Unit 3 Education – Enlightenment of Mind.doc

Unit 3 Education Enlightenment of MindI. Warm-upAudio scriptWe usually think that school is the only place where people get an education. However, what we get from school is just a small part of what we learn. Education includes both formal learning at school and informal learning in society. So education is much broader than schooling.Education can take place anywhere, whether in the street or at a party. Likewise, educators can be anyone, ranging from an elderly woman in the neighborhood to a young reporter on TV.The general patterns of teaching at school always remain relatively the same. Students arrive at school at the set time and take the assigned courses. The learning materials and the tests used at school are limited. We know what we can get from school education, but we can never give a full picture of what we can expect from education. For instance, while travelling if you have a chat with a local shopkeeper, you may discover more about local culture.Education starts from the moment a person is born. It lasts for a lifetime and becomes part of his/her life.II. Listening for content1. Listening to a conversationAudio script & keyDavid: Hey Jessie, I wonder if you are free tonight.Jessie: David, whats up? Ive been quite busy lately with my essay-writing course.David: An essay-writing course? I never thought that would be useful. I mean, for writing all you need to do is extensive reading and intensive practice. Isnt that so? Jessie: I dont agree with you, David. There are actually various skills for writing, and most of the time its much easier said than done.David: Really? Sounds complicated.Jessie: It is! Believe it or not, writing mirrors thinking. In other words, an article with cogent arguments directly reflects a clear mind in thinking. David: Are you saying that a vague essay means a stupid mind?Jessie: Not exactly. I mean you need to do more than just reading and practising before you get down to your essay writing. Critical thinking is of the utmost importance in a writing process. You also need to take other factors into consideration, such as your purpose for writing, your potential readers, etc.David: Wow, I never knew writing could be so complicated! I thought the only important things in writing are just subject matter and corresponding information.Jessie: You bet. But they are far from enough. A good piece of writing should show not only your knowledge about a certain topic, but your creativity, critical thinking and analytical ability as well.David: I see. So is that what youve learned from the writing course?Jessie: Yes, Ive learned a lot from the writing course, such as how to collect information, how to make an attractive opening, and how to organize the structure. The next step is to spend more time applying them to the real writing tasks the course provides.David: I hope its not too late for me to take the writing course.Jessie: Better late than never, David. Im sure youll learn a lot from it, too. More than you expect!David: Why not? Ill get registered later this afternoon. Thanks a lot. Jessie: Not at all. Youll never regret it.2. Listening to a passageAudio script & keyLike most students at Fort Hays State University, Nola Ochs plans to spend some time reading and studying during this weeks fall break. But shell take time out on Wednesday to celebrate her 95th birthday.Ochs is living on campus while pursuing her degree in theology at the university. She has about 15 hours of classes to take next semester to get her bachelors degree. If she does it, Ochs will be The Guinness Book of World Records oldest college graduate. But it will also be the culmination of a lifetime of learning. She started at Fort Hays in 1930, when it was known as Kansas State Teachers College. In the 1970s, she took classes part-time at a community college and completed a few virtual classes on the Internet before deciding to attend classes this semester.On Friday, her family and fellow classmates will throw her a birthday party. Her son, Alan Ochs, flew in from Jetmore for the occasion. Her granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, didnt have to travel as farshes in the same class as her grandmother. After the party, Alan Ochs will take his mother home for Thanksgiving break. Were happy to get her back home for a while, he said. We missed having her out there, especially through the fall harvest.Though Nola is amused by her potential status as the worlds oldest graduate, she said shes more excited about getting to walk at the graduation ceremony with her granddaughter.1. How old is Nola Ochs?A) She will be 100 years old on Wednesday.B) She has just celebrated her 95th birthday