Listening tasks
☼ LISTENING TASK.John Dewey: his life and work
Listen to Larry Hickman talking about John Dewey’s life and work at the Centre for Dewey Studies at Southern-Illinois University. Complete the sentences with the exact words you hear. Write 3-5 words into each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) Dewey: “Going to college is not the same as getting an education, although the ... two are often confused ... .”
1. John Dewey was seventy when this news-reel footage was shot and in which he distinguished ......
2. In this short piece we hope to introduce you to the life and work of ......
...... in many ways lived ahead of his time.
3. In 1894 the recently founded University of Chicago ......
...... of its Department of Philosophy.
4. James attempted to improve on this model ......
...... produced in the child’s mind and the new habit that they produced.
5. Dewey’s own analysis of the learning experience begins not with the ......
...... to the organism but with the stimulus that is a coordinated act.
6. The context includes such things as the child’s past experiences, the environment in which the event takes place and ......
7. His pragmatic theory of truth as a process of discovery honours the ......
...... of human experience.
8. Dewey’s definition of democracy is as fresh ...... when he wrote those words more than a half century ago.
☼ LISTENING TASK.Mentors and Advisors
Listen to Alan Kay and Jerome Bruner talking about learning and the Squeak Project. Complete the statements with the correct option (A, B or C). There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) The two key concepts behind Squeak’s design are different styles of learning and
Adifferent ages of learning
Bdifferent stages of learning
Cdifferent styles of teaching
1. Jerome Bruner’s ideas changed
AAmerican and European education
BAmerican psychology and education
Cviews on education worldwide
2. Jerome Bruner says that he respects the teacher who
Aasks interesting questions
Bmotivates children by activating them
Ctreats every child as an individual
3. Jerome Bruner says that we always have to construct what we think the world is and we do it in describing the human situation by
Aactivating children’s creativity
Brole plays
Cstory-telling
4. Jerome Bruner’s passion has to do with how human minds
A acquire knowledge in this reality
Bcreate this kind of reality
Cdevelop and function in this reality
5. Alan Kay did not talk about being interested in how to teach children at first because
Ahe did not have a supportive mentor
Bnobody would have taken him seriously
Che was not involved in teaching
6. Jerome Bruner says that every conversation they have with Alan Kay leads to how you can
Aexplain something to children
Bpresent something to children
Cteach something to children
7. Alan Kay says that promoting children’s deep learning requires knowledge about the
Ainterests of children
Blearning styles of children
Ctypes of children
8. Jerome Bruner says that understanding is like
Aacquiring a skill
Bbecoming aware of one’s abilities
Cfinding out things
☼ LISTENING TASK. Tutition fees: The student protester
Listen to Liz Kingston who protested against the introduction of tuition fees when she was a student. Now an anaesthetist and mother of a young son, she expresses her concern for future generations. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). In case of false statements try to correct the statements. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) Liz Kingston started protesting against tuition fees because higher education was becoming more and more elitist. …T...
1. Liz Kingston’s parents couldn’t support her university studies. ………
2. One of the pre-election promises of the current government was not to introduce top-up tuition fees. ………
3. A five-year course at the university would cost £15000 including living expenses. ………
4. Tuition fees for some courses in American universities are extremely expensive. ………
5. Liz Kingston does not feel happy about the university students.………
6. Many university candidates give up the idea of getting a degree because study programmes are too complex. ………
7. Harry’s saving account will not be touched until he applies to university. ………
8. The government is encouraging school leavers to build up debt. ………
☼ LISTENING TASK.Reforming the education 'steeplechase'
Listen to Dr Lee Elliot Major who is the Sutton Trust’s research directordiscussing what should be done to increase access to higher education.Complete the sentences with the exact words you hear. Write 3-5 words into each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) There is a report out this week from the Social mobility charity the Sutton Trust on access to universities which has been prepared in conjunction with Lord Mandelson’s … Business, Innovation and Skills Department … .
1. Independent school pupils with similar grades to state school pupils are far more likely to apply to………………………………………………………………………………………… .
2. The problem, in a way, is with the …………………………………………. the universities.
3. Some researchers claim that half of the ……………………………………………………... state schools is poor.
4. The Sutton Trust thinks there’s an issue ………………………………………………...... in school.
5. Peter Mandelson has asked his officials to look at ways of introducing schemes by which pupils are offered ………………………………………………………………………………. places or A-level grades to get places at universities.
6. Dr Major thinks we would support university practices looking at ………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………. sorts of different ways.
7. If to compare the case to a sort of race, a steeplechase, the issue of university admission is really about…………………………………………………………………………………….. .
8. Dr Major thinks one of our concerns is that there is a sort of ………………………………..
……………………………………………………………… and elitism in many state schools.
9. It’s extraordinary that those ………………………………………………………...... in a way.
10.Dr Major says that you are not going to address…………………………………………....
……………………………………………. , by looking just at university admission practices.
