Before You Read
1.Do you know anything about British education？
2.What do you think of the education system in China？
3.Are you satisfied with your college？Why or why not？
4.Will you study further abroad after graduation？
5.Do you have any ideas about raising children in China？If yes，what are they？
Reading 1
British Education
1.The Standard Path
The British Government〔1〕offers funded education from the age of 3.This takes the form of nurseries and playgroups up to the age of 5，followed by attendance at Primary School until the age of 11，and finally a further stage at Secondary School up to age 16.Students will usually achieve their General Certificates of Secondary Education（GCSEs）〔2〕at this point.The“usual”path then leads to the Sixth Form for two years to gain Advanced Levels（A-Levels）〔3〕，and then go on to university to do a bachelor's degree.Most bachelor degree courses in England are three years long（in Scotland they are usually four）.After obtaining an undergraduate degree，students can go on to do a master's degree，which usually takes one or two years，and then a doctorate，which typically takes another three years to complete.
（旁注：standard［'stændəd］）
（旁注：n.标准；水准）
（旁注：fund［fʌnd］）
（旁注：vt.投资；资助）
（旁注：nursery［'nʒ:s（ə）rɪ］）
（旁注：n.托儿所）
（旁注：attendance［ə'tend（ə）ns］）
（旁注：n.出席；到场）
（旁注：certificate［sə'tɪfɪkɪt］）
（旁注：n.证书；执照）
（旁注：bachelor［bætʃələ］.）
（旁注：n.单身汉；学士）
（旁注：doctorate［'dɒkt（ə）rət］）
（旁注：n.博士学位）
（旁注：apprenticeship）
（旁注：［ə'prentɪ（s）ʃɪp］）
（旁注：n.学徒期；学徒身份）
2.Technical Colleges and Apprenticeships
But this is far from the only option in the system.Students can leave after gaining GCSEs and go on to do Foundation-Level courses〔4〕at various technical colleges.This is well-suited for people that want to continue more hands-on careers，like plumbing，engineering，or even painting.These routes can lead to university degrees just as easily as their A-Level counterparts，or can be used to gain apprenticeships in their chosen field.
3.Different Types of Schools
（旁注：plumb［plʌm］）
（旁注：v.（用铅垂）测量；探测）
（旁注：counterparts）
（旁注：［'kauntəpɑ:ts］）
（旁注：n.相关者）
There are also major differences between the schools one can attend.State-funded education can take place in the comprehensive schools already mentioned（the most common variety），in so-called“academies”or“free schools”（which are often aimed at lower income areas and usually have a specialized subject），or in voluntary schools〔5〕（which are usually run by religious organizations but funded by the government）.There is a long history of fee-paying schools in Britain as well，although today only7%of the student population attends such a school.These are alternatively called public，private，or independent schools，but most of these terms refer to the same style.
（旁注：academy［ə'kædəmɪ］）
（旁注：n.院校）
（旁注：voluntary［'vɒ］ənt（ə）rɪ］）
（旁注：adj.自愿的；志愿的）
（旁注：religious［rɪ'lɪdʒəs］）
（旁注：adj.宗教的）
（旁注：alternatively）
（旁注：［ɔ:l'tə:nətɪvlɪ］）
（旁注：adv.二者择一地；或者）
4.Ethics and Laws
There is a continued debate over the ethics of private schools，especially considering the vast inequalities in how many students（especially from famous private schools like Eton〔6〕and Harrow College〔7〕）go on to the best universities in the country（such as Oxford〔8〕and Cambridge〔9〕），even if they have the same grades as their state school equivalents.It is also perfectly legal for parents to home-school their kids；they don't have to be qualified teachers，nor do they need to conform to the government's National Curriculum〔10〕，which is taught in all comprehensive schools.
（旁注：ethics［'eθɪks］）
（旁注：n.伦理学）
（旁注：debate［dɪ'beɪt］）
（旁注：n.辩论）
（旁注：inequality［ɪnɪ'kwalətɪ］）
（旁注：n.不均等）
（旁注：equivalent［ɪk'wɪvələnt］）
（旁注：n.相等物）
Language Focus
1.up to：直到；直至
e.g.:Up to yesterday，I thought he was single.
直到昨天，我一直以为他是单身。
His income totaled up to 10,000 dollars this month.
这个月他的收入总计达10000美元。
2....followed by attendance at Primary School until the age of 11...
*句中followed引导的过去分词结构在句中作时间状语。另外，过去分词还可在句中作原因、条件、结果状语等。
e.g.:Told that his mother was ill，Li Lei hurried home quickly.（时间状语）
李蕾得知母亲生病了时，马上赶回了家。
Trained ten hours a day，he will still be a fool.（让步状语）
即使每天训练10个小时，他仍然是个傻瓜。
3....which usually takes one or two years，and then a doctorate，which typically takes another three years to complete.
