8th grade. Unit 1. Lesson 12. Eton college

 👉Communicative area: testing your reading, listening and speaking skills.

Watch the video and do the tasks.

Eton College was founded by King Henry VI in 1440 and lies just across the river Thames from the pretty town of Windsor; most famous for its royal castle. Throughout its history, Eton has been one of the leading independent schools in the UK famous for high educational standards and academic excellence. Fifteen members of the British Royal family have attended Eton, including Prince William and Prince Harry. Eton has also educated a total of 21 Prime Ministers in its history. Eton is a modern, forward-thinking school that jumps at new opportunities within teaching and learning. On the other hand, traditions are extremely important and have been proudly kept for almost six centuries.

Eton is a boys’ boarding school with around 1,300 pupils. Only boys between ages 13 and 18 attend Eton. Students live in one of the 25 houses on campus. Every student has a private room. Eton’s daily uniform consists of a black tailcoat, white tie, waistcoat, and striped trousers. A top hat is added for special occasions. Eton students wake up at 7.30 a.m. on weekdays. They attend five 40-minute classes before Boys’ Dinner (lunch) at 13:25. Eton has a real passion for the sport. After dinner students participate in various sports activities until supper at 7.40 p.m. 

 Eton offers an excellent sports and activities programme which helps boys to develop their own skills and strengths. At any one time, there are about fifty societies and clubs to suit a wide range of interests such as African, Astronomy, Cheese, Comedy, Debating, Design, Geographical, History, Literary, Mathematical, Medical, Model United Nations, Modern Languages, Photographic, Rock (music), Scientific, Sports, Tech Club, Theatre and many others. Meetings are usually held after supper, starting at 8.45 p.m. 

Eton has great rowing, soccer and cricket teams, but the Wall Game is Eton’s best-known extracurricular activity. Players try to kick the ball down a long narrow strip of grass next to one of the college’s walls to score. The brick wall was built in 1717 and gives the game its name. The Wall Game has been played since 1766. The biggest match of the year takes place on St Andrew’s Day, an open day for parents that happens in late November. At the start of this match, one team throw their caps over the wall and then climb over it, while their opponents march arm in arm towards them. In fact, the famous Eton Wall Game is similar to an aggressive form of rugby in which goals are rarely scored. They say Prince Harry succeeded in scoring in 2002. His team jumped for joy! 

Voluntary activities are also on the extracurricular timetable of many students at Eton. Each boy will normally volunteer once or twice a week, in one of the very different activities. Boys enjoy working and reading with younger children of all ages at a range of local schools. Arbour Vale is the furthest school visited by the boys (a 20-minute bicycle ride) where they take part in classroom and sports activities with disabled children and children with learning difficulties. Many boys enjoy visiting elderly people in their homes: they go along for a cup of tea and a chat, or perhaps to help in the garden.