父母拿到工簽去英國,子女可以隨行,而且在英國不用交錢上語言學(xué)校 (language school), 直接免費就讀附近的公立學(xué)校就好了。英國的公立學(xué)校叫state school,公立初高中通常又叫comprehensive school,免考入讀(擇校原則參見上期school admission),也無學(xué)雜費。英國的私立學(xué)校叫public school(常譯作“公學(xué)”,實為private school),入學(xué)“門檻”高,教學(xué)質(zhì)量高,收費也不菲,一般中國去的“打工仔”是不會送小孩入這種學(xué)校的。
讀書不花錢,但老師經(jīng)常知會家長讓學(xué)生帶零錢去學(xué)校。為什么呢?因為英國學(xué)校常年舉辦各種類型的募捐活動,藉以培養(yǎng)學(xué)生們關(guān)心社會、關(guān)愛他人的高尚情懷。為此,他們還設(shè)計了一句頗具文采的廣告詞:Put the fun back into fundraising (在募捐中重拾快樂)。顯然,設(shè)計者巧妙地利用fun與fundraising在詞形上的部分對應(yīng)玩了一個小小的文字游戲。
但他們的理由不可謂不充分,宣傳工作也頗具鼓動性:
There are many ways in which you can raise funds for children living in poverty and have great fun at the same time.
You can help kids like Kornli and Patrick who lost their parents to AIDS in 2006. We can help give them an education, regular food and a future. You and your class can help.
You could organise your own event. From a school disco to a coffee morning, a sponsored swim to a quiz day. Why not hold a free carol service and ask friends to make donation or even hold a talent competition at school to find the next Robbie Williams or Madonna!
The possibilities are endless, the only limit being your imagination. Whatever you do, you can have fun with your mates, knowing the money you raise will help poor children in need of your support ...
英國的學(xué)校不開“政治”和“思品”這樣的課程,但是對學(xué)生道德素質(zhì)的培養(yǎng)同樣十分重視,只不過他們總是想方設(shè)法讓這種教育變得輕松而更讓人容易接受:
Fundraising for a charaity is a very rewarding thing to do. It can help build communication skills and supports personal and planning skills. Most importantly ... its fun!
一句話,募捐為樂!
主持人小語:
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are the four basic skills of language learning. 這四項基本技能相輔相成,缺一不可。但對于非母語環(huán)境下的英語學(xué)習(xí)者來說,聽說尤為重要。一定要“張嘴”,有道是Speaking is knowing?!按笞臁保ㄏ瘛吨袑W(xué)生英語》特別顧問李陽老師建議的那樣)也好,“小嘴”也好,語音語調(diào)先甭管好不好,開口了,就好!
另外,對本欄目有什么更好的建議或在英語學(xué)習(xí)過程中遇到什么困難,歡迎寫信告訴我,來信請寄:430079 華中師范大學(xué)《中學(xué)生英語》小強博士收。