Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Most people agree that education is important. But often, that’s where the agreement ends. How kids should be educated is still up for debate.
One option is homeschooling them. Homeschooled kids don’t attend a regular school with their peers. Instead, their parents teach them at home. This means they get the close attention of their parents, which might help them learn. But they also miss out on opportunities to socialize with other kids their age. Find out whether Marni and Ella think homeschooling is a good idea.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Marni: You know, I have a good friend who was telling me that she really wants to homeschool her children. And I have to say, you know, as a teacher, I am kind of opposed to that.
Ella: Really? I think homeschool is really cool. I’ve met a lot of kids that were homeschooled, who are actually pretty interesting kids that are really intelligent.
Marni: I think perhaps they could get a decent education. I mean, there’s public school, private school...There are so many different avenues to get an education. But I think the experience of working in a classroom environment, which really prepares you later in life to work in a larger group setting, I think that’s lost on kids who are homeschooled, when their whole environment is just their home life and their education revolves around that.
Ella: I do agree, but I feel like in a home setting you get to focus more. You don’t have to worry much about the outside things when it comes to education. And you get so much further than you would in the public school system. So that’s why I’m kind of for homeschooling, as long as you keep your kids interactive, with…
Marni: With friends and things?
Ella: With sports, and other things outside.
Marni: Sure. I mean, it is important that they socialize, and, you know, there is some backlash against classroom settings because of bullying and things that are going on in public schools and private schools as well. But, I don’t know, I still think it’s a really important experience. I’m gonna say I’m still against homeschooling.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Marni is opposed to homeschooling. She is a teacher, and she thinks that children who are homeschooled don’t learn how to work with others in groups. Kids who are taught in a regular classroom have more opportunities to socialize, which can help prepare them for other parts of life.
Ella disagrees. She thinks students who are homeschooled are able to focus better. More attention is paid to them, and they don’t have to worry about the social aspect of being in school. They can just concentrate on learning. To socialize, they can do things like join a sports team or hang out with their friends.
Do you agree with Marni or with Ella? Do you know anybody who was homeschooled?
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