Education

Education

Pictures

Look at the pictures.

• What types of school do the children/students in the pictures go to?
• What subjects do you think they study?
• Give some examples of their classroom rules

Picture 1 (vysokoškoláci)

I can see in the pictures different types of schools and students. In the first picture there are university students. I think they study English. They are not children but they must have rules. E.g. not to be late for lessons, do their homework, prepare materials for lessons.

Picture 2 (ZŠ)

In the second picture I can see pupils of elementary school/basic/primary school. They have a lot of subjects: maths, chemistry, physics, Slovak language, biology, English, German, PE(physical education). There are many rules at basic schools: not to be late, not to run in the corridor, not to fight, do homework, be polite etc.

2. What after-school activities are popular with pupils/students?

After-school activities are very important. There are many clubs and sports teams. Children play football, basketball, floorball. (vymenovať všetky športy, ktoré viem).

Some children go to the language schools, dramatic or music school. They play the musical instruments like: piano, guitar, trumpet, flute, etc. Many young people dance in dance groups. In some schools they have got also school newspapers.

Talk about the system of education in Slovakia.

In Slovakia there are nursery, primary and secondary schools and universities. Children start at the age of 3 in kindergarden/nursery school. At the age of 6 they start primary school. When they are 15 they go to secondary school. Good students go to grammar schools that prepare them for university study. There are also vocational schools: business schools, technical schools, medical schools etc. At some vocational schools the study lasts either 3 or 4 years. After 3 years you get a skill certificate, 4-year-study ends with the school leaving exam/maturita exam.

Give your opinion on studying abroad.

Many Slovaks study abroad at a foreign university, because our universities don´t have good reputation. A lot of our students speak English, German or French so they study abroad. After study they have better job opportunities, improve their language skills and see new cultures, earn more money. So I think it´s a good idea to study abroad, e.g. in GB, USA, France, Germany etc.

Talk about your experience with learning English. What was easy, what was difficult and why.

I´ve been studying English for 5 years. I think it´s not difficult but I must study hard. The most difficult thing for me is grammar. And also listening. I don´t understand well. But I train at home. I watch films in original version with subtitles. It helps me so much.

Simulation

Your friend wants to leave school in the middle of the school term and start working in a restaurant. Try to persuade him that this is not the right choice.

I would tell him: Don´be stupid! You need to finish the school. You will earn less money without the certificate. I help you with homework. We will study together. You will have better marks. And you can have restaurant as your part time job at weekends.