Read the text about a typical day of an English girl at school and speak about a typical day at your school. Mind the differences.

Come and spend a day at an English school. It is Monday morning and boys and girls are coming to school again after having had Saturday and Sunday free. Some of them walk to school, some come on their bicycles and others who live farther away from the school come by bus.

A typical day at school starts at 8.40 in the morning, with the first of many bells ringing throughout the building. First pupils must go to registration, which lasts until 9 o’clock. After registration, lessons begin. My first lesson on a Monday morning is English. During this lesson we usually read a textbook, then comment and discuss the language and style. After this I have two free study-periods.

The courses chosen by students are all mixed and occupy different amounts of time every week. Therefore we usually have a number of periods in which we may study privately. After my two free periods, I have three lessons of Geography, one before morning break and two afterwards.

Eleven o’clock is time for the morning break. The boys and girls go out into the playground to collect their milk: every boy and girl at school in England is given milk every day. When they have drunk their milk, they can play until it is time to go back inside for lessons. After break there are more lessons.

Then it is one o’clock. Time for lunch! Nearly all schoolchildren in England have their lunch at school, though some, who live very near to their school, go home. During the break pupils may buy drinks, sweets and crisps from the school tuck-shop. For lunch many pupils bring sandwiches, but hot and cold meals are available in the school canteen. The break for lunch lasts about an hour. After lunch, there is still time to go out and play.

At 1.15 on Monday, school band practice is held. It is quite a big band with about 30 members. Lessons recommence at 2 o’clock. Most pupils have social education on a Monday afternoon, which is held in the library, and taken by the headmaster. In this school except usual classes girls learn to type, sew and to cook and boys do metalwork and woodwork.

Three o’clock is the end of school and time for games. At English schools girls usually play hockey in winter and tennis in summer; the boys play football in winter and cricket in summer.

The children collect the books they need to do their homework and go home. Very soon after four o’clock the school is empty, except for a few children and teachers. One or two children have to stay behind as a punishment. Others are staying for a club or society which has its meeting after school. Then they will go home too and the school will be empty - until tomorrow.