Chapter 1

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Chapter 1: Education and Student LifeChapter 1: Education and Student Life

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Part 1 Part 1 Education: A Reflection of SocietyEducation: A Reflection of Society

Strategy: Getting meaning from contextStrategy: Getting meaning from context1. On the one hand, there are many advantages to this system. On the other hand, there are also several drawbacks.

on the one hand = from one point of viewon the other hand = from another point of view

2. In a number of countries, education is both compulsory – required – and universal, available to every one, at least in primary school (elementary school)

compulsory = required

universal = available to everyone

primary school = elementary school

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Strategy: Getting meaning from Strategy: Getting meaning from contextcontext

3. There are many more schools in cities than in rural areas.

rural = country, or not urban

4. Public schools are all both free and egalitarian; all students are considered equal and learn the same material.

egalitarian = equal

5. College students need great discipline; in order to make time for their studies, they need the self-control to give up hobbies, sports, and social life.

discipline = self-control

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Strategy: Getting meaning from Strategy: Getting meaning from contextcontext

6. Results on these exams affect the entire family because there is high status, or social position, for a whole family in which children have high test scores.

entire = whole

status = social position

7. Students themselves decide if they want college-preparatory or vocational classes in high school; no national exam determines this for them.

determines = decides

Previewing the Topic (p. 4)Previewing the Topic (p. 4)

• Where is each scene taking place? What is happening?

• What might be similar about education in these countries? Make guesses.

• What might be different about education in these countries? Make guesses.

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Read the first paragraph on page 7 and identify the topic of this

paragraph.

Understanding Reading StructureUnderstanding Reading Structure

1.F

2.C

3.E

4.B

5.D

6.A6

Skimming for the Topic and Skimming for the Topic and Main IdeaMain Idea

• To skim, read the title and any subheadings, look at any photos and diagrams, read the first two and the last two sentences of each paragraph, read quickly, and don’t read every word.

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Skimming for the Topic and Skimming for the Topic and Main IdeaMain Idea

• The topic of the paragraph = what the paragraph is all about. – This is a noun or noun phrase – NOT a sentence!!– The topic is a part of a main idea.– See page 12

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Identifying the Main IdeaIdentifying the Main Idea

• A reading passage may include many subordinate ideas, but there is only one main idea.

• Your main idea should tell the author’s idea about the whole reading, not just part of the reading.– Not too general and too specific.

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The main point, thought, or opinion that the author has about the topic.

Identifying the Main IdeaIdentifying the Main Idea

• The main idea is usually stated in a sentence or sentences in the first paragraphs of a reading. However, it is possible that the main idea may not appear at all because the author does not state it directly in the text.

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Identifying the Main IdeaIdentifying the Main Idea

Paragraph A:

The educational system is a mirror that reflects the culture.

Paragraph F:

It is clear that each educational system is a reflection of the

larger culture – both positive and negative aspects of its

economy, values, and social structure.

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Organizing Information: Organizing Information: Using a T-ChartUsing a T-Chart

• One way to organize the information in the readings

that present both positive and negative aspects of

something is a T-chart.

• This chart allows you to better assimilate and recall

information at a later date.

The reason why it is called a T-chart because it is shaped like the

letter T.

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Organizing information:Organizing information:Using a T-chartUsing a T-chart

Mexico• education is free,

compulsory, and universal

• supports national unity

• leads to social, economic,

and cultural improvement

NegativePositive Mexico• difficult to provide education in

rural areasnot enough schools or

teacherssome native people don’t

include school attendance

(=they don’t go to school)

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Organizing information:Organizing information:Using a T-chartUsing a T-chart

Japan• 88% finish high school

• public schools are free

and egalitarian

• children with high test

scores bring high status to

family

NegativePositive Japan• difficult exams•students need discipline

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Organizing information:Organizing information:Using a T-chartUsing a T-chart

Britain• all state school – primary,

secondary, and universities

– are free• the first 9 years are

egalitarian• graduates from good

universities get best jobs

NegativePositive Britain• students take national exam at

age 11• half of Oxford/Cambridge

students come from upper-class

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Organizing information:Organizing information:Using a T-chartUsing a T-chart

US• primary and secondary

schools are free• 80% are high school

graduates• students decide on

college or vocational classes• 60% attend college• adults also attend college

NegativePositive US• schools are not equal• problems in U.S. school• schools in poor areas receive

less money

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Checking your vocabularyChecking your vocabulary

1. constitution

2. native / indigenous people

3. isolated

4. vocational

5. afford

6. tuition

7. aspects

UnderstandingUnderstanding“Politically Correct” Language“Politically Correct” Language• Politically correct (or PC) language is a term used

to describe a language that is regarded as “correct” because it tires not to offend people.

• It is an attempt to use language that shows respect for different people, cultures, physical characteristics, and lifestyles.

• Many people attempt to use this language as a sign of respect, but some feel that they have to be too careful and that “things have gone too far.”

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UnderstandingUnderstanding“Politically Correct” Language“Politically Correct” Language

Words and PhrasesWords and Phrases Politically Correct Words Politically Correct Words and Phrasesand Phrases

Worst Least BestHousewife Domestic Engineer

Unemployed Involuntarily LeisuredUgly Under-attractive

Waiter/Waitress WaitronIncorrect Alternative answer

Other (funny) examples

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Education in North America Education in North America and Asiaand Asia

Example• The blind student couldn’t cross the street.• The visually challenged student couldn’t cross the

street.

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““How do you feel about using different How do you feel about using different terms in the same context?”terms in the same context?”

““Can you think of any PC terms in your Can you think of any PC terms in your native language?”native language?”

UnderstandingUnderstanding“Politically Correct” Language“Politically Correct” Language

Example• The blind student couldn’t cross the street.• The visually changed student couldn’t cross the

street.

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““How do you feel about using different How do you feel about using different terms in the same context?”terms in the same context?”

““Can you think of any PC terms in your Can you think of any PC terms in your native language?”native language?”

Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Chicken: Still China? Chicken: Still China?

Previewing the text:• What does the title of “Buicks, Starbucks and

Fried Chicken: Still China?” suggest about the topic of the reading? What might the main idea be?

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Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Chicken: Still China? Chicken: Still China?

Read the four sentences below. Put a check mark next to the sentence that best expresses the main idea of this article.__A. Today’s Chinese dislike U.S. products and American-style stores.__B. The reading is about shopping in China.__C. Many Chinese like to shop at supermarkets.__D. American businesses and culture are becoming popular in China

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Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Chicken: Still China? Chicken: Still China?

Match each of the sentences above that you did not choose with one of the following descriptions. Put the letter of the sentence next to the appropriate description. ____ This sentence is too general. It only tells what the reading is about.____ This sentence is too specific. It tells only about one idea in the reading.____ This sentence could be a main idea sentence, but it’s untrue, according to the reading.

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Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Buicks, Starbucks and Fried Chicken: Still China? Chicken: Still China?

Reread the first five paragraphs of the reading. Find and underline one or more sentences that best express the overall main idea of the reading. - Does more than one sentence state the main idea?- Does the main idea sentence appear in the first paragraph of the reading?

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HomeworkHomework

1. Exercise 1 (p.18) and 2 (p.19)2. Read an article on page 27-29. Circle words

that you do not know and find the meaning. 3. Reread the article “Buicks, Starbucks and

Fried Chicken: Still China?” and study words which are underlined with dots.

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