英语听力教程LTW2Unit4

ListenThisWayBook2Unit4

EduationMattersPartIGetting

readyPartIIHomeschoolingPartIIIUKorUSeducation?PartIVMoreaboutthetopic:Co-educationalorSegregatedSchools?PartVMemorytest:PISAPartVIIWatchandenjoyPartIGettingreadyThenumberofprivateschoolsisincreasinginmanypartsoftheworld.Manyfamiliesarewillingtopaytaxestosupportthepublicschoolsandalsotopayforsomespecialkindofeducationfortheirchildren.Theywanttheirchildreninsmallerclassesthanthoseinthepublicschools.Butsomepeoplewonderwhethertheextraamountofmoneythey’vepaidisreallyworthitornot.*publicschools公立学校A.Thefollowingwordsandphraseswillappearinthisunit.Listencarefullyandstudythedefinitions.1.well-rounded:全面发展的，多才多艺的2.compulsory:义务的，必修的3.abstruse:深奥的，难懂的4.becutoutfor:适合于，是的材料5.burnone’sbridges:破釜沉舟，自绝后路6.segregation:（种族）隔离，分离7.dispel:驱赶，驱散8.cohort:同龄人，有共同点的一群人9.high-flyer:抱负极高的人，成功人士10.flunk:（考试）不及格，挂科B.TomandAnnarediscussingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofaprivateschool.Listentotheconversationcarefullyandthenreadthefollowingstatements.IfitisanopinionthatbothTomandAnnagreeon,usea“√”forit.Ifitisnot,thenusea“O”forit*gym体操房*well-roundededucation全面教育，促进全面发展的教育*convinced被说服的，信服的，确信的*debatingteam辩论队*byanychance恰好，碰巧*captain队长1.（）Aprivateschoolusuallyhassmallerclasses.

2.（）Thesportsfacilitiesinaprivateschoolareusuallybetterthanthoseinapublicschool.

3.（）Althoughprivateschoolsareexpensive,theyareworthit.4.（）Inaprivateschool,onecanhaveawiderchoiceofsubjects.5.（）Aprivateschoolissuretobebetterthanapublicschool.*体育设施，运动设施*科目，课程OOO√√AudioscriptC.ThefollowinglisteningmaterialisaboutSteve’sfirstmorningatthepolytechniccollege.Listencarefully.Thecomprehensionmaterialisfollowedbysomequestions.Findtherightanswersasquicklyaspossible.*polytechniccollege职校，高职院校

*Poly职校，工艺专科学校*haven’taclue不知道，一无所知*mate伙计*noticeboard布告栏，公告栏*businessstudiesforCateringstudents为餐饮专业的学生开始的企业管理课程Questions1.a.Inthemeetinghall b. Atthemainentrancec.InMustonFerry d. InHanksy2.a.1 b.2 c.3 d.43. a.Directorofthepolytechnicb.Headoftherear-servicedepartment

c.Headofstudents’servicesd.Astudentfromthethirdyeare.Anexperiencedteacherf.Headofphysicaleducation

g.Astudentfromthefirstyearh.Headofacademicbody

4. a.Tabletennis b.Sailing c.Hockey d.Boxing e.Tennisf.Footballg.Badminton h.Mountainclimbing i.Goingdown-caves

j.Swimming k.Rugby l.Fitness√√√√√√√√*曲棍球*学术团体*体育*后勤部门，行政部√√√√*健身*爬洞穴*英式橄榄球√5. a.Foreignlanguage b.Accounting

