20 
A report resulting from a survey of British universities runs that the current trends in the education sector suggest that in the near future "Students will be more like customers…". Based on this projection, let's ponder whether this is a positive development. Which sounds better: being a student or a customer? Share opinions around the class and substantiate your reasoning.
21 Now we are on the threshold of a global economy and information society.
Do you feel involved in the processes as a student?
Do you have the possibility to explore and exploit the global market of higher education?
What are the obstacles?
22 Listen to a recording and, as you listen, give titles to the 11 paragraphs you hear. Share your notes when the tape stops.
23 The information in the listening text dates back to March, 1999, and will now be outdated. Nevertheless, listen to the last paragraph again, now being read at a slower pace, and jot down the essence of the fourfuture alternatives for universities. When you are finished, give your reasoning as to which of the four strategies would look most attractive to you as a student.
| Think about:
| · those which receive grants and those that don't;
· the increasing gaps between the former and the latter;
· the possibility to benefit from more than one school;
· the opportunity to use pooled resources;
· a facility to design a unique university course, now unavailable due to the dissociation of universities;
· money economy;
· uniformity or gradation of universally accepted standards;
· stagnation and inflexibility of the education sector.
|
