Xorijiy tillar fakulteti fakultetlararo xorijiy tillar kafedrasi

THE HAPPIEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE

1. Freddie Tapper is a successful self-employed builder. He went to a

secondary modem school. 'School? 1 left when I was 15, and I was glad to get out. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. 1 wanted to start earning a living as soon as possible ... in the real world. Most of the teachers were boring, and they didn't seem to understand us. They lived in a different world. They couldn't understand that we didn't want the things they wanted—you know, Shakespeare and all that rubbish! I'd have left earlier if I could. I think teachers are overpaid, and their holidays are too long. I don't know what they're always complaining about. I'm sorry 1 had to go to school at all!'
2. Samantha Wharton is the personnel manager of a department store.
'I was at a big comprehensive — nearly 2000 students. Because it was so big there was a wide choice of subjects and 1 liked that. I suppose it was a bit impersonal sometimes. I often wished it had been smaller, but the teaching was very good and there were lots of extra activities. I played in the school orchestra — not very well — and helped to produce the school newspaper. I think comprehensives could be improved. A lot of my friends left at 16, and they now regret leaving so early. Some of them would have done very well academically, if they had been encouraged enough. Still, maybe things are different now.'
3. William Hunter is a civil servant. He's a senior official in the Foreign
Office. 'I went to Eton, actually. I suppose I had a very privileged education. Academic standards were very high and I was able to go on to Oxford. The thing I remember most is the comradeship. The friendships I made there lasted through my life. Sports were very important for me — I believe that team games teach people to work together, and we played every afternoon. There's been a lot of bad publicity about corporal punishment in schools. I was often beaten but it didn't do me any harm. Maybe young people would be better behaved these days if there were more discipline in schools. My only regret about bearding-school is that ! didn't get to know my parents very well. I didn't see much of them after the age of eight. I've thought a lot about the problems, but I'd like to send both of my sons to Eton. I've already reserved their places.'
4. Joyce Brown is a housewife.
'I was brought up in the country and went to the little village school. We were all together — boys and girls of all ages. It was like one big, happy family. It was difficult for the teacher of course — different ages and abilities — but the older children helped the younger ones. I think it was a good preparation for life. 1 wish they'd never closed it. My children have to travel four miles by bus to the school in town. My schooldays were very happy. I never passed any exams, but I don't regret going to my little village school.'
5. Darren Andrews was at a comprehensive school. He's unemployed.
'I left last year when I was 18.1 passed all my exams, but I still haven't been able to find a job. 1 wish I'd applied for university, but even with a degree, there's no guarantee of work nowadays. I wish I'd chosen different subjects. I specialized in English Literature, History and Latin. I enjoyed doing them, but you see ... most of the jobs these days are on the technical side. I think schools ought to give more advice on careers and there should be more specific job preparation. If I'd known more about job possibilities, I' d've done other subjects.'


A. What about your schooldays?
What do/did you like?
What don't/didn't you like?
What about uniforms? games? punishment? subjects? teachers? extra
activities? travel? ;
Is/Was it co-educational or single-sex?
What changes would you make/ would you have made?


B. Speak about your school and schooldays.