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Finland has world's best education system (29th November, 2012)

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20 ONLINE QUIZZES & ACTIVITIES
DICTATION

* 26-page lesson
* 2-page MINI lesson

  

LISTEN

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

 * Text Jumble

 * Missing words

 * No letters

 * Grammar gap-fill

 * Articles gap-fill

 * Prepositions

  * Consonants

  * Vowels

  * Missing letters

  * Initials only

  * Text jumble 15

  * Text jumble 24

  * No spaces

  * Gap-fill
 

  * 10 sentences

  * Spelling  

  

READING

  * Speed Reading


 
 

A new report into world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". It aims to help governments provide a better education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries. Researchers analysed millions of statistics on exam grades, literacy rates, attendance, and university graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled the bottom three positions in the top 50.


 
 

The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are essential to high-quality education". The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a huge, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus on the importance of education, and parents have a key part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not exist 20 years ago."

Sources:
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=421944&c=1
http://thelearningcurve.pearson.com/content/download/bankname/components/filename/FINAL%20LearningCurve_Final.pdf

WARM-UPS

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1. EDUCATION & SCHOOLS: Walk around the class and talk to other students about education & schools. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

report / world education / learning curve / statistics / literacy rates / attendance / leaders / spending lots of money / good teachers / technicians / the future / job titles

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. EDUCATION: How can we make it better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.

Improvements

What's wrong now?

How to make it / them better?

Classrooms

 

 

Technology

 

 

Subjects

 

 

Teachers

 

 

Exams

 

 

Hours / Days

 

 

4. BETTER: Students A strongly believe education will get better in the future; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. SUBJECTS: What's the best thing for today's students to study? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • environmentalism
  • community relations
  • English
  • health and sports
  • single-family farming
  • religious education
  • maths
  • software programming

6. LEARNING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'learning'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.



 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The article says Finland's kindergarten education is the best worldwide.

T / F

b.

A 50-page report looked at the education system of 52 countries.

T / F

c.

Researchers looked at attendance figures during their research.

T / F

d.

Mexico and Brazil were in the top 50 countries.

T / F

e.

The report made five suggestions for decision-makers in education.

T / F

f.

The report says spending more money will mean a better education.

T / F

g.

The report states parents should keep away from schools and teachers.

T / F

h.

It suggests we don't know what kind of jobs there will be in the future.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

report

a.

reading/writing

2.

system

b.

necessary

3.

provide

c.

method

4.

analysed

d.

important

5.

literacy

e.

examined

6.

essential

f.

study

7.

valuable

g.

giant

8.

huge

h.

give

9.

key

i.

names

10.

titles

j.

precious

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

A new report

a.

education to students

2.

help governments provide a better

b.

machine

3.

millions of

c.

three positions

4.

literacy

d.

are essential

5.

filled the bottom

e.

not just the present

6.

good teachers

f.

rates

7.

valuable

g.

exist 20 years ago

8.

a huge, educational

h.

into world education

9.

educate for the future,

i.

statistics

10.

job titles simply did not

j.

professionals

WHILE READING / LISTENING

GAP FILL: Put the words into the gaps in the text.

A new report (1) ____________ world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British (2) ____________ "The Economist". It (3) ____________ to help governments (4) ____________ a better education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries. Researchers analysed millions of (5) ____________ on exam grades, literacy rates, attendance, and university (6) ____________ rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore       (7) ____________ second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled the (8) ____________ three positions in the top 50.

 

 

 

finishing
provide
magazine
bottom
into
statistics
aims
graduation

The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should (9) ____________. The first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always (10) ____________ students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are essential to high-(11) ____________ education". The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a (12) ____________, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong (13) ____________ on the importance of education, and parents have a (14) ____________ part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not (15) ____________ the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not (16) ____________ 20 years ago."

 

 

focus
exist
mean
huge
remember
just
quality
key


 
 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

A new report …

 

a.  on to world education
b.  in to world education
c.  into world education
d.  onto worldly education

2)

It aims to help governments _______ to students.

