节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-05-21
难易度:Low
关键字:elementary, complicated, confused, despite, elective
Today we are continuing our article New Kid on the Block.
Now we've been learning about Irene's class schedule.
It sounds a little bit complicated.
And her mom was very confused by it because her classes are different every day.
She might have one class in the morning, and then on the next day it will be in
the afternoon.
It sounds like quite a challenge.
Well, we're going to learn some more about her experience at an American junior
high school in the next reading for today.
(Music).
New Kid on the Block.
Students attend seven classes each day.
Every student has different classes from the others depending on their
electives.
Some study Spanish; some learn French.
Classes end at 2:40, and the school bus takes the students home.
So far, Irene has missed the school bus twice and gone to the wrong class once.
But I think she likes her new school.
This new kid on the block is finding her way despite the language barrier.
We can only stand beside her, support her and look forward to a great school
year!
(Music).
Well, it sounds like the role of a parent is to stand by your child and to
support them when they're at school.
Well, let's go to the beginning of this section.
We read: Students attend seven classes each day.
Well, Carolyn, that sounds normal to me, about seven classes, right?
Yeah, seven classes is pretty normal for one day at school because school is
usually six or seven hours.
So that does sound about right.
OK. Maybe some schools have eight or nine classes every day.
But here Irene has seven classes every day.
Every student has different classes from the others depending on their
electives.
So that's also very unique or special about the American school system that you
have electives.
And every student might have different classes depending on these electives.
Carolyn, what is an elective?
Well, an elective is something that you choose yourself, so.
Many schools, especially large schools or schools in large cities, have extra
classess that you can choose to take.
Most of the time you are required to take math, English, history, those sorts of
classes.
But then you can also choose electives, maybe a language or another interesting
class like art or music.
That's what I remember taking in high school.
The elective that I chose... actually I chose a couple of different music
classes for my electives.
So what kinds of electives are offered at your school?
Maybe you don't have any.
But as you can see, Irene could take some electives.
So we continue with the lesson.
Some study Spanish; some learn French.
So every school is different.
What foreign language does your school offer?
That's right.
Here we see Spanish and French are offered here.
And I think that Steve and Ken have something they'd like to share with us about
studying a foreign language.
Hey, Steve.
Don't you think it's incredible that the education system in America still
doesn't require middle school and high school students to study a foreign
language.
Well, it is a shame, Ken, because when you study a second language, you benefit
yourself in so many ways.
Some ways you might be aware of, and some maybe not.
Here are a few.
First, studying a foreign language increases your global understanding.
It shows you that there are different ways of thinking.
You get a different perspective of life.
So it forces you to look out beyond yourself.
But a foreign language also compels you to look inward, too.
Right.
Studies show that knowing a foreign language increases your understanding of
your own culture - and that includes your native language.
Thirdly, knowing a foreign language increases your chances of getting into a
better school, going abroad to study and then later, getting a better job.
Next, remember that foreign languages help you to appreciate foreign books,
movies and music.
And finally, perhaps the best reason to study a foreign language - it helps you
to make new, lifelong friends like everyone here at Studio Classroom, your
friend for life.
(Chinese).
Well, I think it is very important to be able to learn a foreign language that
can help in lots of areas in life.
Let's continue with this lesson.
Classes end at 2:40, and the school bus takes the students home.
Well, that's kind of special.
Do you ride a school bus to and from your school?
Carolyn, did you ever do this?
Well, I did when I was in high school.
My elementary school and middle school, or junior high school, were close enough
that I could walk.
But the high school was kind of far away, so I would take the bus every morning
and then every afternoon when school was over.
All right.
And we see here that this school ended at 2:40.
That may seem pretty amazing to you because 2:40 is still pretty early in the
day.
I know a lot of schools in Asia, maybe you don't get out until five or six in
the evening.
So this is a big difference.
It is a big difference.
And that's even earlier than when I used to get out of school.
Usually my classes would end around 3:00 or 3:15.
Wow! So 2:40 is really early.
Well, we continue.
So far, Irene has missed the school bus twice and gone to the wrong class once.
I'm sure that Irene was probably a little nervous on those days about missing
the school bus and going to the wrong class.
But she did OK.
Let's take a look at a phrase there at the beginning of that sentence: so far.
Carolyn, how would you use these words "so far"?
Well, "so far" just means that up to this time or up to this point.
So we see here that so far, Irene has missed the bus twice and gone to the wrong
class once.
But that just means that up to this time, that's what happened.
Maybe she will miss the bus again in the future.
All right.
Well, how can you use this phrase "so far"?
You're doing a great job today.
So far so good.
Also, so far we've talked about three words from our Word Bank, but later we'll
talk about another one.
First let's take a look at this other sentence:
But I think she likes her new school.
It's good that she's getting used to her new school.
It is a great thing that she's getting used to her new school.
And we see that this new kid on the block is finding her way despite the
language barrier.
So she is trying to find her way around despite this the language barrier
because English is not her first language.
No, it's not.
But let's take a look at this important word here from the Word Bank: despite.
This means because... or not because of; this means even though.
So even though there's a language barrier, she's still going to do something.
So how else can you use that word?
Well, I might say: Despite having a cold, I still went in to work today.
Well, despite you having a cold, I don't know if that was a good idea.
Oh, you're right.
That's good.
That's maybe a good thing to think about.
You don't necessarily want to go in to work if you have a cold.
But you also might say: Despite the hot weather, she still ran a marathon.
I can't believe it.
Even though the weather was hot, she still did it.
Well, we're going to take a look at the Grammar Gym and what Liz has to share
with us right now.
Hi there, friends.
Thanks for joining me here at the Grammar Gym.
My name is Liz.
In today's article we read:
This new kid on the block is finding her way despite the language barrier.
That's our Grammar Tip sentence.
And today we're looking at the phrase: to find one's way.
Normally "to find one's way" means to figure out how to move from one place to
another place.
But in today's sentence, the phrase means figuring things out.
In other words, this new kid on the block is figuring things out despite the
language barrier.
OK. Let's have a look at some example sentences.
Jason would not have found his way in the corporate world if he hadn't followed
his father's advice.
Or: With good common sense and a positive working attitude, Janet is finding her
way in her new job.
Want more example sentences?
Then check out today's Grammar Tip section in your magazine.
And that's it for today.
This is Liz from the Grammar Gym.
See you next time.
In the last sentence here Pauline writes:
We can only stand beside her, support her and look forward to a great school
year!
So it sounds like they're going to have a really great time in the United
States.
I think they are.
Well, let's continue right now learning something with Michelle in the Language
Lab.
OK.
(Chinese).
And now let's get back to the lesson.
We've been learning all about Irene and how she's been adjusting to going to a
new school, a school outside of her original culture, in the United States.
Well, how would you feel about going to a new school?
Maybe you've never been to a new school.
You've never been a transfer student.
What do you think would be the hardest part about doing this?
Carolyn?
Well, I think it would be very hard to make new friends.
It's always difficult to move to a place where you don't know anyone.
And trying to make good friends can be kind of challenging.
That's right.
Well, I think there are many things you might need to adjust to.
Friends, if you want more information about the United States education system,
there is a little fact on page 35 of your magazine.
Well, thank you for joining us here today.
And we will see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
See you then.