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ACTIVITY 2
Listening comprehension. Go to YouTube  and search the video, "A Window on Britain, School". Listen to it as many times as you need; if you have problems to understand,  use the subtitles. Then, answer the questions:

​1. When do children in England start Primary Education? And Secondary?
​2. When do students finish Secondary Education? Which examinations do children take when they finish?
3. Do students wear uniforms?
​4. When do they have lessons? What subjects do they study?
​5. Where do they eat at school?
​6. What kind of activities do British students do after school?

​TASK 2  

ACTIVITY 1
Now go to the web page http://projectbritain.com and find more information about British Education. Answer the questions.

1. What types of schools are there in England?
2.  When is education compulsory in England?
​3.- How many “terms” are there in a UK school year?
4.- What do you know about school holidays or vacations in the UK?
5.- Write down  FIVE things about the school uniform some children have to wear in the UK.
6.- Describe the following terms related to UK schools:

Registration
Assembly
Recess
School playground
To line up
Canteen
Midday supervisor
Residential trip
Swipe card

7.- Name FIVE extra-curricular activities offered by UK schools. Where and when are these activities held?
8.- Explain WITH YOUR OWN WORDS: “THE SPORTS DAY”
9.- What other important events are celebrated at UK schools?
10.- Invent a British Secondary education Time Table. Divide it into lesson periods, recess and lunch time periods.
Then compare it to your own Time Table.

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​TASK 3

ACTIVITY 1
Go to YouTube and relax for a while listening to the song "Another Brick in the Wall", by Pink Floid. But first, read the lyrics:

Daddy's flown across the ocean
Leaving just a memory
Snapshot in the family album
Daddy what else did you leave for me?
Daddy, what'd'ja leave behind for me?!
All in all it was just a brick in the wall.
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
We don't need no education 
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you
have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"

Once you have heard the song and analysed it with your group, write your opinion about the message given.

ACTIVITY 2
Revise your knowledge about UK education and the differences with our educational system.
​Differences between British schools and schools abroad
1. British school students usually wear uniforms
While students in most other countries can wear more-or-less what they want, students in Britain are usually required to wear a uniform.
2. Almost everything you need for school is provided for you
Textbooks and exercise books are provided by the school, for free. For the first three years of primary school, all students get free school lunches as well
3. You start school at 5, or younger
Schools in the UK differ from many countries in Europe in that students start semi-formal education at the age of 5 or younger
4. A school day lasts from 9 until around 3.30
French school days last longer than British ones, running from 8am to 4pm – but that includes two hours for lunch. British school days start around 9am, usually with a 15 minute break mid-morning, and an hour for lunch.
5. It’s very unusual to repeat a year
6. You study fewer subjects than in many other countries
At the start of secondary school, a British student might study a dozen subjects: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Art, Computing, Technology, Physical Education and one or two languages. At the age of 14-15, this would drop down to the core subjects of English, Mathematics and the sciences, plus another three or four of the rest. So far, so in line with most other countries.
However, at the age of 16-17 – the start of the sixth form, students taking A-levels (the most popular school leaving exams in the UK) usually take a mere three or four subjects entirely of their own choice –
7. Students are encouraged to speak up and share their opinions


CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE

FINAL TASK

​Once you have learnt many different things about the British Education system, write a composition (80-120 words or more) about YOUR IDEAL SECONDARY SCHOOL. Choose your favourite characteristics (subjects, timetable, holidays, uniform...). After you finish this final task, you will have to give a presentation to your class mates.
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