c.Computer d.Businessstudies6. a.Room316 b.Room361 c.Room613 d.Room1637. a.Onemaleandtwofemales b.Twomalesandonefemale c.Twomalesandtwofemalesd.Onemaleandonefemale8. a.Yes b.No*会计学√√√√AudioscriptHomepagePartIIHomeschoolingTraditionally,educationthatonegetsinschooliscalledformaleducation,whilelearningoutsideoftheclassroomiscalledinformaleducation.However,doyouknowthatnowadays,therearequitemanychildrenwhogettheirformaleducationathomeintheUnitedStates?*homeschooling在家上学，家庭学校A.Inthissectionyouaregoingtohearapassageabouthomeschooling.Whilelisteningforthefirsttime,addmorekeywordsintheleft-handcolumn.Afterthesecondlistening,answerthefollowingquestions.*compulsory义务的，必修的*comet彗星*meteor流星*critics评论家，批评家*opinion观点，意见*narrowviews狭隘的观念NotesQuestionscompulsorycometmeteor1.HowmanychildrenintheUnitedStatesareeducatedathome?_____________________2.Accordingtotheresults,inwhichtwosubjectsdohome-schooledchildrendobetterthanaverageonnationaltests?_____________________3.HowdoDavidGuterson’schildrenlearnknowledge?Thechildren’slearningusuallystartswiththeir_______and_________.4.Inthecritics’opinion,whatarethedisadvantagesofhomeschooling?1)Thehome-schoolerisan_________andmighthavedifficulties

___________otherpeoplewhenheisgrownup.2)Mostparentsarenot_____________toteachtheirchildren.3)Parentsmaypassontheirown____________totheirchildren.5.Whydoesthepassagesaymostchildrenwillgettheirformaleducationinschools?Becausemostparentsdon’thavethe_____or_______toteachtheirchildrenathome.Inreadingandmath.About300000.desiretimenarrowviewswellqualifiedmixingwithoutsiderquestionsinterests*compulsory义务的，必修的*comet彗星*meteor流星B.Nowtrythis:listentoamoreauthenticversionofthepassage.Whilelistening,payspecialattentiontohowandwhatDavidGutersonandhiswifetrytoteachtheirchildren.Thencompletethefollowingchartwithwhatyouhear.*missout错失机会，坐失良机DifferentOccasionsHowandWhattoLearnonawinterdaywhenthereisheavy________discussingorreadingabout_________,snowremovalequipment,_______,polarbears,andwinter________ona______eveningwhilewatching_____settingupa_________andaskingquestionsabout_______,comets,meteors,andthe_____programat_______whenthereisnewsontheBrazilianrainforestsgettingoutthe______andencyclopedia,discoveringhowrainforests_______theclimate,whatthe“__________

effect”is,how________areformedandhowthepolar

_________affectoceanlevels*snowremovalequipment除雪设备*Alaska美国阿拉斯加州*polarbear北极熊*telescope望远镜*satellite卫星，人造卫星*rainforest雨林*atlas地图册*encyclopedia百科全书*greenhouseeffect温室效应*desert沙漠*polaricecaps极地冰冠icecapsdesertstourismAlaskaclimatedinnerstarsspringsnowfallgreenhouseinfluencespacesatellitestelescopeatlasAudioscriptHomepagePartIIIUKorUSeducation?IntheUK,ajuniorhighschoolstudentcomestoaforkintheeducationroad.Thestudentwhogoesdirectlyintoavocationalschoolgetsalittlemorethanageneraleducation.Andthestudentwhoplanstogotouniversityissenttoanothersortofschool,wherehegetsanintensiveacademiccourse.IntheUS,theeducationalsystemsaresomewhatdifferent.Mostofthestudentsgotopublicelementaryorsecondaryschoolswherecoursesforstudentswithallkindsofdifferentabilitiesareoffered.Whichwaydoyouthinkisbetter?*comes

toafork来到分岔路口*vocationalschool职业学校*intensiveacademiccourse更为强化的学术课程A.JohnJames,anAmericanandPeterDavies,anEnglishmanarearguingaboutwhetherspecializingearlyisgoodornot.Listencarefullytotheprosandcons.Whilelisteningforthefirsttime,writedownthekeywordsinthenotescolumn.Afterthesecondlistening,completethefollowingchartbyfillinginthemissinginformation.*specializingearly

