Tag: education

The School that Puts the Kids in Charge

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this unique school in Thailand, teachers take a back seat. Students are given the responsibilities instead. From managing finances to volunteering, children are tasked to do things that adults are supposed to do in regular school environment.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this out-of-the-box approach to rural Thai education.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240711

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the idiom “call the shots“? “In this programme we’ll be hearing about the Bamboo School, a unique school where the children call the shots – they have the power to make the decisions.” Give one synonym or similar expression and use ‘call the shots’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “real world experience” mean? “My old school wasn’t like this. It was just classes and then home. Here, I get to try so many things, gain real world experience, and work on my leadership skills with my friends.” Give one synonym or similar expression and use ‘real world experience’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to do something in return” mean? “Yes, we just heard that kids go to the Bamboo School for free but do something in return.” Give one synonym or similar expression and use ‘to do something in return’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the young students’ responsibilities in Bamboo School in Thailand?
  2. What do you think of a school where it’s the children who call the shots?
  3. What advantages do this school management system have on its young pupils? What are the disadvantages?
  4. What impact/effects could giving school children this kind/amount of trust have on them?
  5. Aside from this, how do you think children can gain real world experience?
  6. Do you think young kids should do community service? Share your insights.

Ukraine’s First Underground School

B1 – Intermediate 

To make sure the students are safe from attacks by Russia, the first underground school in Kharkiv, Ukraine has been opened.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Ukraine’s first underground school.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/ukraines-first-underground-school-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “underground” mean? “A new school in Kharkiv, Ukraine is underground to keep children safe from Russian attacks.”  Make your own sentence with this word.
  2. What is a “bunker”? “Many students started classes this week in the bunker that is 6 meters below the ground.” Make your own sentence with this word.
  3. What does “bright” mean in this context, “The entrance is a small white concrete box and the classrooms are bright, but have no windows.”? Make your own sentence with this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, talk about the new school in Kharkiv. State as much details as possible.
  2. What is your opinion about this kind of underground school?
  3. What positive and negative effects of going to underground school could have on children?
  4. Do you think this underground school could really keep students safe in case of an attack? State your opinion.
  5. Do you think this school can really help children live normal lives? Explain.
  6. How might children’s education be affected by the war?

Boys Do Bad at School in the Persian Gulf

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Globally, girls are more likely to get no education at all than boys. In some countries, girls are seen as second class citizens and their main role is to get married and bear children. In the Persian Gulf, it is the other way around.

Let’s read the article and find out why boys in the Persian Gulf are not doing so well academically.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/education/boys-do-bad-at-schools-in-persian-gulf.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the verb “rely on someone/something“. “They rely on them to do everything they would otherwise have to do themselves.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. What does “push” mean in this context? “The rest go to private schools where teachers are not only better but more interested in pushing children towards a higher education.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms..
  3. What is the meaning of the expression “to pour something into“? “Authorities are convinced that just pouring money into the school system won’t achieve the desired results.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what are the reasons boys are not doing well at school in the Persian Gulf?
  2. Share your opinion on this statement, “In an oil-rich region such as the Persian Gulf, families are so wealthy that their children do not need to study hard.“.
  3. How do private and public school differ in this region?
  4. What could be the outcome if this trend continues?
  5. In your opinion, what measures or changes could help resolve this problem?

Dropout Factories

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some schools are infamous for their high rate of dropouts. There are many reasons as to why students prefer to quit their studies. 

The question remains though, does this issue have any impact on communities?

Read the article about dropout factories and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://headsupenglish.com/index.php/advanced-english-students/advanced-mini-lessons/165-dropout-factories

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a ”derogatory”? “A dropout factory serves as a derogatory label applied to any high school where 40% or more of the students quit before their final year.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “churn out” mean? “Like a factory that churns out a product, sadly a dropout factory churns out students who fail to graduate.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “impoverished” mean, “These schools tend to be in urban and/or impoverished areas.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘impoverished’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might be some reasons students dropout from school?
  2. Do you think a drop-out still has a chance to succeed in life? Explain your opinion.
  3. How can high number of students dropping out affect the society/a community?
  4. Did you ever consider quitting your studies? If yes, when was it and why? If not, what is the reason you finished your studies?
  5. What could be done to lower the number of students dropping out?

Activists Challenge Harvard’s Legacy Admissions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the most stressful stage in a young student’s life is trying to get into their dream university. In the recent years, many universities in the US have made this test optional for their applicants. But that doesn’t mean the process has become easier and faster, especially in elite universities. One factor that they allegedly highly consider is the tie the applicant has with its alum.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about this seemingly discriminating practice in Ivy League universities in the US.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/activists-challenge-harvard-s-legacy-admissions/7168000.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “legacy admission“. “A civil rights group is taking legal action against legacy admissions at Harvard University.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “bearing” mean here, “Your family’s last name and the size of your bank account are not a measure of merit, and should have no bearing on the college admissions process.”? Use bearing’ in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to give a lift to someone“? “They note that the Supreme Court’s ruling says colleges must ignore the race of applicants but schools can still give a lift to the children of alumni and donors.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on legacy admission at Harvard? Do you think the practice discriminates against students of color? Explain your stand.
  2. Why are opponents of this practice against it? Give their reasons.
  3. Is private donation to public universities allowed in your country? If yes, Do you think it should be forbidden?
  4. What are the college admission policies in your country?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Your family’s last name and the size of your bank account are not a measure of merit, and should have no bearing on the college admissions process.“.

