Studying English abroad is popular with international students today. The first countries that come to mind when it comes to studying English abroad are America and Great Britain. Every year several tens of thousands of students from all over the world come to high schools in these countries.
What country is the best to choose for studying English abroad, what are the criteria to rely on and what to look for? In this article we will analyze the peculiarities of American and British educational systems, as well as the similarities and differences between the secondary educational institutions of these two countries.
Britain or America: Which school to choose for your child?
The United States and Great Britain are equally suitable for children, schoolchildren, teenagers, and students who want to improve their English language skills. The key differences in the educational systems of the two countries have to do with the structure of secondary education, years of study, and other factors.
- In America there are more than 2000 private schools – their graduates have a high academic level for successful entrance to prestigious Ivy League universities. Britain offers international students a choice of 2500 boarding schools with a classical English education, which opens the door to Oxford, Cambridge and other elite universities not only in the country, but also in the world.
- Private schools in America are more democratic in atmosphere than boarding schools in England. The latter still pay tribute to rigor and discipline today, though to a lesser extent than in the past. In many English institutions, for example, uniforms are compulsory for students, but this does not prevent British schools from creating an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie between teachers and students.
- The secondary education systems in the two countries have many similarities: the structure of secondary schools includes elementary, middle, and high schools, and instruction begins at age 5 in Britain and 6 in America. Local and international students can also take a preschool course, which accepts young students as young as 3 to 5 years old. The intermediate level is designed to provide general education, while high school prepares students for careers or further study in high school.
- U.S. secondary education institutions offer a more personalized curriculum for children, students, and adolescents than do English institutions. Institutions in both countries allow students to create their own curriculum by choosing courses that are high on their list of priorities. Also, U.S. schools routinely use a variety of tests to assess students’ knowledge and overall intellectual level. For example, all students take the SAT or ACT before graduation.
- British educational institutions are more careful in their professional choices. At British institutions a student has to decide on the specialization at the high school stage to study the subjects of the chosen direction for 2 years. American students, on the other hand, choose a specialization before they graduate, which means that high school students continue to study general subjects, including those they need for university admission.
- Each country has its own national curriculum: Great Britain has the A-level, and America has the High School. These are educational courses for high school students, where successful completion of the program gives the student the opportunity to receive a diploma of complete secondary education. This international document will be ubiquitous abroad. British schools also give students an IB international certificate after completing the appropriate program – International Baccalaureate (this course is also available in some schools in the United States).
- In the educational systems of both countries special attention is paid to extracurricular life of students. American and British educational institutions equally aspire to bring up not only smart, but also healthy and well-rounded young people. Here all conditions are created for physical (soccer, volleyball, swimming, golf, rugby) and creative (dancing, music, theater, painting, sculpture) activities. Weekends are often devoted to excursions, where children have an opportunity to become acquainted with the culture of the country where they are studying. In the evenings the administration organizes various entertainment events for the students – quizzes, talk shows, performances, discos, and plays.
- Prices and Rankings: The cost of tuition for students in schools of America, including housing in the residence, full board + extracurricular activities, will be from $35,000 to $75,000 for one academic year. Prices for secondary education in England with similar criteria – from 25,000 to 50,000 English pounds. As for the rated institutions, they are not always the most suitable option for international students: it is always better to be guided by the comfort of the child than the location of the institution in the list of schools.
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