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Section ALearning a Foreign LanguageLearning a foreign language was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding experiences of my life. Although at times, learning a language was frustrating, it was well worth the effort.My experience with a foreign language began in junior middle school, when I took my first English class. I had a kind and patient teacher who often praised all of the students. Because of this positive method, I eagerly answered all the questions I could, never worrying much about making mistakes. I was at the top of my class for two years.When I went to senior middle school, I was eager to continue studying English; however, my experience in senior school was very different from before. While my former teacher had been patient with all the students, my new teacher quickly punished those who gave incorrect answers. Whenever we answered incorrectly, she pointed a long stick at us and, shaking it up and down, shouted, No! No! No! It didnt take me long to lose my eagerness to answer questions. Not only did I lose my joy in answering questions, but also I totally lost my desire to say anything at all in English.However, that state didnt last long. When I went to college, I learned that all students were required to take an English course. Unlike my senior middle school teacher, my college English teachers were patient and kind, and none of them carried long, pointed sticks! However, the situation was far from perfect. As our classes were very large, I was only able to answer a couple of questions in each class period. Also, after a few weeks of classes, I noticed there were many students who spoke much better than I did. I began to feel intimidated. So, once again, although for different reasons, I was afraid to speak. It seemed my English was going to stay at the same level forever.That was the situation until a couple of years later, when I was offered an opportunity to study English through an online course. The communication medium was a computer, phone line, and modem. I soon got access to the necessary equipment, learned the technology from a friend and participated in the virtual classroom 5 to 7 days a week.Online learning is not easier than regular classroom study; it requires much time, commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the course. I worked hard to meet the minimum standards set by the course and to complete assignments on time.I practiced all the time. I carried a little dictionary with me everywhere I went, as well as a notebook in which I listed any new words I heard. I made many, sometimes embarrassing, mistakes. Once in a while I cried with frustration, and sometimes I felt like giving up. But I didnt feel intimidated by students who spoke faster than I did because I took all the time I needed to think out my ideas and wrote a reply before posting it on the screen. Then, one day I realized I could understand just about everything I came across, and most importantly, I could say anything I wanted to in English. Although I still made many mistakes and was continually learning, I had finally reaped the benefits of all that hard work.Learning a foreign language has been a most trying experience for me, but one that I wouldnt trade for anything. Not only did learning another language teach me the value of hard work, but it also gave me insights into another culture, and my mind was opened to new ways of seeing things. The most wonderful result of having learned a foreign language was that I could communicate with many more people than before. Talking with people is one of my favorite activities, so being able to speak a new language lets me meet new people, participate in conversations, and form new, unforgettable friendships. Now that I speak a foreign language, instead of staring into space when English is being spoken, I can participate and make friends. I am able to reach out to others and bridge the gap between my language and culture and theirs.Section BKeys to Successful Online LearningWhile regular schools still exist, the virtual classroom plays an important role in todays learning community. Job opportunities for students are expanding rapidly and more people of all ages are becoming aware of online learning that allows them to study at home. Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students.1. Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and learning experiences as part of online learning.Many different people find that the online method requires them to use their experiences and that online learning offers them a place to communicate with each other. This forum for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder some students from expressing themselves. In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before replying. In this way, students can help to keep the online environment open and friendly.2. Be able to communicate through writing.In the virtual classroom nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that students feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. Some students have limited writing abilities which need to be improved before or as part of the online experience. This usually requires extra commitment by these students. Whether working alone or in a group, students share ideas, perspectives and discussions on the subject being studied, and read about those of their classmates. In this way, students gain great insight from their peers, learning from each other as well as the instructor.3. Be willing to speak up if problems arise.Remember that instructors cannot see their students in an online course. This means students must be absolutely explicit with their comments and requests. If they experience technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, they MUST speak up; otherwise there is no way anyone can know something is wrong. If one person does not understand something, possibly several others have the same problem. If another student is able to help, she/he probably will. While explaining something to others, students reinforce their own knowledge about the subject.4. Take the program seriously.Online learning is not easier than study in regular classrooms. In fact, many students say it requires much more time and effort. Requirements for online courses are not less than those of any quality program. Successful students, however, see online learning as a convenient way to receive their education not an easier way. Many online students sit at computers for hours at a time during evenings and on weekends in order to complete their assignments. When other people are finished and having fun is most likely the time when online students do their course work. Online students need to commit 4 to 15 hours a week for each course.5. