Task 1. Read the text and answer the following questions:
1. How many faculties does the academy have? What are they?
2. What does the academy possess?
3. How much does the course of studies last here?
Barnaul is one of the most ancient cities of Western Siberia. The city is situated in a very picturesque place on the bank of the river Ob. Barnaul is a big industrial, cultural and scientific centre. There are 6 higher educational institutions in the city and the only one which gives artistic and cultural education is the Altai State Academy of Culture and Arts. It is one of the young academies of the country. It was founded in 1974 and was called the Institute of Culture at that time. It had 2 faculties: the faculty of culture and education and the faculty of librarianship. At present 5 faculties are open to applicants. They are faculties of librarianship, music, artistic creation, choreography and additional education. About 3000 students are enrolled in the Academy study in the day and extra-mural departments. Besides preparatory study is organized in more than 20 specially oriented classes of Barnaul secondary schools. Nearly 400 school-children have a special training provided by the Academy. The academic programmes train students in about 30 professions. New specialties have appeared at the Academy: manager-producer, interpreter in the sphere of professional communication and so on. Now the Academy really takes the leading place among different Institutions of Culture and Arts of our country. It is a complex which includes 3 academic buildings, a voluminous library where students can obtain information both on their own specialty and on general educational subjects. The process of education is ensured by 21 chairs, where highly qualified specialists work. Scientists and lecturers of the Academy have worked out modern educational technologies. They have had basic monographs in the spheres of History, Sociology and Culture of Siberian peoples published.
There is a Thesis Defending Board at the Academy. International and Russian scientific conferences are regularly held at the Academy. The Academy provides a very good training of highly qualified specialists in different fields of culture. The Academy possesses modern buildings for study, students’ hostels, scientific research laboratories, a computer stock, publishing house, a preventive clinic and a gym-hall. New information technologies for education are being worked out and widely used in the Academy.
After passing entrance exams successfully, students are enrolled into the Academy on the competitive basis. They are offered 3 scientific branches and 8 specialties while being admitted to the Academy. The course of studies at the academy lasts for five years. The classes begin in September; they are over in June. Students study in two shifts. Usually they have three or four classes a day. Students’ work is given a mark on a five-point scale. The academic year is divided into two terms. After each term students take exams. Twice a year, after each session, students have vacations – two weeks in winter and two months in summer. During the first and the second year they study general subjects. In the 3d year they begin to study special subjects. The theory imparted in lectures is backed up by practical academic and outside work.
Higher education today is not only a collection of useful facts and theories but also a process, which trains a person to analyze and interrelate various ideas as well as make decisions. The purpose of education is to teach a person the way to learn, to get new knowledge in their narrow field and the technique of making a research. At the same time it is a serious educational and psychological factor, as the specific character of research bodies develops a critical perception of the studied material, self-dependent thinking and creative activity. The principal directions of the research work are social activity and pedagogies. In the final year students write Diploma papers and take state exams. On graduation students receive Diplomas of Specialists. Admission to the postgraduate courses is for 3 specialties.
There are different students’ organizations in the Academy. They are responsible for deciding all questions concerning students’ welfare and social amenities. Students’ amateur activities have been flourishing at the Academy.
Task 2. Using the text, fill in the blanks:
one of the most ancient … , in a picturesque … , higher educational … , … education, open to … , to be enrolled in … , more than 20 specially oriented …, a voluminous … , to obtain … , general educational … , … educational technologies, basic monographs … , scientific … , a good training of … , buildings for … , student’s … , … used, on the … basis, the academic … , on a … scale, practical academic and … , a collection of … , a critical … of the studied material, … and creative activity, the principal directions of … , student’s welfare and … .
Task 3. Find English equivalents:
один из древнейших городов, живописное место, абитуриенты, заочное отделение, специализированные классы, ведущее место среди вузов культуры, международные и всероссийские научные конференции, различные области культуры, современные здания, научно-исследовательские лаборатории, типография, профилакторий, вступительные экзамены, на конкурсной основе, курс обучения, пятибалльная шкала, самостоятельное мышление, творческая деятельность.
Task 4. Match the words under the letter A with those under the letter B:
A) open to, to obtain, highly qualified, specialists, to possess, to pass, competitive, to study, amateur.
B) information, applicants, specialists, activities, in different fields of culture, on the basis, modern buildings for study, entrance exams, in two shifts.
Task 5. Match the definitions with the words.
culture scientist vacations ancient art research
picturesque voluminous welfare amateur
1. belonging to times long past;
2. customs, arts, social institutions of a particular group of people;
3. creation or expression of sth beautiful, esp in a visual form, eg painting, sculpture, etc;
4. an interval between terms in universities;
5. forming a pretty scene; charming;
6. expert in or student of one or more of the natural or physical sciences;
7. great in quantity;
8. careful study or investigation in order to discover new facts or information;
9. person who practices artistic skill without receiving money for it;
10. good health, happiness, prosperity, etc. of a person or group.
Task 6. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Find evidence from the text to support your answer.
T F
| 1. Barnaul is one of the most ancient cities of Western Siberia. | ||
| 2. There are 3 higher educational institutions in the city. | ||
| 3. The Academy of Culture and Arts was founded in 1974 and was called the Institute of Culture at that time. | ||
| 4. Now the Academy takes the leading place among different Institutions of Culture and Arts of our country. | ||
| 5. The process of education is ensured by 31 chairs. | ||
| 6. International and Russian scientific conferences are not held at the Academy. | ||
| 7. The Academy provides a very good training of highly qualified specialists in different fields of culture. | ||
| 8. New information technologies for education are being worked out and widely used in the Academy. | ||
| 9. Higher education today is a collection of useful facts and theories. | ||
| 10. The purpose of education is to teach a person the way to learn, to get new knowledge in their narrow field and the technique of making a research. |
Task 7. Using task 6, make a report about the Academy and present it in class.
Task 8. Translate the sentences into English.
1. АлтГАКИ – это вуз, в котором можно получить образование в области культуры и искусства.
2. После сдачи вступительных экзаменов, студенты зачисляются в Академию на конкурсной основе.
3. Курс обучения длится 5 лет.
4. Занятия начинаются в сентябре, а заканчиваются в июне.
5. Учебный год делится на два семестра.
6. После каждого семестра студенты сдают экзамены.
7. На первом и втором курсе студенты изучают общеобразовательные предметы.
8. На третьем курсе студенты начинают изучать специализированные предметы.
9. На последнем курсе студенты пишут ВКР и сдают государственные экзамены.
10. По окончании курса обучения студенты получают диплом специалиста.
Task 9. Using task 8, make a report about the course of studies at the Academy.