 

a.  provided a better education
b.  provides a much better education
c.  providing a better educational
d.  provide a better education

3)

The ______-page report looked at the education system in _______ countries.

 

a.  55   /   15
b.  52   /   50
c.  52   /   15
d.  15   /   52

4)

statistics on ______ and university graduation rates.

 

a.  exam rates, literacy grades, attendance,
b.  exam grades, literacy, attendance rates,
c.  exam grades, literacy rates, attendance,
d.  exam grades, attendance, literacy rates,

5)

Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia ______ positions

 

a.  three bottom the filling
b.  filled the bottom three
c.  bottomed the filling three
d.  filling the three bottom

6)

The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders ______ remember.

 

a.  should
b.  could
c.  would
d.  shooed

7)

spending ______ schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn.

 

a.  pots of money on
b.  loads of money on
c.  lots of money on
d.  lots of money in

8)

good teachers ______ high-quality education

 

a.  are is end shall to
b.  are essentially two
c.  are essential two
d.  are essential to

9)

a country's culture must have a _______ of education

 

a.  strong focus on the importance
b.  strong foe cousin the importance
c.  stronger focusing on importance
d.  strong focus on the important

10)

Many of today's job titles…______ 20 years ago.

 

a.  simple  Lee did not exist
b.  simply did not exist
c.  did simply not exist
d.  simply didn't exit

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

(1) __________________ world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". (2) __________________ governments provide a better education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries. Researchers (3) __________________ statistics on exam grades, (4) __________________, and university graduation rates. Asia (5) __________________ report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia (6) __________________ positions in the top 50.

The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember. (7) __________________ spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers (8) __________________ high-quality education". The report said teachers should (9) __________________ valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a huge, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have (10) __________________ the importance of education, and parents have (11) __________________. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…(12) __________________ 20 years ago."


 
 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What was the new report into?

2.

What is the name of the report?

3.

What two rates did the researchers look at?

4.

In which position did South Korea finish on the list?

5.

What was Mexico's position on the list?

6.

How many things did the report want education leaders to remember?

7.

What are good teachers essential to?

8.

How should teachers not be treated as?

9.

What must a country's culture have a strong focus on?

10.

What did the report say about many job titles today?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What is the report called?

6.

How many recommendations did the report make to education leaders?

 

a) The Learning Nerve
b) The Learning Curve
c) The Yearning Swerve
d) The Learner Cave

 

a) Five
b) Four
c) Three
d) Two

2.

Who made the report?

7.

What does not always mean students will learn?

 

a) The United Nations
b) Finland's government
c) A Facebook group of students around the globe
d) A magazine from the U.K.

 

a) Going to school six times a week
b) Using more technology in the classroom
c) Spending a lot of money
d) Doing extra homework

3.

Which of these did researchers look at?

8.

How does the report say teachers should be treated?

 

a) The quality of pencil sharpeners
b) Classroom technology
c) Attendance
d) School meals

 

a) As valuable professionals
b) As educational machines
c) As technicians
d) As parents

4.

Which continent did well in the report?

9.

What role do parents have to play?

 

a) Asia
b) South America
c) Antarctica
d) Africa

 

a) A safe one
b) A chain one
c) A lock one
d) A key one

5.

Where did Brazil finish on the list?

10.

What does the report say did not exist two decades ago?

 

a) Three times
b) In the bottom three
c) Third
d) Third from bottom

 

a) Education for the future
b) Simple education
c) Many of today's job titles
d) "The Learning Curve" report


 
 

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Student

You are unhappy with your education. Tell the others three reasons why. You want to learn things important for the future. You want more technology. Your teachers are great and you learn a lot from them. You are fed up with the bad students in your class who make a lot of noise.

Role  B – Teacher

You are unhappy with your job. Tell the others three reasons why. Your salary is very low compared with doctors, lawyers, etc. Your school has no technology – this is very important in today's education. You think parents should keep noisy students at home and let other students learn.

