EDUCATION IN THE USA In Britain all children from five to sixteen go to school. They spend six years in the primary school and then go to the secondary school. In Britain there are state schools, which are free and private schools for which parents pay. Many British private schools are boarding schools. The children there usually wear uniforms. They stay at school all the time and only come at home in the holidays.
In America all children from six to sixteen go to school. They spend six years in the elementary school and four or six years in the secondary or in high school as it is called. The elementary schools are usually small. The high schools are generally larger and combine pupils from four or five elementary schools. Admission to the American high school is automatic after finishing the elementary school. In American high schools there are two kinds of school subjects: subjects which are compulsory for all pupils that is all students must learn them. These subjects are English, Physical Education, and Social Science. However, there are also elective
subjects. These are subjects, which some students learn, and others do not learn, if they do not like them, or think that they do not need them. Among elective subjects are Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Foreign Languages, History and many others.
Besides giving general education, some high schools teach subjects useful to those who hope to find jobs in industry and agriculture. Some give preparatory education to those planning to enter colleges and universities.
At the end of every school year, the child takes a test. If he doesn’t do well, he has to repeat the material once more. If he does well he goes into the next class. American children finish school without any examination.
At the end of their time at school, most students get a high school diploma and can enter college or University. Many American schoolchildren finish only junior high schools because they must begin working to help their families. The certificate of the junior high school does not allow them to enter college or University.
In state – supported public school the education is free. Private elementary schools and private secondary schools are free paying. Each individual state has its own system of public schools. Some schools have modern teaching equipment like computers and closed circuit television, but there are also small county schools with just one classroom.
Teaching in both countries is usually quite informal. Students often work together in groups and go to the teacher only when they do need help.
EXERCISES:
I. Answer the questions:
1. When do British children go to school?
2. Are there any free schools in Britain?
3. What schools do British children wear uniforms in?
4. What can you tell about the school education in America?
5. Teaching in both countries is informal, isn’t it?
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The weather in England can change very quickly. Today I go for a walk in the country. In the morning the weather is beautiful. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there are no clouds at all. In the middle of the morning a sudden change cames. A cool wind starts to blow, black clouds cover the sun and in a very short time it starts to rain heavily. There are no houses in sight and I have no coat with me. So I get very wet indeed and very cold too. I manage to catch a bus which takes me home. But when I arrive I shiver and sneeze, and I catch a cold. We sometimes say that England is the only country where you can have four seasons in one day.
My flat is beautiful and sunny. It has got five rooms. They are two bathrooms, a kitchen, a bedroom and a living room. The living room is big and cosy. There is a big TV, a sofa and two armchairs in it. My mum and I love sitting there watching TV.
My favourite room is a bedroom. It is smaller than the living room. But it is my favourite place because it is warm and comfortable. There is a bed and two cupboards. My bed is red. It looks like a real car. You can see a computer and a small TV in my bedroom. The room has got an aquarium.There are a lot of exotic fish in it. Every day I feed my fish and my mum helps me to clean my room. I like doing homework and playing in my room.
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