1、新视野英语原文大一上学期Section ALearning a Foreign LanguageLearning a foreign language was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding experiences of my life. Although at times, learning a language was frustrating, it was well worth the effort.My experience with a foreign language began in junior middle schoo
2、l, when I took my first English class. I had a kind and patient teacher who often praised all of the students. Because of this positive method, I eagerly answered all the questions I could, never worrying much about making mistakes. I was at the top of my class for two years.When I went to senior mi
3、ddle school, I was eager to continue studying English; however, my experience in senior school was very different from before. While my former teacher had been patient with all the students, my new teacher quickly punished those who gave incorrect answers. Whenever we answered incorrectly, she point
4、ed a long stick at us and, shaking it up and down, shouted, No! No! No! It didnt take me long to lose my eagerness to answer questions. Not only did I lose my joy in answering questions, but also I totally lost my desire to say anything at all in English.However, that state didnt last long. When I w
5、ent to college, I learned that all students were required to take an English course. Unlike my senior middle school teacher, my college English teachers were patient and kind, and none of them carried long, pointed sticks! However, the situation was far from perfect. As our classes were very large,
6、I was only able to answer a couple of questions in each class period. Also, after a few weeks of classes, I noticed there were many students who spoke much better than I did. I began to feel intimidated. So, once again, although for different reasons, I was afraid to speak. It seemed my English was
7、going to stay at the same level forever.That was the situation until a couple of years later, when I was offered an opportunity to study English through an online course. The communication medium was a computer, phone line, and modem. I soon got access to the necessary equipment, learned the technol
8、ogy from a friend and participated in the virtual classroom 5 to 7 days a week.Online learning is not easier than regular classroom study; it requires much time, commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the course. I worked hard to meet the minimum standards set by the course and to com
9、plete assignments on time.I practiced all the time. I carried a little dictionary with me everywhere I went, as well as a notebook in which I listed any new words I heard. I made many, sometimes embarrassing, mistakes. Once in a while I cried with frustration, and sometimes I felt like giving up. Bu
10、t I didnt feel intimidated by students who spoke faster than I did because I took all the time I needed to think out my ideas and wrote a reply before posting it on the screen. Then, one day I realized I could understand just about everything I came across, and most importantly, I could say anything
11、 I wanted to in English. Although I still made many mistakes and was continually learning, I had finally reaped the benefits of all that hard work.Learning a foreign language has been a most trying experience for me, but one that I wouldnt trade for anything. Not only did learning another language t
12、each me the value of hard work, but it also gave me insights into another culture, and my mind was opened to new ways of seeing things. The most wonderful result of having learned a foreign language was that I could communicate with many more people than before. Talking with people is one of my favo
13、rite activities, so being able to speak a new language lets me meet new people, participate in conversations, and form new, unforgettable friendships. Now that I speak a foreign language, instead of staring into space when English is being spoken, I can participate and make friends. I am able to rea
14、ch out to others and bridge the gap between my language and culture and theirs.Section BKeys to Successful Online LearningWhile regular schools still exist, the virtual classroom plays an important role in todays learning community. Job opportunities for students are expanding rapidly and more peopl
15、e of all ages are becoming aware of online learning that allows them to study at home. Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students.1. Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and learning experie
16、nces as part of online learning.Many different people find that the online method requires them to use their experiences and that online learning offers them a place to communicate with each other. This forum for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder some students from expressing the
17、mselves. In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before replying. In this way, students can help to keep the online environment open and friendly.2. Be able to communicate through writing.In the virtual classroom nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that
18、students feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. Some students have limited writing abilities which need to be improved before or as part of the online experience. This usually requires extra commitment by these students. Whether working alone or in a group, students share ideas, perspect
19、ives and discussions on the subject being studied, and read about those of their classmates. In this way, students gain great insight from their peers, learning from each other as well as the instructor.3. Be willing to speak up if problems arise.Remember that instructors cannot see their students i
20、n an online course. This means students must be absolutely explicit with their comments and requests. If they experience technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, they MUST speak up; otherwise there is no way anyone can know something is wrong. If one person do
21、es not understand something, possibly several others have the same problem. If another student is able to help, she/he probably will. While explaining something to others, students reinforce their own knowledge about the subject.4. Take the program seriously.Online learning is not easier than study
22、in regular classrooms. In fact, many students say it requires much more time and effort. Requirements for online courses are not less than those of any quality program. Successful students, however, see online learning as a convenient way to receive their education not an easier way. Many online stu
23、dents sit at computers for hours at a time during evenings and on weekends in order to complete their assignments. When other people are finished and having fun is most likely the time when online students do their course work. Online students need to commit 4 to 15 hours a week for each course.5. A
24、ccept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning.Online courses require students to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate information and make the right decisions based on critical thinking. In a positive onli
25、ne environment, students feel valued by the instructor, by their classmates and by their own work.6. Be able to think ideas through before replying.Providing meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of online learning. Time is given to allow for careful developmen
26、t of answers. Testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged. Many times online students will not always be right; they just need to be prepared to accept a challenge.7. Keep up with the progress of the course.Online learning is normally sequential and requires commitment on the students part. Keepi
27、ng up with the face-to-face class and completing all work on time is vital. Once students get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Students need to want to be there and need to want the experience. The instructor may have to communicate with students personally to offer help and remind them
28、of the need to keep up.Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators, not all students have the necessary qualities to perform well online. People who have the qualities discussed above usually make very successful online students. If you have these qualities, learning
29、online may be one of the best discoveries you will ever make.Words: 715Section CTeaching Children at HomeRecord numbers of children are being taken out of school and taught by their parents at home. Up to 100 children a month are leaving the classroom because parents are not satisfied with schools.
30、Around 15,000 families now teach their children at home, a rise of 50 per cent from last year, according to the latest figures.This present rise in home schooling is blamed on the nature of examinations, not getting children into the school of choice, and dissatisfaction with teaching methods. Some
31、parents prefer keeping children home because of attacks by other students and a lack of discipline in schools. Researchers say, however, many families prefer teaching at home because they feel the idea of public schooling is not modern. They believe schools will be things of the past in 20 years as
32、media technology, like the Internet, teaches children. 1. _Under the law, parents must teach their children, whether at school or at home. Community officials are charged with protecting their schooling. Professor Meighan of Nottingham University says parents were fed up with the requirements of existing schools. For him, schools are an out-of-date concept from the days of the town crier（市政传令员）, when it was difficult to get information and a central person was needed to communicate knowledge. He also thinks parents are recognizing educat
