Chapter 1: Education and

Student Life
1

Part 1
Education: A Reflection of
Society
Strategy: Getting meaning from
context

1. 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 view
on 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

Strategy: Getting
meaning from context
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
3

Strategy: Getting
meaning from context
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 collegepreparatory or vocational classes in high school; no
national exam determines this for them.
determines = decides
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.
Read the first paragraph

on page 7 and identify

the topic of this
paragraph.

Understanding Reading
Structure

1.F
2.C
3.E
4.B
5.D
6.A
6

Skimming for the Topic

and Main 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 dont
read every word.

Skimming for the Topic

and Main 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

Identifying the Main

Idea
A reading passage
may thought,
includeor
The main point,
opinion that
the author
has
many subordinate
ideas,
but there
about the topic.
is only one main idea.
Your main idea should tell the
authors idea about the whole
reading, not just part of the
reading.
Not too general and too specific.
9

Identifying 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.
10

Identifying 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.
11

Organizing
Information:
Using
a to
T-Chart

One way
organize the information in the
readings that present both positive and
negative aspects of
chart.

The reason why it is called a T-chart

something
is a like
T-the letter
because it is shaped
T.

This chart allows you to better assimilate

and recall information at a later date.

12

Organizing information:
Using a T-chart
Negative

Positive
Mexico

Mexico

education is free,

difficult to provide

compulsory, and

education in rural areas

not enough schools

universal
supports national
unity

or teachers
some native people

leads to social,

dont include school

economic, and cultural

attendance (=they

improvement

dont go to school)
13

Organizing information:
Using a T-chart
Japan

Positive

Japan

Negative

88% finish high

difficult exams

school

students need discipline

public schools are

free and egalitarian
children with high
test scores bring high
status to family
14

Organizing information:
Using a T-chart
Britain

Positive

Britain

Negative

all state school

students take national

primary, secondary,

exam at age 11

and universities are

half of

free

Oxford/Cambridge

the first 9 years are

students come from

egalitarian

upper-class

graduates from good

universities get best
jobs

15

Organizing information:
Using a T-chart
US

Positive

US

Negative

primary and

schools are not equal

secondary schools are

problems in U.S. school

free

schools in poor areas

80% are high school

receive less money

graduates
students decide on
college or vocational
classes
60% attend college

16

Checking your
vocabulary
1. constitution
2. native / indigenous people
3. isolated
4. vocational
5. afford
6. tuition
7. aspects
17

Understanding
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.
18

Understanding
Politically Correct
Language
Other (funny) examples
Words and
Phrases
Worst
Housewife
Unemployed
Ugly
Waiter/Waitress

Politically Correct
Words and
Phrases
Least Best
Domestic Engineer
Involuntarily
Leisured
Under-attractive
19
Waitron

Education in North
America and Asia
Example
The blind student couldnt cross the
street.
The visually challenged student couldnt
How
do you feel about
cross the
street.

using different terms in the

same context?
Can you think of any PC
terms in your native
language?

20

Understanding
Politically Correct
Language
Example
The blind student couldnt cross the
street.
The visually changed student couldnt
How
do you feel about
cross the
street.

using different terms in the

same context?
Can you think of any PC
terms in your native
language?

21

Buicks, Starbucks and

Fried 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?

22

Buicks, Starbucks and

Fried 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. Todays 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

23

Buicks, Starbucks and

Fried 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 its untrue, according to the reading.
24

Buicks, Starbucks and

Fried 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?
25

Homework
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.
26