среда, 25 декабря 2013 г.

Film Review "A Farewell to Arms"


A Farewell to Arms is a 1932 American romance drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper, and Adolphe Menjou. The film bases on the 1929 semi-autobiographical novel A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.

And now let’s pass on to the plot.  On the Italian front during World War I, Frederic Henry, an American ambulance driver in the Italian Army, delivered some wounded soldiers to a hospital. There he met his friend, Italian Major Rinaldi. He persuaded Frederic to go on a double romantic date with him and two nurses, Catherine and her friend Helen Ferguson. The romantic relationship between Henry and Catherine was discovered. Then she went to Milan, and they met only when Henry's knee was badly wounded during a bombardment, and he was sent to a hospital in Milan for an operation. Before Henry returned to the front, Catherine revealed that she was pregnant. Henry was happy but at the same time he was afraid not to see her again. Catherine ran away to Switzerland, but her many letters to her beloved man were intercepted by Rinaldi in order to rescue his friend. When Frederic couldn’t stand it any longer, and he deserted them to find Catherine. He rowed across a lake to her. Meanwhile, Catherine was delighted when she was told she had finally received some mail, but faints when she was given all of her romantic love letters, marked "Return to Sender". She was taken to the hospital, where her child was stillborn. She herself was in grave danger. Frederic arrived, and just as an armistice between Italy and Austria-Hungary was announced, Catherine tragically died, with him at her side.

Focusing on acting of this film, I’m deeply impressed by Gary Cooper. He was good at his job; a cool-headed, unselfish man who was at the war with dignity. Cooper showed the his character was dynamic and round. In the beginning, he had never experienced true loss and mutual love; he knew that war was dreadful but necessary, and that nothing could be more important than regard and respect. But having met Catherine, his attitude to life changed. That woman took an essential part in his life and war got a second role.

As for the directing, I can say that I like it. The predominance of grey, black, foggy and dirty coloures make me feel sorrowful, oppressed and depressed about the war. But at the same time, I should mention that if the film was bright and technicolor, there wouldn’t be the effect of the war, loses and tragedy.

In conclusion, I’d like to underline again that I’m really impressed by this film. During the film, the contrast between love and war is presented. And, as we know any war can’t bring happiness and pleasure. It’s the main reason for misfortunes, grief and tears. And the director of the film succeeded in showing such different phenomena as love and war.

 

вторник, 17 декабря 2013 г.

Film Review “In Love and War”


In Love and War is a 1996 romance drama film based on the book, Hemingway in Love and War by Henry S. Villard and James Nagel, starring Mackenzie Astin, Chris O'Donnell, Sandra Bullock. This film takes place during World War I, and is based on the World War I experiences of the writer Ernest Hemingway.

And now let’s pass on to the plot. This film is largely based on Ernest Hemingway's real experience in World War I as a young soldier in Italy. He was wounded and sent to military hospital where he shared a room with Villard (who authored the book the movie is based on) and they were nursed by Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway and von Kurowsky fell strongly in love but somehow the relationship didn't work out.

Focusing on acting of this film, I’m deeply impressed by Sandra Bullock.  Having watched the film “Miss Congeniality”, for example, with her participation, I couldn’t even suppose that the role of a young nurse would be acted so sincerely, keenly and perfectly. Sandra personifies tenderness, feminity and perspicacity. And the contrast between these delicate features and the war is a winning decision of the director.

As for the directing, I can say that I don’t like it at all. The predominance of grey, black, foggy and dirty coloures make me feel sorrowful, oppressed and depressed. But at the same time, I should mention that if the film was bright and technicolor, there wouldn’t be the effect of the war, loses and tragedy.

In conclusion, I’d like to underline again that I’m really impressed by this film. Frankly speaking, I like the film more than the book. During all the film, the contrast between love and war is presented. And, as we know any war can’t bring happiness and pleasure. It’s the main reason for misfortunes, grief and tears. And this film is not an exception. In spite of the fact, that I don’t like war films, “In Love and War” is a masterpiece connected with the urgent problems of the whole world: war and love.

 

пятница, 6 декабря 2013 г.

Questions: Higher Education in Britain and the USA


Questions: Higher Education in Britain and the USA


1.       Entrance to British universities is a strict selection process based on an interview. After the interview a potential student is offered a place on the basis of exam results. Some universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, have an entrance exam before the interview stage. American high school students have to take a standardized test, e.g. the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Test). Students from countries outside the US who are not native speakers of English must also take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

2.     The old established universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, Liverpool, Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff.