过早专业化，过早选专业

*prosandcons

利弊，赞成及反对意见*career职业，事业*cope应付，对付*steadily稳定地，稳步地*Alevels(英国普通中等教育文凭考试的)高级程度,(英国大学入学考试的)甲级考试，英国高考*naturalscience自然科学*socialscience社会科学*stuck卡住，陷入泥潭*alternative可供替代的选择*cutoutfor...适合于，是的材料*burnyourbridges自绝后路，破釜沉舟*changehorsesinmid-stream在河道中间换马，中途换将competentfairidealoseyearsbeginningonethingnarrowwanttodoeverything*交换，改变*胜任的，有能力的*合理的想法，较为清晰的观念swapAudioscriptB.Inthissection,JohnJamesandPeterDaviesgoontoargueaboutwhetheroneshouldstudyawiderangeofsubjects.Listentotheprosandconsofitcarefully.Whilelisteningforthefirsttime,writedownthekeywordsinthenotescolumn.Afterthesecondlistening,completethefollowingchartbyfillinginthemissinginformation.*stuff东西，内容*artssubjects人文科目，文科学科*on-the-jobexperience在职经验，工作经验*broader更宽泛的*underestimate低估*allthemorereason更有理由，更加正当的理由Shouldonestudyawiderangeofsubjects?ConsPros1.Peoplewithafirstdegreedon'thavethe______ofknowledgetheyshouldhave.1.Peoplemaycomeoutwithaprettygood_______knowledgeina_____area.2.ThemajorityofBritishstudentsneveruse____ofwhattheystudiedatuniversity.3.Peoplehavetohaveafairamountof______learning,particularlyin________and_________area.3.Alotofsciencepeoplewholearnatuniversityisso_________andabstrusethatit'llneverbeputto

_____________.4.Peoplewillbemore________intheirjobs,andableto_____________moreeasily.5.Thesedays,childrenhavetolearn_________thingsthanbefore.5.Thesedays,peoplehavetobe________tochangetheirjobsandlearn___________astechnologymovesahead.depthnewskillspreparedswitchjobsflexiblepracticaluseacademic90%widegeneralfarmorescientifictechnicalpure*academic纯理论的，纯学术性的，脱离实际的*abstruse深奥的，难懂的*puttopracticaluse运用到实际中*switchjobs换工作，跳槽AudioscriptHomepagePartIVMoreaboutthetopic:Co-educationalorSegregatedSchools?Althoughmostchildrengotoco-educationalschoolswherebothboysandgirlsstudytogether,therearestillsomewhogotosegregatedschoolswhereonlyboysoronlygirlscanbeenrolled.Arethesepeopleinsegregatedschoolshappyaboutit?Dotheylearnbetterthanthoseinco-educationalschools?*co-educationalschools

男女混合的学校*segregatedschools（种族/性别）隔离的学校*enrolled招收Youaregoingtohearapassageaboutco-educationalandsegregatededucation.Whilelisteningforthefirsttime,takedownsomekeywordsinthenotescolumn.Afterthesecondlistening,completethefollowingoutline.*tosaytheleast至少可以说，最起码*impose强加于*abnormalconditions非正常状况*isboundto必定要，一定会*stuff塞满，填满*foremost最重要的，首要的*athleticachievement运动成绩，运动成就*extracurricularactitivities课外活动*everythingfallsintoitsproperplace一切都归于正常*contribution贡献，好处*well-adjustedadult适应性很强的成年人*copewith对付，应付OutlineI.Onechiefaimofeducation

_______futurecitizenswithallthey______totaketheirplaceinadultsocietyII.DisadvantagesofasegregatedschoolA.possible_______forpeoplewhentheyenteradultsocietyB.boysandgirlsbeingmadetofeelthattheyarearace

_____III.Advantagesofaco-educationalschoolA.offeringchildrena____versionofsocietyinminiature

1.boysandgirlshavingtheopportunityto__________eachother2.boysandgirlshavingtheopportunitytolearnto_____________3.boysandgirlsbeingabletocomparethemselveswitheachotherindifferentareas4.boysbeingabletoplaythemalepartsandgirlstoplaythe______partsinaplayB.encouraging_____________tolife1.helpingdispelillusionsthatwomenare____________________