Role  C – Education leader

You know what's best for schools, teachers and students - Tell the others three reasons why. Schools were better 50 years ago. Students do not learn with technology – they just check their Facebook. Good teachers keep students quiet. Bad teachers don't. Teachers are very well paid.

Role  D – Parent

You are worried about your child's education. The school has not changed its teaching style for 50 years. Your children need to learn with technology - Tell the others three reasons why. Your son is very noisy in class – it is the teacher's job to teach him to behave. Education needs better leaders.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'exam' and 'grade'.

exam

grade

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • global
  • aims
  • millions
  • 50
  • finishing
  • bottom
  • first
  • quality
  • machine
  • strong
  • key
  • 20

EDUCATION & SCHOOLS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about education & schools in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

EDUCATION & SCHOOLS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'education'?

c)

Why do you think Finland's education system is so good?

d)

What do you think of the education system in your country?

e)

What were (are) you happy and unhappy with about your education?

f)

How can schools provide a better education to students?

g)

How were (are) your exam grades and attendance?

h)

How different do you think education is in Finland from Asian countries?

i)

Are you proud of your school? Why?

j)

How important is education?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Do you think spending lots of money on teachers and schools means the education is better?

c)

What were (are) you happy and unhappy with about your education?

d)

What do you think of your teachers?

e)

What three things can teachers do better?

f)

Should teachers get paid the same as lawyers, doctors and bankers?

g)

What is easy and difficult about a teacher's job?

h)

How important is using technology in lessons?

i)

What does "educate for the future, not just the present" mean?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the author of the report?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

A new report (1) ____ world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". It (2) ____ to help governments provide a better education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries. Researchers analysed millions of (3) ____ on exam grades, (4) ____ rates, attendance, and university graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore (5) ____ second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia (6) ____ the bottom three positions in the top 50.

The Learning Curve reported (7) ____ five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always (8) ____ students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are (9) ____ to high-quality education". The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are, not as technicians in a (10) ____, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus (11) ____ the importance of education, and parents have a key part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not (12) ____ 20 years ago."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

into

(b)

in to

(c)

onto

(d)

on to

2.

(a)

arrows

(b)

sights

(c)

aims

(d)

bulls eyes

3.

(a)

statistic

(b)

statistically

(c)

statistics

(d)

statisticians

4.

(a)

literal

(b)

literate

(c)

litter

(d)

literacy

5.

(a)

finishing

(b)

finished

(c)

finishes

(d)

finish

6.

(a)

put

(b)

filled

(c)

stocked

(d)

blocked

7.

(a)

in

(b)

to

(c)

at

(d)

on

8.

(a)

average

(b)

mean

(c)

nasty

(d)

matter

9.

(a)

potential

(b)

initial

(c)

essential

(d)

partial

10.

(a)

hugging

(b)

huge

(c)

hugs

(d)

hugged

11.

(a)

in

(b)

of

(c)

at

(d)

on

12.

(a)

exit

(b)

exist

(c)

there

(d)

be

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

The global study is called "The Learning veruC"

2.

rpeiodv a better education to students

3.

Researchers analysed millions of tisssittca

4.

ltryieca rates

5.

teatnncaed, and university graduation rates

6.

filled the bottom three pooisntis

Paragraph 2

7.

education leaders should mmbeeerr

8.

good teachers are stlnaseie to high-quality education

9.

treated as the abvlluae professionals

10.

a strong focus on the cmroitnape of education

11.

Finally, countries need to educate for the utuerf

12.

simply did not xseit 20 years ago

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

Japan and Singapore finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came

(    )

17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled the bottom three positions in the top 50.

(    )

education to students. The 52-page report looked at the education system in 50

(    )

professionals they are, not as technicians in a huge, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's

1  )

A new report into world education shows Finland has the best system. The global study is called "The Learning

(    )

The Learning Curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spending

(    )

culture must have a strong focus on the importance of education, and parents have a key

(    )

essential to high-quality education". The report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable

(    )

countries. Researchers analysed millions of statistics on exam grades, literacy rates, attendance,

(    )

lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are

(    )

Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". It aims to help governments provide a better

(    )

present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply did not exist 20 years ago."

