Education and Student Life Bs ee ‘What cen we learn about a culture from its educational system? In ‘the first reading, you wil read about four countries and have a chance to compare positive ancl negative aspects of those couniries’ educational systems. You will also discuss your own educational life. In Part 2, you will read about how the student population has changed in the United States ‘and how this, as well as technology and studies about learning styles, have changed classes anc! campuses. In Part 3, you will learn strategies to Help build your vocabulary and develop good study skills. Finally Part 4 focuses on improving your understanding of question types on a reading test& aha [El What co you seein the photo? What co you think the students are talking about? EB what co you think is importent at an educational institution? Name ten things.izle Reading Skills and Strategies Education: A Reflection of Society EEC eee [ll Previewing the Topic took at the photos and discuss the questions. 1, Where Is each scene taking place? What is happening? 2. What migitt be siullar about eduvalion in these countries? Make guesses, 3, What might be different about education in these countries! Make guesses. 4, In your opinion, what are important culturel values in each of these countries? ‘ primary school students in Mexico ‘4 High schoo! students in Japan ‘4 High schoo! science students in the United states 4 Aunversity student in Engana 4 Chapter 1 samQ Previewing Vocabulary Read the words and phrases below. Listen to the pronunciation. Put a check mark (17) nextto the words that you know. Fer the words ‘that you don’t know, don’t use a dictionary. Try to understand them from the reading, You" work wth some ofthese words inte acthites Nouns verbs G aspects G statistic adhieve 2 identioal constitution © status O afford a isolated contrasts © tuition determines. =a rural @ discipline Ovalues reflects a universal a indigenous people a value a vocational 1 native people adjectives tibia 2 primary schol compulsory 2 on the ane hand eae @ egalitarian 2 on the other hand entire re Getting Meaning from Context When you read, you do not reed to look up the meanings ofall new words in a dictiorary. You can offen guess the meenings of many naw words from the ccontext—the other words in the sentence and the otrer sentences In the perearaph. Here are three types of clues that will help you guoss naw word, 1. Punctuation: Sometimes a sentence gives a definiton of a new vocabulary item or information about it. This informetion may be in parentheses { ), after a dash (-), or after a comma () Example There is a drawback, a disadvantage, to that dae (Oraback means disadvantage ) “Another Sentence: Somatimes a cle to the meaning of 2 naw vocabulary item sin another sentence or sentence part Example A school system in one country is not Identieal to tne system in ary other country It cannot be exactly the same because oach culture is diferent (mn the second sentence, you see the meaning of identical—exactly the same.) Logic: Sometimes simple logic helps you to guess a new word, example The educational system is 6 mirror that reflects the culture. (You probably know the word mirror, so you can guess that refiects means shows.) wma EGucation and Studanttifa =Getting Meaning from Context This exercise will help you with vocabulary ‘that you wil find in the first reading selecton. Read the sentences. Figure out the meanings of the underlined words from the context and write tham on the Ines. 4. On the one hand, there are many advantages to this eystem. On the other ane, there are also several drawbacks onthe one hand. on the other hand = 2. Ina number of countries, education 1s hath compulsory—required—ana universal, available to everyone, at least in primary gehnol (elementary schant) compulsory universal = primary school = 3. There are many more sehodls in cities than in rural arena rire 4, Public schools are all both free and egalitarion; all students are considered eqnel and learn the same material, egalitarian = 5. College studenta need great discipline; in order to make time for their studies, ‘hey need the self-control to give up Hobbies, sports, att social lift. discipline 6, Results on these exanis affect the entire family because there is high status, or social position, for a whole family in which children have high test scores. entire = statu 7. Students themselves decide if they want college-preparatory or vocational clascos in high schcok no national esaun daterrines this For thorn determines = Reading an Article As you read the following selection, think about the answer to this question: What can we leam about a culture from its educational system? Read the selection. Do not use a dictionary. Then do the exercises that fellow the reading, 6 Chepter1 waea = Education: A Reflection of Society Visit schools anywhere in the world, and you will probably notice a number of similarities. There are students, teachers, books, blackboards, and exams everywhere. However, a school system in one couniry is not identical to the system in any other country. It cannot be exactly the same because each culture is different. The educational system is a mirror that reflects the cultine. Look at the school system, and you will sce the social structure and the values of its culture. Mexico In Mexico, the educational system reflects some of the country's many contrasts. On the one hand, it is believed that the nation can achieve equality of rights for everyone through education. The basis of the Mexican educational system is the country’s constitution, which was written in 1917. It requires education to be free, compulsory, and universal, It also States that education should support national unity and lead to social, economic, and cultural improvement of the people. At lower levels, this means that there is emphasis on the couniry’s rich cultural history. Children write historical essays, participate in activities for national holidays, and read about national herces—especially native poopte (Indians). Howovor, itis often difficult to provide education in rural areas, where many of the indigenous people live. People in these areas are poor and isolated geographically. There aren't enough schools, and rural teachers must be able (0 leach all six grades of primary school. Also, traditions amorg some indigenous people do not typically include school attendance. Japan The Japanese value education highly. One statistic reflects this: the Japanese place such importance on education thal 88 percent of all studenta complete not only primary schoo! hut also high school. Public schools are all both free and egalitarian; all students are consicered equal and lear the same material. For social reasons, it's important for a sludent to receive a university degree—and a degree irom “the right university.” To regch this goal, students have to-go through “examination Nell.” There are difficult exams for entrance to all universities, to many of the better primary and secondary schools, and even to some kindergurtens! Japanese. ssudents need great discipline; in order to make time for their studies, they need the self-control to give up hobbies, sports, and