Higher education in the usa topic. Topic on English "Education in the USA" (Education in the USA). Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation

The system of education in the USA varies greatly from state to state. School education in so called state public schools is free. Parents are free to choose any public school for their children. Although there are a lot of private schools, mainly religious, and parents have to pay for them. A school year starts in September and ends in June. It is divided into three terms or four quarters.

American children start attending elementary schools at the age of 6. They continue their studies for eight years there (8 grades). Their basic subjects in the curriculum at this stage are English, Arithmetic, Natural Science, History, Geography, Foreign Language and some others. After that pupils may enter a Senior high school or if they go to a 5- or 6-year elementary school, they then attend a 3- or 4-year Junior high school, and then enter a Senior high school. Pupils graduate from high schools at the age of 18. The high schools (also known as secondary schools) are generally larger and accommodate teenagers from four or five elementary schools. During the school year the students study four or five selective subjects according to their professional interests. They must complete a certain number of courses to receive a high school diploma or a certificate of school graduation.

In order to develop social skills and encourage students’ participation in extracurricular activities every high school has an orchestra, a music band, a choir, drama groups, football, basketball and baseball teams. School becomes the center of social life for students.

At American colleges and universities young people get higher education. They study for 4 years and get a Bachelor's degree in arts or science. If a student wants to get a Master's degree he must study for two more years and do a research work. Students who want to advance their education even further in a specific field can pursue a Doctor degree. The most famous American universities are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Columbia Universities.

Translation

The education system in the US is very different from state to state. School education in the so-called public schools is free. Parents are free to choose any free school for children. However, there are many private schools, mostly religious, and parents need to pay for education in them. The school year starts in September and ends in June. It is divided into 3 semesters or 4 quarters.

American children begin attending elementary school at the age of 6. They continue their education for 8 years (8 classes). The main subjects in the schedule for this stage English, arithmetic, natural science, history, geography, foreign language and some others are considered. Students can then move on to Senior High School or, if they went to 5 or 6 year Primary School, then they attend 3 or 4 year Junior High School before moving on to Senior High School. Pupils graduate from high school at 18 years of age. Secondary schools are usually larger and accommodate teenagers from 4 or 5 elementary schools. During the academic year, students study 4-5 selective subjects, in accordance with their professional interests. They are required to complete a certain number of courses in order to receive a high school diploma or school leaving certificate.

To develop social skills and encourage student participation in extracurricular life, each high school has an orchestra, musical group, choir, theater studio, football, basketball and baseball team. The school becomes the center of social life for students.

In American colleges and universities, young people receive higher education. They study for 4 years and receive a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. If a student intends to obtain a Master's degree, he needs to study for 2 more years and spend research work. Students who wish to continue their studies in a particular area of knowledge can receive a Doctorate degree. The most famous American universities are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale and Columbia Universities.

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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

VOLGOGRAD STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Semester work for 1 semester

On topic : Higher education in the USA

Completed by: student of the IVT-161 group, Vavilin A.Yu.

Checked:

Brief review: …………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Evaluation of work ___________________ points.

Volgograd 2003

Higher Education in the USA.

Finishing school is the beginning of an independent life for millions of school graduates. Many roads are open before them. But it is not an easy thing to choose a profession out of more than the 2000 existing in the world.

Out of the more than three million students who graduate from high school each year, about one million go on for “higher education”. Simply by being admitted into one of the most respected universities in the United States, a high school graduate achieves a degree of success. A college at a leading university might receive applications from two percent of these high school graduates, and then accept only one out of every ten who apply. Successful applicants at such colleges are usually chosen on the basis of:

a) high school records

b) recommendations from high school teachers;

c) the impression they make during interviews at the university;

d) their scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT);

The system of higher education in the United States is complex. It consists of four categories of institution:

1. The university, which may contain:

Several colleges for undergraduate students seeking a bachelor's four-year degree;

One or more graduate schools for those continuing in specialized studies beyond the bachelor's degree to obtain a master's or a doctoral degree;

2. The four-year undergraduate institution – the college – most of which are not part of a university;

3. The technical training institution, at which high school graduates may take courses ranging from six months to four years in duration, and learn a wide variety of technical skills, from hair styling through business accounting to computer programming;

4. The two-year, or community college, from which students may enter many professions or may go to four-year colleges or universities.

