Education

On the first day of school, Johnny had a hard time getting out of bed. “Johnny, get up! You're going to be late for school!”warned his mother. "Aw, Mom, do I have to go to school?" Johnny complained.“Yes, son, summer is over, and the new school year is starting. You must go to school. And besides,” reasoned

Johnny's mother, "you're the teacher!”
開學那天，強尼不想起床。「強尼，起床！你上學要遲到了！」他媽媽警告他。「噢，媽，我一定得去上學嗎？」強尼抱怨道。「要，兒子。暑假過了。新的一學年開始了，你一定得去上學。」強尼的媽媽說服他。「而且，你是老師！」

This old American joke does have a ring of truth to it. American teachers and students alike enjoy their summer vacation. But don't let the humor fool you: Education is a major part of American culture. Schools do more than just fill students’heads with knowledge. They pass on culture, traditions and values.
這個美國的老玩笑的確說明了一些事實。美國的老師與學生一樣都很喜歡放暑假。但別被這個幽默給騙了——教育是美國文化中的一個主要部份，除了將知識塞進學生的腦子裡之外，學校還得傳遞文化、傳統和價值觀。

American children start their education in elementary

school. Most youngsters enter first grade at around six years of age. Children can prepare for this step by attending preschool and kindergarten from ages three to five. Young learners finish elementary school in fifth or sixth grade. From there,
students go on to junior high school until eighth or ninth grade. Americans complete their required education in high school. They graduate and receive a diploma after twelfth grade.
美國小孩的教育始自小學，大多數的小孩在六歲左右開始上一年級。小孩子們可以藉著在三歲到五歲間接受學前教育或上幼稚園來為上小學做預備。
小學生在五年級或六年級時自小學畢業。
從這時候，學生開始上中學，直到八或九年級。美國人在高中畢業時便完成了義務教育。在十二年級畢業並得到一紙畢業證書。

Beyond high school, Americans have many chances for further education. In contrast to other countries,the U.S has no national college entrance exam. Instead, private companies give exams to students.Universities decide which tests students must take. In addition to test scores, university officials also consider applicants' high school grades and other activities. Universities give scholarships and financial
aid to help many who cannot afford the high tuition

costs. Students with less academic goals may enrollin vocational schools or community colleges.
在高中之後，美國人有許多受高等教育的機會。和其也國家形成對比的是，在美國並沒有全國性的大學聯考。取而代之是，私人公司會為學生們舉行一些測驗。各大學決定學生們應該參加什麼考試。除了考試成績之外，大學招生委員也會考慮申請者的高中成績和其他活動的表現。大學也會提供獎學金和財力支持給許多無法負擔昂貴學費的學生。不打算繼續升學的學生也可以進入職業學校或社區學院。

The American style of education, compared to that of other countries, is quite informal.
In fact, the casual class atmosphere often amazes international students. American teachers encourage students to think for themselves. Instead of grading students only on test scores, teachers evaluate

papers, group projects and class participation, as well. Students often have to think creatively to solve problems— not just memorize facts. Students also learn how to do research by using
resource materials to find their own answers. In this way, classrooms illustrate the American emphasis on individual responsibility.
美國式的教育跟別的國家比起來是相當不正式的。事實上，課堂的輕鬆氣氛常會令國際學生們感到驚訝。美國老師鼓勵學生獨立思考。除了為學生的考卷打分數之外，老師們也對報告、小組計劃以及課堂參與進行評估。學生們必須以創造性的思考來解決問題──而非只是記憶一些事實。學生們也學習利用資料來進行研究找出自己的答案。如此一來，課堂即展現了美國人強調個人的責任。

Freedom of choice is another American value not absent

from school life. In addition to their required courses, high school and college students may choose elective courses. These electives allow students to study subjects that interest them. The menu of choices might include typing, band and home economics, as well as special academic classes. Other activities occupy students’time after school hours. Most schools have sports teams, clubs and publications that give students valuable experience.
選擇的自由是另一項在學校生活中常見的美國價值。除了必修的課程之外，高中生與大學生也會選修一些課程。這些選修的課程使得學生能夠修一些他們有興趣的科目。可選擇的課程包括了：打字、樂隊以及家政學，還有特別的學術性課程。其他的活動佔去了學生們放學後的時間，大部份的學校有運動校隊、社團和出版社團可提供同學寶貴的經驗。

The American system of education is far from perfect. Teachers in America fight to control cheating and plagiarism

. Drugs, violence, sex and peer pressure interfere with students’ education. Test scores are declining. In light of these issues, American teachers have an important and challenging job. They must instill cultural and moral values, as well as knowledge, in young American citizens. Wake up, Johnny! You've got work to do!
美國的教育體系很不完美。美國老師們努力對付作弊和剽竊的問題。毒品、暴力、性氾濫以及同儕的壓力都介入了學生的教育。考試成績節節下降。有鑒於這些問題，美國老師們面臨一個重要及具有挑戰性的工作。他們必須將文化與道德價值以及知識灌輸進年輕的美國公民心中。醒醒吧，強尼！你有工作要做！
⊙Word Bankreason (v) 說服；勸服

elementary (adj) 基礎的
youngster (n) 兒童；青年；少年

tuition (n) 學費
academic (adj) 學院的; 學術性的
enroll (v) 入學

evaluate (v) 評估

absent (adj) 缺席的
elective (adj) 選修的

plagiarism (n) 剽竊；抄襲
instill (v) 逐漸灌輸

The Day's Phrase

These glasses may improve the sight of millions
新型眼鏡可望改善數百萬人的視力問題

Why did you decide not to go to the movies this weekend? Did somthing come up?
你為什麼決定這週末不去看電影? 有什麼事嗎?

Birds find a new home in this refuge on Vancouver Island
鳥兒在溫哥華島上的庇護所找到了新

"I bet you'll have to pay a speeding fine!" "I sure hope not!"
"我敢說你一會被罰超速!""我當然希望不要被罰!"

I'm kind of busy right now. Can I call you back in 5 minutes?
我現在有點忙, 五分鐘後再回電給你好嗎?

Chang Feng-Hsiang's dreams came true
張鳳翔的美夢成真了

Would you like to take a seat? Mr. Yen will be right with you.
你坐一下好嗎? 嚴先生馬上來了.

Do you know what Easter is all about?
你知道復活節是怎麼一回事嗎?

It's time for Luke to head home
路克終於可以啟程回家囉

There's nothing more to do inside. You can come and help me in the garden.
裡面沒事好做, 你可以到花園來幫我.

Celebrate the Earth today
在今天歡慶地球日吧

"Do you like going out on weeknights?" "I usually don't."
"你喜歡週間的晚上出門嗎?" "我通常不喜歡."