More depth or more breadth?
According to some studies, more than half of the world’s top 200 universities are located in either the US or the UK. While both countries provide a great education, each system approaches education slightly differently, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each. For instance, courses are shorter in the UK because the programs are generally more focused than in the US. However, the US system is more project-based while the UK system is more lecture-based.
If you are considering getting your education in either the US or the UK, you should take into account the differences, especially the amount of time it takes to finish the degree and the tuition fees.
A. Listening to four graduates, our assistants, Natifah from the UK and Brook, Katie and Diego from the US, may help you understand these differences.
B. Once you've listened, please, take this quiz in your notebook.
True or False: The government can help you pay for your college education in the UK and US?
True or False: It is more expensive to go to a University in Spain than it is to attend a University in the United States?
True or False: The UK government conducts tests based on family background to assess loan distributions.
True or False: The maintenance loan is the fee sent directly to the University.
Fill in the missing words said by Katie (hint: there are 3 in total): “Some people will go to ______ _______ to get a cheaper _______.”
True or False: College tuitions rise each year in both the US and the UK.
True or False: It is uncommon for a student in the US to take out a loan to pay for college.
True or False: The US requires college students to take General Education courses that are unrelated to their degree subject.
C. Write a short essay (between 80-100 words) about the advantages or disadvantages of both systems. Use linkers and connectors:
Contrast linkers
In spite of / Despite Link two contrasting ideas. Followed by a noun phrase.
Although / (Even) though Link two contrasting ideas. Followed by a sentence.
However / Nevertheless / Still / Yet / Even so / On the contrary / In contrast. Introduce a new idea which marks a contrast with previously stated ideas. Introduced by a comma.
On the one hand ... On the other hand. Links two contrasting ideas / paragraphs.
In contrast to / Contrary to. Link two contrasting ideas. Followed by a noun phrase.
Whereas Link two contrasting ideas. Not separated by commas.
Contrast connectors
but / yet: followed by a noun phrase or a sentence. in spite of / despite: It is placed at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.
although / though/ even though / in spite of the fact that: followed by a complete sentence. They can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. If it is placed at the beginning we need to use a comma after the clause.
however, nevertheless, even so, on the one hand, on the other hand, on the contrary: while, whereas.
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