节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-07-09
难易度:Medium
关键字:profitably, attach, significance, priority, motor skills, coordination


























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Today we are continuing a conversation between Jack and Jim on whether or not
handwriting is necessary.
Well, Jim thinks that it is very profitable to spend your time learning how to
write things by hand.
But Jack doesn't agree because typing things can make it much more convenient to
share documents with other people.
You can just attach it to an email, and then they have a copy, too.
Well, let's continue this conversation in the next part of our reading for
today.
Handwriting: Necessary or Not?
Certainly, typing has its uses, but teaching kids to type doesn't mean we can't
focus on handwriting.
And don't forget its historical significance.
What do you mean?
Well, if you aren't familiar with handwriting, it's difficult to read historical
documents or even old letters from your grandparents.
How often do we do that, though?
You'd be surprised.
Wouldn't it be a shame if that skill died out and no one could read them?
I guess.
But I still think typing should be the priority for students.
I guess Jack and Jim are just going to have to agree to disagree.
Well, what is Jim's first line here in this section, Carolyn?
Well, Jim agrees at first about typing and Jack's point:
Certainly, typing has its uses, but teaching kids to type doesn't mean we can't
focus on handwriting.
Well, yes. It doesn't mean we shouldn't focus on handwriting.
I see Jim's point here.
And how does Jim continue?
And don't forget its historical significance.
What do you mean?
Well, that's Jack's line here.
But we need to take a look at what that word means from our Word Bank:
significance.
That means how important something is, its importance, how unique it is.
All right.
So what is one way you could use that word "significance"?
Well, what is this significance of handwriting?
Or, what is the significance of the essay you have written?
Why is it important?
What is the point of your essay?
What is the point?
What's the significance?
Maybe something is really important to you.
Ah, maybe you love coffee.
You can share with someone about the significance of coffee in your life and
what it does for you.
So, significance.
How significant is something to you?
And Jim is talking here about the historical significance of handwriting.
Jack says: What do you mean?
Well, if you aren't familiar with handwriting, it's difficult to read historical
documents or even old letters from your grandparents.
And I think this is pretty true.
I know that when I read someone else's handwriting, if I'm not familiar with the
way they write, it can be a little bit difficult for me to read.
And actually, when I was learning Chinese, it's really hard for me to read
handwritten Chinese.
I can really only read it if it's been typed.
Interesting.
So you think that maybe if you had learned how to read handwritten Chinese
better, you could recognize more things?
Well, I didn't really learn how to write Chinese by hand.
OK.
I learned how to type Chinese.
So maybe I should practice my handwriting for Chinese.
And then you can be able to read written documents, documents that are written
by a hand.
Well, I can see Jim's point here a little better now.
You need to be familiar with handwriting in order to read cool historical
documents or things that maybe even your grandparents wrote.
Well, Jack says: How often do we do that, though?
You'd be surprised.
Wouldn't it be a shame if that skill died out and no one could read them?
It would be a shame if we couldn't read the letters that our grandparents wrote
or their journals or diaries.
But let's look at that phrase there: a shame, for something to be a shame.
What does that mean, Gabe?
Well, that means that it would be a pity.
It would be really sad.
It would be a shame.
For instance, you could use this to express disappointment in something.
I... I invited you to the party.
It would be a shame if you couldn't come to the party.
I really want you to be there.
It would be such a shame if you can't make it.
That's right.
It would also be a shame if you couldn't join me on this trip.
I've been planning for so long to go on this vacation.
It would be a shame if you couldn't come, too.
And we've been talking about this phrase "to be a shame" so much, it would be a
shame if you didn't know how to use it now.
Well, I think you should try using it sometime today: to be a shame.
Well, Jack continues:
I guess.
But I still think typing should be the priority for students.
Oh, that Jack.
Well, let's take a look at that word from our Word Bank.
It is "priority." Carolyn, what's a priority?
Well, a priority means that it is the most important thing.
Maybe it's at the top of your list of things to do, number one on your list.
But if something is a priority, it is the most important.
So what are your priorities?
Do you have priorities for your life?
Maybe even just for today, what are your priorities, Gabe?
What are my priorities?
Well, of course you might have a list of priorities that you need to do every
day, things that are important to do every day.
Usually I write those out when I get to the office.
I write a list of things that I need to do.
At the very top is my first priority.
I need to get that done first.
So what is on your list of priorities?
Of course maybe you don't like just talking about your day's priorities.
Can you use this word in other ways?
Well, you can talk about your priorities in life.
What are your goals?
What are the most important things for you to do with your life, or maybe
important things for you to accomplish or go see?
Maybe it is a priority for you to go to church each week.
Mmhm. Well, what is a priority for you?
Do you like to do things and accomplish things?
Or many people are a priority in your life.
You like to invest in relationships.
Well, think about that.
It's time for us to enjoy a review skit right now.
And then spend some time with Michelle in the Language Lab.
I am writing a letter by hand.
I am typing a letter on the computer.
Writing by hand is an important skill.
Hmm, it's not as valuable as it used to be.
Now everything is done by computer.
Well, call me old-fashioned, but I like to write things by hand.
OK.
Old-fashioned, most people use a keyboard.
Sometimes you need to write by hand.
So be sure your writing is legible.
Printed papers look neater.
And you can use spell check.
Learn to spell!
Don't rely on the computer.
Learning to write is a waste of time.
What?! It improves motor skills and coordination.
True, but there are better ways.
Besides, typing has other benefits.
Like what?
Documents are easier to share.
It's easier to keep in touch.
OK, OK. Typing has its uses, but focusing on handwriting is important, too.
Well, I think typing should be the priority.
There.
I finished writing my letter by hand.
And I finished typing my letter.
It's for you!
Oh.
Well, I'll attach it in an email.
But I don't have a computer.
Oops.
Uh... oh, well, here's my letter to you.
Wow! Your handwriting is beautiful.
Yeah.
But I can't read it.
OK.
(Chinese).
And now back to our lesson.
Well, we've enjoyed a great conversation between two friends, Jack and Jim,
about how important handwriting is.
Now what about you?
Do you like to write things out more by hand?
Or do you maybe type things more on the computer?
What about you, Carolyn?
Do you write more by hand or type?
Well, I think that if I'm in a hurry, I like to type things because I can type
faster than I can write things out by hand.
But I think that I actually write things down more often than I type.
Interesting.
Well, I think I type more.
But if I want to do something special for someone, then often I'll use... I'll
use my hand.
I'll write something out by hand.
Make a nice card or something.
Well, thank you for joining us for today's lesson.
And of course, we'll see you next time right here on Studio Classroom.
See you.