英概期末论文美国教育.docx

湖南涉外经济学院外国语学院2013-2014英语国家概况期末小论文班级_ 姓名_ 评分_American EducationIntroductionThere are three ideals of American education. The first ideal of American education is that as many people as possible should have access to as much education as they want. The second ideal is producing a society that is totally literate and of local control. The third ideal is about the basic nature of knowledge and learning Education in America is regarded as both an individual benefit and a social necessity. They hold the view that the future of the nation depends largely on education.Educational System Elementary and Secondary EducationFormal education in the United States consists of elementary, secondary and higher education Elementary. Classes of students are divided into twelve academic levels called grades. Generally, one academic year (from September through June) is required to complete each grade. Academic work learning to read, write , and also arithmetic begins when the child enters first grade, at about age six.The first academic institution that a child attends is called elementary school. In some school systems, elementary school includes grades one through eight. The next four years are called high school. In other school systems, there are three divisions: elementary school (grades one through six), junior high school (grades seven through nine), and senior high school (grades ten through twelve).Elementary schools teach reading, arithmetic, and language arts such as creative writing, spelling, and handwriting. Social studies, science, music, art, and physical education (athletics) are also part of the program.During the elementary years, students are grouped into classes, and each group stays together for the entire school day and the entire school years. Generally, the class has the same teacher for most subjects, although art, music, and physical education are usually taught by teachers who specialize in these areas.Secondary education is in one or two stages. From the age of eleven or twelve to eighteen the term “high school” is generally used, though the first two or three years of this are called junior high school and the senior classes are called senior high school. Where the local population is big enough the high school may be separate institutions.America is remarkable for the number of people who stay at school until they are eighteen; four fifths of all young people aged seventeen are still at school, and more than half of those aged eighteen. As full high school education up to the age of eighteen is available to everyone, there is no problem about gaining admission to a senior high school, though in some places there are selective schools or classes for children who show special academic ability. The ideal of total equality of opportunity for all people creates barrier against such segregation, though there are inevitably many people , particularly in the education world, who think that such segregation is really desirable, and current opinion is mainly in favor of some selectivity on academic grounds.In high school, subject matter becomes more specialized. English classes stress grammar and literature. Social studies are split into separate courses in American history, American government and European history. Algebra, geometry, and trigonometry are offered. High school students usually take a one-year general science course, then more detailed courses in biography, chemistry, and physics. Most high school students study a foreign languageusually Latin, French, Spanish, or German. Course in music, art, and physical education are often required. Some high schools specialize in vocational education and train students for various technical careers.High schools generally organize much activity outside the classroom. Many high schools are very large, which more than a thousand pupils, and they tend to have many societies to which the pupils may belong. For example, they may have large orchestras and brass bands, and there is also organized school sport. Every large high school has its football team and also teams for basketball, baseball and other sports. The football team is perhaps the most important, and when it plays it is supported by cheer-leaders and a brass band, and by great numbers of fellow-pupils.One of the characteristics of high school education is its great breadth. Pupils do not specialize in any particular direction, and they take classes in all kinds of subjects all through the high school period. They are given an immense choice of academic and non-academic courses. Sometimes pupils complain that the progress is very slow and that they do not learn very much, but this is s factor connected with the inclusion of children of all levels of academic ability in the same school and in the same class. Children who are rather backward in learning are often allowed to go on to the next grade even though their work suggests that they should repeat a grade.Higher EducationHigher education in the United States began with the founding of Harvard College in 1636. In the past more than 300 years, it has developed into a large enterprise with a very complex system. The higher education comprises four categories of institutions: a. the university; b. the four-year undergraduate institutionthe college; c. the technical training institution; and d. the two-year community college.In America, the term “college” refers to an undergraduate institution that confers the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) after four years of study or an associate degree after two years of study. A university is generally a group of colleges, each serving a special purpose: college of business, college of arts and humanities, college of education, tec. The system of higher education in the United States has three functions: teaching and public service. Each college or university has its own emphasis with regard to its functions. The majority of the higher education institutions are located in states that have a large population.The American higher education institutions offer a wide variety of subjects, from the fine arts to practical and career-oriented fields such as engineering and marketing. The U.S. has a variety of higher education institutions, from large comprehensive universities to small traditional liberal arts colleges. Distinctions among these institutions are in size, level, educational quality, residential atmosphere and the time it takes to complete a degree. At the undergraduate level, students personal preferences as to size, academic quality and location play a key role in their choice of college or university. At the graduate level, more attention is paid to the reputation of the faculty and department.For a university student, an academic year is about nine months, usually from mid-September until early June or from late August until May. In most universities, it is divided into either semesters or three semesters, excluding the summer session. The students usually enjoy a “break” of one week during each semesters and a 30-day winter break.Typically, an undergraduate student has to earn a certain number of “credits” (usually at least 120) in order to receive a degree at the end of four years of college. Credits are earned by attending lectures (or lab classes) and by successfully completing assignments and examinations. One credit usually equals one hour of class per week in a single course. A course may last 10 to 16 weeks, the length of a semester.Living accommodations are usually not large enough to hold all university students, though large numbers of residence halls have been built. Many students live off campus and prepare their own meals.It is common for students to work to earn their tuition and living expenses not only during vacations but also in their free time during the semester. Many colleges and universities offer work-study programs so that students can earn money while working at the school.Sports have a significant place in American university life. Football is the most popular university sport. Some universities award both football and basketball scholarships, and students admitted mainly as athletics or jocks receive not only free tuition but also other financial assistance.There are clubs and activities for almost every students interests, such as art, music, drama, debate, foreign languages, photography, volunteer work, all aimed at helping students become successful in their later life while simultaneously pursuing their hobbies.The c