2.helpingdispelillusionsthatmenare___________________3.helpingovercomesomeofthe________and________problemsattheawkward

stageofadolescence

IV.ConclusionemotionalphysicalromanticheroesmysteriouscreatureshealthyattitudefemalelivetogethergettoknowtrueapartshockrequiretoequipAudioscriptHomepage*震惊，打击*如同不同种族的人*社会的缩影，微型版的社会*消除错觉*青春期

*尴尬的

PartVMemorytest:PISATheProgramforInternationalStudentAssessment(PISA)isaninternationalassessmentthatmeasures15-year-oldstudents’reading,mathematics,andscienceliteracy.PISAalsoincludesmeasuresofgeneralorcross-curricularcompetencies,suchasproblemsolving.Itemphasizesfunctionalskillsthatstudentshaveacquiredastheyneartheendofcompulsoryschooling.PISAwasfirstadministeredin2000andisconductedeverythreeyears.*assessment评价，评估*scienceliteracy科学素养*cross-curricularcompetencies跨课程能力*compulsoryschooling义务教育*administered施行，实施In2009,agroupofteenagersfromShanghai,China,participated,forthefirsttime,intheProgramforInternationalStudentAssessment(PISA).Listentothereport.Answerthequestionswithkeywords.*numeracy运算能力，计算能力*resilience弹性，顺应力，应变力*high-flyer成功人士*cohort同龄人，有共同点的一群人*passwithflyingcolors胜利通过*creamofthecrop尖子，精英，最优秀的人*puttheirthinkingcapson认真思考，好好思索*flunk失败，不及格1.WhatdoChina’sresultsinPisatestsindicate?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.AccordingtoMr.Schleicher,whydoChinesestudentsgettopmarks?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.InEurope,whatdomanystudentsthinktheiracademicsuccessdependon?__________________________________________________________________4.AccordingtoMr.Schleicher,whatkindofphilosophyispracticedinmanywesterncountries?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________China’seducationsystem—aboveaverage/overtakingtheperformanceofmanyWesterncountries.Theybelievetheiracademicsuccessdependsontheefforttheyputin.Iftheyworkhard,theycansucceed.Itdependsonsocialheritage—father—aplumber/I’mgoingtobeaplumber.Expectingthebeststudentswithinagrouptosucceedratherthanawholegrouppasswithgoodmarks*赶上，超过*水管工