"redbrick universities" such as London and Manchester

The «new universities» established after World War II, such as Essex, Lancaster, the New University of Ulster.

3.       Britain: A first degree, which is usually an honours degree, generally takes three years. Most courses end with exams called finals. Results are given as classes (= grades): a first is the highest class, seconds are often split between upper second and lower second, and below that is a third. Graduates may add the letters BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) after their name. Some graduates go on to study for a further degree, often a master’s degree or a doctorate. The USA: Students are given grades at the end of each course. The highest grade is A; the lowest is F, which means that the student has failed the course and will not get credit for taking it. To check a student’s overall progress, the university calculates a grade point average (GPA). Students who finish their degree with a high GPA may be awarded Latin honours, of which the highest is summa cum laude.

4.       The number of credit hours for a course is directly correlated with the number of hours students spend in class each week. Classes that meet for four hours per week are usually considered four-credit-hour courses.

5.       SAT can be taken two or three times (in the 11th and 12th grades), generally proceeded by PSAT (preliminary), a test to give students a warm-up exercise for the SAT and indicate their probable SAT scoring range. ACT (the American College Testing program) is similar to SAT but scores social studies and natural studies. The ACT is taken when required by certain colleges or universities. Both tests are widely used in the admission process of US colleges and universities. Their results are sent to the colleges or universities to which the students have applied. ACT is meant to be taken only once.

6.       Students in Britain formerly had their tuition fees paid by the state and received a government grant to help pay their living expenses. Now, they receive only a loan towards their expenses, and from 1999 most will also have to pay £1 000 a year towards tuition fees. Students whose families cannot afford to pay the full amount apply for financial aid. Many students receive a financial aid package which may be a combination of grants from the government, a scholarship, a student loan and work-study (= a part-time job at the college).

7.       GPA (Grade Point Average) (Am.E) – an average academic score for a student in a US high school, college or university. The highest grade A receives 4 points, В is 3, С is 2, D is 1 and F is 0. Points received during an academic period of weeks or months are added together and the average calculated. A high GPA helps a high school student to get into a good college or university. High points received at a college or university can result in a student being named on the dean's list and other honors. Students with low GPAs can be dismissed.

8.       When, and if, grades begin to slip or a new direction is chosen, a college counselor can reformulate a plan to get the student back on track or moving in a new and positive direction.

10.   Most universities receive some money from the state.

11.   graduate  1. Br.E. – a person who has completed a university degree course, esp.for a first degree; 2. Am.E – a person who has completed a course in any educational institution (e.g. a high school graduate);

undergraduate (undergrad) – a student who is doing a university course for a Bachelor's degree;

12.   I’m for the combination of written tasks or tests and oral tasks. But we should distinguish levels of what knowledge can be better examined by written tasks and what by oral tasks.

13.   I think that written tasks are more popular with Russian students as they have more opportunities to use cribs. But in our institution, on our faculty usually there are oral exams. That’s why we are nervous, afraid of the teacher and his or her questions, and, of course, we are irritable.

14.   I would like to study in Great Britain as there is UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) that help to find a suitable university for everybody. Besides, I think that abroad there are more opportunities to find a good, high-paid job.

15.   I like our higher education system, that’s why I don’t what to introduce anything.

понедельник, 2 декабря 2013 г.

Laboratory Works 5.1-5.2



HIGHER EDUCATION


Lab Work 5.1

 

Speaker
Problem
Signs of the Problem
Your Solution to the Problem
1
examination
It is all very well to test about facts, but we also need to assess the ability to learn: this type of exam or learning license (that tests this ability) would be more useful for students, employers and society in general.
I think, the traditional exams (oral exams and written papers) are rather useful and effective. Learning license will be the best way to examine both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
2
father’s persistence and concerns about his daughter’s study
Father sees his daughter’s tired face, results of sleepless nights etc.
She is studying for 3 levels preparing for medical school. She works nights and weekends to prepare for her exams.
 Personally I am sure that sometimes parents can too hard on their children as they try to influence every step they make, every word they say. When the time to enter the university comes they are nearly to lose their nerves trying to influence our choices as much as they can. They become blind when seeing our exhausted faces and listless behavior. So I think that have to rely on our personal choices and believe in us without persistent control. If we do prepare for our study or exams, they will notice the signs of this with no doubts, And all that they are to do: is to motivate and support us, children.
3
 The person is too hard on himself trying to enter the university (exhaustion during the preparation for entrance exams)
 He lost his weight, he has big black rings under his eyes. He sleeps for 3 or 4 hours a day. He didn’t sleep at all during the last 3 or 4 days.
 That’s no doubt that entrance exams are the most nervous time in the life of every student. But at the same time, we – students, must not forget that the most important thing is our health. And all prestigious universities or institutions can’t be compared with it.   
4
 The lack of confidence while writing the exam.
 He never thought of himself like a highflyer, he never excepted such high results.
 It’s a well-known fact that many students are not sure of their future good results as they have a lack of confidence. I think that students should trust themselves and the should believe in their knowledge, abilities and quick wits.
5
 Using technology while conducting exams.
 The results would be able to get much faster, 40% of all exams will be conducting electronically in a couple of years, online tests and registration will follow.
 We live in a globalized, interactive world which is all about changes. Of course it’s very good that we can use different types of electronic techniques.  But, at the same time, exams conducted electronically can cause different problems: firstly the results can be wrong in cases if something happens with the device, secondly any digital device lacks an ability to assess creativity. It should be took stock.