☼ LISTENING TASK.High cost of hearings criticised
Listen to the BBC Education correspondent Colette Hume reporting about the cost of disciplinary hearings for teachers in Wales. Complete the statements with the correct option (A, B or C). There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0)Head teacher Paul Davis was disciplined by the General Teaching Council after being convicted by the courts of
Aaccepting bribes from parents
Bdrivingdangerously
Craping a student
1. Over the past 8 years more than 40 teachers have faced disciplinary hearings for alleged misconduct both
Ain England and Wales
Binside and outside the classroom
Cby female and male teachers
2. A disciplinary hearing in Wales costs an average of
A£17000
B£17400
C£18000
3. In England the figure is around
A£9118
B£9119
C£9120
4. Paying so much money for a one day hearing is
Anot acceptable
Bnot ethical
Cnot sensible
5. Amongst other expenses one significant cost is
Afeeding the hearing committee
Bhiring a suitable place for hearing
Cpaying for the transportation
6. The last time Nelson Mandela visited Cardiff he stayed in the four-star Parc
ADigger Hotel
BTheatre Hotel
CThistle Hotel
7. The public has
Aaccess to the hearings
Bno access to the hearings
Cnever had access to the hearings
8. Arguments about the cost of disciplinary hearings between the Union and the General Teaching Council
Ahave to be solved soon
Bshould have been solved long ago
Cwill take time to be solved
☼ LISTENING TASK.Autistic twins decision demanded
Listen to a news item about a mother of autistic twins who has appealed for a quick decision from Essex social services over the future education of her sons. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). In case of false statements try to correct the statements. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) The names of the autistic twins are John and Jamie. ...F…(Joe and Jamie)
1. At the age of 4 they were diagnosed with a mild form of autism. ………
2. The twins are very afraid of going to the new school. ………
3. The specialists of social services assessed the twins in January. ………
4. The mother of the twins thinks it is cruel of the social services to keep the family in the dark about the boy’s future. ………
5. The mother is especially worried that she is letting Joe down. ………
6. Each day a list of things happening that day is put up on a board in the twins’ room. ………
7. A letter from local social services says that they have found a suitable adult placement for the twins. ………
8. A letter from local social services says that the decision about the future care of the twins will be made in co-operation with the family. ………
☼ LISTENING TASK.Education faces 'recession risk'
Listen to the news item about education in the capital being at risk because of the recession, with more than 2,000 jobs under threat at London's universities and colleges. Complete the sentences with the exact words you hear. Write 3-5 words into each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) The London Medical School was told to pay back more that … 50 million pounds in grants … it had over-claimed.
1. Those jobs may be the tip of the iceberg in London with …………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………. elsewhere.
2. The University and College Union estimates cuts could ……………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………… students.
3.The president of the UCU says that they really depend on the information from members of staff, from students, …………………………………………………………………………… .
4. He adds:”Perhaps it’s the tip of an iceberg, certainly the …………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………. much worse.
5. University College London has …………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………… in its spending.
6. The representative ofUniversity College London says:”We don’t want to ………………... …………………………………………………………………… by talking about it publicly.”
7. The University told BBC news this lunch time that no one was immune from the current financial climate but said it ……………………………………………………….. will be lost.
☼ LISTENING TASK.Demand for school places on rise
Listen to an interview with Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Local Government Association, talking about the number of available school places being squeezed because of the recession. Complete the statements with the correct option (A, B or C). There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) The problem of not having enough school places is at its greatest in
Acapital
Bcountryside
Ccities
1. The interviewer thinks that due to recession parents are
Acutting their children’s school costs as much as possible
Blooking for cheaper schools
Copting for schools which are situated closer to their homes
2. Margaret Eaton says that another element causing the rise in demand for school places is
Afamilies moving to the cities to find work
Bthe rising birth rate of the UK
Cthe UK accepting more and more immigrants
3. A problem of limited number of school places has been noticed in London by
A23 out of the 33 councils
B23 out of the 35 councils
C25 out of the 33 councils
4. The basic problem is that the Local Government Association lacks flexibility in the way they
Afinance education in local schools.
Bmake decisions concerning education
Cpredict the number of school places
5. The government is going to make an important announcement concerning the matter
Alater this week
Btoday
Ctomorrow
6. The government has
Aclaimed that other problems are more important
Bpostponed solving the problem
Csaid that they are aware of the problem
7. The figures about the necessary school places are provided by
Acouncils
Bgovernmental officials
Clocal authorities
☼ LISTENING TASK.Funds due for more primary places
Listen to a news item about the government being expected to announce extra funding to provide new primary school places in parts of England struggling with shortages. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). In case of false statements try to correct the statements. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) One in 7 schools in the London borough of Richmond have had to take on two extra classes this year to cope with demand. ...F… (one extra class)
1. Due to the extra classes a school place is guaranteed to all children living in the borough. ………
2. It is up to the local authorities to make sure there are enough places available. ………
3. Councils in London are reporting that next year there could be a shortage of over 1000 primary school places. ………
4. The current lack of capacity could be blamed on the measures taken due to recession. ……
5. The schools should be kept open despite having vacant places. ...……
6. Some local authorities are blaming the government for the lack of planning. ………
7. Around 2 million pounds is going to be made available to build extra classrooms in all London boroughs. ………
☼ LISTENING TASK.Michael Gove on Tory education plans
Listen to Michael Gove,Shadow Education Secretary, laying out Conservative plans to reform teaching and schools should his party gain office. Complete the sentences with the exact words you hear. Write 3-5 words into each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0)The biggest scandal in this country is not happening in the City or in Fleet Street or …even here in Westminster … .