Government Bans Phones in Schools

B1 – Intermediate

At present, mobile phones have clearly become a very important device for everyone. However, is it something that should be allowed to be used by students in schools?

The Dutch government plans to prohibit gadgets in the classrooms by 2024.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the Dutch government’s plan to prohibit mobile phones in schools.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dutch-government-bans-phones-in-schools-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to do something in one’s way” mean, “Schools have the flexibility to implement the ban in their way.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “outcome” mean,  “If the desired outcomes are not achieved by the summer of 2024, legal rules will be enforced.”? Give 2 synonyms and use “outcome” in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”enforce” mean, “If the desired outcomes are not achieved by the summer of 2024, legal rules will be enforced.”? Give 2 synonyms and use “enforce” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this prohibition?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that gadgets aren’t suitable for classrooms? Explain.
  3. What are the pros and cons of letting students use devices in the classroom?
  4. How would people react if this ban was implemented in your country?
  5. Talk about an issue in education that you think the government should focus on.

Get Rid of Standardized Testing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When it was first administered, standardized testing was done to evaluate government jobs applicants and help them get into the institutions they wished to get employment in.

Required examinations are given in order to predict academic progress. Standardized testing determines both teachers and students’ potential future success or failure.

Have you ever studied excessively in order to ace this kind of test? In what manner are you retaining it? Please watch the video below to understand more about this topic.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “aptitude” mean? “Chinese officials used them to determine aptitude for various government posts.” Construct your own sentence using this word.
  2. How about “predetermined criteria“? ” Others measure performances on how well test takers meet predetermined criteria.” Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “percentile“? “If a diplomat is in the 70th percentile, 70% of test takers scored below her.” Kindly use the word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of standardized tests?
  2. Do you think it accurately measures performance at school or at work? Explain your stance.
  3. What do you think of this statement? “Reliability and validity are two critical ideas for understanding standardized tests.” Share your thoughts.
  4. Share about a test you’ve taken in order to land a job. Do you think it was a reliable and valid test? Why/why not?
  5. What are some controversies you know of when it comes to standardized testing?

Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms

B2 – Upper Intermediate

China is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms and it has implemented various AI-based technologies to enhance education.

It aims to provide personalized and immersive learning experiences, improve teaching effectiveness, and enhance student engagement and achievement.

However, the use of AI in education also raises concerns about data privacy, bias, and ethical issues. These are some of the challenges that need to be addressed for AI to be used effectively in classrooms.

Watch the video to learn more about how AI tech is being used in the classrooms. Be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “a glimpse of something” mean? “Some schools offer glimpses of what the future of high tech education might look like.” Use the idiom in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “consent” mean? “School says it wasn’t hard for them getting parental consent to enroll kids into what is one of the world’s largest experiments in AI education.” Give an example sentence using this word.
  3. What does the expression “doze off” mean? “This fifth grader whom we caught dozing off in class, told us his parents punish him for low attention scores.” Use the phrase in your own sentence and give two synonyms of ‘doze off’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of using AI in classrooms?
  2. Should AI tech be enforced in classrooms more? Explain your stand.
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using AI tech in education?
  4. Would you like your child to be immersed in this kind of education or would you prefer them having the traditional method? Explain your answer.

Brexit Causes Collapse in European Research Funding 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Research grants guarantee ample financial support to reach the completion of a study. Without the proper funding, it is highly unlikely for major research to reach its conclusion or to even get started. Universities are one of the institutions where research studies are usually done. In order to do so, they need to receive research grants from their government or other external funding sources.

Let’s read the article to know more about the effects of Brexit on UK’s university research and development.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/04/brexit-causes-collapse-in-european-research-funding-for-oxbridge-universities

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “high-catchet”, “He has taken his high-cachet European Research Council (ERC) advanced grant with him.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “woo” mean in this sentence, “Although she was wooed to the US by what she calls “the best job in my field”, she says Brexit uncertainty was a big factor.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “wrangling” mean in this sentence? “The government has guaranteed it will cover all successful Horizon Europe grants applied for by the end of March, but after watching the political wranglings for more than two years, many academics are now leaving the UK, saying they no longer believe their vital European research partnerships will be protected.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Brexit affect higher education and research in the UK?
  2. What option is available to those who have received the grant in the UK?
  3. Does your government promote and invest in research and development? How?
  4. How did Brexit affect R&D in your country?
  5. Why should we invest in R&D?

Artificial Intelligence in University Assessments

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of things in our society and how we do things have changed with the help of artificial intelligence or AI. A new way to use AI is to let students use AI text generators in their exams. This is very much like using calculators in math tests.

Read the article about allowing the use of artificial intelligence in students’ tests at universities.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2301/230123-a-i-in-assignments-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to go pen and paper” mean, “You cannot stop it. The alternative is the Middle Ages – going to pen and paper.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “landmark” mean here, “Three universities have adopted a new, landmark policy – to allow students to use AI in assessments.”? Use this word in your own sentence. 
  3. Give 2 synonyms of “assessment”. Three universities have adopted a new, landmark policy – to allow students to use AI in assessments. Use them in your own sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this ‘new, landmark policy’?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using AI text generators/language-processing tools in exams?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that “Artificial Intelligence could affect exam fairness.”? Explain your point.
  4. Have you ever tried using any AI text generators/language-processing tools? Talk about your experience.
  5. Talk about your experience ‘going pen and paper’.