Unit 1 School Life

What do you think of your junior high school life? Have you ever experienced anything interesting or unforgettable during the junior high school life?

joys sorrows dreams excitement school life discoveries challenges failures successes tears laughter

Do you know about the schools in the United Kingdom? Appreciate more photos and describe what you see to the class.

There are four pictures that show some aspects of school life in the UK. Please look at the pictures, read the instructions and try to determine the differences between schools in China and in the UK.

In the United Kingdom, we can see huge campus and low buildings in this picture.

In China, schools in China usually have a large enough campus to make sure that students have enough space to study and play in. However, most school buildings are taller, at least three storeys.

In the United Kingdom, there are rows of lockers by the classrooms for students to put their stationery, books, exercise-books and other belongings.

In China, students bring what they need for lessons to school and then take it all back home after school. Most schools in China do not have equipment in the classroom.

In the United Kingdom, there are fewer students in a class — no more than 30 per class.

In China, there are usually more students in Chinese high school, perhaps 40 to 50 per class. Recently, some schools are beginning to limit the number of students in each class.

In the United Kingdom, when classes are over in the afternoon, students take part in different outdoor activities, which makes their school life more interesting. They can enjoy nature, play ball games or do what else they like. They don’t have to hurry home to do a lot of homework.

After school, some may read or study in the library After school, some may read or study in the library. Some may discuss with their classmates about the lessons.

In China It is similar in some urban schools in China. Nowadays, schools there lay emphasis on students’ overall development. They provide chances for their students and encourage them to do outdoor activities. Students are taught to keep a good balance between their study and outdoor activities. However, in some schools, students are burdened with too much homework. They have no time to go out and relax after studying a whole day.

Discussion 1. What kind of school activities do you enjoy? 2. Do you know of any further differences between the schools in the United Kingdom and China? 3. What is your dream school life like?

Discussion Nowadays, more and more young students are going abroad to study. What effects will the new school life have on them?

Advantages: 1. widen their view 2. improve their English 3. learn to be independent and cooperate with others 4. learn about foreign customs and culture 5. let the foreigners learn about China and attract them to invest in China 6. learn advanced technology

Disadvantages: 1. cost a lot of money and cause a heavy burden to their parents 2. feel homesick 3. form bad habits 4. stay in a foreign country and refuse to come back

Reading Read the passage quickly and answer these questions.

1.How long did Wei Hua stay in Britain? _________ 2.What was the name of Wei Hua’s class teacher ? ______________ 3. What did Wei Hua make in her Art class ?_______________ One year Mr Heywood A small sculpture

How many parts are there in the passage? What’s the main idea of each part? Parts Paragraphs Main idea Wei Hua's feeling about staying in a British high school for one years. Part 1 Para. 1 Paras. 2-7 Different aspects of school life in the UK. Part 2 Wei Hua's hope. Part 3 Para. 8

Skim the text and answer these questions. What did Wei Hua think of her life in the UK? She thought it was a very enjoyable and exciting experience.

2. What subjects did Wei Hua study in the past year? 3. Which British city did Wei Hua go to? English, History, English Literature, Computer Science, Maths, Science, PE, Art, Cooking and French. Manchester.

True or False F Wei Hua’s favorite teacher was Mr. Heywood. Most British classes have fewer than thirty students. Wei Hua had more homework in her school in China. T T

F 4. It was very expensive for Wei Hua to communicate with her parents. 5. In the UK, students can choose to stop studying any subject. 6. The cake made by Wei Hua did not taste good. F F

Read the article again carefully and answer the following questions. According to the headmaster, what should the students spend much time on? They should devote themselves to study.

2. Why was it a struggle for Wei Hua to remember the names of her classmates? 3. Why did Wei Hua find her homework difficult at first? Because there were different students in some classes. Because all the homework was in English.

4. Who gave Wei Hua a lot of support in her studies. 5. How did Wei Hua manage to improve her English? The teachers gave her much encouragement. She used English every day and spent an hour each day reading English books in the library.

6. What do the British like eating at the end of dinner? They like to eat dessert at the end of dinner.

Comprehension Give the best answers to the questions below: 1.Which of the following statement is TRUE according to the passage?

A. What the headmaster told them sounded like what she used to hear in China. B. She used to get up at 8 am in China. C. She was such a good cook that she liked cooking British food. D. She didn’t like History or Art, so she chose Woodwork.

2. What is the main idea of the passage? A. Her English improved a lot as she used English every day. B. School life in the UK is busy and bitter. C. She had a wonderful experience in a British school. D. She was happy with the British school hours.

3. Which of the following has the closest meaning to “I could e-mail my family and friends back home for free”? A. I could e-mail my family and friends back home without paying money. B. I could e-mail my family and friends back home freely. C. I could e-mail my family and friends in my free time. D. I could be free to e-mail my family and friends back home.

4. The writer’s purpose of writing the passage is to ______. A. tell us that she doesn’t like school life in Britain B. excite more students to study abroad C. improve her English D. introduce her exciting and happy school life in Britain

5. She felt lucky because _______. A. she could get up an hour later than usual B. the headmaster told them to earn respect by working hard and achieving high grades C. she had been given a golden opportunity to study in Britain and met helpful and friendly teachers and students D. she improved her English

Fill in the following table according to the article. On the first day attended an assembly in the school hall Mr. Heywood Miss Burke Teachers Size of a classroom about 28 students

English, History, English Literature, Computer Science, Maths, Science, PE, Art, Cooking and French Subjects learned how to buy, prepared and cook food; made cake; missed Chinese food Food Wei Hua’s feelings and progress very lucky to experience this different way of life

Suppose you have a chance to interview Wei Hua Suppose you have a chance to interview Wei Hua. What other information would you like to know about her life and study in the UK? Work in groups and make a dialogue.

Compare your own school experience with the school life in UK mentioned in the article. timetable, subjects, teachers and students, size of the classroom, campus, school facilities, atmosphere, teaching methods, school rules and principles

Write a short passage about your dream school. (About 100 words)

Enjoy a song, Be What You Wanna Be.