Any of these institutions, in any category, might be either public or private, depending on the source of its funding. There is no clear or inevitable distinction offered in terms of quality of education between the institutions, which are publicly or privately funded. However, this is not to say that all institutions enjoy equal prestige, nor that there are no material differences among them.

Many universities and colleges, both public and private, have gained reputations for offering particularly challenging courses, and for providing their students with a higher quality of education. The great majority are generally regarded as quite satisfactory. A few other institutions, conversely, provide only adequate education, and students attend classes, pass examinations and graduate as merely competent, but not outstanding, scholars and professionals. The factors determining whether an institution is one of the best, or one of lower prestige, are: quality of teaching faculty, quality of research facilities, amount of funding available for libraries, special programs, etc., and the competence and number of applicants for admission, i.e. how selective the institution can be in choosing its students. All of these factors reinforce one another. In the United States it is generally recognized that there are more and less desirable institutions in which to study and from which to graduate. The more desirable institutions are generally – but not always – more costly to attend, and having graduated from one of them may bring distinct advantages as an individual seeks employment opportunities and social mobility within the society. Competition to get into such a college prompts a million secondary school students to take the SATs every year. But recently emphasis on admissions examinations has been widely criticized in the United States because the examinations tend to measure competence in mathematics and English. In defense of using the examinations as criteria for admissions, administrators at many universities say that SATs provide a fair way for deciding whom to admit when they have 10 or 12 applicants for every first-year student seat.

Can America's colleges and universities rest on their accomplishments? About 12 million students currently attend schools of higher education in America. They are students in a society that believe in the bond between education and democracy.

Still, many Americans are not satisfied with the condition of higher education in their country. Perhaps the most widespread complaint has to do with the college curriculum as a whole and with the wide range of electives in particular. In the middle of 1980s, the Association of American Colleges (AAC) issued a report that called for teaching a body of common knowledge to all college students. The National The Institute of Education (NIE) issued a somewhat similar report, “Involvement in Learning”. In its report, the NIE concluded that the college curriculum has become “excessively vocational and work-related”. The report also warned that college education may no longer be developing in students “the shared values and knowledge” that traditionally bind Americans together. A serious charge: Is it true?

For the moment, to some degree, it probably is. Certainly, some students complete their degree work without a course in Western Civilization – not to mention other world cultures. Others leave college without having studied science or government. As one response, many colleges have begun reemphasizing a core curriculum that all students must master.

Such problems are signs that American higher education is changing, as it has throughout its history. And, as in the past, this change may be leading in unexpected directions. The Puritans set up colleges to train ministers. But their students made their mark as the leaders of the world's first constitutional democracy. The land grant colleges were founded to teach agriculture and engineering to the builders of the American West. Today, many of these colleges are leading schools in the world of scientific research. Americans have always had a stake in “making the system work”. They have especially critical reasons for doing so in the field of education. People in the United States today are faced with momentous questions: “What is America’s proper role as the world’s oldest constitutional democracy; its largest economy; its first nuclear power?”

Americans cherish their right to express opinions on all such issues. But the people of the United States are also painfully aware of how complex such issues are. To take part in dealing with new problems, most Americans feel they need all the information they can get. Colleges and universities are the most important centers of such learning. And whatever improvements may be demanded, their future is almost guaranteed by the American thirst to advance and be well informed. In fact, the next charge in American education may be a trend for people to continue their education in college – for a lifetime.

Higher education in the USA.

Leaving school is the beginning of an independent life for millions of young people who have received diplomas. Many roads are open before them. But it is not so easy to choose a profession from more than two thousand existing in the world.

Of the more than three million students who graduate from high school each year, approximately one million go on to higher education. It's just that by entering one of the most prestigious universities in the United States, high school graduates achieve more success. The college, as a leading university, could accept applications from two percent of high school graduates, and then only accept one out of every ten applicants. For successful admission to such colleges, applicants are usually selected based on the following indicators:

a) high grades in high school;

c) the impression they make at an interview at the university;

d) their scores in intellectual tests - Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT);

The higher education system in the United States is complex. It includes four types of institutions:

1. University, which may include:

Several colleges for incoming students applying for a four-year bachelor's degree;

One or more schools for continuing specialized studies beyond the bachelor's degree to become a specialist or obtain a doctoral degree;

2. Four-year educational institution - college, most of which are not part of the university;

3. A technical school, where high school graduates can take courses lasting from six months to four years, and learn a variety of technical skills, from hairdressing to accounting and computer programming;

4. A two-year educational institution, or community college, after which students can work in various professions or continue their studies at four-year colleges or universities.

