Тема / Топик по английскому языку:
School Education in the USA

The federal government pays little attention to school education in the USA. There is neither a uniform school system in the USA, nor a uniform curriculum. Each state has its own system of schools. But there are some common features in the organization of school education in the country.

Schools in the USA can be divided into state, or public schools, and private schools. State schools are free, and private schools are fee-paying.

Elementary and secondary schools consist of twelve grades. Classes meet for about ten months a year, five days a week and five hours a day. At elementary school English, mathematics, science, social studies, music sports and other subjects are taught.

Elementary education begins at the age of six, when a child goes to the first grade. Secondary education is offered at high schools. At the age of 14 pupils go to junior high school. At the age of sixteen children leave junior high school and may continue their education at the upper grades of high school.

Besides giving general education some high schools teach some other subjects. Students choose these subjects if they want to enter colleges or universities or hope to find jobs in industry or agriculture. Many schools include classes teaching basic computer skills.

A growing number of young people go to colleges or universities. Nevertheless, many students of high school don’t finish it. One per cent of American citizens from the age of 14 can neither read nor write.

Topical Vocabulary

- to pay little attention to smth.
уделять мало внимания чему-либо
a uniform school system
единая система школ
a uniform curriculum
унифицированная программа
a common feature
общая черта
- a state school
государственная школа
a public school
государственная школа
a private school
частная школа
free
бесплатный
fee-paying
платный
- a grade
класс
elementary school
начальная школа
to teach a subject
преподавать предмет
- elementary education
начальное образование
secondary education
среднее образование
junior high school
первые классы средней школы, или средние классы школы
to leave school
окончить школу
to continue one’s education at smth.
продолжить образование в (каком-либо учебном заведении)
the upper grades of high school
старшие классы средней школы
- to give general education
давать общее образование
to enter a college or a university
поступать в колледж или университет
to find a job in industry or agriculture
найти работу в промышленности или сельском хозяйстве
classes
занятия
to teach basic computer skills
обучать элементарным навыкам работы на компьютере

Answer the questions:

  1. How can you characterize the organization of school education in the United States of America?
  2. What groups can schools in the United States of America be divided into?
  3. What subjects are taught at elementary school?
  4. At what age do children study at a high school?
  5. What kind of education do high schools give?

Translate into English:

  1. В США нет единой системы школ и единой программы.
  2. Школы в США подразделяются на бесплатные государственные и платные частные.
  3. Начальное образование начинается в шесть лет и включает обучение математике, естественным наукам, общественным наукам, музыке, спорту и другим предметам.
  4. Средняя школа включает средние и старшие классы.
  5. Дети, продолжающие образование в старших классах средней школы, получают (receive) общее образование.
  6. Кроме того (besides), им преподают предметы, необходимые для поступления в колледжи и университеты или для получения работы.