education in the UK and the U.A.E

All UK children have to go to school at the age of 4 years old, although some children go to nursery school where they learn things by playing. This is followed by primary school which children attend between the ages 4 and 11 years old. Primary school education is very broad and gives children basics skills in reading writing and arithmetic. Children then progress to secondary school where for the first few years the education is also broad. Then, at the age of 14 children begin to choose subjects for their GCSE [1]exams. These courses include languages and sciences and children sit exams for these at the age of 16. Before university, students choose around 3 subjects to study for A-level and they specialise in those subjects. After a-level students can choose to go on to university. However, in the United Arab Emirates the education system is quite different than the UK. Children start to go to nursery school at the age 3 to 5 years. Then at the age of 6 children get through different level of education, primary school, secondary school and high school, each level takes 3 years to go to another, while the students who are in the high school have the chose to choose which section they want to study, art section or science section. Students who go through these stages should finish at the age of 18 years old. then at the age of 18 and on student who wants to go university must do an entry exam called IELTS[2]  or TOEFL[3] and the student must get 5.0 or 500 and above to enter the university.

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[1] General Certificate of Secondary Education

[2] International English language Teaching System

[3] Test of English as Foreign Language 

senedd (welsh assembly) trip

I recently went on a tour of the welsh assembly building in Cardiff bay. The building is 5 years old and it is where the assembly members meet to discuss matters and to pass laws. From outside the Senedd looks very impressive with lots of glass and welsh slate. Inside it is also very modern and new with lots of wood and slate and glass, all from Wales. We passed through security and had a look around inside and then we were taken to a room called the chamber where all the assembly debates are held. This was very interesting and we heard a debate about the environment and the problem of litter in a South Wales town.  The debate was between several Assembly members. We were then taken on a tour of the building, which I enjoyed very much!

tour in the senedd ( welsh assembly )

Because of devolution, taking power from the central government and giving it to Wales, the assembly building or 
(senedd in welsh) was opened on March 1^st 2006. You can see from outside the senedd the bay, barrage, Saint David hotel and the pilot building. You can find the reception at the steps to the right of the hall. You see the funnel in the oriel and the purpose of the funnel is to air-condition the chamber. Inside the public gallery there is headphones are used for translating from welsh to English. Plenary meetings take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the term time. The glass in committee room is used to let the light in and make the government 
see -through (transparent). you can buy things from all over Wales like crafts , CD’s of welsh music and welsh books  , there is café where you can eat and drink.