 

2. A new tempo of life: I tried to organize my timetable properly. The lack of time: I have to reduce the some things that are pleasant and important for me. I just make the things habitual and try to accept everything as it is in real life.

 

           3. Each contemporary university student faces different problems while studying. And now I’d like to dwell upon some of them.

1. Study and “the atmosphere of higher education”.

The process of studying differs from school. At school we don’t understand that knowledge needs us to have a good job, to be suitable people. Our teachers help us and even forgive us for any blunders. Higher education is not the same. Subjects are more difficult, teachers are more serious and principled. It is our new adult life. And of course, it is difficult to get into the rhythm.

2. Money

 College students drop out of school each year because they cannot afford it. Others are forced to juggle full schedules with full time jobs to make ends meet. It is becoming increasingly harder for students to graduate debt-free.

3. Depression

Most every problem on here has seemed quite dismal. These problems raise the stress levels of students. Some find relief in partying, and others (even some who party) find themselves getting depressed from their problems. And it can be the main reason for leaving the university or institute.

5. Weak health

Many students loose his weight; have big black rings under their eyes during preparation for exams.  They sleep for 3 or 4 hours a day. They don’t sleep at all during the last 3 or 4 days. Of course it can’t but influence their health.

6. Friends / Roommates

Friends and roommates are usually good for a good time. However, they can get on each others nerves at times. Because these students are living together in close quarters and seeing each other each day, this is just not a good thing

 

Solution: Students must remember to take some time out for themselves. That’s no doubt that higher education is the most nervous but at the same time important thing for everybody’s life. But at the same time, we – students, must not forget that the most valuable thing is our health. And all prestigious universities or institutions can’t be compared with it.  

 

Lab. Work 5.2

 

    1.   Academic grading in the United States most commonly takes on the form of five letter grades. Historically, the grades were A, B, C, D, and F—A being the highest and F, denoting failure, the lowest.

 

    2.    These are satisfactory (S) and unsatisfactory (U) grades. It is not taken for all the courses at the university, as the majority prefers the standard letter grades.

 

3. In Russia we have a 5-grade system. The pupils get marks – 5 is exc, 4-good, 3-satisfactory, 2 – unsatisfactory. In fact there is such a mark as 1 – but it is not used very often.

 

4. Just as in the British and American colleges we have credit – non credit for some types of courses, but it is not the case with a secondary school.

 

5. Australia

In the land down under, many schools and universities use a “band” grading system which looks like this:

90–99.95% BAND 6

80–89% BAND 5

70–79% BAND 4

60–69% BAND 3

50–59% BAND 20–49% BAND 1

 

Ukraine

In the Ukraine, they’ve gone in the opposite direction. Whereas they used to use a simple Russian 5-step grading system, in 2000, they introduced the 12-step grading system which goes like this:

12 - given only for significant achievements or exceptionally creative work

11 - the equivalent of an ‘A’ in the U.S.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 – complete fail

 

Lab. Work 5.3

 


1.      What are the rules for dropping a course in the talk provided?

You can drop the course within the first three week of the semester. First, you need to get the signature of the professor whose course you want to drop on the official drop card/ Then you need to go to a student advisor on campus to get the signature of your adviser

2.    First, You can not officially drop the course after the first three weeks of the semester. If you are having problems in a course and you decide to let it run if you want to drop the course – it is impossible to do so. Second, if you stop attending a course without going through the official drop procedures, the course will remain on your schedule and you will receive a failing grade.

3.    It is important to understand these procedures and follow them. If you do so, you will not have any problems.

 

 

Lab. Work 5.4

 

1.  

