Oxbridge life at college and university

There are 46 universities in Britain. The academic year in Britain's universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education is divided into three terms, which usually run from the beginning of October to the middle of December, from the middle of January to the end of March, and from the middle of April to the end of June or the beginning of July.

The oldest and best-known universities are locater in Oxford and Cambridge, which are called the "intellectual eyes" of Britain. They are often collectively called Oxbridge to denote an elitarian education. Only very rich and aristocratic families can afford to send their sons and daughters to these universities. Mostly they are public school leavers.

The Oxford University was established in 1249 but the first mention of it goes back to 1213. The name Oxford means the part of the river Thames where oxen forded it. Oxford is international because people from many parts of the world come to study there. They study at twenty four men's colleges or at five women's colleges or at another five where both men and women study together. Among the oldest colleges are University college, all Souls and Christ Church. One can see the charm of Oxford in the green fields and parks which surround the city and you can see it in the green lawns and gardens which surround the colleges. The local car industry gives an important addition to the town's outlook. There is a great deal of bicycle traffic both in Oxford and Cambridge.

Cambridge starter during the 13^th and grew until today. Now there are more than thirty colleges. Almost all colleges are now mixed. They line along the right bank of the Cam river. One can enjoy picturesque scenery of willow trees weeping their branches into the water. The most famous college is probably King's College because of its magnificent chapel, the most beautiful building in Cambridge, a piece of English fifteen-century architecture. Its choir of boys and undergraduates is also very well known. Many great men studied in Cambridge. You might have heard such names as Roger Bacon, the philosopher, Milton, the poet ling Cromvell, the soldier, Newton, the scientist, Kapitza, the famous Russian physicist.

The normal length of the degree course is three years after which the students take the Degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Some courses, such as languages or medicine, may be one or two years longer. Then the students may continue to take the Master's Degree and then the Doctor's Degree. Research is a very important feature of university life.

The universities have a big deal of societies and clubs enough for every interest one could imagine. Sport is a part of students' life at Oxbridge. The most popular sports are rowing and punting.

Ex.12 True or False?

1. There are 46 universities in Britain.

2. The academic year is divided into 3 terms.

3. Oxford and Cambridge are often called "elitarian eyes" of Britain.

4. Oxford and Cambridge were established in the 13^th century.

5. The name Oxford means the part of the river Thames where oxen forded it.

6. There are more women's colleges in Oxford than men's.

7. The charm of Oxford is in green fields, gardens, lawns and parks which surround Oxford.

8. There is a great deal of bicycle traffic both in Oxford and Cambridge.

9. Almost all colleges in Cambridge are mixed.

10. The colleges are situated along the left bank of the Cam river.

11. The most famous college in Cambridge is King's College.

12. King's College choir of girls and graduates is well known.

13. The normal length of the degree course is three years and some courses, such as languages and medicine may be one or two years longer.

14. There are not many societies and clubs in Oxbridge.

15. The most popular sports are golf and football.

Ex.13 Do you remember your school years? Read the interview of 3 people about their school years:

A. 1. I: So, what do you think of school, Kate?

K: I think school's OK really. Um. I quite like history. Urn. 'Cos the history teacher's really nice. Um, but the other subjects are really boring, 'cos I don't really like them. I think Wednesday is my favorite day because we have sport on Wednesdays and I'm good at that. Um. The worst thing about school is the dinners. The food is horrible.

I: And what are you going to do when you leave school?

K: Um. I’m not really sure, but I love animals. I love cats, dogs, birds, and I'd just love to work with animals.

2. I: Right, now then Simon, what do you think about school?

S: I like school a lot. Um. I like all the teachers, except for one, the maths teacher. Umm. I think my favourite subject is French, 'cos I'm quite good at that. Um. This summer I'm going to stay with a French family in France.

I: That sounds great!

S: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it a lot. Um. I think the bad things about school are all the homework and the - you have to work really hard, it takes up a lot of your time. So, urn, I like doing the extra things as well, like the school orchestra, and playing the violin, urn, and the school football team.

I: So, what do you want to do when you leave school?

S: I think I'd like to be a French teacher, or even a football player for England!

3. I: What do you think of school, Ruth?

R: I hate school. The teachers hate me and I hate them. I've got no friends. That's because we moved recently. The only thing I like about my school is that we've got a swimming pool, but it's not open all the time. I really like swimming. I can't wait to leave school.

I: What are you going to do when you leave school?

R: I want to be an actress and work on television.

B. What do you think of your school? What did you like and dislike about it? What was your favorite subject? Did you go in for sports in school? Were the sport facilities good? What did you do during the lessons of physical education?

C. Make up similar interviews about your studying at the University. Ask your groupmate about: his favorite subject, plans for the future & so on.

Ex.14 Imagine that you are:

a) the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture & Sport - tell us about your faculty.

b) the student of TSU - tell us about the TSU.

c) the student of the Faculty of Physical Culture & Sport - tell us about your studying.

Ex.15 Give the Russian equivalents and comment the proverbs. Think about the situations to illustrate the proverbs. Learn the proverb by heart:

1. It's never too late to learn.

2. Every man is an architect of his fortune.

3. There are no royal roads to learning.

4. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

5. Better late than never.