Inglese - Education in Britain, Schemi e mappe concettuali di Lingua Inglese

Scarica Inglese - Education in Britain e più Schemi e mappe concettuali in PDF di Lingua Inglese solo su Docsity! Education in Britain Education in Britain is compulsory between the ages of five and sixteen. Before five, children sometimes go to nursery schools or to private playgroups. After primary schools, at about eleven children must choose a secondary school. Children go to middle schools when they are eight, nine or ten, and move on to a secondary school at ages twelve or thirteen. The secondary schools are comprehensive, they admit pupils of all abilities. Where there are grammar schools and secondary modern schools, admission depends on a selection process based on ability. Schools are free to decide which subjects to teach. Schools must teach religious education. Schools have started to measure pupils’ progress against national standards. This evaluation includes written and practical test. Students must choose which subject they are going to take for General Certificate of Secondary Education exam (the GCSE). Students who take the GCSE receive a grade in each subject from G (the lowest) up to A (the highest). EDUCATION Education in Britain is compulsory from the age of 5 to 16. Ninety per cent of children at- tend state schools wich provide free education. ⇒ PRIMARY EDUCATION Children attend infant schools from 5 to 7. From the age of 7 to 11 they go to junior schools. ⇒ SECONDARY EDUCATION Compulsory secondary education covers the ages from 11 to 16. Most student go to com- prehensive schools where there are compulsory subjects (english, maths, science, hi- story, etc.) and optional subjects (tipical are: latin, drama, philosophy, computing) that vary from school to school. Other types of secondary schools are grammar schools for students with above average ability and secondary modern schools which admit student of average or below average a- cademic ability. At the age of 16 students can leave school. They are not obliged to take a school-leaving exam. However, finding a job with no qualifications is not easy, therefore most students take the General Certificate of Secondary education (GCSE) and students can choose how many. For example, if a student takes six subject but fails two he will have four GCSEs. Students can attend a further two-year course called Sixth Form. Sixth Form student can choose: − three subjects and specialise in them; at the end they take an examination called A- dvanced Levels (A-levels); − or choose two or more subjects at Advanced Supplementary Level (AS-level), a lower academic level than A-levels, or a mix of A-levels and AS-levels. If they don’t wish to work too hard they may take some AS-levels. The results of the A- or AS- levels condition the student’s acces to university or their chan- ces of finding a job. ⇒ FEATURES OF BRITISH SECONDARY SCHOOLS Students arrive at scholl at 9 o’clock, they meet in a general assembly for prayers and in- structions; they usually have four periods in the morning with a break at about 11. At 12.30 they have lunch and in the afternoon they have more classes. Lessons are over at 4 o’clock and Saturday is free. There are three terms in a school year. Religious instructions is compulsory and it can be taught by teachers of any subject. Particular importance is given to sporting activities. A report is sent home twice a year. Discipline is quite strict and it is the Headmaster’s re- sponsability. ⇒ PRIVATE SCHOOLS There are over 2,000 indipendent schools in britain attended by about 10 % of the student population. Primary schools are called Prep (preparatory) schools and enable children to pass the examination for the admission to private secondary schools. Private secondary education is provided by public schools because they were founded for the public’s benefit between the 14th and the 16th century, in times when the upper classes had private teachers. Public schools are very exclusive, charge high fees and some of them, such as Harrow, Rugby and Eton, are quite famous. Many public schools are fully residential and accept boys only; there are fewer for girls. Students are admitted on the basis of the results of the exams, but other factors, such as the name of the student’s family, are equally important. Public schools offer very high aca- demic standards which guarantee admission to university.