The Library

The Students’ Center: bookstore, post office, a bank, a theatre, a coffee shop, a travel agency, bowling alley

The Administration complex: offices of the university administrators, the students’ records office.

 

2.  

There is no theatre, travel agency and bowling alley.

Reading room

If you are looking for a quiet location to study the Library has a quiet room.  The Library is full of study convenient study space as well as computers equipped with access to the Internet, a photocopier, colour printing and much more.  

Parking


Since our institute is located in an urban area, parking is limited and can be difficult to obtain.  The institut recommends using public transportation whenever possible.  If traveling by car, please be aware that the University does not offer any public parking, and street parking is limited by meters. 

Cafeterias

There are some food-service areas: a major cafeteria (ground floor) and a smaller deli (first floor). There is also a little shop where students can buy some snack.

Hall of residence

A place for living for those students who live far away from the institute.

The college copy center

 Sometimes students may be required to provide multiple copies of an assignment for a class or other documents. 


A place where students have discos and little performances.

The big concert hall

A place for important events and activities

3.  

 

               Today nearly every student has a car, however, since our institute is located in an urban area, parking is limited and can be difficult to obtain.  The institute recommends using public transportation whenever possible.

There are two halls of residence on the territory of campus for those students who live far away from the institute.

There are five floors in our institute.

There is the big concert hall for important events and activities and the ballroom where students have discos and little performances.

Each student must have time to learn smth in silence, that’s why we have a reading room for independent work.

Our bookstore has a great number of useful books for temperate prices.

Food is an essential part of our institute. We have two canteens and coffeemakers.  There are also some little shops where students can buy some snack.

 

воскресенье, 24 ноября 2013 г.

Film Review 2


Dangerous Minds is a 1995 American drama film directed by John N. Smith, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, and starring Michelle Pfeiffer. It is based on the autobiography My Posse Don't Do Homework by former U.S. Marine LouAnne Johnson. The events take place in California, at Parkmont High School.
And now, let’s pass on to the plot. Marine LouAnne Johnson got the position of the teacher at Parkmont High School. She was surprised that the place was offered so quickly, but she didn’t pay much attention to it. It turned out, that she had to teach lower-class, rude and ill-bred teenagers, with gangster background, and criminal present, connected with drugs, murders and warfare. In order to attract their attention, she wore jeans and leather jacket, she teached them karate, she used clear language for students and she tried to introduce poetry to them. Particular individual students attracted LouAnne's attention for their personal problems. E.x. Callie Roberts was pregnant and had to give up her education, but LouAnne got family and the government to take part in the girl’s life.  At the end of the year, she announced that she stopped teaching, but having heard disapproving exclamations, she decided to stay.
Focusing on acting of this film, I’m deeply impressed by the actress Michelle Johnson. It’s a usual situation, when in order to forget betrayal or faithlessness; we are absorbed in our work. And the main character of this film is no exception. And in such situation, she was not only a well-deserved woman, but also a professional teacher. And of course, children have conquered me completely. They all are perfect and persuasive.
As for the directing, I can say that it meets the requirements and norms. The main theme of the film is difficult children in the sphere of schooling. The director shows all that can be connected with it (class of teenagers with divergent behavior, their way of spending time, the teaching process, criminal affairs in which they were involved. Besides, in spite of the fact that this film is not filled with special effects we all used to, I was watching it with great pleasure. Thanks to the director.
In conclusion, I’d like to underline again that I’m really impressed by this film. It’s not only an amusement, but also the teacher’s guide. Marine LouAnne Johnson is an example to follow for us-future teachers and for those “teachers” who are already tied of their work. Besides, I can’t but mention, that she changed the lives of her students exactly. Before her appearance they saw only cruelty, indifference, and negative around themselves. They needed the person who would be ready to cope with all their difficulties and to point the correct way. That person was LouAnne. It was she, who helped them to solve some life problems, who improved their school results and who became a real friend for each of them.
 
 

воскресенье, 17 ноября 2013 г.

