to provide students with the most profound knowledge in mathematics, physics, mechanics, chemistry, military training. In 1934 the Institute was reorganized into the Novosibirsk Institute of Military Transport Engineers. The course of training lasted 6 years.

Since the first days the institute united talented Russian lecturers, scientists, skilled railway and transport engineering specialists. STU school of Mechanics has been internationally recognized. The university scientists took an active part in developing theoretical and experimental methods of the mechanics of solids. Significant contribution was made by the university professors to bridge building, providing freight safety, developing railway track engineering in Siberia.

4. Render the texts in English.

В течение последних нескольких лет СГУПС активно развивает международные связи с вузами стран Дальнего Востока. Вузами-партнерами СГУПСа являются: Университет Хоккай-Гакуэн (Япония), Корейский национальный колледж железных дорог (Республика Корея), Корейский научно-исследовательский институт железнодорожного транспорта (Республика Корея), Пхеньянский железнодорожный институт (КНДР). Ежегодно совместно проводятся Международная молодежная научно-практическая конференция и обмены делегациями студентов и преподавателей.

Газета СГУПСа «Кадры транспорту» 1 сентября 2004 г.