*句中的which分别引导非限制性定语从句。前者指代先行词a master's degree，后者指代a doctorate。
4.far from：不但不，完全不
e.g.:His explanation was far from satisfactory.
他的解释一点儿也不令人满意。
Far from working hard，he played around.
他非但不用功，反而到处闲逛。
5....especially considering the vast inequalities in how many students...
*句中considering为介词，意思为“鉴于；考虑到”。
e.g.:Considering his age，the child reads quite well.
鉴于他的年龄，这个孩子读得相当好。
But considering the high quality，our price is very reasonable.
不过鉴于产品的优良质量，我们的价格非常合理。
6.even if：即使；虽然
e.g.:They couldn't，even if they would，get out of trouble by themselves.
即使他们想摆脱困难，也无法独立摆脱。
Even if I fail this time，I would try again.
即使我这次失败了，我还要再试试。
7....nor do they need to conform to the government's National Curriculum...
*句中nor用于否定句之后引出另一否定句，采用倒装语序。
e.g.:You can't cancel the contract，nor can I，nor can anybody else.
你不能撤约，我也不能，任何人都不能。
He does not do it，nor does he try.
他没有做，也没尝试一下。
Related Background Information GCSEs（普通中等教育证书）
GCSEs全称为General Certificate of Secondary Education。英国教育体制中的中学教育没有初高中之分。16岁完成义务教育学习，通过课程评价和课程结束时的考试取得普通中等教育证书，该证书分A到G不同等级。不同等级在很大程度上决定着学生之后的道路。
A-Levels（普通教育高级证书）
A-Level，全称是General Certificate of Education Advanced Level，它是英国的普通中等教育证书考试高级水平课程，也是英国学生的大学入学考试课程，类似中国的高考。
·A-Level包含70多门课程供学生选择，学生需学习3—4门主科课程。
·学制2年，需参加毕业考试。
·A-Level的成绩分为A、B、C、D、E、U六个等级，A为最优，E为通过，U为不及格。如果学生对某门课的成绩不满意，可以选择重考，最终成绩以最好的一次为准。
·考试合格者即可进入大学就读，成绩越优异，可选择的学校越多。
·升读牛津、剑桥等顶级大学，学生须达到3—4门A的考试成绩，并通过学校组织的面试；其他大学只要求学生提供三门A-Level课程的毕业考试成绩即可申请。
·入学时间：英国都是9月份，测试没有具体时间，随时申请随时测试。
·年龄要求：一般要求学生年龄为16-18周岁，个别顶级私立寄宿学校要求学生入学时年龄不超过17周岁。
University of Oxford（牛津大学）
牛津大学，简称“牛津”，位于英国牛津，是一所誉满全球的世界顶级研究型书院联邦制大学，与剑桥大学并称“牛剑”，与剑桥大学、伦敦大学学院、帝国理工学院、伦敦政治经济学院同属“G5超级精英大学”。
牛津大学成立于1167年，为英语世界中最古老的大学，也是世界上现存第二古老的高等教育机构。这里涌现出一批引领时代的科学巨匠，培养了大量开创纪元的艺术大师以及国家元首，包括27位英国首相、64位诺贝尔奖得主以及数十位世界各国元首和政商界领袖。这些都为牛津大学奠定了世界近现代学术文化中心的地位。其在数学、物理、医学、法学、商学等多个领域拥有崇高的学术地位及广泛的影响力，被公认是当今世界最顶尖的高等教育机构之一。
2016年9月，泰晤士高等教育发布了2016-2017年度第13版世界大学排名，其中牛津大学排名第一。
Reading Comprehension
Decide whether the following statements are true or false.Write“”for True and“F”for False.
1.The British Government offers money to anyone's education at any age.（ ）
2.After the secondary education，students enter universities for a bachelor's degree.（ ）
3.All bachelor degree courses in England are three years long.（ ）
4.It usually takes students one or two years to obtain a master's degree.（ ）
5.In Britain，no students can go to various technical colleges after gaining GCSEs.（ ）
6.Generally speaking，“free schools”are often built in lower income areas.（ ）
7.Voluntary schools aren't funded by the government.（ ）
8.Most students choose to attend public schools.（ ）
9.Eton and Harroware are private schools.（ ）
10.People have the same opinions in the ethics of private schools.（ ）
Reading 2
Raising Children in America
The job of raising children is a tough one.Children don't come with an instruction manual.And each child is different，so parents sometimes pull their hair out in frustration，not knowing what to do.But in raising children—as in all of life—what we do is influenced by our culture.Naturally then，American parents teach their children based on American values.