Film Review

 
“The Ron Clark Story” is a 2006 television, comedy film, based on the real educator Ron Clark. The film is directed by Randa Haines, starring Metthew Perry and Ernie Hudson. The events take place in New York, in a New York City public school.
And now, let’s pass on to the plot. A beginner teacher Ron Clark left his native town North Carolina to teach in New York, in a New York City public school. The director offered him to be a form-master of a backward, uncontrollable class of difficult children. In order to wear children out and improve their results, he contrived special rules of behavior and communication, involved the innovations of teaching and tried to solve all family problems and difficulties which prevented them to study well. He helped to discover children’s abilities of a penchant for graffiti, medical science, maths and many others. He was the only person, who not only prepared them for the state exams, but also believed in them. And in the end, Mr. Clark's class got the highest average in the state and he was regarded by his students as their best teacher.
Focusing on acting of this film, I’m deeply impressed by Metthew Perry. I’ve watched some films with this actor (“Friends”, “Fools Rush In”) but I couldn’t even suppose that the role of a young teacher would be acted so sincerely, keenly and perfectly. Besides, I can’t but mention another actor Ernie Hudson. On the one hand, his character - the principal is harsh, serious and strict, but on the other hand, he is a man with an open, sincere heart. To combine these opposite features is rather difficult, I think. And of course, children have conquered me completely. They all are perfect and persuasive.
As for the directing, I can say that it meets the requirements and norms. The main theme of the film is difficult children in the sphere of schooling. The director shows all that can be connected with it (New York public school, their way of spending time, the teaching process. Besides, in spite of the fact that this film is not filled with special effects we all used to, I was watching it with great pleasure. Thanks to the director.
In conclusion, I’d like to underline again that I’m really impressed by this film, this masterpiece. It’s not only an amusement, but also the teacher’s guide. Ron Clark is an example to follow for us-future teachers and for those “teachers” who are already tied of their work. Besides, I’d like to mention about the tagline of the film: “No one believed in them. Except him.” This quotation reveals the whole story. Clark was the only person, who not only prepared them for the state exams, but also believed in them, supported and helped them in any life situation. For his belief and trust he has got children’s love, good results and the status of their best teacher.
 

воскресенье, 10 ноября 2013 г.

School Education in Britain and the USA. QUESTIONS


1.       State - Preschool education (nursery school or playschool); primary education (infant, junior schools); secondary education (grammar, comprehensive, high schools); sixth form.

Public – independent (fee-paying).

2.       Children start school at the age of 5 and they leave school at the age of 16

3.       Depending on where they live, children may go to an infant school from age 5 to 7 and then a junior school until they are 11. Others attend a primary school from age 5 to 11. At 11 children begin their secondary education. They go to a grammar school, comprehensive school or high school, depending on their ability, their parents’ wishes, and what schools there are nearby. Some students leave school at 16 but many stay on for a further two years in the ‘sixth form’.

4.       The progress of pupils at primary schools is tested by their teacher through standard assessment tests (SATs) (at the ages of 7 / 11). Pupils at secondary schools take SAT at 14, and GCSE at 16.

5.       Yes, they do. Students who hope to go to university stay on at school or go to a sixth-form college to study for A-levels in two, three or four subjects.

6.       Yes, in the UK there is The National Curricular.

7.       I should take 12 years.

8.        These schools should concentrate on excellent results, extensive knowledge, and norms of behavior.

9.       If you don’t want to continue you education, the entrance exams can be abandoned.

10.   Qualified teachers, compulsory and useful subjects, optional subjects (cultural and religious subjects, norms of etiquette, etc.)

11.   I think, the purpose of elite school education is to provide students with deserved future career.

12.   English, Maths, The Humanities, History, Geography, Foreign language, Art, should be compulsory; Music, Modern technologies, PE should be optional.

13.   In Russia at private schools there are four forms; a foreign language is studied from the second class; the subjects are the same (except national language  - Russian).

14.   A problem pupil is someone who has difficulties in studying, behavior and relationships with teachers and schoolmates.

15.   A good teacher is qualified, intelligent, kind and hard-working.

16.   Looking back on my school days, I can describe memorable experiences.

17.    I always feel horribly, awfully and exciting.

18.   It’s a well-known fact that written exams are easier to pass.

19.   No, I like to be in the middle.

20.   Yes, I use them only because not to do the mistakes and misprints.

21.   Yes, I feel uncomfortable as it prevents me to concentrate.

22.   If a person can use cribs insensibly and competently he may use it.

23.   Of course! I always panic during all my exams.

24.   Yes, I do. But only on conditions that you are sure that your schoolmate has done all correctly.

25.   The most difficult thing about exams is to cope with nervousness.

26.   It is more interesting to study at mixed schools but at the same time, I thing better education is received at single-sex schools.

27.   Yes, it is. They have a chance to learn what they want.

28.   At the age of 6. It is optimum age, as at this age they are able to learn and perceive smth new.

29.   No, they should advance the frontiers of their knowledge.

30.   Yes, as it is important to realize that all consider your opinion.

31.   They are necessary as only with their help, the level of student’s knowledge and their result can be controlled.

32.   Computers help us, students to find necessary information, and only to study well.