Any of these institutions, in any category, may be free or private, depending on the source of its funding. There is no apparent difference in the quality of education offered by different institutions, publicly or privately funded. However, it cannot be said that all institutions have the same prestige, and there are no material differences among them.

Numerous universities and colleges, both free and private, have gained a reputation for offering particularly controversial courses and for providing their students with a higher quality education. In general, the vast majority of them are regarded very satisfactorily. Some other institutions, on the contrary, provide only sufficient education, their students attend classes, pass examinations and graduate as merely competent specialists, but not as outstanding scientists and professionals. The factors that determine whether an institution is one of the best, or one of the less prestigious, are: the quality of teaching faculty, the quality of research equipment, the level of funding for libraries, special programs, etc., as well as the competence and number of applicants for admission, then there is how much this institution is free in the choice of students. All these factors complement each other. In general, it is recognized in the United States that there are more and less preferred institutions for teaching and pursuing higher education. The more preferred institutions are usually, but not always, more costly, and graduating from one of them can bring significant benefits as each individual seeks employment opportunities and social mobility within society. Competition to get into such a college encourages millions of high school students to take the SAT each year. But recently the emphasis on entrance exams has been widely criticized in the United States because the exams measure competence in math and English. In defense of using exams as entry criteria, many university leaders say that using the SAT makes it fair to decide who to admit when there are 10 or 12 applicants for one place.

Can America's colleges and universities build on their results? Approximately 12 million students currently attend schools of higher education in America. They are students in a society that believes in the link between education and democracy.

However, many Americans are not satisfied with the state of higher education in their country. Perhaps the most widespread dissatisfaction is syllabus college in general and a wide range of extracurricular activities in particular. In the mid-1980s, the Association of American Colleges (AAC) released a report that called for the teaching of basic general knowledge to all college students. National Institute Educational Institute (NIE) released a similar report - "Participation in Learning". In its report, the NIE concluded that the college's curriculum had become "overly vocational and work-related." It also warns that a college education can no longer develop in students the "shared values and knowledge" that traditionally bind Americans together. Serious accusation. Is it true?

To some extent this is currently possible. Of course, some students end up without a course in Western Civilization without mentioning other world cultures. Others leave college without having studied science or government. In response, many colleges have begun to revise the core curriculum that all students must complete.

These problems are a sign that higher education in America is changing, as it has always been in its history. And, as in the past, this change can go in unexpected directions. The Puritans founded colleges to train ministers. But their students proved to be the founders of the world's first constitutional democracy. Land grant colleges were founded to teach agriculture and engineering to the builders of the American West. Today, many of these colleges are leading schools in the research world. Americans have always relied on "creating systemic work." They have particularly good reasons for doing this in the field of education. People in the United States today face important questions: “What is America's proper role as the world's oldest constitutional democracy; with the largest economy; being the first nuclear power? ”

Americans respect their right to express their opinion on all these issues. But the people of the United States are also deeply aware that such issues must be considered as a whole. In order to get involved in new emerging issues, most Americans feel they need all the information they can get. Colleges and universities are the most important centers for such learning. And no matter what improvements may be required, their future is fully guaranteed by the American thirst for progress and good information. In fact, the next challenge for American education may be to encourage people to continue their education in college - for later life.

Dictionary.

Accept - Accept

Achieves - Achieve

Accomplishment - Fulfillment

Account - Account

Adequate - Adequate

admission

Admitted

advantage - advantage

Agriculture - Agriculture

Amount - Amount

Applicant - Applicant

Application - Application

Association of American Colleges(AAC) - Association of American

colleges

Available - Available

Aware - Knowing

Bachelor's degree - Bachelor's degree

Be either - Be also

Bond

Certainly - Certainly

Community - Community

Competition - Competition

Competence - Competence

Complete - Complete

Comprise - Enable

Condition - Condition (state)

Conversely - On the contrary

Costly - Expensive

Criticized - Criticized

Currently - Currently

Curriculum - Curriculum

Demand - Demand

Democracy - Democracy

Desirable - Desirable

Determining - Definition

Distinction - Distinction

Duration - Duration

Elective - Electoral

Emphasis - Emphasis

Employment

Equal prestige - Equal prestige

“Excessively vocational and work-related” - “Excessively vocational and work-related”

