1. American Education System
Listening and Note-Taking
Kristi Reyes
VESL

2. 12 years Primary (elementary) school Secondary school
Free public schools (property taxes)

3. Primary School Kindergarten – age 5 Age 6 – first grade
5 – 6 years of primary school
First Grade – Sixth Grade

4. OR Secondary School High School 3 – 4 years (depends) Middle School
Junior High
3 years OR
High School
3 – 4 years (depends)

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Graduate Education
Master’s Degree – usually need to write a “thesis” – years dep. on major
Doctorate Degree (PhD) – after Master’s degree – 3 + years = doctor (not nec. medical doctor)

10. Any Questions?