VOA慢速英语 2008 0417a

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.
　

Some U.S. schools use money to try to improve attendance1 and test results

Recently we asked for your opinions about paying students to improve school attendance or performance on tests. Some American schools are doing this.

More of you were against the idea than were for it.

Some people said paying students sends a message that money is the only valuable reward. Steven from China says students should study for knowledge. Money may improve performance in the short term, he says, but we should think about the long term.

Zhao Jing Tao, a college student in China, thought of an old saying. Paying students is like "drinking poison to end thirst" -- trying to solve a problem without considering the effects.

Dinh Minh Tuan from Vietnam says rewards are important because they prepare students for a competitive² life. But young children should get things they value more than money, like funny books, pens and film tickets.

There was a suggestion from South Korea that if rewards are necessary for learning³, they could be gathered like a charity fund⁴. This money could be used for a project designed by the students.

Francisco Mora from Colombia says the city of Bogota pays parents, so children do not have to work until they finish their basic education. This, he says, has increased the attendance in public schools.

Teresa Finamore wrote: "I am an Italian teacher of math and science for students from eleven to fourteen. I think that it is wrong to pay students. Each student has to understand that going to school, he gets a wonderful opportunity to live better in the future and also in the present."

Nelly Constant in France wonders, if young people get paid for studying, what will they expect from a job -- a rocket to the moon?

Sergio Fernandes from Brazil says paying students is not realistic. But Camillus Chiemela, a Nigerian living in Germany, feels it will help to improve the education system. Students' expectations will be much higher.

Naval⁵ from Russia also says yes to the idea: "We should at least get something for our time wasted. Because in my country students pay money to go to school or get good grades from teachers."

And Lucy Ding from China says most Chinese students work hard for two reasons: their parents' expectations and pressure from teachers. She says getting rewards will become a custom that will get students to work hard for themselves, for the things they hope to get.

And that's the VOA Special English Education Report, written by Nancy Steinbach and online at voaspecialenglish.com. I'm Steve Ember.

1 attendance   

n.出席，出席人数，护理，照料

参考例句：

• The attendance of this class never dropped off.这个班的出席人数从未下降。
• The young man danced attendance on his rich aunt.这个年轻人小心侍候他有钱的姑妈。

2 competitive   

adj.竞争的，比赛的，好竞争的，有竞争力的

参考例句：

• Some kinds of business are competitive.有些商业是要竞争的。
• These businessmen are both competitive and honourable.这些商人既有竞争性又很诚实。

3 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

4 fund   

n.基金，资金，存款，财源，贮藏；vt.提供资金，积累

参考例句：

• They decided to set up a fund for this purpose.他们决定为此专立一项基金。
• This fund may not be drawn on without permission.这笔钱非经批准不得动用。

5 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。