Exist - Exist

Graduate - Graduate Specialist

Government - Government

Higher education - Higher education

Impression - Impression

Independent - Independent

Interviews - Interviews

Issued - Issued

Lead - Leadership

Majority - Majority

Master "s degree - Master's degree

Measure - Measure

Mention - Mention

Merely - Simple

Might - Could

National Institute of Education(NIE) - National Institute of Education

Nuclear power - Nuclear power

Offer - Offer

Obtain - Obtain

Opinions - Opinions

Opportunities - Opportunities

Outstanding - Outstanding

Painfully - Deep

Particular - Specific (special)

Percent - Percentage

Possibly - Possibly

Proper - Proper

Provide - Provide

Public - State (public)

Puritans - Puritans

Private - Private

Receive - Receive

Recently - Recently

Recognized - Recognized

Regard - Attitude

Reinforce - Reinforce

Respect - Respect

Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Satisfied - Satisfied

Seek

Similar

Simply - Simply

Scholars - Scientists

scientific research- Scientific research

Social mobility - Social mobility

Success - Success

Traditional bind - Traditionally bind

"The shared values and knowledge" - "Shared values and knowledge"

Quality of research facilities - Quality of research facilities

Widespread - Widespread

Education in USA (4)

Education in the United States of America is compulsory for children from the age of 6 till 16 (or 18). It involves 12 years of schooling. A school year starts at the end of August or at the beginning of September and ends in late June or early July. The whole school year is divided into three terms/trimesters or four quarters. American students have winter, spring and summer holidays which last 2 or 3 weeks and 6 or 8 weeks, respectively. The length of the school year varies among the states as well as the day length. Students go to school 5 days a week.

The American education system consists of 3 basic components: elementary, secondary and higher education. There is also such a notion as preschool education. At the age of 4 or 5 children just get acquainted with the formal education in a nursery school. The preschool education program aims to prepare children for elementary school through playing and help them to acquire the experience of association. It lasts for one year. Then they go to the first grade (or grade 1).

Elementary education starts when pupils are 6 years old. The program of studies in the elementary school includes the following subjects: English, Arithmetic, Geography, History of the USA, Natural sciences, Physical Training, Singing, Drawing, wood or metal work. The education is mostly concentrated on the basic skills (speaking, reading, writing and arithmetic). Sometimes children also learn some foreign languages, general history and such new subjects as drug and sex education. The main goal of elementary education is the general intellectual, social and physical development of a pupil from 5 to 12 or 15 years old.

Secondary education begins when children move on to high or secondary school in the ninth grade, where they continue their studies until the twelfth grade. The secondary school curriculum is built around specific subjects rather than general skills. Although there is always a number of basic subjects in the curriculum: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education, the students have an opportunity to learn some elective subjects, which are not necessary for everybody. After the first two years of education they can select subjects according to their professional interests. The electives are to be connected with the students" future work or further education at university or college. Every high school has a special teacher - a guidance counselor who helps the students to choose these elective subjects. Moreover, he helps them with some social problems , too.

Members of each grade in high school have special names: students in the ninth grade are called freshmen, tenth graders are called sophomores, eleventh graders are juniors and as for twelfth graders, they are seniors.

After graduating from high schools the majority of the Americans go on studying at higher education establishments. In universities they have to study for four years to get a bachelor's degree. In order to get a master's degree they must study two years more and, besides, be engaged in a research work.

Education in the USA (4)

Education in the United States of America is compulsory for children from 6 to 16 (or 18) years old. It implies 12 years of schooling. The academic year in America begins at the end of August or at the beginning of September, and ends at the end of June or at the beginning of July. The academic year consists of three trimesters or four quarters. Winter, spring and summer holidays last 2-3 or 6-8 weeks respectively. The length of the school year and school day varies by state. Children study 5 days a week and get to school, usually by school bus.

The American education system consists of three fundamental components: primary, secondary and higher education. In addition, in America there is the concept of preschool education. At the age of 4-5 years, children are just beginning to get acquainted with the educational process in kindergarten. Purpose of the program preschool education- the method of play to prepare children for elementary school, to help them gain communication experience. When they are 6 years old, they enter the 1st grade of elementary school.

