MODULE 1

HIGHER EDUCATION

Topics Functions Structures

- The history of - Expressing existence - Tense: Present Simple.
UNLaM
- Describing facilities in - There is/are
- University: universities
authorities, - Have/has
academic staff and - Describing places
facilities - Wh-question words.
- Comparing places
- Foreign and - Linking words: and, but,
national - Giving opinions because.
universities
- Comparative and
Fiction superlative forms

Learn with BOOK by

R. J. Heathorn
 UNLaM – DPU
Inglés Nivel I

Section 1

BEFORE READING
How much do you know about UNLaM? Choose the correct
options.

1. UNLaM was founded in

a) 1987. b) 1989. c) 1997.
2. Its slogan is
a) “A path to success.” b) “A path to the future” c) “A path to
excellence.”
3. There are
a) 3 departments. b) 4 departments. c) 6 departments.
4. It offers
a) more than 20 programmes. b) 20 programmes. c) about 20
programmes.
5. It has an area of
a) 80 acres. b) 100 acres. c) 40 acres.
6. On campus, there are
a) distance learning facilities. b) computing labs available for
students’ use. c) 3 ATMs.
7. There are
a) 10 computing labs. b) 18 computing labs. c) 28 computing
labs.
8. It has
a) about 100,000 students. b) about 10,000 students. c) about
50,000 students.

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READING
Read the text below and check your previous answers.

The history of UNLaM

The Universidad Nacional de La Matanza (UNLaM) is located in
one of the most important areas in Buenos Aires Province, from a
demographic, economic and political perspective. It is situated in la
Matanza district, in the central-western part of Great Buenos Aires. It
was founded on September 23rd, 1989 in San Justo, head city in La
Matanza. It is the second biggest university in the province, only behind
Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP). There are about 50,000
students at present. Since its creation, it is one of the most prestigious
universities in Buenos Aires.
UNLaM offers over 20 undergraduate degrees distributed in 6
departments. In the venues in San Justo and downtown, graduates can
attend MAs and PhDs in various disciplines.
The basic criterion is to teach how to think as a way of helping
the incessant scientific and technological process. Its motto is “A path
to excellence.”
The academic division is through departments, where the
different related subjects and research areas are grouped. Each
Department provides the teaching staff for the different programmes.
The University covers an area of 40 hectares in the city of San
Justo. The campus has optimum pedagogical, lighting and
environmental characteristics; areas devoted to video projections,
videoconferences, talks, debates, conferences, seminars; 18 fully-
equipped, modern computer laboratories, a language video laboratory
and 6 Mimio classrooms with technical support, 3 electronics
laboratories,1 physics laboratory and many more facilities.
As we want to give our students what they need, we are
constantly building new facilities and improving the campus in general.

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AFTER READING
Answer the following questions.

1. Is there any fact about UNLaM that, in your opinion, is interesting?

Underline it in the text.

2. Is there any other information not mentioned in the text?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Where is UNLaM located?

UNLaM is located in San Justo

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. What area does it cover?

UNLaM covers an area of 40 hectares in the city of San Justo

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. How is it organised?

The……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
university division is through departments, which are provide the teaching staff for the different programmes

6. Is it a small university? Why/Why not?

It`s a big university because is the second biggest university in the province
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7. How many undergraduate degrees does it offer?

UNLaM offers over 20 undergraduates degrees

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. How many computing labs does it have?

It has got 18 computing labs

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. How many physics labs are there?

There is 1 physics laboratory in the university

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. How many Mimio classrooms are there?

There are 6 Mimio classrooms with technical support

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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GRAMMAR STOP
Present Simple

 To describe facilities we use verb in the simple present tense such as

has/have, there is/are, occupy/occupies, cover/covers.

Example:

UNLaM occupies a large lot of land which covers 98.84 acres in San Justo,
Buenos Aires Province. There are 18 latest generation computing labs in the
university. They have the newest computers available for students’ use.
There is also a language lab and an interactive video lab with technical
support.

Expressing existence

Questions: (How many…) + is/are there …?

Statements: There is (not) + singular noun.
There are (not) + plural noun.

Expressing possession

- The university has a very complete library.

- American universities have student accommodation.
- UNLaM doesn’t have student accommodation.
- Some American universities don’t have student accommodation.
- Does the university have a complete library?
- Do American universities have complete libraries?

Talking about permanent action and characteristics

 To talk about habits and to describe places, we use the Simple Present
tense.

