Топик: Education and future profession
- What are they?
- Pre-school education is part of. the elementary schools. Elementary and secondary schools consist of twelve years of classes. Almost every elementary school curriculum includes English, mathematics, science, social studies, music, art and physical education. Many schools include classes teaching basic computer skills.
- What do Americans do after finishing secondary school?
- As far as I know, they enter colleges or universities. There are a lot of technical training schools, community colleges; colleges offering four-year bachelor degree programmes; and universities which contain one or more colleges and graduate schools offering master's or doctoral degree programmes in the USA.
- What factors determine the college or university prestige?
- The factors determining an institution's prestige are the quality of the teaching faculty; quality of research facilities; the number and competence of applicants for admission.
- What do you know about University education in the USA?
- There is no National University in the USA. Each state controls and supports at least one University. The National Government gives no direct financial aid to them.
- Do Americans go to the University free of charge?
- The students do not go to the University free of charge. Everyone must pay a tuition fee. The amount varies from state to state. Students' total expenses throughout the year are very high. And though each University offers a number of scholarships many students have to work to pay their expenses.
- Do most of the US Universities have a campus?
- Most of the US Universities have a central campus. Colleges of Law, Business, Medicine, Engineering, Music, Journalism can be found on one campus.
- Do the US students take the same courses?
- No, they do not. The students do not take the same courses. They attend courses at various colleges. During the first two years they follow a basic programme. It means that every student must select at least one course from each of the basic fields of study: English, science, modern languages, history or physical education. After the first two years every student majors in one subject and minors in another. A student can major in history and minor in sociality. In addition to these major and minor courses he can select other subjects according to his professional interest.
- When do the US students receive degrees?
- After completing four years of study the students receive a Bachelor's Degree (either BA or B.Sc.). With an additional year of study one may get a Master's Degree and after two or three years of graduate work and writing of the dissertation it is possible to obtain a Doctoral degree.
- When do the US students take their exams?
- Over four years at the end of each year students have a final written examination. They take oral exams and write a dissertation only for advanced degrees.
- Is learning important for society?
- Certainly. The idea that a well-schooled society is a prosperous and stable society, and therefore that educated people is a desirable goal for a nation, dates back to the year 2500 BC. In his "Great Learning" Confucius wrote: "When knowledge is extended, the will becomes sincere. When the will is sincere, the mind is correct. When the mind is correct, the self is cultivated. When the self is cultivated the clan is harmonized. When the clan is harmonized the country is well governed. When the country is well governed there will be peace throughout the land." Thus education is the pledge of peace. Peace is important for people to be happy.