8. SCHOOL, EDUCATION
8. SCHOOL AND EDUCATION
Educational system in GB
- schools are divided into
a) public (independent) schools - they are private. Only the wealthiest families can afford these schools. Some of them have a longtime tradition (Eton, Rugby - the famous game was invented here) and they are often "boarding schools" - that means that the boys stay at schools day and night)
b) state schools - parents don´t have to pay any fees
- first, children go to nursery school
- at the age of 5, they go to "primary school" - from the age of 11 to the age of 16, they attend "secondary school"
- at the age of 16 they take GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) - also called "O-levels" (Ordinary levels)
- then they can leave the school and continue at Further Education College - this is mainly vocational training (cooking, engineering, hairdressing etc.), or they can stay at Secondary School for another two years and prepare for "A-levels" - they are used as entrance exams to university
- Universities are independent - you have to pay for your studies
Educational system in the USA
- education plays a very important role for the Americans (it is important for their social role and standard of living)
- between the ages of 3 and 6 the children go to KINDERGARTEN or NURSERY SCHOOL
- at the age of 6 they go to ELEMENTARY or PRIMARY SCHOOL
- there are two models of secondary education:
1. the first model is MIDDLE SCHOOL (from 10 to 14) and HIGH SCHOOL (from 14 to 18)
2. the second model is JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (11- 14) and SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (14- 18)
- the atmosphere in primary schools is very friendly, but secondary (high) schools are very competitive, and it can be very difficult to find a good social position
- at the age of 18 they have their HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
- not many students go to universities; they must have an interview and a test (which is very difficult)
- the most famous American universities are: HARVARD (near Boston) - it is a private university; YALE, PRINCETON
Czech system of education
At the age of 3, children may attend NURSERY SCHOOL (OR KINDERGARTEN). Before kindergarten, they may go to creches, but these are not very common in the Czech Republic.
In kindergartens, children play games, sing songs, paint and draw, do some exercises, learn colours and shapes, they train their memory and get ready for elementary school.
At the age of 6 or 7, children start their compulsory education at ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. They are divided into two cycles (1st to 5th class, 6th to 9th class). During the first cycle, each class has one teacher. Pupils learn to read and write, count etc. They learn general information about their country and the world, about nature, history and society and they get basic knowledge of a foreign language. During the second cycle, they have different teachers for different subjects. They have mathematics, Czech, Foreign language, Geography, History, Physics, Chemistry, Civics, Cooking, Family training, Physical Education, Biology, Music and Arts.
The compulsory school attendance takes 9 years. Some pupils go to 8-year-grammar school at the age of 11 or 12.
After the Elementary school, pupils can decide whether they want to continue their studies.
They can choose among a variety of secondary schools:
1. grammar schools-which prepare students for university study
2. special schools-which include technical colleges, specialized in building, chemistry, engineering, commerce
3. vocational schools- they offer training for practical job
Secondary education lasts for 4 years. At grammar and specialized schools it is finished with a school-leaving examination which is needed if you want to apply for universities and colleges.
The leaving examination is taken in 4 subjects. Czech language is compulsory; the rest of the compulsory subjects differs according to the type of school.
Then students may take entrance exams to university. Our oldest university is Charles University in Prague, founded by Charles IV in 1348. Other important universities are in Brno, Plzeň, Ústí nad Labem, Olomouc etc.
University education is finished with a state examination and every undergraduate has to write the thesis. The diploma is handed over at a graduation ceremony.
My school
Our school's name is Commercial Academy of General František Fajtl and Economic Lycée Louny. It was officially called after a Czech soldier and pilot of the Second World War, František Fajtl, who fought in England in the air battle.
Our school has three buildings (we call them "First, Second and Fourth", because earlier there used to be four buildings). The buildings are in Svoboditelů Street and Poděbradova Street. Luckily, the buildings are not too far from each other.
The main building is the "First" building, where Headmaster's office and Assistant Manager's office is situated. We can also find there Secretary's and Accountant's office. There is also School Servant's room.
Our school doesn't have a gym, so we have to go to Sokolovna gym or to a fitness centre.
We have a school canteen where you can have a proper meal for a very low price, but the canteen is sometimes very crowded.
Our classrooms look normal: our desks with chairs, teacher's desk and a blackboard or whiteboard in the front, and mostly some cases at the back. On the ceiling there are fluor lamps and in some classrooms there are sun-blinds in the windows.
We have two language classrooms (English and German) and several computer rooms with interactive boards. There is also the school library, where we can lend some books or dictionaries.
Teachers have their studies in all the buildings.
Sometimes we have to move between the buildings several times a day, which is quite uncomfortable, but at least we have some movement during the day. Teachers move from building to building too.
We don't sit in classrooms only. We are regularly sent to companies and offices for our practice.
PICTURE-BASED DISCUSSION