（旁注：manual［‘mænjuəl］）
（旁注：n.手册；指南）
（旁注：influence［'ɪnflʊəns］）
（旁注：vt.影响；感染）
To Americans，the goal of parents is to help children stand on their own two feet.From infancy，each child may get his or her own room.As children grow，they gain more freedom to make their own choices.Teenagers choose their own forms of entertainment，as well as the friends to share them with.When they reach young adulthood，they choose their own careers and marriage partners.Of course，many young adults still seek their parents'advice and approval for the choices they make.But once they“leave the nest”at around 18 to 21 years old，they want to be on their own.
（旁注：infancy［'ɪnf（ə）nsɪ］）
（旁注：n.婴儿期；幼年）
（旁注：entertainment）
（旁注：［.entə'teɪnmənt］）
（旁注：n.娱乐，消遣）
（旁注：approval［ə'pru:v（ə）l］）
（旁注：n.同意；批准）
（旁注：nest［nest］）
（旁注：n.巢；窝）
The relationship between parents and children in America is very informal.American parents try to treat their children as individuals.They allow them to fulfill their own dreams.Americans praise and encourage their children to give them the confidence to succeed.When children become adults，their relationship with their parents becomes more like a friendship among equals.But contrary to popular belief，most adult Americans don't make their parents pay for room and board when they come to visit.Even as adults，they respect and honor their parents.
（旁注：informal［ɪn'fɔ:m（ə）l］）
（旁注：adj.非正式的；不拘形式的）
（旁注：individual）
（旁注：［.ɪndɪ'vɪdʒuəl］）
（旁注：n.个人，个体）
（旁注：confidence［'kɒnfɪd（ə）ns］）
（旁注：n.信心）
Most young couples with children struggle with the issue of childcare.mothers have traditionally stayed home with their children.In recent years，though，a growing trend is to put preschoolers in a day care center so mom can work.Many Americans have strong feelings about which type of arrangement is best.Some argue that attending a day care center can be a positive experience for children.Others insist that mothers are the best caregivers for children.A number of women are now leaving the work and are forced to become full-time homemakers.
（旁注：issue［'ɪsju:］）
（旁注：n.议题；问题）
（旁注：traditionally［trə'dɪʃənəlɪ］）
（旁注：adv.传统上；照惯）
（旁注：preschooler［p'resku:lə］）
（旁注：n.学龄前儿童）
（旁注：positive［'pɒzətɪv］）
（旁注：adj.肯定的；明确的；积极的）
Disciplining children is another area that American parents have different opinions about.Many parents feel that an old-fashioned spanking helps youngsters learn what“No！”means.Others prefer alternate forms of discipline.For example，timeouts”have become popular in recent years.Children in“timeout”have to sit in a corner or by a wall.They can get up only when they are ready to act nicely.Older children and teenagers who break the rules may be grounded or not allowed to go out with friends.Some of their rights at home—like TV or telephone use—may also be taken away for a while.Although discipline isn't fun for parents or children，it's a necessary part of training.
（旁注：discipline［'dɪsɪplɪn］）
（旁注：vt.训练；惩罚）
（旁注：spank［spæŋk］）
（旁注：vt.掴（屁股））
（旁注：alternate［'ɔ:ltəneɪt］）
（旁注：adj.交替的；轮流的）
（旁注：timeout［'taɪm'aut］）
（旁注：n.过期；暂停）
Being a parent is a tall order.It takes patience，love，wisdom，courage and a good sense of humor to raise children.Some people are just deciding not to have children at all，since they're not sure it's worth it.But raising children means training the next generation and preserving our culture.What could be worth more than that？
（旁注：patience［'peɪʃ（ə）ns］）
（旁注：n.耐心）
（旁注：preserve［prɪ'zə:v］）
（旁注：vt.保存；保护）
Language Focus
1....not knowing what to do.
*句中not knowing what to do为现在分词结构，在句中作结果状语。现在分词作结果状语的位置通常只能在句末，表示谓语动作所产生的结果。
e.g.:A terrible earthquake happened in China in 2008，causing thousands of deaths.
2008年中国发生了一场大地震，造成了上万人死亡。
The teacher passed away，making all the students very sad.
老师去世了，所有学生非常难过。
2.stand on their own two feet：自主（自立）
e.g.:I tried to stand on my own two feet rather than turned to my parents.
我力求自立而不求助于我的父母。
Now that you're growing up you must learn to stand on your own two feet.
你既然已经长大成人，就得学会独立生活。
3.on one's own：独立地；独自地
e.g.:Success in study mainly depends on one's own efforts.
