American Education System

Listening and Note-TakingKristi Reyes

VESL

12 years

• Primary (elementary) school

• Secondary school

• Free public schools (property taxes)

Primary School

• Kindergarten – age 5

• Age 6 – first grade

• 5 – 6 years of primary school

• First Grade – Sixth Grade

Secondary School

ORMiddle School

2 years

Junior High

3 years

High School

3 – 4 years (depends)

Higher Education

• College or University

• Undergraduate education – study for an associate’s (A.A. – 2 years) or bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S. – 4 - 5 years)

• Study after Bachelor’s Degree – graduate school or postgraduate education (MBA, law, medicine, PhD)

Higher Education

• State College or University

• Private College or University

• Two-year college / community college (junior college)

• Professional School

• Institute of Technology / Technical Institute

• Church-related school

More about Undergraduate Education

• A student’s specialization = major

• Secondary area of study = minor

• First year of college = freshman

• Second year = sophomore

• Third year = junior

• Fourth (last) year = senior

Learning in College

• Lecture – large class

• Seminar – smaller class

• Credits = number of hours in class (usually 3)

• Full-time student takes12 – 15 credits per term (semester)

• Transfer – take college credits to another college or university

Graduate Education

• Master’s Degree – usually need to write a “thesis” – 1.5 + years dep. on major

• Doctorate Degree (PhD) – after Master’s degree – 3 + years = doctor (not nec. medical doctor)

Any Questions?