1. The real disgrace in this country is that we are falling behind educationally and it’s the poorest who are being ……………………………………………………………………….. .
2. My views on education ……………………………………………………………or dogma.
3. One thing that every parent and every teacher knows is that ………………………………...
…………………………………………………………...... foundation of a successful school.
4. That’s why the Conservative government would give teachers ……………………………...
………………………………………………………………………………………. discipline.
5. I don’t care where good new ideas come from ……………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………. our children’s schools.
6. For instance in Finland and in Singapore and in South Korea teaching is …………………..
…………………………………………………….. that only the very best graduates go in for.
7. And one of the worst things about our education system is that ……………………………..
…………………………………………………… qualifications which poor kids are denied.
8. Children who are in state schools are explicitly ……………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………. a chance to sit the IGCSE exam.
9. We would give every parent the chance to choose a school for their child …………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………. they want.
10. A school with strong discipline, the right qualifications, good teachers and the school were the …………………………………………………………………- that is real social justice.
☼ LISTENING TASK.Schools set to get £1bn makeover
Listen to a news item how every secondary school in Barnsley is to be transformed at a cost of £1bn over 25 years. Complete the statements with the correct option (A, B or C). There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) Thebuilding site is situated
Afar away from Barnsley
Bin Barnsley
Cnear Barnsley
1. Carlton Community College will be
Aartistically of high quality
Bequipped with latest technology
Cstate funded
2. The students of Carlton Community College will come from
Aall schools in Barnsley
Bone school in Barnsley
Ctwo schools in Barnsley
3. A female pupil says that even if the old school was renovated there would still be
Anot enough pupils
Btoo few pupils
Ctoo many pupils
4. A male pupil says they will go to the new school at the age of 14 which is good because
Athe new environment will motivate them more
Bthey can appreciate the new environment more
Cthey can learn better for their exams
5. The old school was opened
Aabout 100 years ago
Babout 50 years ago
Cabout 30 years ago
6. Carlton Community College sports facilities will be available for
Aall the children of Barnsley
Ball the pupils and teachers of the school
Ceveryone living in the area
7. Besides Carlton Community College Barnsley will have within 25 years
A8 more new secondary schools
B9 more new secondary schools
C13 more new secondary schools
8. The schools building project will be funded by Private Finance Initiative in order
Anot to be affected by economic changes
Bto avoid being affected by next government’s education plans
Cto avoid state having a say in funding the project
☼ LISTENING TASK.Promote languages in schools call
Listen to a news item about learning modern foreign languages in Wales. BBC Radio Wales reporter Sarah Moore went to Greenhill School in Tenby to talk to pupils and head of modern languages Nigel Davies. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). In case of false statements try to correct the statements. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) Pupils in Wales have to learn one foreign language up to the end of Year 9. ... T…
1. Pupils can choose between French and German. ………
2. The pupils interviewed have studied French for less than a year. ………
3. More pupils take French than Geography or History. ………
4. The pupils who have come to Greenhill School are at first not very eager to study languages. ………
5. The pupils have foreign language lessons twice a week. ………
6. One female pupil says that she has a pen friend in France and that they write letters in French to practice her language skills. ………
7. Different subjects in Welsh schools are divided into fixed groups. ………
☼ LISTENING TASK.Teachers to be licensed to work
Listen to a news item giving an overview about the Government’s new plan to improve education in the UK. Complete the sentences with the exact words you hear. Write 3-5 words into each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
(0) One to one …tuition to help… seven-year-old Maddie improve her spelling.
1. The government says this sort of help should be part of a …………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………. and pupils in future.
2. Ed Balls, the School Secretary insist on a devolution of power to the head teachers in schools around the country, but much by strong ………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………….. to work together.
3. One of the main proposals announced today is for a new broader way of charging the
………………………………………………………………………………………………… .
4. The school report card will include details of what other parents think and each school will ……………………………………………………………………………………………grade.
5. Steph Neale, the head teacher of Beatrix Potter Primary says: “I don’t think you can ……... …………………………………………………like that. You need something more complex.”
6. In future teachers will ……………………………………………………………………… of a Masters’ degree.
7. The Prime Minister and the Education Secretary are ……………………………………….. …………………………………………….as the plan to transform schools for the 21 century.
8. The Tories have dismissed today’s announcements as a …………………………………… old ideas.