18.4.050610_2.Education Report

EDUCATION REPORT - GraduationsBy Jeri WatsonBroadcast: May 29, 2003This is the VOA Special English Education Report.May and June are the months when most graduation ceremonies take place in the United States. Young people traditionally take part in ceremonies as they finish high school or college. But some are as young as four or five years old. These children are honored for finishing pre-school or kindergarten programs.Still others may be students completing their education in their old age. Every year, men and women older than age seventy or eighty receive diplomas or degrees. These documents are evidence that they have graduated.Traditionally, the school’s directors present the diplomas or degrees. Also, the graduates often wear traditional caps and gowns over their clothing. Most graduation ceremonies in the United States have a speaker who presents the commencement address.For example, President Bush recently spoke at the University of South Carolina. Mister Bush used the speech as a chance to propose a free trade area in the Middle East.Vice President Dick Cheney spoke to graduates of the Agricultural School at the University of Missouri at Columbia. He told students that he had not studied enough when he was first in college. But he said that he received a second chance to finish his studies and graduate. He called America “the country of second chances.”Former President Bill Clinton spoke to students at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. Mister Clinton told them he wanted them to do well in life. But he said he also wanted them to do good.Actors and other entertainers also are popular graduation speakers. For example, comic actor Bill Cosby spoke to students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Actor Michael J. Fox spoke to medical school graduates of the University of Miami in Florida. He urged them to care deeply about research. Mister Fox has Parkinson’s disease.Many colleges and universities have their own graduation traditions. For example, graduates of the United States Naval Academy throw their military hats in the air. This custom celebrates their becoming Navy or Marine Corps officers. Guests at the ceremonies at the school in Annapolis, Maryland, then are welcome to take the hats home. This Education Report was written by Jerilyn Watson.Email this article to a friendPrinter Friendly Version。

EDUCATION REPORT - New Book Compares Education Systems Around the WorldBy Nancy SteinbachBroadcast: Thursday, June 30, 2005I’m Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Education Report.A new book by two professors at Pennsylvania State University compares public education systems around the world. The book is called “National Differences, Global Similarities: World Culture and the Future of Schooling.”David Baker and Gerald LeTendre led a group of researchers who gathered information on about fifty countries. Some findings came from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. That study took place in nineteen ninety-four and again five years later.The professors say education is increasingly shaped by what they call "transnational forces." Officials in many countries are concerned about how their students compare with students in other countries.Each part of the book develops a different subject researched in schools around the world. One of the subjects is violence among students. The professors say countries with the most school violence include Hungary, Romania and the Philippines.They say the United States is somewhere in the middle, above nations like New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Spain and Australia. The findings are based on reports from students.Professor Baker says inequalities in educational systems act as an influence. He says schools that are sharply divided between "winners and losers" in math have higher levels of violence. "This does not mean that nations should stop trying to raise scores," he says. "But they should be careful to raise the performance among all students."Also, the researchers often found no connection between national performance andthe average amount of homework given in a nation. Teachers generally give little homework in countries with the highest average test scores, such as Japan, the Czech Republic and Denmark. But the professors say teachers in countries with low average test scores like Thailand, Greece and Iran often give lots of homework.Yet the authors say most teachers worldwide could learn to make better use of homework. Children are mostly given material to remember. But conditions at home, especially in poorer families, may not support the kind of environment needed to do such work.This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. Our reports are on the Web at . I’m Gwen Outen.Date Last Modified on Saturday, July 02, 2005 By UNSV.。

EDUCATION REPORT - Maryland Educator Is Named National Teacher of the Year By Nancy SteinbachBroadcast: Thursday, May 04, 2006I'm Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Education Report.A twenty-nine-year-old kindergarten teacher from Maryland has been named National Teacher of the Year. On June first she will begin a year as a national and international spokeswoman for education.Kimberly Oliver is the first National Teacher of the Year from her state. She teaches five-year-old children at a public school in Silver Spring, Maryland, near Washington,D.C. President Bush honored her and other top teachers last week at the White House.Kimberly Oliver says she wants people to understand that the firstyears of a child's life are the most important for learning. She saysinvesting in children at a very young age will result in great gainslater in school and in life.She urges parents to read to children from an early age so they donot fall behind in school. One of the activities at her school is anevent called "Books and Supper Night." Families read together atthe school and receive free books to take home. Parents, childrenand teachers also eat dinner together. Broad Acres Elementary School is in a poor area. Many of the parents are immigrants with limited English. Kimberly Oliver has helped improve learning at her school.She has received money to buy electronic learning systems, tape players and books in English and Spanish to send home with students. Parents say she has shown them how to help their children at home.She was born and raised in Delaware. She holds one degree in English and another in elementary education.Kimberly Oliver will follow in the steps of another teacher from the Washington area asNational Teacher of the Year. The current winner, Jason Kamras, was honored for his workteaching math to middle school students in the nation's capital.Kimberly Oliver and President Bush on April 26, 2006The National Teacher of the Year program began in nineteen fifty-two. It is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers, with support from the publisher Scholastic and the financial services company ING.A fourteen-member committee chooses from among teachers honored as the best in their state.This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. Read and listen to our reports at . Now here is a message for teachers:If you teach with Special English, let us know. Tell us how, and for what ages and subjects. And don't forget to tell us where you are from. Write to special@. I'm Steve Ember.。