social life. Resulis of these exams affect the entire family because there is high status, or social position, for the whole family when the children have high test scores. ‘mam Education and Student Life 7 ww 1% 0Britain Jn the United Kingdom (Britain), the educational system reflects the class system, All state schools—primary, secondary, and university—are free, and the first nine years are egalitarian; all students learn me sare material. At age cleven, students take an important national exam. After this, they attend one of three possible secondary schools: college preparatory, vocational (for job treining), or comprehensive (with both groups of students). However, 6 percent of British students attenc e private schools. These are students from upper class familics. Half of the students at Oxford and Cambridge universities come from such expensive secondary schools. It might seem that anyone can afford to x0 to auniversity because all universities are free, but only 1 percent of the lawer Class goes to university, Because graduates from good universities get the best jobs, it is clear that success is largely a result of one’s social class. ‘The United states Education in the United States is available to everyone, but not, all schools are equal. Public primary and secondary schools are free for everyone; there is no tuition, Almost £0 percent of all Americana are high school graduates, Students themselves decide if they want college- i preparatory or vocational classes in high school no national exam determines this, Higher education is not free, but tt 1s available to almost anyone, and about 60 percent of all high school graduates attend cclloge or university, Older people have the opportunity to attend college, too, because Americans believe that “you're never too old to learn,” On the other hand, there are also problems in ITS. schools. In many secondary schools, there are problems with lack of discipline and with drugs and crime, In addition, public schools receive their money from local taxes, so school's in poor areas receive less money. As a result, they don't have enough good teachers or laboratory equipment, and the buildings are often not in good condition. Clearly, U.S. education reflects both the best and the worst of the society. Conclusion F It is clear that each educational system is a reflection of the larger cealture—both positive and nogative aspects of its economy, values, and . social structure. Look at a country’s schools, arid you will learn about the society in which they exist. ‘ = sma LLL 8 Chaptort waeSac Biciosg Identifying the Main Idea A reading passage may include many ideas, but there is only one main idea, This is ‘the most important idea, or point: of the reading. Its the main point, thought, or ‘pinion that the author has about the topic, Itis en “umbrella” that includes all of the more specific ideas and detals The main idea Is usually statod in tho ntroduction. often, Its repeéted in the conclusion, Identifying the Main Idea Find one sentence in Paragraph A that seems to be the main idea of the entire reacing passage. Then find another sentence in Paragraph F that seems to mean about the seme, Write them here. From Paragraph From Paragraph F. Understanding Reading Structure Paragraphs divide reading material into topics, or subjects. One paragraph is usually about one topic, Metch the paragraphs from the reading on pages 6-8 with their topics below. Write the letters of the pragraphs on tho lines, 1, £_ Conclusion: Education as a reflection of society 2, —— Acountry that places a lot of importance on education and makes students take difficult exams ‘3. —— A country that offers education to everyone but also has problems in its schools 4, __ Acountry where equality and national unity are imporeant 5, —— Acountry where social class is very important, 6, —— Introduction: Education as a mirror of a eulture = Ecucation and StudentuiteChecking Your Vocabulary Chock your uncerstanding of vocabulary from the reading selection. Read the definitions below and write words and expressions tat fit these definitions. The letters in parentheses refer to paragraphs in the reading, ~ a paper conteining the laws that a countzy is based on (B) = _senstfssHor . Indians (B) = 3. faraway from wwns or cities (B) = x 4, a school for job training () = to have exiough money for something (D) = 6. fees (money) for education (B) = 7. sides, parts, characteristics (P) = Bas Organizing Information: Using a Chart Readings often present both positive and negative aspects of something (such as. ‘ ‘an educational system). Sometimes, these are easy to tnd because the writer uses the words advantages and disadventages, but frequently these words don't appear. Instead, you need to look for other words and expressions that sncw ‘opposite vewpoints, such as on the one hand, on the other hand, but and however ‘One way to organize thé: Information is in a graphic organizer: Gne effective graphic organizer to show positive and negative aspecis Is a Fonert (called a ‘chart kecause it is sheped like the letter 7). ‘You can work with a Fchartin the nextactivity. ee Dl organizing information: Using a T-Chart in the T-chart on page 11, virte tthe four countries from the reading on the left. Work In groups of four and have each ‘student choose one country. Fill out the posttive and negative aspects of that country’s ‘ecucational system. When you finish, share your information with the students in your ‘group and complete the chart with their information. | 1 | I i | | 1 I 10 chapter 1 am»Positive Aspacts Nogative aspacte ec) Education in North America and Asia In a Western society, such as the United States or Canaca, that has mary national, religious, and cultura dfierences, deople highly value individualism—the cifferences ‘among people—and independent thinking, Stulents do not cften memorize information. Instead, they find answers themselves, and they exnress thei ideas in cless discussion. At anerly age, stucents learn to form their own ideas and opirions. In mest Asian societies, by contrast, the peaple have the same language, history, and culture. Perhaps for this reason, the educational system in much of Asia reflects society's bolif in group goals and traditions rather than individualism. Children f Che, Japan, and Korea often work together and help che another on assignmems, n the ciassroom, ‘the teaching methods are often very formal. The teacher lectures, ard the students listen. ‘There is not much ciscussion. Instead, the students recite rules oF Information that tray have memorized, There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems. i Discussing the Reading in small groups, talk about your answers to these ‘estions about a country tat you know Well 1. Are there both private schools and publie schools? Is public education free, or Go students need to pay tuition? 2. Do most students go to sevondary school? Do most.students complete high school? Do many students go to ccllege or university? 3. Are there diferent types of high schools (for example, college preparatory or vocational)? 4, What are some advantages of the educational system? Disadvantages? ame Education and Sudent life 11