Training program elementary school includes the following subjects: English language, arithmetic, geography, US history, natural history, physical education, singing, drawing, labor training. Basically, the emphasis is on teaching basic skills - speaking, reading, writing and arithmetic. Sometimes children learn some foreign languages and world history, as well as subjects such as sex education and lessons on the social role of drugs. The main goal of primary education is the comprehensive intellectual, social and physical development of a child aged 5 to 12 or 15 years.

Secondary education begins when students enter high school, in 9th grade; then they continue their education until the 12th grade. The high school curriculum focuses more on teaching specific subjects than general knowledge. And although the schedule always has a set of basic subjects - English, mathematics, science, social studies and physical education - the guys are given the opportunity to study elective subjects that are not mandatory for all students. After the first two years of study, they choose subjects according to their professional interests. Such subjects should be related to the student's future work or subsequent study at a university or college. Each high school has a special teacher - career counselor. He helps students make their choice of subjects, and also gives advice related to the field of social problems. Elective courses vary by school.

Students in each grade of high school have their own special names: ninth graders are called freshmen, tenth graders are sophomores, eleventh graders are penultimate students, and twelveth graders are called alumni.

After graduating from high school, the vast majority of Americans go on to higher education. In universities, young people must study for 4 years and pass 4 credits to get a bachelor's degree. To obtain a master's degree, you need to study for another 2 years and engage in research work. After that, the student can do a number of other necessary works that will give him the opportunity to become a doctor of science.

Questions:

1. At what age do American students start and finish their compulsory education?
2. How are the school years called in the United States?
3. The length of the school year varies among the states, doesn't it?
4. What are the basic components of American education?
5. Do all children have to attend a nursery school?
6. When does elementary education start?
7. What is the main aim of elementary education?
8. The secondary school curriculum doesn't imply a number of basic subjects, does it?
9. What are the elective subjects?
10. Who is a guidance counselor?

Vocabulary:
mandatory - mandatory
to involve - include
schooling - schooling
to be divided into - divided into
trimester - trimester
quarter - a quarter
respectively
to vary - vary
to consist of - consist of
elementary education- elementary education
secondary education - secondary education
higher education - higher education
notion - concept
preschool education - preschool education
to get acquainted with - get acquainted with
nursery-school kindergarten
to aim - to be aimed
to acquire the experience of association - gain communication experience
grade - class
General History - general history
sex and drug education - sexual education and lessons devoted to the study of the social role of drugs
skill - skill
goal
curriculum - schedule, curriculum
specific - specific, specific
Social Studies - social studies
opportunity - opportunity
elective subject - elective subjects
according to - in accordance with
guidance counselor - professional guidance counselor
various - varied
freshman - newbie
sophomore - second year college student or 10th grade high school student
junior - student of the penultimate year of college or student of the 11th grade of high school
senior - a student of the last grade of college or a student of the 12th grade of high school
majority - the majority
bachelor's degree - bachelor's degree
master's degree - master's degree
to be engaged in - to do something
research work - research work

Translation

American children begin attending elementary school at the age of 6. They continue their education for 8 years (8 classes). The main subjects in the schedule at this stage are English, arithmetic, natural science, history, geography, a foreign language and some others. Students can then move on to Senior High School or, if they went to 5 or 6 year Primary School, then they attend 3 or 4 year Junior High School before moving on to Senior High School. Pupils graduate from high school at 18 years of age. Secondary schools are usually larger and accommodate teenagers from 4 or 5 elementary schools. During the academic year, students study 4-5 selective subjects, in accordance with their professional interests. They are required to complete a certain number of courses in order to receive a high school diploma or school leaving certificate.

In American colleges and universities, young people receive higher education. They study for 4 years and receive a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. If a student intends to get a Master's degree, he needs to study for another 2 years and do research work. Students who wish to continue their studies in a particular area of knowledge can receive a Doctorate degree. The most famous American universities are Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale and Columbia Universities.

The US educational system is much decentralized and schools vary greatly from state to state. There are three levels of subsidizing education: federal, state and local. They subsidize 3-5 per cent on a federal level, around 20 per cent on a state level and 70-80 per cent on a local level.

There are 15,000 school districts which are different in size. A school district is governed by the Board of Education/School Board/School Council which is elected every two years by the residents of the school district. Members of school boards perform their responsibilities on a volunteer basis, which means they do not get any salaries. They are to define the policies for the administration of the school district. Teachers, in turn, decide about the program and approaches of teaching.