*社会遗传AudioscriptHomepagePartVIIWatchandenjoy*prestigious享誉盛名的，久负盛名的*amoreenlightenedfuture更有意义的未来*assignment作业*noman’sland女儿国*editorial社论*reference引用*withallduerespect恕我直言，尽管（对您）尊敬之至*file档案*co-captain副队长*horticulturesociety园艺社团*pompousass华而不实的傻瓜*pre-law法律预科*fiveslots五个名额*unofficially内定，非正式地*slide幻灯片，图片*stylisticdifference风格上的差异1.WhydidMissWatsongiveJoan’sassignmentaC?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2.HowdidMissWatsonencourageJoanforamoreenlightenedfuture?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Joanjustcopiedanotherexpert’sideainsteadofwritingherown.ShesaidtoJoanthatshecouldgotoYaletostudylawandatthesametimetogetmarried.Shealsogavehertheapplicationform.HomepageVideoscriptTom:Whatkindofschooldidyougoto,Ann?Ann: Well,Iwenttoapublicprimaryschoolandthentoaprivatehighschool.Tom:Sowhichdoyouthinkisbetter?Ann: Actually,Ipreferprivateschoolsbecauseofthesmallerclassesand…usuallyyouhaveawiderchoiceofsubjects.Tom:Yeah,Isupposethat’strue.Ann: Andthenthereareusuallybettersportsfacilities.Forexample,theschoolIwenttohadaswimmingpoolandahugegym.Tom: Yeah…well,thepublichighschoolIwenttohadgreatsportsfacilities.Besides,privateschoolsarereallyexpensive.Ann:Yeah,butIthinkthey’reworthit.Tom: Idon’tknow.Ithinkyouhavetojudgeeveryschoolindividually,whetherit’spublicorprivate.Ann: Thatmaybetrue…butchildrengenerallygetabetter,more…well-roundededucationinaprivateschool.Tom: Maybe,butI’mnottotallyconvinced.Bytheway,Ann,wereyouonthedebatingteaminhighschool,byanychance?Ann:Isurewas!Iwasthecaptain!AudioscriptSteve’sfirstmorningStevewasrathernervousabouthisfirstdayofthepolytechnic.Hedidn’tknowanyotherstudentsandhedidn’tknowhiswayaroundthebuilding.At9o’clock,hewasatthemainentrancewithacrowdofhundredsofotherstudents.AllofthemseemtoknowwhattodoexceptSteve.Thenhefoundanotice.Therewasameetingforallthefirst-yearstudents.Hefoundthemallwaitinginthelargehall.First,thedirectorofthePolytechnicwelcomedthem.Thentheheadofstudents’services,andfinallytheheadofphysicaleducation.Headofphysicaleducation:I’mheretotellyouaboutthesportyoucandoatthePoly.HereinEdington,wehaveafitnessroomwhereyoucandoexercisetokeepfit,andweeklyyoucandoallsortsofsports,suchastennis,football,hockeyandbadminton.Buttherearealsomanyotheractivities.Youcangosailing.Youcangodown-caves.Youcangoclimbingandmanymore.Wehopeallofyouwilltakepartinatleastoneofthese.Ifyouwanttojoin,comeonweeklyonWednesdayafternoon.Anyquestions?Astudent:Whataboutswimming?Headofphysicaleducation:Wedon’thaveourownpool.ButyoucanswiminthepublicpoolsinHanksyorMustonFerry.Afterthemeetingwasover,Stevelookedatthistimetable.Hisfirstclasswasbusinessstudies,andwasinroom316.ButwherewasRoom316?Steve: Excuseme.DoyouknowwhereRoom316is?Malestudent1: Oh,Ihaven’tacluemate.Steve: DoyouknowwhereRoom316is?Femalestudent1:No,doyou?Steve: I’mlookingforRoom316.Malestudent2: Oh,notanotherfirstyear.Lookatthenoticeboard.Steve: Butwhereisthenoticeboard?Malestudent2: Don’taskme.Steve: CouldyoutellmewhereRoom316is?Femalestudent2:YoumeanbusinessstudiesforCateringstudents?Steve: That’sit.Femalestudent2:Oh,I’mlookingforitformyself.You’reafirst-year?Steve: Yes.Femalestudent2:SoamI.Let’sseeifwecanfindittogether.Questions：1.WherewasSteveat9o’clock?2.Howmanypeoplemadewelcomespeechesatthemeetingforallthefirstyearstudents?3.Whoarethey?4.WhatkindsofsportsareavailableinEdingtonPolytechnic?5.WhatwasSteve’sfirstclass?6.Wherewillhehavetheclass?7.HowmanystudentsdidSteveaskwhenhetriedtofindhisclass?8.Didhegettheanswer?AudioscriptQuestionsAlthougheducationiscompulsoryintheUnitedStates,itisnotcompulsoryforallchildrentogettheireducationatschool.Anumberofparentsbelievethattheycanprovideabettereducationfortheirchildrenathome.Childrenwhoareeducatedathomeareknownas“home-schoolers.”Thereareabout300000home-schoolersintheUnitedStatestoday.Interestingly,resultsshowthathome-schooledchildrentendtodobetterthanaverageonnationaltestsinreadingandmath.DavidGutersonisanAmericanwriter.Heandhiswifeteachtheirthreechildrenthemselves.Gutersonsaysthathischildrenlearnverydifferentlyfromchildreninaregularschool.Learningstartswiththechildren’sinterestsandquestions.Forexample,whenthereisheavysnowfallonawinterday,itmaystartadiscussionorreadingaboutclimate,snowremovalequipment,Alaska,polarbears,andwintertourism.Oraspringevening,whenthefamilyiswatchingthestars,isagoodtimeforsettingupatelescopeandaskingquestionsaboutsatellites,comets,meteors,andthespaceprogram.Atdinner,iftheBrazilianrainforestsareonthenews,itcouldbeaperfecttimetogetouttheatlasandencyclopedia.Thentheremightbetwohoursormoreofeating,askingquestions,lookingupanswers,discoveringhowrainforestsinfluencetheclimate,whatthe“greenhouseeffect”is,howdesertsareformedandhowthepolaricecapsaffectoceanlevels.Althoughhomeschoolingoffersanexperiencethatisoftenmoreinterestingthanregularschools,criticspointoutthathome-schoolersmissoutonmanyimportantthings.Thehome-schoolerisanoutsiderwho,becauseheorsheneverattendedschool,mightbeuncomfortablemixingwithotherpeopleinadultlife.Criticsalsosaythatmostparentsarenotwellqualifiedtoteachtheirchildrenandmaypassontheirownnarrowviewstotheirchildren.However,mostparentsdon’thavethetimeordesiretoteachtheirchildrenathome,soschoolswillcontinuetobewheremostchildrengettheirformaleducation.AudioscriptJohnJames: Idisagree,Peter.Idon’tthinkitreallymatterswhatyoureducationalbackgroundis.Anyonewhoisbrightenoughisgoingtodowellwhatevertheireducation.PeterDavies: ButJohn,… JohnJames: Infact,Ithinksomepeoplecarryonwiththeireducationwhentheywoulddoalotbettertogetoutandstartbuildingtheirowncareersbylearningthingsinreallife.PeterDavies: Yes,butthewholepointis,lifeisgettingsomuchmorecomplicatedthesedaysthatunlessyoucarryonwithyourstudiesyoujustcan’tcope.JohnJames: Forcertainthings,andcertainpeople,OK,buttomymind,thebigproblemineducationisthatyouspecializetooquickly.Imean,inEngland,youstartspecializingfromthethirdyearinsecondaryschool,whenyou’reabout14.Anditgetssteadilynarroweruntilyoudoyour“A”levelsinonlytwoorthreesubjects.Youeitherdolanguages,ornaturalsciences,orsocialsciences.PeterDavies: Butsurelythesedaysyouhaveto,John—youcan’tpossiblystudyeverythingbecausethere’sjusttoomuch.JohnJames: Yes,buthowmanykidsattheageofsixteenreallyknowwhattheywanttodo?Howmanyofthemareconvincedthatthethreesubjectsthey’vechosen,orhavebeenrecommended,aretheonesthatwillletthemfollowthecareerstheyeventuallydecideon?PeterDavies: Oh,Ithinkmostyoungpeoplewhostayonatschoolhaveafairideaofwhattheywanttodo.JohnJames:I’mnotsosure,Peter,Andafterall,that’snottheendofit.WhentheygettouniversityinEngland,thesubjectstheystudyaresonarrowthattheyareonlygoodforonething,sotheyarestuckwithit. PeterDavies:ButIdon’treallyseethatthereisanyalternativeifpeoplearegoingtolearnenoughtobecompetentintheirsubject.They’vegottospecializeearly,andIsupposethosethatrealizethey’vemadeamistakecanalwaysswaptosomethingelse.JohnJames:Ah,butthat’sjustit.Youcan’t.Supposeyoustudylanguagesatuniversityandthendecidethatyouarenotcutoutforitandwouldliketobeadoctor.You’veburntyourbridges.Youcan’tjustchangehorsesinmid-stream;you’vegottogorightbacktothebeginningandyouloseyears.IthinktheAmericansystemismuchbetter.AudioscriptJohnJames: …IthinktheAmericansystemismuchbetter.PeterDavies: Inwhatway?JohnJames: Well,foryourfirstdegreeyou’vegottostudyafairlywiderangeofsubjects,andyoucanchoosethemyourself,withincertainlimits.PeterDavies: Fine,butdoesn’tthatmeanthatAmericanstudentswithafirstdegreedon’thavethedepthofknowledgetheyshouldhave?JohnJames: Shouldhaveforwhat?PeterDavies: Well,theyoftenaren’tacceptedforpostgraduateworkinEnglandwithjustafirstdegree.JohnJames: Maybenot,butIdon’treallythinkthat’simportant.Theycomeoutwithaprettygoodgeneralknowledgeinawidearea.Afterall,whenyouthinkaboutalotofthestuffEnglishstudentshavetostudy,whatgoodisittothemafterwards?I’msurethemajorityofBritishstudentsneveruse90percentofwhattheystudiedatuniversity.PeterDavies: Thatmaybetrueofsomeartssubjects,butwhataboutthesciences?JohnJames: Eventhere,alotwhattheydoatuniversityissoacademicandabstrusethattheywillneverbeabletoputittoanypracticaluse.I’msuretheywouldbenefitfarmorefromon-the-jobexperience.Andifthey’vehadabroadercourseofstudythey’vegottwoadvantages.PeterDavies: Howdoyoumean?JohnJames: Firstofall,theywillhaveabetterunderstandingoftheworldingeneral,sotheywillbemoreflexibleintheirjobs,andthenifthingsdogowrongtheywillbeabletoswitchjobseasily.PeterDavies:Thatallsoundsverysimple,butIthinkyou’restillunderestimatingtheamountofpurelearningthatyouneedthesedays,particularlyintechnicalandscientificareas.Imeanevenatschoolthesedays,childrenhavetolearnfarmorethingsthanwedidwhenwewereatschool.JohnJames:Allthemorereasonweshouldnottrytoconcentrateonsuchafewthingsatsuchanearlyage.Thingsarechangingsorapidlythesedaysthatwehavetochangewiththem.Whenwewereyounger,therewasaprettygoodchancethatwewouldbeabletocarryonintheprofessionwe’dchosenuntilweretired.Butthesedays,peoplehavegottobepreparedtochangetheirjobsandlearnnewskillsastechnologymovesahead.Takejusttheareaoftheoffice,forexample.Howmanyoffices…AudioscriptImaginebeingaskedtospendtwelveorsoyearsofyourlifeinasocietywhichconsistedonlyofmembersofyourownsex.Howwouldyoureact?Unlesstherewassomethingdefinitelywrongwithyou,youwouldn’tbesohappyaboutit,tosaytheleast.Itisallthemoresurprisingthereforethatsomanyparentsintheworldchoosetoimposesuchabnormalconditionsontheirchildren—conditionswhichtheythemselveswouldn’tputupwithforoneminute!Anydiscussionofthistopicisboundtoquestiontheaimsofeducation.Stuffingchildren’sheadfullofknowledgeisfarfrombeingforemostamongthem.Oneofthechiefaimsofeducationistoequipfuturecitizenswithalltheyrequiretotaketheirplaceinadultsociety.Nowadultsocietyismadeupofmenandwomen,sohowcanasegregatedschoolpossiblyoffertherightsortofpreparationforit?Anyoneenteringadultsocietyafteryearsofsegregationcanonlybeinforashock.Aco-educationalschoolofferschildrennothinglessthanatrueversionofsocietyinminiature.Boysandgirlsaregiventheopportunitytogettoknoweachother,tolearntolivetogetherfromtheirearliestyears.Theyareputinapositionwheretheycancomparethemselveswitheachotherintermsofacademicability,athleticachievementandmanyoftheextra-curricularactivitieswhicharepartofschoollife.Whatapracticaladvantageitis(togivejustasmallexample)tobeabletoputonaschoolplayinwhichthemalepartswillbetakenbyboysandthefemalepartsbygirls!Whensegregated,boysandgirlsaremadetofeelthattheyarearaceapart.Inaco-educationalschool,everythingfallsintoitsproperplace.

Butperhapsthegreatestcontributionofco-educationisthehealthyattitudetolifeitencourages.Boysdon’tgrowupbelievingthatwomenaremysteriouscreatures.Girlsdon’tgrowupimaginingthatmenareromanticheroes.Yearsoflivingtogethe