(From "This is Columbia University")
Columbia University and New York City have grown up together for more than 200 years. During this time, the University and the City have used their combined resources to advance the human interests to their community and of society as a whole.
At the turn of the last century* Pres. Low envisioned the Momingside Heights campus**, newly built in a style recalling Greek temples and Roman halls, as a place where "civic enterprise and independent scholarship would work together as equal partners for man's improvement and progress." His simultaneous interest in the growing University and the expanding City was typical over the years, 14 mayors of New York City and 10 governors of the state have graduated from Columbia. Today, approximately one-third of Columbia's 90,000 alumni*** live and work in the New York area as lawyers, journalists, scientists, publishers, business executives, artists, and financiers.
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* at the turn of the century
** campus
*** alumnus (pi. alumni, alimnae) (Lat.) = a graduate
Since its founding in 1754, Columbia University has attracted students interested in the issues of their times. Even before the revolution, King's College, renamed Columbia College in 1787, began to develop the impressive curriculum that resulted in its designation, in 1912, as Columbia University. Instruction in engineering, law and medicine, as well as liberal arts was available before 1800.By the turn of the century, Barnard College for women, the Graduate Faculties of Philosophy and of Pure Science, the schools of Architecture and the Political Science, and Teachers College had been established. Since 1900, the University has grown to include more than 20 schools and programs for undergraduate and graduate study in disciplines as diverse as the arts, business, health sciences, international affairs, liberal arts, library service, and social work.
Columbia University is a magnet for leaders in the arts and politics as well as for prominent scholars in all academic fields. Art exhibits, commercial and student-made films, poetry readings, concerts, dance recitals, and every other sort of musical experience are offered on the campus. Whether directly or indirectly related to the students course of study, participation in the City's activities stimulates the individual and narrows the gap* between learning and living.
Assignments:
1. Speak on the history of Columbia University.
2. Explain why the University today is a magnet for leadersin thearts and politics, for prominent scholars in all fields.
3. Say what particularly strikes you in Columbia University.
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* to narrow the gap
TEACHERS COLLEGE
Teachers College, affiliated with Columbia University since 1898, is the world's largest and most comprehensive graduate school of education. Instruction, research and service activities are addressed to urban, national, and international specializations, preparing men and women for professional careers on every academic level as well as in government, industry, and service fields.
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Teachers College offers degree programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Education in College Teaching of an Academic Subject, and, under the auspices of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The College also welcomes non-degree students.
Courses in more than 130 specializations are offered by a full-time faculty* of nearly 200, supplemented by an equal number of special lecturers and instructors. Various institutes and topical study center reflect the concern of society and the challenges to professions within the framework of traditional academic disciplines.
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* faculty
Assignment:
Read the text and render it in English.
EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA
Tuition in state schools is free of charge. Private schools charge fees, and high ones.
During the whole history of Australian education the various states have opposed the federal government's intervention in the organization of education, wishing to preserve the character and independence of their individual system.
The demand for centralized nation system to administer and organize education became especially strong in the 70s, and led to the separation of the Federal Ministry of Education from the former Federal Ministry of Science and Education.
However, the educational policy of the federal government left the school system practically untouched. There are still many differences in the structure and the curricula of schools in the various states, which hamper the development of a national educational policy.
The financing of schooling is a direct reflection of the policy of the ruling classes of Australia. The government assigns 47 per cent of its expenditure on education for state schools, and 53 per cent for private schools.
It should be mentioned, that 80 per cent of Australian children attend the state schools, while private schools are attended by only 20 per cent.
School education is obligatory for all Australian children from 6 to 15 years old (16 in Tasmania). At present the school education scheme is "6-4-2" in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania*. In Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia the scheme is "7-3-2."
After finishing the six- or seven-year primary school all pupils pass to secondary school without examination. Then follows a four- or three-year obligatory course in the Junior High School.
Students completing the two-year Senior High School course may enter any higher education institution in the country. There is a trend to cancel final examinations in both Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, so that all pupils, irrespective of the academic abilities or material means should have the opportunity of receiving free, complete preschool, primary and secondary education.
Assignments:
1. Find in the text the English for:
, , , , , , , , , -., , , , , -., , , .
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2. Arrange A andin pairs of synonyms:
A. tuition, primary schools, abilities, to administer, trend, to wish, ' various, curriculum, to go to school, to finance, to pass to, to complete, scheme, institution.
B. to govern, education, different, structure, to want, syllabus, to subsidize, to attend school, to transfer, to finish, establishment, tendency, capacities, elementary school.
3. Arrange A andin pairs of antonyms:
A. final examinations, private schools, weak, obligatory, to finish school, senior, free, high, adults, direct, to pass to, dependence.
B. strong, to enter school, optional, to stay at, state-run schools, junior, fee-paying, low, children, indirect, entrance examinations, independence.