(    )

part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the

(    )

and university graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong,

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

".     study    "    Curve     global    called    Learning     The    is     The

2.

to    provide   education    aims    governments    better    It    help    a.

3.

education    system    The    52     -    page    report   looked    at   the.     

4.

Researchers    on   analysed    exam   millions   grades   of     statistics.    

5.

17th     The     in     United     the     States     study     came.    

6.

leaders     education     that     things     Five     remember     should.    

7.

are    high  .  education    teachers     to     quality   Good    essential   -

8.

strong     of     focus     education     on     the     A     importance.    

9.

future     just     the     not     present     for     ,     the     Educate.     

10.

20     simply     exist     ago     titles     not     years     Job     did.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A new report into / onto world education shows Finland has the best system. The global studies / study is called "The Learning Curve" and is from the British magazine "The Economist". It aims / aiming to help governments provide a / the better education to students. The 52-page report looked / watched at the education system in 50 countries. Researchers analysed millions of statisticians / statistics on exam grades, literacy / litter rates, attendance, and university graduated / graduation rates. Asia did well in the report, with South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore finished / finishing second, third, fourth and fifth. The United States came 17th in the study, while Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia filled / full the bottom three positions in the top 50.

The Learning Curve reported in / on five things that education leaders should remember. The first is that spend / spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always matter / mean students will learn. Second is that "good teachers are essential of / to high-quality education". The report said teachers should be "treated as the value / valuable professionals they are, not as technicians / technical in a huge / hugging, educational machine". Numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus in / on the importance of education, and parents have a lock / key part to play. Finally, countries need to "educate for the future, not just the present." The report said: "Many of today's job titles…simply / simple did not exist 20 years ago."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ n_w r_p_rt _nt_ w_rld _d_c_t__n sh_ws F_nl_nd h_s th_ b_st syst_m. Th_ gl_b_l st_dy _s c_ll_d "Th_ L__rn_ng C_rv_" _nd _s fr_m th_ Br_t_sh m_g_z_n_ "Th_ _c_n_m_st". _t __ms t_ h_lp g_v_rnm_nts pr_v_d_ _ b_tt_r _d_c_t__n t_ st_d_nts. Th_ 52-p_g_ r_p_rt l__k_d _t th_ _d_c_t__n syst_m _n 50 c__ntr__s. R_s__rch_rs _n_lys_d m_ll__ns _f st_t_st_cs _n _x_m gr_d_s, l_t_r_cy r_t_s, _tt_nd_nc_, _nd _n_v_rs_ty gr_d__t__n r_t_s. _s__ d_d w_ll _n th_ r_p_rt, w_th S__th K_r__, H_ng K_ng, J_p_n _nd S_ng_p_r_ f_n_sh_ng s_c_nd, th_rd, f__rth _nd f_fth. Th_ _n_t_d St_t_s c_m_ 17th _n th_ st_dy, wh_l_ M_x_c_, Br_z_l _nd _nd_n_s__ f_ll_d th_ b_tt_m thr__ p_s_t__ns _n th_ t_p 50.

