Take Away English-Schools 学校和大学

Students return to university in September

September is traditionally the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in the UK. It is also the month when children go back to school after their long summer holidays, but what do you actually know about British schools?

There are two types of school in England. State-run schools are paid for by the government, so are free to attend. Independent Schools are private, which means you have to pay to attend.

The school day usually starts at 9 in the morning and finishes around 4, with breaks for lunch of course! In many schools, you have to wear a uniform too.

Children start school when they are 5 years old. This is called primary school, and lasts until the child is 11 when he or she will go on to senior school.

Secondary school is compulsory¹ from 11 until 16 years of age. At 16, students take national examinations called GCSE’s. After this, students can stay at school for another 2 years and take A Level examinations. These examinations are necessary if they want to go on to university at 18.

Some universities start in September, but others begin in October. Courses normally last 3 years, but some, such as languages, engineering or medicine, can take much longer to complete.

Students usually go to university in a different town, so need to get used to living alone, paying bills and washing their own clothes! For many, this is a difficult time, but everyone soon becomes used to it!

Universities in Britain used to be free, but many students now have to pay for part of their course. Similarly, students used to receive a grant – money from the government in order to live. Nowadays, they have to borrow money from banks or the government, called a student loan, or take part-time jobs. Either way, it can be difficult and many students have money problems.

School and university life are not just about studying, however. Many students take part in drama productions or play music. Others, of course, take part in a wide range of sports, such as football, rugby and cricket².

Many of the friends British people make at school and university remain friends for life, so it seems to true to say that your schooldays really are ‘the best days of your life.’

GLOSSARY 词汇表
autumn 秋天；秋季 state-run 国营的 attend 上学；出席 uniform 校服 lasts 持续…时间 compulsory 义务制的；必修的	bills 账单 a grant 助学金；补助金 loan 贷款 part-time jobs 兼职 a wide range 各种各样的

1 compulsory   

n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的

参考例句：

• Is English a compulsory subject?英语是必修课吗？
• Compulsory schooling ends at sixteen.义务教育至16岁为止。

2 cricket   

n.蟋蟀，板球运动；adj.公平的

参考例句：

• The England cricket team scored quite a useful total.英格兰板球队得分总数令人满意。
• We could hear the shrill of the midsummer cricket.我们可以听到仲夏时节蟋蟀的尖叫声。
• Your behaviour isn't cricket.你的行为不光彩。