4. Speak on the structure of education in Australia.
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* There are six states in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.
CLAYFIELD COLLEGE
(From "Clayfield College Journal")
For more than fifty years, Clayfield College has provided the individual care and attention, the personal approach to the Christian-based values and all-round education which are the cornerstone of its philosophy. The fact that the College has had only two Headmistresses in its 50 (plus) years is a major factor contributing to that personal attention.
As an independent Church School, we provide a thorough academic and general education for girls from Pre-School (for 4 year-olds) to Tertiary Entrance*, and boys from Pre-School up to and including Grade IV.
Facilities
Clayfield College conveniently situated near public transport facilities, has the large classrooms splendidly equipped with carpets, heaters and fans, which face sea breezes of Moretan Bay. Reference Libraries, a Special Teaching Complex, Language and Science Laboratories, Homecraft and Pottery Centres** are well-used areas in the daily academic life of the College. Modern audio-visual equipment is used by all departments.
In 1978, Clayfield College was the first girls' school in Queensland to install a computer. The aim of the school is to teach various levels of computer understanding from Grade VII upwards, keeping in mind the demands of the world of tomorrow on Clayfield graduates.
Fine Arts
Special attention is devoted to Art, Pottery and Drama at Clayfield College and students may participate in Art Studies through all grades. A high music standard has been achieved by the choir and in annual music productions.
Boarding***
The modern three-storeyed brick Boarding School is entirely separate from the educational block and resident pupils have a full life in a happy atmosphere. The Principal carefully controls the general health and welfare of the boarders. Homework and Art of Speech and Music Practices are supervised. The boarders may listen to their favourite records; there is a special area for use in Arts and Crafts, and a laundry where they can wash personal clothing if they wish.
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* Tertiary College, , 16 18 .
** Homecraft and Pottery Centres
*** boarding (.)
Great emphasis is placed on organized afterschool Club activities which range from Handicrafts and Car Care to Electronics and Deportment*.
Assignments:
1. Answer the following questions:
1)Is it a private school?
2) It's a boarding school, isn't it?
3)How old is the College?
4) What is the age range of the students?
5) What kind of facilities does the College have?
6) How is the life of boarders organized?
2. Speak on the history of the College.
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3. What do you think attracts students to Clayfield College?
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* deportment
29. ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE
(From "St Patrick's College Journal")
The foundation Stone of this School was laid on 21st January, 1873. It is by Australian standards a very old school, being now in the 114th year of its existence.
It is an Independent School, supported by the fees paid by the parents of our students. I must tell you, though, that the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the State Government of New South Wales contribute in excess of one of million dollars a year to the day to day expenses of this school.
St Patrick's College is owned by the Christian Brothers, a religious order of the Catholic Church in which myself and eight other of the staff are members. Our total teaching staff numbers thirty seven.
This School has been since its inception a Boy's School. It has a total enrolment of 600. About half of this number are boarding or residential pupils who come mainly from the farming comrnunities of southeastern New South Walesas well as from Sydney and Canberra and overseas places.
We have only secondary pupils so that classes begin at Year 7 and conclude at Year 12 when there is a public examination. Attached to this is the issue of a Higher School Certificate which helps determine entry to universities and other institutions of higher learning.
There are no examinations associated with admission to this school except that each pupil must be deemed capable of meeting the scholastic and other requirements for Year 7. This is done at an interview by me, with his parents and himself, in the year prior to his entry*.There are no religious barriers to membership, though this is a religious school with a Christian and Catholic philosophy as its basis. We aim to develop a young man to have respect and reverence for God and authority; to appreciate and try to achieve an academic excellence appropriate to his ability; we try to develop in him a regard for the arts and sciences, the development of his musical, his cultural, his physical talents, his spirit of work and physical labour. We hope he will develop especially a practical awareness of his loyalty to the important institutions of his life** and his attitude of caring concern towards his fellow men, especially those of his own family and within the community of this College.
We have a wide range of subjects taught the Humanities and Languages, Mathematics, Modern and Ancient History, Economics, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Art, Music, Industrial Arts, Woodwork and Metalwork, Computer Studies, etc. The motto of the College is "Age Quod Agis."***
Assignments:
1. Answer the following questions:
1)When and where was the Collegefounded?
2) Is it a religious school?
3)Who supports the school?
4) How large is the teaching staff?
5) Who attends the College and how large is the enrolment?
6) What are the entrance requirements?
7) What is the main aim of the College?
8) What subjects are taught there?
2. Comment on the motto of the College.
3. Do you see any differences between an ordinary school and a religious school?
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* in the year prior to his entry
** a practical awareness of his loyalty to the important institutionsofhis life
*** Age Quod Agis (Lat.) = Whatever you do, do it well. ,.