学习主要靠自己努力。
4.contrary to：和……相反
e.g.:Contrary to expectations，the scheme has been greatly successful.
与预期相反，该方案极为成功。
Contrary to the more serious reports，he is not going to die.
他没有报道里说的那么严重，不会死的。
5.struggle with：向……作斗争，同……搏斗
e.g.:Man is engaged in a constant struggle with nature.
人类与大自然进行不懈的斗争。
The shopkeeper struggled with the thief.
店主与窃贼搏斗起来。
6.allow sb.to do sth.：允许某人做某事
e.g.:My parents don't allow me to go out at night.
我父母不允许我晚上出去。
Passengers are not allowed to smoke.
乘客不准吸烟。
7.Disciplining children is another area that American parents have differing opinions about.—Punishing children is another thing that American parents have different views.
discipline vt.训练；训导；管教。“disciplining children”是动名词短语，作主语。
e.g.:He believed in disciplining the body to withstand hardships.
他相信通过训练身体可以顶住种种艰难困苦。
They enhanced the efficiency of companies by disciplining the workforce.
They must learn about disciplining themselves.
他们必须学会严格要求自己。
8.Being a parent is a tall order.
—Being parents should pay so much for raising their children.
Related Background Information
Education in China & America（中美教育）
中美教育主要存在以下差异：
*初等教育的教学目标不同
中国初等教育将开发孩子的智力看成首要目标，而在美国主要是培养孩子的创造力。
*对待成绩的态度不同
对中国孩子来说，一份不好的成绩单会使他得到来自各方压力。然而在美国，学生的年终成绩单都属于私人物品。
*两国在知识观上的差异
中国教育注重对知识的积累灌输，培养学生对知识和权威的尊重、对知识的继承以及知识体系的构建；美国则更注重培养学生实际运用知识的能力，注重培养学生对知识和权威的质疑、批判以
及对知识的拓展和创造。
*课程设置不同
以外语学习为例，中国学生在基础教育阶段学习一种外语（英语为主）。在美国，学生的选择就很多，包括西班牙语、法语、拉丁语等。
*教育模式和高考制度不同
中国采用启发式教育。诱导学生针对某一个问题找到“唯一的答案”。
在美国，除了引导学生理解和掌握一致的正确答案外，还给学生自由想象的空间，去探索未知但却客观存在着的潜在答案。
在中国，大多数学生以高考成绩为录取人学的唯一标准。在美国，学生可以参加各类考试，这些考试成绩可作为入学录取的考量标准。
12 Rules for Educating Kids in the U.S.A（美国人教育孩子的12个法则）
·健康环境：让孩子拥有一个健康的环境
·希望法则：永远让孩子看到希望
·力量法则：永远不要与孩子斗强
·管理法则：在孩子未成年前，管束是父母的责任
·声音法则：要倾听他们的声音
·榜样法则：言传身教对孩子的榜样作用是巨大的
·求同存异法则：尊重孩子对世界的看法，并尽量理解他们
·惩罚法则：这一法则容易使孩子产生逆反和报复心理，慎用
·后果法则：让孩子了解其行为可能产生的后果
·结构法则：教孩子从小了解道德和法律的界限
·二十码法则：尊重孩子的独立倾向，与其至少保持二十码的距离
·四W法则：任何时候都要了解孩子跟谁在一起（Who），在什么地方（Where），在干什么（What）以及在什么时候回家（When）。
Reading Comprehension
Make the best choice according to what you have read.
1.What does the author think of raising children？
A.Easy.B.Difficult.C.Happy.D.Impossible.
2.For American parents，the aim of education is to help children_____.
A.grow up B.be independent
C.become rich D.be honest
3.When does every child in America get his or her room？
A.From a very young child.B.From primary school.
C.From 10 years old.D.From middle school.
4.The relationship between parents and children in America is______.
A.so formal B.not so serious
C.not so natural D.not so close
5.Who pay for room and board when American parents visit their adult children？
A.Parents.B.Their children.
C.The government.D.The company.
6.Most young couples with children have trouble_____.
A.in life B.in their work
C.in childcare D.in society
7.What is the choice of most mothers' when having children？
A.They stay at home to take care of their children.
B.They still go to work.
C.They put preschoolers in a day care center.
D.They ask their parents to help.
8.Do all American parents have the same opinion in disciplining their children？
A.Yes，of course.B.No，they don't.
C.Yes，they don't.D.No，they do.
9.What has become popular on disciplining children？
A.Asking them go out.B.Scolding.
C.Spanking.D.None of the answer.
10.What does raising children mean？
A.It means training the next generation.
B.It means preserving culture.
C.Both A and B.
D.It means taking good care of them.
