Tag Archive: education – beginner

Pre-reading questions: Who is your favorite artist? Do you play any musical instruments? Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers, and Publishers or also known as JASRAC plans to start collecting copyright fees from music schools starting January 2018. Yamaha Music Foundation might decrease its music students because of this plan. In addition, Yamaha stated that JASRAC’s plan may prevent the progress of Japan’s music culture. JASRAC is in-charge of collecting copyright fees for using music. Vocabulary: copyright – [noun] a method of protecting the rights of a creator through law decrease – [verb] lessen prevent – [verb] to stop tuition fee – [noun] payment for teaching in-charge – [noun]…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you think education is important? How can education change our future? Singapore’s Ministry of Education will implement an aptitude-based program. This program focuses on students’ natural ability and talents. This is very different from the traditional system, which is academic-based. This program will be applied in the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics, and universities in the country. Vocabulary: implement [verb] – to start using a plan or system aptitude [noun] – a natural ability or skill ability [noun] – skill to do something academic [adjective] – relating to performance in courses of study; relating to schools, colleges, and universities, or connected with studying and thinking, not with practical…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you like studying thru the internet? Is studying thru the internet effective? E-learning in South Africa is growing. There are many students in South Africa who cannot go to school, so e-learning can be very useful for them. There are several phone applications that students can use even with slow internet connection. With e-learning, schools also have to change the way students learn. This is an important change and several schools and business are already doing it. Most importantly, even if e-learning is already becoming popular in South Africa, the government still needs to support the program so it can become even more successful. Vocabulary: e-learning [noun]…
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Pre-reading questions: What’s your favorite subject in school? Who’s the best teacher for you? England, a country that is part of the United Kingdom, is experiencing a growing shortage of teachers. Many teachers already left their positions and a lot more are expected to quit soon. Teachers in key subjects such as Math and Science are urgently needed as the number of students is increasing. Vocabulary: a lot [pronoun] – a large number or amount shortage [noun] – not enough urgently [adverb] – needs immediate action or attention. continue [verb] – to keep happening rise [verb] – increase; go up True or False: England has a surplus of teachers. Many…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you like studying alone or with your friends? Why? What would you like to study aside from subjects at school? Why? Parents want to help their children at school so they are studying Latin. A private school in London opens a Latin course with many adult participants. Latin is taught to 50,000 children but only few pass the tests. Some parents enrolled in Latin class because they want to relate with their children. Others enrolled because they are interested with the Roman Empire in books or movies. Vocabulary: Latin – [noun] the language of Ancient Rome course – [noun] class participants – [noun] people who join an…
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Pre-reading questions: Is studying in college difficult? Is it expensive to study in Japan? Starting 2018, Japan will give scholarships to students from low-income families for them to enter universities. This means that students from low-income families can study in college for free. Many Japanese students nowadays borrow money from the government to pay for college. With the scholarship program of Prime Minister Abe, students would not need to pay a lot of money to the government. The government wants everyone to have the chance to finish school. The government has prepared ¥7 billion for this program. Vocabulary: scholarship [noun] – an amount of money given by a school, college,…
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  Pre-reading questions: What do you do to get to school or work early? Do you think people who are late in school or work should be punished?   Parents can be punished by the school if their children are always late for school. Catherine Staltham, the principal of Winter Gardens Academy, said that parents will pay £60 if their children did not reach the 9:00am bell. This rule will apply starting April 1. The Department for Education says that schools should not allow students to be late. Parents should be responsible for their children’s attendance in school.   Vocabulary: punish- [verb] to correct from wrongdoing principal- [noun] head teacher…
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  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite subject in school/university? Do you want to study in a university with no teachers? Please explain your answer. Ecole 42 is a university without teachers. It opened its branch in California. It originated from Paris 3 years ago. Unlike typical universities, students in 42 learn with their classmates only. They are free to learn and work on projects at their own pace. Students need to complete 21 levels to graduate. Vocabulary: branch [noun] – office; extension of the main branch originate [verb] – to begin typical [adjective] – usual; customary pace [noun]– speed graduate [verb] – to complete a course of study in…
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  Pre-reading questions: How long do you use a smartphone in a day? Do you know any area or place that blocks internet access?   Julia Polley, the headmistress of Wensleydale School and Sixth Form College, attempted to stop students from using the internet in class. She wrote a letter telling the students’ parents that she wanted to block the internet use at school. She said that nowadays, children are too focused on their smartphones and can no longer concentrate in class. However, the Office of Communications in United Kingdom said that Polley’s plan is illegal since having a signal jammer can block important calls and disrupt emergency services. The…
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Pre-reading questions: Are college entrance examinations in Japan difficult? What is the best way to prepare for an examination? High school students and graduates recently took college entrance examinations in Japan. The test was held at 691 sites. It ended last Sunday, January 15. Some exam sites had to reschedule the examination because of bad weather. Seventy-nine of the examinees who arrived late will be allowed to retake the test. There were 12 students who were caught cheating by using smartphones or calculators. Vocabulary: examination – [noun] test; a formal test of a person’s knowledge reschedule – [verb] change the date and time of an event examinee – [noun] a…
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