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning.Online courses require students to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate information and make the right decisions based on critical thinking. In a positive online environment, students feel valued by the instructor, by their classmates and by their own work.6. Be able to think ideas through before replying.Providing meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of online learning. Time is given to allow for careful development of answers. Testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged. Many times online students will not always be right; they just need to be prepared to accept a challenge.7. Keep up with the progress of the course.Online learning is normally sequential and requires commitment on the students part. Keeping up with the face-to-face class and completing all work on time is vital. Once students get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Students need to want to be there and need to want the experience. The instructor may have to communicate with students personally to offer help and remind them of the need to keep up.Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators, not all students have the necessary qualities to perform well online. People who have the qualities discussed above usually make very successful online students. If you have these qualities, learning online may be one of the best discoveries you will ever make.Words: 715Section CTeaching Children at HomeRecord numbers of children are being taken out of school and taught by their parents at home. Up to 100 children a month are leaving the classroom because parents are not satisfied with schools. Around 15,000 families now teach their children at home, a rise of 50 per cent from last year, according to the latest figures.This present rise in home schooling is blamed on the nature of examinations, not getting children into the school of choice, and dissatisfaction with teaching methods. Some parents prefer keeping children home because of attacks by other students and a lack of discipline in schools. Researchers say, however, many families prefer teaching at home because they feel the idea of public schooling is not modern. They believe schools will be things of the past in 20 years as media technology, like the Internet, teaches children. 1. _Under the law, parents must teach their children, whether at school or at home. Community officials are charged with protecting their schooling. Professor Meighan of Nottingham University says parents were fed up with the requirements of existing schools. For him, schools are an out-of-date concept from the days of the town crier（市政传令员）, when it was difficult to get information and a central person was needed to communicate knowledge. He also thinks parents are recognizing education is moving on and dont want their children to be held back by out-of-date methods. 2. _Meighan suggests children will be taught at home using the Internet, computers, and video（录像片）. He thinks future schools will be small groups of children, sharing equipment in their homes. The teachers may become advisers who sort through the information. 3. _Future schooling was questioned by Sir Christopher Ball of the Royal（皇家的）Society of Arts. He thinks learning in the future will include an international curriculum and international standards. He sees some present models of schooling community schools and home schooling, for example becoming more central and other models, not yet existing, may develop. 4. _How Personal Choice Brings O-Level Success at 13Leslie Barson is already running the type of school that researchers think will teach children in the future. Based partly at a community centre and partly in family homes, the Otherwise Club includes some 35 families around north London. Professional teachers are brought in to help with special subjects, but mostly parents and children work together on units like studying the Greeks or the American Civil War, reading about events, making costumes（戏装）, and learning how people used to live. 5._ 6. _Parents choosing home schooling say the freedom of home learning allows some children to sit one or two GCEs by the age of 13. Ms. Barsons own children, Luis, age 12, and 7-year-old Lilly, have never attended school. She pays around 2,000 pounds a year for private teachers to help in special areas. She set up the Otherwise Club six years ago with just a few students. She thinks the purpose of teaching children is to develop their self-worth. Her son agrees. Luis, now teaching himself math, said, I like the freedom to learn things that interest me, especially music. I dont feel I am missing out on anything by not being at school because I am a member of various clubs and have friends who attend normal school. 7. _ 8. _The “Danger” of Separating StudentsHome schooling could change childrens relations with their peers and older people because of long periods spent with their parents. Most professors agree future learning will be more centred around the home, and fear children could become isolated and shy. Professor Michael Barber of London University said pupils could spend half their time at school, half at home as a way to solve this problem. He believes very strongly that children need the experience of school to ensure the quality of being taught the basics and being examined. He thinks children must spend time with peers to learn the rules of work in a democratic（民主的）society and to learn how to deal with relations with more people than just their parents. Margaret Rudland, head teacher in Hammersmith, also thinks children must experience actual peer relations. 