一、What is education?There are many opinions about education given by some scientists , artists , philosophers…..such as,Education with life began. When we perceive personality has been established, then the next instruction before it is hard to get moving it and change。

——(English) Shakespeare教育随生命开始。

在我们察觉个性已建立之前，后来的教诲已很难将它移动及改变。

——莎士比亚The largest the secret of education: to make exercise and thinking exercise mutual adjust.——(France)Rousseau教育的最大的秘诀是：使身体锻炼和思想锻炼互相调剂。

——卢梭The goal should be to cultivate the independent action and independent thinking of personal, but they will get the service to the society as oneself life highest goal."——Einstein学校的目标应当是培养有独立行动和独立思考的个人，不过他们要把为社会服务看作是自己人生的最高目标。

”——爱因斯坦Education is to help persons learn to think, to make independent, judgment, and as a responsible citizens' participation in work. ——(America)Robert Maynard Hutchins教育就是帮助学生学会自己思考，作出独立的判断，并作为一个负责的公民参加工作。

Expand Your Skills for Writing College PapersThis is the VOA Learning English Education Report.Many students say there is no easy way to write college papers. This may be especially true if English is not your first language. Most teachers agree that there is no single "correct" way to create a personal essay or a research paper. But there are methods to help you structure your papers.One way often used to structure writing is the traditional five-paragraph essay. Many students learn this form in middle and high school. The paragraphs follow conventions, or established rules.Many students say there is no easy way to write college papers. This may be especially true if English is not your first language.The first paragraph is introductory. It tells the reader what the paper is about. It is followed by three paragraphs containing evidence that support the writer's argument. The final paragraph is the conclusion. It provides a reasoned opinion based on the evidence.Allison Cummings teaches English at Southern New Hampshire University. She is among many professors who find this form too simple for college work.Still, on the positive side, Ms. Cummings says the five-paragraph essay form teaches a student some tools for writing a paper. She says the form teaches the need for the opening statement, or thesis. This thesis tells the reader what will come next. In addition, students who have learned to write a five-paragraph essay know they must provide evidence. And Ms. Cummings says the writer will know a conclusion is required.But she also says the five-paragraph essay falls far short of college writing needs."Most of the subjects that students are asked to write about are going to involve more paragraphs, and more points, and more complexities."So, if a traditional method for structuring a research paper does not work, what steps can help you structure your writing? Ms. Cummings' students learn several ways learn to organize their papers. The pace at which they learn differs.Ms. Cummings says doing research for a paper helps some students in their writing. The teacher says noting the way the research is structured can help students organize their own writing."They'll read articles and see what other people argue about, whatever issue they're writing on, and get a sense of what the points are out there, what the debates are out there, and then let that structure what they come up with."Allison Cummings offers sample outlines – examples for organizing papers."If they want to use them, they are free to follow that kind of standard template..."Ms. Cummings also provides her students with examples of successful and unsuccessful student papers. That way, her class can see what works in a piece of writing and what does not.And that's the VOA Learning English Education Report. I'm Jeri Watson.______________________________________________________________Words in this Storyconvention –n. a custom or a way of acting or doing things that is widely accepted and followedintroductory –adj. providing information about something that is about to beginconclusion –n. a final decision or judgment: an opinion or decision that is formed after a period of thought or researchpositive –adj. good or usefulthesis –n. a statement that someone wants to discuss or provepace – n. the speed at which someone or something movesarticle –n. a piece of writing about a particular subject that is included in a magazine, newspaper, etc.Now it's your turn to use these Words in this Story. In the comments section, write a sentence using one of these words and we will provide feedback on your use of vocabulary and grammar.Class: Name:Expand Your Skills for Writing College PapersThis is the VOA Learning English Education Report.Many students say there is no easy way to write college papers. This may be especially true if English is not your first language. Most teachers agree that there is no single "correct" way to create a personal essay or a research paper. But there are methods to help you structure your papers.One way often used to structure writing is the traditional five-paragraph essay. Many students learn this form in middle and high school. The paragraphsfollow ________________, or established rules.Many students say there is no easy way to write college papers. This may be especially true if English is not your first language.The first paragraph is ______________. It tells the reader what the paper is about. It is followed by three paragraphs containing evidence that support the writer's argument. The final paragraph is the ____________. It provides a reasoned opinion based on the evidence.Allison Cummings teaches English at Southern New Hampshire University. She is among many professors who find this form too simple for college work.Still, on the _____________ side, Ms. Cummings says the five-paragraph essay form teaches a student some tools for writing a paper. She says the form teaches the need for the opening statement, or ____________. This thesis tells the reader what will come next. In addition, students who have learned to write a five-paragraph essay know they must provide evidence. And Ms. Cummings says the writer will know a conclusion is required.But she also says the five-paragraph essay falls far short of college writing needs."Most of the subjects that students are asked to write about are going to involve more paragraphs, and more points, and more complexities."So, if a traditional method for structuring a research paper does not work, what steps can help you structure your writing? Ms. Cummings' students learn several ways learn to organize their papers. The_____________at which they learn differs.Ms. Cummings says doing research for a paper helps some students in their writing. The teacher says noting the way the research is structured can help students organize their own writing."They'll read and see what other people argue about, whatever issue they're writing on, and get a sense of what the points are out there, what the debates are out there, and then let that structure what they come up with."Allison Cummings offers sample outlines – examples for organizing papers."If they want to use them, they are free to follow that kind of standard template..."Ms. Cummings also provides her students with examples of successful and unsuccessful student papers. That way, her class can see what works in a piece of writing and what does not.And that's the VOA Learning English Education Report. I'm Jeri Watson._____________________________________________________________。