Affirmative statements:

I / We / You / They study at a National university.

He / She studies

The university (It) covers an area of 90 acres.

Negative statements:

I / We / You / They don’t study at a National university.

He / She doesn’t study
The university (It) doesn’t cover an area of 90 acres.

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Questions:
(Wh- word) + Does/Do + Subject + infinitive verb?

Do you/we/they study at a private university?

Does he / she go to the library?
Does it cover a big area?

Where do you/we/they study?

What area does UNLaM cover?

Answers:

Yes / No, (subject pronoun) (auxiliary).

No, we don’t.
No, she doesn’t.
Yes, it does. It covers an area of 98.84 acres.

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS – (with key)

a) UNLaM’s departments. Read the chart below. Can you
complete the missing degrees in each Department?

Departments Degrees

Engineering and
Technological Research Architect - Engineer

Humanities and Social Social Worker - Journalist - Labour Relations

Sciences Manager - Public Relations Manager - Media
Expert - Protocol and Ceremonial Expert -
Physical Education Teacher
Economic Sciences Accountant - Economy Consultant -
International Bussines Consultanr - Manager

Law and Political Science Lawyer - Political Analist

Health Sciences Kinesiologist - Nurse - Nutritionist - Physician

Lifelong Learning BA in Education Managment - Language and Literature -

Applied Mathematics - Physical Education - Nursing - History -
Autioneer - Broker or Appraiser - Radio Annoucer - Marketing -
English Language - Technology Managment

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VOCABULARY BUILDING

University professions
Accountant Kinesiologist Physical Education Teacher
Architect Labour Relations Manager Manager
Economy Consultant Lawyer Public Relations Manager
Engineer* Attorney Journalist
Social Worker Nurse Media Expert
Nutritionist Political Analyst Protocol and Ceremonial
International Business Physician Expert
Consultant
*Civil, Computing, Electronic, Industrial, Mechanical

BA in:
Education Management Auctioneer, Broker and Appraiser
Language and Literature Radio Announcer
Applied Mathematics Marketing
Physical Education English Language
Nursing Technology Management
History

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b) Work out a connection between the first two words and

then find a similar connection to finish the sentence.

1. Junior is to senior as fresher is to:

a) sophomore b) advanced c) graduate

2. Lawyer is to Law as Physician is to:

a) public relations b) physical education c) medicine

3. Undergraduate is to lawyer as graduate is to

a) B.A. b) PhD c) ATM

4. M.A. is to postgraduate courses as B.A. is to:

a) a doctoral degree b) a college degree c) a career

5. Books are to libraries as ATMs are to:

a) banks b) infirmaries c) universities

c) Use there is, there isn’t, is there, there are, there aren’t,
are there, do, does, don’t, doesn’t.

are there
1. “How many students ……………………………… in the class?”
“Twenty.”

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Is there
2. “……………………………. a bus from the city centre to the
university?”“Yes. Every twenty minutes.”
don´t
3. We ………………………. use intranet in our classes.
Does
4. “……………………………. the university have different
laboratories?” “Yes, over 20!”
doesn´t
5. UNLaM …………………………….. have student accommodation.
There are
6. Oxford is an old university. ……………………………… many
beautiful, old buildings.
There is
7. “I need to go to the university” “……………………………. a train
at 10.30. You’ll get there at 10.50.”
there isn´t
8. “I need to use the Internet.” “Sorry, but ………………………….
a computer lab here.”
There aren´t
9. “…………………………………. any cinemas in the university
campus.” “OK. We’ll have to go to the town, then.”
Do
10. “…………………. you offer social programmes?” “Yes! For
instance, Public Relations.”

d) Put the words in the correct order to ask the questions.

Then, answer them.

1. UNLaM – is – where – situated?

Where is UNLaM situated?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
UNLaM is situated in La Matanza
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. it – departments – how many – have – does?
How many departments does it have?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
It has 6 departments
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. in – the – the – university – the – biggest – province – is?
Is the university the biggest in the province?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
No. it isn´t.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. university – a – the – motto – have – does?
Does the university have a motto?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Yes, it is.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. area – it – occupy – does – what?
What area does it occupy?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
It occupies an area of 40 hectareas
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. labs – are – how many – there?
How many laboratories are there?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
There are 25 laboratories
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. a – physics – there – lab – is?
Is there a physical lab?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Yes, there is.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Buenos Aires – venues – university – have – does – the – in?
Does the university have venues in Buenos Aires?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Yes, it does.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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CULTURE CORNER: University’s authorities and academic staff