on Friday.C) She is going to be 90 years old on Friday.D) She will celebrate her 95th birthday on Wednesday.2. What degree is Nola Ochs pursuing?A) She is studying for an MA degree in law.B) She is seeking a BA degree in religion.C) She is pursuing her Ph.D. degree in college.D) She is just learning and does not intend to get a degree.3. How did Mrs. Ochs study her courses before she lived on campus?A) She enrolled at Fort Hays in 1930 and stayed there ever since.B) She finished all her classes at the Kansas State Teachers College.C) She completed some of her courses on the Internet.D) She was taught by her granddaughter at home.4. What will happen to Mrs. Ochs on Friday?A) She will attend her graduation ceremony.B) Her son and others will hold a birthday party for her.C) She will meet her granddaughter at the graduation ceremony.D) She and her son will celebrate their Thanksgiving holiday together.5. What can be inferred from the passage?A) Nola Ochs has set up a remarkable example as a lifetime learner.B) The Guinness Book of World Records will accept Nola Ochs application.C) Nola Ochs will become the oldest university graduate on Friday.D) The degree Nola Ochs will get is very important for her life and work.3. Listening to English newsAudio script & keyReporter: In Vail, Arizona, a new school with a new idea: no textbooks. While other students might be reading books, Empire students will read on their laptops. Jeremy Gypton, a history teacher at Empire High School in Vail, Arizona. Mr. Gypton, tell us about the assignment that youve already given, that might otherwise have involved a textbook, but 1) in this case involves a computer.Mr. Gypton: Well, with the, with history I try to use as many primary source documents as possible. I actually just recently had my students, studying.my American History students, studying the French-Indian War and its 2) impact. And that sort of document is just not 3) available in a traditional textbook, I would have to say, Go online or go to a library and find a copy, whereas with the laptops and with the 4) resources theyre using, they have immediate access to it.Reporter: 5) Whats the point here? Is it to get to primary sources or is it to use a 6) medium that youngsters today are more familiar with? How do you, how do you describe what you are doing?Mr. Gypton: When it comes to our, I guess, our 7) reasoning, these are the students whove grown up with the computer, with the Internet, er, as, as kind of organic to their environment. Its not an add-on, like it, like it was to me. And this is 8) normal for them. And so, limiting them, by like sort of a traditional, maybe thousand-page textbook is, 9) from their perspective, I think a little bit abnormal, because they are used to being able to reach out, and view one topic from 20 different angles, as 10) opposed to just the one angle that a textbook would present. Reporter: Jeremy Gypton, thank you very much for talking with you.Mr. Gypton: Thanks so much for your time.III. Follow-up1. Listening to short conversationsAudio script & key1. W: Mr. Williams, where did you receive your Bachelors degree in engineering?M: From Iowa University. And I am now working on my Masters. Thats part of the reason I applied for this position. W: Oh, thats a good engineering college. You have very impressive qualifications. Q: Whats the man doing?A) He is taking an entrance examination.B) He is working as an engineer.C) He is receiving his Bachelors degree.D) He is at a job interview.2. W: Mr. Carlson, I tried to memorize the script but I keep forgetting the lines. Im worried. I might be a burden to the cast if I keep forgetting them during the rehearsals. M: Look, Jane, you will be just fine if you stop putting so much pressure on yourself. Practice makes perfect, and Im sure you will get them in no time. Q: What does the man suggest the woman do?A) He suggests the woman keep trying until she gets it right.B) He suggests the woman take a break.C) He suggests he may be able to help her practise her lines.D) He suggests that the woman give up if she is always having these problems.3. W: Im going to Professor Wilsons office to ask for his help. Do you want to join in? M: I tell you what. Ill study in the lab by myself, and see how it goes. Self-education! Dont you remember what the instructor has always suggested? W: Yes, but thats for advanced learners. We are still at the intermediate level!Q: What does the woman advise the man to do?A) To ask for help from advanced learners.B) To receive assistance from the teacher.C) To study by himself in the lab.D) To join in at the intermediate level.4.M: How long has your husband been studying Chinese culture?W: Him? Forever. He