新编大学英语自主听力 4Unit 8

[06:15.30]You can also find the address of each school in this book.
[06:20.70]Although the general guidebook has helpful information,
[06:25.34]some of the facts may be out-of-date. For instance, many schools raise their tuition every year.
[06:34.78]Since you'll need to know what your deucation will cost, out-of-date information will not be good enough.
[06:43.74]Also, schools sometimes change their requirements for entrance.
[06:50.18]To be sure that you are getting current information, write to the university and ask for its catalogue.
[06:59.51]The catalogue not only has more current facts than the guidebook, but it also has more detailed information.
[07:09.59]For instance, the catalogue can tell you if there is a special foreign student adviser, what kind of courses are offered, and what kind of housing is available.
[07:24.13]Some universities have dormitories, but at others you have to find you own place to live.
[07:32.48]With all of this information, you should be able to pick out several good schools. (321 words)
[07:39.83]Exercise 2:Directions:Listen to the passage again and fill in the blanks to show the major steps of application.
[07:53.04]Exercise 3:Directions:Listen to the passage again and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F) according to the passage.
[08:10.46]1)It usually takes as much as a year to be accepted by an American university.
[08:20.72]2)The guide book has more current information than the catalogue.
[08:27.96]3)The general guide lists information about various colleges and universities in the US.
[08:38.98]4)You can write to the university to ask for the general guide.
[08:47.15]5)You can find information about dormitories in a catalogue.
[08:55.03]Practice Three The US Educational System
[09:01.48]Words You Need to Know
[09:03.13]kindergarten    diploma
[09:06.80]Exercise 1:Directions:Listen to the passage and answer the question briefly.
[09:18.68]The national system of formal education in the United States developed in the 19th century.
[09:25.13]It differs from other Western education systems in three fundamental respects.
[09:30.49]Firstly, Americans are more inclined to regard education as a solution to various social problems.
[09:37.91]Secondly, Americans provide more years of schooling for a larger percentage of the population than other countries.
[09:45.83]Thirdly, educational institutions are primarily governed by local authorities rather than by federal ones.
[09:53.71]Formal education in the U.S. is divided into four stages or levels: pre-school education, elementary education, secondary education and higher education.
[10:05.99]Students complete one stage before they continue to the next.
[10:10.16]1.Pre-school education
[10:13.19]It is generally designed for children five years of age and younger.
[10:17.44]Its chief aim is to develop the habits, attitudes, and skills that provide readiness for school.
[10:24.74]In the U.S. about half of all children from age 3 through age 5 attend some kind of pre-school education.
[10:33.20]2.Elementary education
[10:36.01]Children attend elementary school from about age 6 or 7 to about 12 or 14.
[10:42.92]Most elementary schools provide kindergartens for children who are 5 or 6 years old.
[10:48.29]Most U.S. communities have at least one elementary school. These schools are also called grade or grammar schools.
[10:56.21]A traditional elementary school is divided into six or eight grades. Children of about the same age are usually in the same grade.
[11:05.17]3.Secondary education
[11:07.84]Most students enter a secondary school after completing their elementary deucation.
[11:13.24]Secondary education in the U.S. is the responsibility of junior and senior high schools.
[11:19.25]It is designed to help students become responsible members of the community and to prepare them for a job or for advanced studies after graduation.
[11:29.18]High school graduates receive a diploma to show that they have completed their secondary education.
[11:35.41]4.Higher education