Every resident pays a school tax to the school district he/she lives in, no matter he/she has school children or not. School education in the United States is free and parents are free to choose a school for their children. But if parents send their child to a school of another school district they have to pay the sum equivalent to the school tax directly to the school the child goes to.

There are also a lot of private schools, mainly religious, and parents have to pay for them. The cost is $5,000 - $10,000 a year.

There is no home education in the United States. Each invalid is supposed to attend school. School provides all the necessary conditions for them to study.

The school system structure in the United States looks like this. Children start going to school at the age of five. First they go to eight-year elementary school and then to high school or if they go to five- or six-year elementary school, they then attend three- or four-year middle school, and then high school. Teenagers study at high school four years and graduate from it at the age of eighteen. Members of each grade in high school have special names:

A ninth grader is called a Freshman,
- a tenth grader - a Sophomore,
- an eleventh grader - a Junior,
- a twelfth grader - a Senior.

The completion of high school is called graduation. In order to graduate, students must accumulate a certain amount of credits during their four years at school. Credits are points given for every subject that is passed successfully. In addition to that, students must successfully complete specific subjects required by the state or local educational authorities, such as US history, English, mathematics and physical education. This may vary from state to state.

Over 60% of school graduates continue their education in two- or four-year colleges or universities. At least 10% of high school students are allowed to finish school at the age of 16.

A school year starts at the beginning of September or at the end of August and ends in late June or early July, just before the Independence Day, and is divided into three terms/trimesters or four quarters. School children have winter and spring breaks for two or three weeks and summer vacation for six up to eight weeks.

There is a great variety of Saturdays, Sundays, vocational and other schools. The most popular one is summer school. It is for students who want to get a deeper knowledge in a particular subject, or to skip a year, or just fail their examinations. It lasts six weeks and parents have to pay for it.

Students go to school five days a week. They get to and from school by a school bus. A typical school day in America starts at 7.30 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance in which the US flag and the whole nation is glorified. Then follows the homeroom period during which a homeroom teacher calls the roll and the principal makes his/her announcements over the intercom. Every day students usually have seven periods which last 50-55, sometimes 45 minutes. In some schools there are four periods lasting 90 minutes. There are 2-5 minute passing between periods and a break of 30 minutes for lunch.

American schools today house a large number of students but making friends can be difficult, as the same group of students does not attend all the classes. In order to encourage meeting and knowing a broader population at school, special emphasis is placed on so-called extracurricular activities where interests, rather than academic ability, bring students together.

Extracurricular activities are the many club meetings, music or drama rehearsals, and sport practice sessions that take place in American high school in the afternoon after classes. These meetings are a very important part of high school life, since they are a link between different groups of students who are placed in various academic programs. Students who usually would not meet in the classroom get to know each other in areas of common interest. They give students the opportunity to further their specific interests in various fields and to spend their free time together.

Even though they are not mandatory, many students get involved in different extracurricular activities. Since students spend a lot of time participating in various activities, school becomes the center of social life for students. They not only go to school to study the material presented in class, but they also meet together to socialize and to pursue their interests.

Other important activities in American high school are sports teams. Most schools offer a variety of teams for both boys and girls. American football, basketball and base-ball are played in the majority of schools. In addition, one may find tennis, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, golf, volleyball, cross-country, and track and field teams, depending again on the size and financial resources of the school. Soccer is also growing in popularity.

Usually schools have varsity teams, which complete with other schools and which have very intensive training, and intramural teams, which play other teams within the school itself. In most schools, there is a great deal of competition between students to join the varsity team. There are often schools regulations that make it difficult for new students to join. On the intramural teams most students are welcome to participate.

In many schools girls have fewer possibilities than boys. Smaller schools may not have some of the above-mentioned teams for girls. But a special group of girls and boys play an important part at the football and basketball games. They are called cheerleaders and they lead the crowd in cheers for their team.

In addition to clubs and sports teams, one will find the Student Council and the class officer meetings. Students are elected by their school and classmates to represent them in these bodies and to organize activities for their school.

U.S. colleges and universities offer a variety of programs ranging from highly academic courses to very practical ones. Students can be educated not only for academic professions, but also for technical professions, such as mechanics, nursing, medical technology, computer technology and book-keeping.

In universities young people study four years to get bachelor's degree. If one wants to get master's degree he/she must study two years more and do a research work. If one has master's degree, studies more, does a research work and passes an oral, comprehensive examination he/she gets doctor's degree (PhD).

Translation

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