Pre-reading questions:
- What is your favorite subject in school/university?
- What do you like about your school/university?
- What are the unique characteristics of your school/university?
Ecole 42, France’s teacherless university, opened it’s branch in California last October. 42 originated from Paris 3 years ago. Unlike typical schools, students here take charge of their own learning. They have the freedom to work at their own pace on their preferred projects. 21 levels must be completed to graduate. However, they will not be granted any certificate.
Without any professors to guide them, the students confide in peer learning. The students are also responsible for checking each other’s work. The benefactors of the said institution believe that peer learning boosts the confidence and creativity of students, by requiring them to solve problems by themselves. The institution also wanted to build up equality, and team work among students.
Vocabulary:
freedom [noun] – the state of being free
prefer [verb] – to choose something over another
confide [verb] – to have full trust
peer [noun] – a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, etc.
benefactor [noun] – a person who supports a person or institution
institution [noun] – an establishment, or organization devoted to the promotion of a certain cause, especially of a public, educational or charitable character
Comprehension Questions:
- When did Ecole 42 start?
- What is unique about this university?
- How many levels are students required to complete in order to graduate?
- How do the students learn without professors?
- What do the benefactors of 42 believe about peer learning?
Express Your Opinion:
- Are you willing to enroll in a teacherless university? Please explain your answer.
- If you were to establish a university of your own, how would you make it unique?
- Do you want to have multiple academic degrees? Please explain your answer.