EDUCATION REPORT — Teaching FellowsBy Jerilyn WatsonBroadcast: August 21, 2003This is the VOA Special English Education Report.New York City has the largest public school system in the United States. The city Department of Education operates one-thousand-two-hundred schools. Three years ago, the city badly needed more teachers. It especially needed good teachers to work in poor schools. To help deal with the teacher shortage, educators launched the New York City Teaching Fellows program.The program chose two-hundred-fifty people from other jobs to study to become classroom teachers.Today, more than three-thousand of these Teaching Fellows work in New York City schools. Most of them serve in the Bronx and Brooklyn areas of the city. They work in schools where students are performing poorly.Many of these Teaching Fellows teach mathematics, science or special education. Special education is for students who have learning disabilities or other problems. The schools have the greatest demand for teachers in these subjects.Teaching Fellows did not study education in college, like a lot of other teachers. They were lawyers, nurses, technology experts, business people and others. They prepare for their new occupation by taking intensive courses for about two months in the summer.During that time, they study educational ideas and methods. They also work in classrooms under supervision of people who have taught for years. They meet with advisors to discuss their progress. Then they begin work as teachers.While doing so, the Teaching Fellows also attend local universities to earn a master’s degree. These studies help them become accredited -- officially approved -- as teachers. Most of their expenses are paid through the program. The national service organization AmeriCorps also may help if its budget permits.Programs that put new teachers in classrooms faster than usual are spreading. Several communities have started them. For example, the city of Washington began a Teaching Fellows program in two-thousand-one.Many schools in the nation's capital have poor records and have needed teachers. Last fall, one-hundred Teaching Fellows were at work. At first, some school directors said they feared that the new teachers might not be well prepared. But officials say many school directors now want to consider hiring them.This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Jerilyn Watson.Email this article to a friendPrinter Friendly Version。

