EDUCATION REPORT - International Education Program Aims for

EDUCATION REPORT - International Education Program Aims for Worldly Students
By Nancy Steinbach

Broadcast: Thursday, September 15, 2005

I'm Shep O'Neal with the VOA Special English Education Report.

 
International Baccalaureate Student in Windhoek,Nambia
Young people in more than one hundred countries can attend schools that offer International Baccalaureate programs.

The International Baccalaureate Organization in Switzerland was started in nineteen sixty-eight. It says the goal is to "create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect." The non-profit organization says about two hundred thousand students are in I.B. programs.

The first is the primary years program. This is for children ages three to twelve. They begin to learn about the ideas of people in other parts of the world.

The middle years program is for students between the ages of eleven and sixteen. They study languages, mathematics and science as well as arts, technology and physical education. This program is designed to help students make connections between the different areas of study. They are also urged to take part in local activities so they can be good citizens.

The diploma program is for sixteen to eighteen year olds. It is two years of study to prepare for college or university. They study languages, a social science, an experimental¹ science, mathematics and the arts.

They must pass six examinations² to complete the program. Students who pass receive a special International Baccalaureate certificate³. It is accepted by universities around the world. I.B. students also satisfy the requirements of their local and national educational systems. The International Baccalaureate Organization says about thirty universities offer financial aid to graduates of its programs.

More than one thousand five hundred schools offer I.B. programs. The number continues to grow. Last month, a school in Croatia began to offer the middle years program. And a school in the Philippines started to teach the diploma program.

Other nations that offer I.B. programs include Bangladesh, Britain, China, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Vietnam and Spain. In the United States, there are more than four hundred I.B. diploma programs. Also, there are forty-nine middle school programs and thirty primary school programs.

More details about I.B. programs can be found on the Internet at http://www.ibo.org/. And our weekly reports can be found at www.tingroom.com.

This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. I'm Shep O'Neal.

1 experimental   

adj.实验的，用作实验的，根据实验的

参考例句：

• This trip will be only experimental.这次旅行只是试验性的。
• The experimental farm is near the waterpower station.实验农场靠近水电站。

2 examinations   

n.检查( examination的名词复数 )；考试；考查；试题

参考例句：

• He had been forced to incriminate himself in cross-examinations. 他在盘问中被迫受到牵连。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Examinations are hanging over her head—that's why she can't sleep at nights. 她大脑里想的都是考试，所以晚上无法入睡。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 certificate   

n.证书，证明书；vt.发给证明书，认可，鉴定

参考例句：

• She proudly displayed her degree certificate to her parents.她自豪地向父母展示了学位证书。
• No one had seen her marriage certificate.没人看到过她的结婚证书。