解放军文职招聘考试 Studying difference学习差异

  Studying difference学习差异

I always knew that China had a different education system to America. But, I did not know just how different our schools were. This summer, an American classmate and I spent a week in Tianjin No 2 Middle School. There we realized that there are major differences between students in China and the United States.

In the US, we have many college entrance examinations but extracurricular (课外的) activities and experiences are also considered important when applying for college. We could not imagine having class in the summer, nor could we imagine being in a class with 50 students. Most classes in the United States have 29 students at most and we often joke with our teachers and classmates.

In English class, Chinese students study grammar and practice listening comprehension most of the time. In the US, our language classes include a lot about the culture of the country whose language we are studying. Also, during these classes we can only speak in the language we are studying.

What struck us the most was how they specialized their studies in Senior 2. Students who choose to major in the humanities (人文科学) do not take any science classes. Students who choose to major in the sciences do not take any history or geography classes. But in US high schools, students are required to take all the major subjects: history, science, maths, a foreign language and literature. Most American students enjoy studying a broad range of subjects which allows them to have an interest in sciences, history and music, for example.

Yet, specialization allows Chinese students to have a much more in depth knowledge base than American students. As we sat in their maths and science classes, we were astounded at (惊讶于) the level of difficulty. We were taken aback when they told us that in maths class, they never use calculators. In the US, we always use calculators. We could never imagine doing all those calculations by hand!

The best part about Chinese education is the focus on very neat, readable handwriting. Unfortunately, in the States too many people do not write well. The worst part is that both the males and females must have short hair. This made it very difficult for us to tell the difference between the guys and girls from the back of the room where we sat.

Yet, learning about the many differences between these two education systems was rewarding. If asked to visit that classroom again, my answer would definitely be yes.

I Aims and Demands（教学目的和要求）

To learn a passage—Studying Difference and let the students know the differences between Chinese education and American education.

ⅡKey Points and Special Difficulties（重点和难点）

Key points:

1) to describe Chinese schools

2) to grasp some useful words and expressions

at most, apply for, strike, specialize, major in, literature, calculation, focus, rewarding, definitely

Special difficulties: to learn the differences between Chinese students and American students

Ⅲ Teaching Aids and Approaches（教具及教学方法）

Multi-media, Task-based approach and the integrated approach  

Ⅳ Brief Teaching Procedures（教学过程）

Step1 Lead-in（导入新课）

Every country has its own education system. What differences do you think there are between American schools and Chinese schools?

Step2 Fast reading（快速阅读）   

Read fast and answer（快速阅读并回答下列问题）:

In what ways are Chinese schools different from American schools?

Keys（参考答案）:

Class size, language learning, taking subjects, calculators, handwriting and hair style. 

Step3 Careful reading（细读）    

1. Find out the words or phrases from among those underlined that best match the meanings or the explanations below.

1) (power of) understanding: _______________

2) small electronic device for working out number problems in maths ______________

3) more important; great(er) _____________ 

4) clearly without any doubt ______________

5)very much surprised _______________

(comprehension; calculator; major; definitely; taken back)

2. Fill in the following chart according to the passage.

3. Pay attention to the following sentences.

1) We could not imagine having class in the summer, nor could we imagine being in a class with 50 students.

2) What struck us the most was how they specialized their studies in Senior 2.

3) Specialization allows Chinese students to have a much more in depth knowledge base than American students.

Chinese students are ahead of American students in knowledge depth because they specialized their lessons.

4) This made it very difficult for us to tell the difference between the guys and girls from the back of the room where we sat. 

Step5 Classroom activities（课堂活动）  

Work in groups of four and discuss:

If you have a choice between an American education style and a Chinese one, which would you choose? Why?

Step6 Homework  （作业）

Write a passage about the differences between American schools and Chinese schools.

Step7 Assessment（评价）

Words and expressions

1. strike  vt. 给予……印象                            2. specialize v. 专门研究，专攻

3. literature  n. 文学                                      4. focus n. 焦点；重心

5. rewarding  adj. 值得的                               6. calculation  n. 计算

7. definitely  adv. 一定地，必定地                  8. at most 至多

9. apply for 申请                                             10. major in 主修

11. tell the difference between… and…  区别