…or even a pure immersion （〃sink or swim〃） approach。 However； all these teachers share a mon mitment： to help students function well in English。
无论英语是否是美国的「官方语言」，它仍是「广泛沟通的语言」。在美国，几乎每个人都了解，若想要出人头地，必须精通英语。为满足那些想精进英语能力的人的需要，教导英语为第二语言的机构（ESL）到处都是。拥有大批新进移民的一些大都市，都设有双语教学课程，在移民们加强英语能力的同时，用移民们的母语教授普通科目。语言教育学家对何种方法才能帮助学生更有效地学习英语……利用双语教学、ESL教学、或让学生完全浸入一个英语的环境（认输或强学……），都拥有强烈并分歧的看法。但这些教师都拥有共同使命：帮助学生流利地使用英语。
Americans recognize that English is the de facto international language； and people with good English skills can get by in many international settings。 On the other hand； in a world growing increasingly smaller； second language skills can be a great boon。 They can build cross…cultural bridges and give people an edge in a variety of career fields。 Indeed； lack of foreign language proficiency can limit one's chances for advancement…and keep one in a cultural cul…de…sac。 As many people in America are discovering； being monolingual is no laughing matter。
美国人了解，英语就是一个实际的国际语言，若能操流利的英语，在许多国际场合都能派得上用场。另一方面当国际间的距离越变越小时，拥有第二外语能力极为有利。外语能力可以建立文化交流的桥梁，并且使人们在不同的专业领域里，占得优势。的确，缺乏外语能力不仅限制个人的擢升，并且把个人限制在文化的死胡同内。很多美国人都逐渐发现，只会一种语言，不再是一件好事了。
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？ Spotlight on Munich 聚焦慕尼黑（图）
？ 英国人的两种不同的休闲方式（图）
？ British Pub…goer's Manner 英国酒客的举止（图）
？ British Pub Etiquette 英国酒吧的礼仪（图）
？ British Pub Culture 英国的酒吧文化（图）
？ Spotlight on Copenhagen 哥本哈根特写（图）
？ 教堂与广场（图）
？ 剧院与音乐（图）
？ 世界各地婚俗（三）（图）
？ 美味的馅饼和细面条（图）
？ 意大利：美丽神奇之国（图）
？ 神秘的威尼斯（图）
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时尚英语 》》 英语点滴 》》 正文
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Education 美式教育
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｜ ｜ 8月8日
On the first day of school； Johnny had a hard time getting out of bed。 〃Johnny； get up！ You're going to be late for school！〃 warned his mother。 〃Aw； Mom； do I have to go to school？〃 Johnny plained。 〃Yes； son； summer is over； and the new school year is starting。 You must go to school。 And besides；〃 reasoned Johnny's mother； 〃you're the teacher！〃
This old American joke does have a ring of truth to it。 American teachers and students alike enjoy their summer vacation。 But don't let the humor fool you： Education is a major part of American culture。 Schools do more than just fill students' heads with knowledge。 They pass on culture； traditions and values。
American children start their education in elementary school。 Most youngsters enter first grade at around six years of age。 Children can prepare for this step by attending preschool and kindergarten from ages three to five。 Young learners finish elementary school in fifth or sixth grade。 From there； students go on to junior high school until eighth or ninth grade。 Americans plete their required education in high school。 They graduate and receive a diploma after twelfth grade。
Beyond high school； Americans have many chances for further education。 In contrast to other countries； the U。S。 has no national college entrance exam。 Instead； private panies give exams to students。 Universities decide which tests students must take。 In addition to test scores； university officials also consider applicants' high school grades and other activities。 Universities give scholarships and financial aid to help many who cannot afford the high tuition costs。 Students with less academic goals may enroll in vocational schools or munity colleges。
The American style of education； pared to that of other countries； is quite informal。 In fact； the casual class atmosphere often amazes international students。 American teachers encourage students to think for themselves。 Instead of grading students only on test scores； teachers evaluate papers； group projects and class participation； as well。 Students often have to think creatively to solve problems…not just memorize facts。 Students also learn how to do research by using resource materials to find their own answers。 In this way； classrooms illustrate the American emphasis on individual responsibility。