9. _ 10. _Unit 2Section AA Busy Weekday MorningThe radio clicked on. Rock music blasted forth. Like a shot, the music woke Sandy. She looked at the clock; it was 6:15 A.M. Sandy sang along with the words as she lay listening to her favorite radio station.Sandy, shouted her father. Sandy, turn that music off! Steve Finch burst into her room. Why do you have to listen to such horrible stuff? Its the same thing over and over. Im not sure it is really music though it does have rhythm. Hmmm. No, it isnt really music. Its weird. It is definitely horrible stuff.I like that music, Dad; its my favorite group Green Waves. Listen for a minute; Im sure youll like it. It has a really powerful message. Didnt you ever listen to music like this when you were a youngster? Sandy reached for the radio to turn it up louder.No, no, dont do that. I cant stand it. The music I listened to had a message, too, but the words were clear and the musicians didnt use such offensive language. Turn that radio down so your mother and I cant hear it. Im sure that music is hurting your ears as well as your brain. Now, would you please hurry up and turn it off? Get ready for school or youll be late!Sandy walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. At first, the water felt cold. It helped her wake up. Then, as the water got hotter, she thought, This shower feels great and in here I can be alone and sing. No one disturbs me in here. She grabbed the soap and washed thoroughly, including her hair. If she stayed in the shower too long, her mom or dad usually banged on the door to rush her so she grabbed a towel and dried off.After her shower, Sandy brushed her hair, put on her old, green T-shirt and some jeans and wrapped her sweater around her shoulders. Then she put on her makeup, grabbed her books and went to the kitchen.She looked at the clock again; it was late. As usual, she didnt know what to have for breakfast, so she grabbed a glass of milk and ate a piece of toast while standing by the sink. Just then, her mother, Jane, entered the kitchen.Sandy, why dont you sit down and eat your breakfast? It isnt healthy to eat standing up.I know. Mom, but Im already late for school. I dont have time to sit down and eat.Did you finish your homework, dear?Yes.Do you have your instrument?Uh-huh.And your lunch?Yah.Did you brush your teeth?Mom, I havent finished eating breakfast yet. Ill brush my teeth when Im done.You should brush your teeth when you wake up and then brush them again after breakfast. Sandy, why are you wearing that old T-shirt? Its disgusting. I know you have some nice blouses in your closet.Mom, please stop.Stop what, dear?Stop bugging me.Sandy, are you wearing eye-liner?Yes, Mom, Ive been wearing eye-liner for months. Isnt it pretty? Its called French Lilac Blue. I just love it. Sandy pretended not to notice that her mother was a little annoyed.Sandy Finch, youre too young to wear that much makeup. Please go upstairs and wash it off.Mom, Im fifteen. Im old enough to wear makeup. Believe me, all the girls at school wear makeup. Some have tattoos and pierced ears, and noses and tongues, too. Mom, I dont have time to talk about this now Im late. Ive got to go. See you later. Sandy kissed her mother quickly on the cheek, picked up her books, and bolted out of the house.As she ran to catch the school bus, Sandy thought of her older brother Bill who was away at college. He phoned her often so they could talk and share their problems, but she hadnt heard from him for a while. She missed him. Since Bill had gone to college, her mother bugged Sandy much more than before, and she was arguing with her mother a lot more than usual, too.Words: 694Section BParent TalkAfter Sandy had left for school, Jane Finch sat down in peace and quiet to drink her coffee. She sipped slowly and tried to read the newspaper. Soon her husband joined her.Would you like some coffee, Steve? asked Jane.No thanks, honey. My stomach feels upset like its full of knots. Its probably that awful music that wakes me up every morning. I dont think Im old-fashioned but hearing those tuneless, offensive lyrics repeatedly makes my blood boil. There is no message to them either. I cant believe Sandy really likes that stuff.You know, honey, different music appeals to different generations, reasoned Jane. Remember some of the music we listened to?Steve smiled. Youre right. Maybe eating breakfast will help me get rid of some of the knots in my stomach.Ill get you some juice, she offered, starting to get up.Thats okay, said Steve. Ill get it. Youre reading.Im not really reading. Im distracted. Ive been thinking about Sandy too.Steve prepared his breakfast and then sat down with his wife. She gave him a section of the newspaper and they both tried to read for a few moments. Then Jane broke the silence.Did you notice how much makeup our fifteen-year-old daughter was wearing this morning? When I asked about it, she told me shes been wearing eyeliner for months. I cant believe I never noticed. I suppose we should feel lucky because makeup is our biggest problem with her. Ive seen other teenagers walking around town with tattoos and piercings all over their bodiesin their eyebrows, their noses, everywhere. I suppose theyre expressing their identity but its so very different from what we did.Is it so different? asked Steve. I remember defying my parents when I grew my hair long. Remember? It was so long it was down below my shoulders.And you almost got expelled from school, added Jane.Thats true but my hair could be cut. These tattoos are permanent. Tattoos seem radical to me.Actually, tattoos can be removed, said Jane. Its painful and expensive but they can be removed. Every generation seems to need to identify itself.What worries me, said Steve, is that music has a very negative message. It could have a negative influence on Sandy. I dont know whats happening to our little girl. Shes changing and Im concerned about her. Makeup, terrible music who knows what will be next? We need to have a talk with her. The news is full of stories about teenagers in trouble whose parents hardly know anything about their problems.Oh, I dont think her music is so terrible. I like it. said Jane.You like it? You know I like loud, weird music. Anyway, youre right. We need to have a talk with Sandy, agreed Jane.Jane glanced at the clock. Oh dear, Im late! she moaned. I have to run or Ill be late for my first appointment. She kissed her husband quickly, picked up her briefcase, and started for the door.Bye, honey, called Jane.Bye, dear, answered Steve.As Jane Finch drove to work, she thought about her children, Sandy and Bill. Sandy is beginning to mature, she thought. Soon shell be dating and going out but I dont want her wasting her time talking o
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