Th_ L__rn_ng C_rv_ r_p_rt_d _n f_v_ th_ngs th_t _d_c_t__n l__d_rs sh__ld r_m_mb_r. Th_ f_rst _s th_t sp_nd_ng l_ts _f m_n_y _n sch__ls _nd t__ch_rs d__s n_t _lw_ys m__n st_d_nts w_ll l__rn. S_c_nd _s th_t "g__d t__ch_rs _r_ _ss_nt__l t_ h_gh-q__l_ty _d_c_t__n". Th_ r_p_rt s__d t__ch_rs sh__ld b_ "tr__t_d _s th_ v_l__bl_ pr_f_ss__n_ls th_y _r_, n_t _s t_chn_c__ns _n _ h_g_, _d_c_t__n_l m_ch_n_". N_mb_rs thr__ _nd f__r _r_ th_t _ c__ntry's c_lt_r_ m_st h_v_ _ str_ng f_c_s _n th_ _mp_rt_nc_ _f _d_c_t__n, _nd p_r_nts h_v_ _ k_y p_rt t_ pl_y. F_n_lly, c__ntr__s n__d t_ "_d_c_t_ f_r th_ f_t_r_, n_t j_st th_ pr_s_nt." Th_ r_p_rt s__d: "M_ny _f t_d_y's j_b t_tl_s…s_mply d_d n_t _x_st 20 y__rs _g_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a new report into world education shows finland has the best system the global study is called "the learning curve" and is from the british magazine "the economist" it aims to help governments provide a better education to students the 52-page report looked at the education system in 50 countries researchers analysed millions of statistics on exam grades literacy rates attendance and university graduation rates asia did well in the report with south korea hong kong japan and singapore finishing second third fourth and fifth the united states came 17th in the study while mexico brazil and indonesia filled the bottom three positions in the top 50

the learning curve reported on five things that education leaders should remember the first is that spending lots of money on schools and teachers does not always mean students will learn second is that "good teachers are essential to high-quality education" the report said teachers should be "treated as the valuable professionals they are not as technicians in a huge educational machine" numbers three and four are that a country's culture must have a strong focus on the importance of education and parents have a key part to play finally countries need to "educate for the future not just the present" the report said "many of today's job titles…simply did not exist 20 years ago"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AnewreportintoworldeducationshowsFinlandhasthebestsystem.Theglobalstudy
iscalled"TheLearningCurve"andisfromtheBritishmagazine"TheEconomist".It
aimstohelpgovernmentsprovideabettereducationtostudents.The52-pagereport
lookedattheeducationsystemin50countries.Researchersanalysedmillionsof
statisticsonexamgrades,literacyrates,attendance,anduniversitygraduation
rates.Asiadidwellinthereport,withSouthKorea,HongKong,JapanandSingapore
finishingsecond,third,fourthandfifth.TheUnitedStatescame17thinthestudy,while
Mexico,BrazilandIndonesiafilledthebottomthreepositionsinthetop50.TheLearning
Curvereportedonfivethingsthateducationleadersshouldremember.Thefirstisthat
spendinglotsofmoneyonschoolsandteachersdoesnotalwaysmeanstudentswill
learn.Secondisthat"goodteachersareessentialtohigh-qualityeducation".The
reportsaidteachersshouldbe"treatedasthevaluableprofessionalstheyare,not
astechniciansinahuge,educationalmachine".Numbersthreeandfourarethata
country'sculturemusthaveastrongfocusontheimportanceofeducation,andparents
haveakeyparttoplay.Finally,countriesneedto"educateforthefuture,notjustthe
present."Thereportsaid:"Manyoftoday'sjobtitles…simplydidnotexist20yearsago."

FREE WRITING

Write about education & schools for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Schools are no longer necessary. Teachers should teach using iPads and computers with students sitting at home.   Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the education system in your country. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. EDUCATION & SCHOOLS: Make a poster about education & schools around the world. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. MY EDUCATION: Write a magazine article about your education – the good things about it and the bad things. Include imaginary interviews with old teachers.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an education expert. Ask him/her three questions about education & schools. Give him/her three of your opinions on education in the future. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

report

a.

study

2.

system

b.

method

3.

provide

c.

give

4.

analysed

d.

examined

5.

literacy

e.

reading/writing

6.

essential

f.

necessary

7.

valuable

g.

precious

8.

huge

h.

giant

9.

key

i.

important

10.

titles

j.

names

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

World education.

2.

The Learning Curve

3.

Literacy rates and university graduation rates

4.

Second

5.

It was in the bottom three

6.

Five

7.

High-quality education

8.

As technicians

9.

The importance of education

10.

They did not exist 20 years ago

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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