1. Paco wants to know about British universities
Reading activity
Paco and Paul are having a nice chat at the pub. They are so happy to see each other! Paul is studying Spanish at Cardiff University and, therefore, he is very interested in learning about Spain and Spanish culture. Paco has realized that university in the UK is very different from Spanish universities and he would like to know more about it. Paco enjoys listening to Paul so his friend tells him about the educative system.
Attending school is compulsory up to the age of 16, as in Spain. Children start primary school when they are 5 years old and they stay there for 6 years. Secondary education starts in year 7 (when they are 11) until year 11, when they finish at the age of 16. Schools usually divide their school year into three terms, starting at the beginning of September and ending at the end of July. They have less summer holidays than Spanish students and less bank holidays but, on the contrary, they have a week off in the middle of each term, called 'half-term holiday'. In year 10 and year 11, students have to take important exams to get their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education).
At the age of 16, students have different choices: they can leave school; they can do some vocational training for a particular job; or they can go to a Sixth-form College. This is what Paul did because he wanted to study at university. This is similar to our Spanish Bachillerato in some way, but there is much more specialization. Students choose at least three subjects and spend two years preparing them to take their A-level exams.
Universities are very different. They only take the better students and the selection is based on A-level results and an interview. A degree normally takes three years and students attend both lectures (formal lessons with the professor or university teacher at the front of the classroom) and seminars (small groups, where everyone present is requested to actively participate). Students must take exams but also have to hand in many assignments and do presentations in front of the class.
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| By lord bute, C. Commons |
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Solves exercise: education
| DEFINITION | WORDS FROM THE TEXT |
| Each of the periods into which a school year is divided. |
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| A week off in the middle of each term. | |
| Exams at the age of 15 or 16. | |
| Exams to get access to university. | |
| School where students prepare for their A-levels. | |
| Alternative studies someone can take instead of A-levels in order to train for a particular job. | |
| The qualification given to a student who has completed his studies at university. | |
| Formal lessons with the professor or university teacher at the front of the classroom. | |
| Small groups, where everyone present is requested to actively participate. |
Further knowledge
Curiosity
Did you know that all primary and secondary school students in the UK wear a uniform? This is compulsory both in private and state education, as opposed to Spain, where state school students wear their own clothes.
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| By tinou bao, C. Commons |
Why wear a uniform? The main reason is that everyone is equal; otherwise some students might wear expensive clothes and others less fashionable or cheap clothes, which might lead to criticism of some students on others.
Other useful reasons are that kids don't have to worry about what to wear everyday and that parents don't have to buy expensive and varied clothes for their children. It is also said that a uniform gives a sense of pride and discipline in the students.
On the contrary, detractors say that uniforms deny the students' right to personal identity and self-expression.
Are you for or against wearing a school uniform?