Freedom of choice is another American value not absent from school life。 In addition to their required courses； high school and college students may choose elective courses。 These electives allow students to study subjects that interest them。 The menu of choices might include typing； band and home economics； as well as special academic classes。 Other activities occupy students' time after school hours。 Most schools have sports teams； clubs and publications that give students valuable experience。
The American system of education is far from perfect。 Teachers in America fight to control cheating and plagiarism。 Drugs； violence； sex and peer pressure interfere with students' education。 Test scores are declining。 In light of these issues； American teachers have an important and challenging job。 They must instill cultural and moral values； as well as knowledge； in young American citizens。 Wake up； Johnny！ You've got work to do！
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相关链接
？ Spotlight on Munich 聚焦慕尼黑（图）
？ 英国人的两种不同的休闲方式（图）
？ British Pub…goer's Manner 英国酒客的举止（图）
？ British Pub Etiquette 英国酒吧的礼仪（图）
？ British Pub Culture 英国的酒吧文化（图）
？ Spotlight on Copenhagen 哥本哈根特写（图）
？ 教堂与广场（图）
？ 剧院与音乐（图）
？ 世界各地婚俗（三）（图）
？ 美味的馅饼和细面条（图）
？ 意大利：美丽神奇之国（图）
？ 神秘的威尼斯（图）
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Copyright？2000…2001 //。oh100。/ All right reserved。
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时尚英语 》》 英语点滴 》》 正文
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Elections 美国的选举
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｜ ｜ 7月5日
Suprises often e in boxes。 Birthday presents wrapped in colorful paper； brown paper packages mailed from a friend。 No matter what kind of box it is； people like to open it up and see what's inside。 In America； and in many other countries； one special kind of box contains the future。 It's called a ballot box。 What people put into the box on election day can change the course of history。
惊奇常常是在箱子里出现：包在彩色包装纸里面的生日礼物…朋友寄来牛皮纸包的包裹…不论是怎样的箱子，人们喜欢打开来看看里面是什么。在美国以及其它许多国家，有一个特殊的箱子关系着未来，称为投票箱。人们在选举日投在箱子里的东西可以改变历史的走向。
Elections are the lifeblood of a democracy。 The word democracy literally means 〃the people rule；〃 an important concept in America's history。 In the mid…1700s； England began passing laws that made the American colonies angry。 The colonists had to pay more and more taxes and enjoyed less and less freedom。 They felt the government of England didn't represent their interests。 On July 4； 1776； the colonies declared their independence from England。 They wanted to establish a democracy where people could have a voice in government。
选举是民主的原动力。民主这个字照字面的意思是「人民自主」，是美国历史中一个重要的观念。十八世纪中期，英国开始通过一些使美国殖民地愤怒的法律。殖民地人民必须付愈来愈多的税，享有愈来愈少的自由。他们感到英国政府没有代表他们的权益。一七七六年七月四日，殖民地宣布脱离英国独立。他们想要建立民主制度，使人们在政府中有发言权。
An effective democracy holds regular elections。 In America； elections are held every two years for members of Congress。 In these elections； all seats in the House of Representatives and one…third of the Senate seats are up for grabs。 In addition； every four years； voters go to the polls to elect the nation's president and vice…president。 Voters also regularly cast their ballots for state and city government leaders and local school board members。 Sometimes they also have to vote on a proposed law。
有效的民主制度定期举行选举。在美国，每两年选一次国会议员。在这些选举中，人们可以争取所有众议院的席位和三分之一的参议院席位。除此以外，选民每四年去投票所选出国家的总统和副总统。选民也定期投票选出州长、市长及当地学校的董事会成员。有时他们也必须投票决定提议的法律。
In the American electoral system； people don't really vote for presidential candidates。 Instead； voters cast their ballots for 〃electors〃 who support each candidate。 Each state has as many electors as the total number of its representatives in Congress。 This equals two senators per state pl