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.This week, in part seven of our Foreign Student Series, we talk more about accreditation of American colleges and universities.To become accredited, programs have to meet quality standards that are set by an accrediting agency. In the United States, private organizations around the country handle this process.Schools must be reaccredited every ten years, or sooner. They can lose their accreditation if they have problems that are not corrected within a given period of time. For example, the George Washington University Medical School announced last week that it was correcting problems found by its accrediting agency. The medical school in Washington, D.C., has been given two years to meet the standards. School officials said the changes include writing more detailed course objectives and providing more study areas for students. The process of accreditation is designed in part to protect against "diploma mills." Theseoperations call themselves colleges or universities but provide no real education.In August, a husband and wife were sentenced to three years in federal prison in a case in the northwestern state of Washington. They operated Saint Regis University and more than one hundred other diploma mills. These businesses supplied worthless degrees to more than nine thousand people in the United States and around the world. The couple got seven million dollars.George Gollin, a physics professor at the University of Illinois, is an expert on accreditation who helped investigate the case. He advises students to get the exact name of a school they are interested in, then look for it on the Web site of a group known as CHEA. CHEA is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The address is .Make sure a school or program is accredited by a legally recognized accrediting agency before paying any money. Only legitimate schools and programs are listed on the site. It also lists the only legally recognized agencies.Experts advise students to be suspicious of offers from schools that do not require much work or interaction with teachers. One warning sign is any offer of college credit for "life experience."And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. A link to the CHEA Web site can be found, along with our continuing Foreign Student Series, at . I'm Steve Ember.This is the VOA Special English Education Report.这里是VOA特别英语教育报道节目。

EDUCATION REPORT - A College Handbook Just for International StudentsThis is the VOA Special English Education Report.We continue our Foreign Student Series this week with a report on the International Student Handbook. This ( ) can be a useful guide if you are interested in ( ) a college or university in the United States. The College Board organization publishes a new one every year. In it, students may find much of the information they need to know about ( ) education in America. The International Student Handbook explains the higher education system and how to ( ) to schools. It explains the different ( ) and the kinds of ( ) ( ) available to foreign students. The handbook also gives information about admissions tests. The material is organized for undergraduate and graduate students. Information is provided about almost ( ) two-year and four-year schools. A printed copy of the International Student Handbook costs about ( ) dollars if you ( ) it through the College Board Web site. You might find it for less at a site like Amazon. Or, for ( ) dollars at the College Board site, you can read an ()version and print out a copy. The online handbook also includes links to more information. The Web site is ( ).com. We began our Foreign Student Series in September. So far, we have explored the American higher education system and government rules for coming to the United States. We have also talked about ( ) tests, the costs of an education and the different kinds of financial aid available. Some of our reports have been based on questions from our listeners. We welcome questions, and are happy to see all the interest in our series. But please understand that we can only answer ( ) questions. We cannot tell you how to get into the school of your choice or what you should study to be prepared. All we can do is suggest that students who are interested in a school should carefully read its Web site or ( ) materials. Then send an e-mail or letter to the ( ) office with any questions you have. There may also be a special office for international students.And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach. Send your questions to special@. And remember to include your name and country. Our series continues next week, andall of the earlier reports can be found with transcripts and MP3 files at . I'm Steve Ember.。

EDUCATION REPORT – Learning to ReadBy Jerilyn WatsonBroadcast: June 10, 2004This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Education Report.For most American children, summer is a time away from schoolbooks. But it is not supposed to be a time away from reading. One of the most important issues in American education is how to teach children to read. The most common methods depend on phonics. This system teaches children to connect words with the sounds of the letters that form those words.Children often learn the sounds of letters before they learn to read. With phonics, children are taught to “sound out” words they do not know. For example, to learn the word “cat,” children first learn to recognize the sound of the letter C. Then they learn the sounds of the letters A and T used together. Finally, they join these sounds to form the word.In another method of teaching phonics, children learn to recognize the whole word first. They write the word enough times until they remember it. Schools often present this method during the teaching of reading, not before. Then the children learn to study words for their sounds. This helps them understand why some letters are used in a word instead of others.Experts say phonics makes it possible for children to sound out many words that they do not recognize by sight. However, the sound of a letter is not always the same in every word. For this reason, many teachers add other methods to teach reading.A few years ago, a committee studied many reading methods. The National Reading Panel urged teachers to use phonics in their programs. And in two-thousand-two President Bush signed an education law called No Child Left Behind. It includes a program called “Reading First.” The goal is to increase the reading skills of American children. The program is based on the suggestions of the National Reading Panel.Over the years, there has been a lot of debate among teachers, parents and politicians over ways to teach reading. Another method is called whole language. Children are taught ways to learn new words not so much by how they sound as by how they are used. Supporters of phonics say this requires too much guessing. But a lot of experts say the best way to teach reading is to combine phonics and whole language methods.This VOA Special Education Report was written by Jerilyn Watson. This is Steve Ember.Email this article to a friendPrinter Friendly Version。