Work with a partner to discuss the following questions about education in your country. Check that you know all the words in italics. 1. What age do children usually start primary (orelementary) school? 2. What age do children usually leave secondary school? 3. What age does compulsory education start? At what age does it finish? Do you think these are the correct ages? 4. Do most people go on to higher education? Why / Why not? Do they have to pay? 5. Are exams orcontinuous assessment more common? Which is the better way of monitoring progress? Why?

1. What age do children usually start primary (or elementary) school? - Children usually start primary school at the age of seven.

2. What age do children usually leave secondary school? - Children usually leave secondary school at the age of seventeen.

3. What age does compulsory education start? - Compulsory education starts at the age of seven.

At what age does it finish? - It finishes at the age of seventeen. Do you think these are the correct ages? - I think these are the correct ages.

4. Do most people go on to higher education? - I think most people go on to higher education.

Why / Why not? - Most people go on to higher education as they want to have good job.

Do they have to pay? - In many countries they have to pay.

5. Are exams or continuous assessment more common? - Exams are more common.