has been totally caught up in it since high school when we first met.M: No kidding! So many years!W: He always says one is never too old to learn.Q: What can you learn about the womans husband?A) He has been teaching in high school for a long time.B) He is completely lost in a foreign culture.C) He thinks he will never get old.D) He wants to keep learning all his life.5. M: Education is of no use to us. Look, Ive got a great ideawe can form a new school of artistic movement.W: You must have lost your mind. Artists usually get rich after they die, I mean, its an accumulation stuff. M: Trust me, that way we will be rich and famous in two years. W: Theres a mental clinic around the corner down the street. Q: What does the woman mean?A) It will take them many years to get rich and famous.B) Theres a new school of artistic movement around the corner.C) The mans idea is not feasible at all.D) The man has gone mentally insane.2. Listening to a longer conversationAudio script & keyMike: Oh, Lily, I cant concentrate. Dont you think learning is painful? Lily: Well, Mike, it can be pleasant if you develop your own learning style. Mike: Learning style? What do you mean?Lily: Learning style is the way you acquire skills and information. We all use our sense of sight, hearing or touch to learn. Mike: So, whats the difference? Lily: Many of us favour one of these senses more than the others. For example, some like to use their eyes to observe, to get new information.Mike: Yeah. I know you can easily get absorbed in a book for hours. And you are fond of reading wherever you go. Lily: Thats right. Do you remember my brother Ted? Mike: Of course. He likes neither writing nor reading. But he is a good listener. He always remembers what he has heard. Lily: Ted enjoys group discussions, for he learns best by listening. I like to read a passage while he prefers to listen to the reading of it on a radio programme. Mike: Right, he hates reading and taking notes. By the way, I hate reading, too. So am I the same style as Ted?Lily: Er. .1 dont think so. You have difficulty both in reading and listening for a long time. Mike: So, do you have any idea about which group I belong to? Lily: I think you like to use your sense of touch. I still remember you taking my computer apart to see how it works. You learn best through feel and experience. Mike: That makes sense. I always tend to practise doing things, and then to think for myself. Thank you, Lily, now I know what I should do to learn effectively. Lily: Anytime.1. What is NOT mentioned in the text as a style of learning?A) Hearing.B) Smelling.C) Touching.D) Reading.2. How does Lily define learning style?A) It means getting absorbed in books.B) It means observing to get new information.C) It means practising to learn knowledge.D) It means acquiring knowledge in ones favourite way.3. What do Lily and Mike say about Ted, Lilys brother?A) Ted enjoys discussion with others.B) Ted prefers reading to listening.C) Ted likes to feel and experience. ,.D) Ted prefers taking notes.4. Why does Lily think Mike likes to use his sense of touch to learn?A) Because Mike often listens to the radio.B) Because Mike cant concentrate on his studies.G) Because Mike once took a computer apart to make observations. D) Because Mike can remember what others say.5. Whats the main point Lily is trying to make?A) Mikes learning style is to use his sense of touch to learn.B) Lily herself is good at learning from books.C) Different people should develop their own suitable learning styles.D) Learning by discussion is more effective.3. Listening o a passageAudio script & keyHardship CampsOn a very cold winter day, a group of children travelled long distances and arrived at a small island where nobody lived. After setting up a camp, they caught fish in the sea, and trod on the snow in search of firewood, wild fruit and fresh water: Then they made a fire to prepare a meal. After the meal was done, they sat together, and enjoyed it. They were neither homeless children nor modern-day Crusoes. They were all pupils from a primary school and campers at a special hardship camp, which is regarded as a new form of education.Every year primary and middle schools in this town organize such camps to develop childrens ability to undergo hardship. Such places as thick forests and far-off mountains are often chosen as campsites. Every time before the camp is organized, the organizers make lots of preparations to ensure safety.It is reported that such camps are warmly received by both schools and parents. Educational experts generally consider it necessary to give children opportunities to suffer hardship. Most of them think it makes up for a field that normal educati