Rector

Vice Rector

Academic Secretary

Department Dean Department Dean Department Dean

Department Vice Dean Department Vice Dean Department Vice Dean

Faculty: Professors, Faculty: Professors,

Instructors, Lecturers, Faculty: Professors, Lecturers, Tutors,
Researchers, Tutors Instructors, Lecturers, Instructors,
Tutors, Researchers Researchers

Does this chart reflect the organization at UNLaM? Why? Why not?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Do you know the authorities’ names?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
At secondary schools, classes are in charge of teachers. What about
the university? Who is/are in charge?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Section 2

READING
University Facilities

Library
Academic activities Labs
Photocopying centre

Gymnasium
Sport activities Athletics tracks
Heated swimming pool

Canteen

UNLaM'sMain Idea
Community Radio
facilities ATMs

Auditoriums
Academic events
Courtyard of the Americas

Stadium
Recreation
Theatre

Stadium
Social & political gatherings
External campus

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a) In this word search, find eleven words:

Then, write the correct word next to its definition.

b) Then, complete the chart below with the letters left.

L S P O R T S T A C

A W E A L L M H C O

B L E N I J U E A M

S O A Y B S I A D M

O T T U R D D T E U

I Y M I A N A R M N

D G S A R T T E I I

A U N L Y A S M C T

R G N I N R A E L Y

G Y M N A S I U M 

LIBRARY
1. Leopoldo Marechal ……………………………….. is one of the most
comprehensive libraries in the country. It has a silent reading
room for 120 people, a speaking reading room for 500 users, a
reference room, a virtual room with 15 PCs for on-line and
multimedia searching, an audible library for visually handicapped
people and a video library. UNLaM’s staff and students, and also
COMMUNNITY
all the ………………………………..of La Matanza have access to it.

ACADEMIC
2. The ……………………………….. offers local, national and international
news coverage and broadcasts sports, political and social
programmes. All the programming is entirely done by graduate
students and experts. Remember: FM 89.1.

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GYMNASIUM
3. The ……………………………….. field has an athletics track, a
football field, a rugby field, a 5-a-side football field, a basketball
court, a hockey court, a beach volleyball court and a heated
swimming-pool together with a modern roofed
………………………………...

4. There are ………………………………..for all the departments. The

distance ………………………………..lab is the newest.

5. Apart from all the facilities for ……………………………….. purposes,

there are some for social purposes such as the beautiful
……………………………….., which is near the main entrance.

6. Supervielle Bank offers services to all the community, such as

four …………………………..

7. There is a big ……………………………… used for social and political

gatherings.

-- --- ----- -------- -- - - - - -!

AFTER READING
a) Answer the following questions

1. Are all the university facilities included in the mind map?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Do you know the English equivalent terms for the missing
ones?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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b) In groups, complete the columns with names of facilities.

Spanish English Spanish English

laboratorio de
beach volleyball
educación a
court
distancia.
infirmary
Canchade fútbol
hockey court
students’ union
rugby field

estacionamiento

dining hall

buffet

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS – (with key)

a) Vocabulary check. Cross the odd one out and explain
why.

1. infirmary – library – law – laboratory.

Law is the odd one out because it’s a programme, not a facility…………………

2. rector – dean – teacher – researcher

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
3. nutrition – accounting – medicine – kinesiology
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. canteen – track – court – field
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. fresher – scholarship – advanced – sophomore
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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b) Answer the following questions about UNLaM.

The campus
1. Does UNLaM have a large campus?
........................................................................................
2. How many parking lots are there?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Where can students and faculty go for a snack?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Is there a bank?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Complete the missing question word and answer.

The departments
1. …………………………………………... departments are there at UNLaM?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. ………………… department do you belong to?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. ………………… is it located?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. ……………….. programmes does it offer?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) Put the questions in order and answer them.

The theatre
1. theatre – where– located – is - the?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. open – for – the – it – now – is – public?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. big – is – it – or – small?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4. does – how many – it – have – seats?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

e) Ask the questions.

The university Students’ Union

1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….?
The representatives of the union are the students voted by
the students.
2. …………………………………………………………………………………….………………?
There is only one students’ union.
3. …………………………………………………………………………………………………...?
They take part in academic, cultural and social activities.
4. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….?
No, I’m not a member.

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