Unit 2: review & remedial work Ranya Ben Hamed

I. Proverbs & Sayings on Education

1. The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Aristotle

2. Only the educated are free. Epictetus

3. Never stop learning; knowledge doubles every fourteen months. Anthony J. D'Angelo

4. "We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing
task is to teach people how to learn.”

5. The learning and knowledge that we have, is, at the most, but little compared with that of which we are ignorant.
Plato

6. Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student. George Iles

7. Who neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future. Euripides

8. Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. Chinese Proverb

9. All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners. Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they're not
learning, they're not growing... not moving toward excellence. D. Waitley

10. The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we
live. Mortimer Adler

11. Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps on learning not
only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable regardless of physical capacity. Harvey Ullman

12. “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Frederick Douglass

II.Suggested Essays

1. Out-of-school children / School Drop-outs (solutions)

Dropping out of school is a serious problem in the world, especially in poor and developing countries. Each
year, in Morocco alone, nearly 200,000 children leave school before completing their primary education. So,
undoubtedly, some measures to reduce the number of students who withdraw from school must be urgently
offered.

Researchers and government officials largely attribute the phenomenon to the ignorance of poor parents who do
not realise the importance of education. Some parents, for example, withdraw their children from school due
to the competing demands for household income which often push children to work. Drop-out rates are higher
among children of illiterate parents. These rates

can be reduced if we sensitise parents about the importance of sending their children to school.

Teachers and headmasters are also responsible for implementing this plan. They have to assume their
responsibilities to adapt the school systems so as to raise students’ awareness to the negative consequences of
dropping out.
To see the issue from another broader angle, it’s highly recommended that we do our best to solve the
reasons behind this phenomenon. Citizens, charities and governments should all collaborate to provide poor
families with the basic life necessities such as food, clothing and shelter in order to ensure that children would not
be forced to quit school.

2. Tips to a student who wants to drop out of school

Yes, I do agree with you that school can be sometimes hard. It’s a lot of work, and there are lots of rules that you
may not like.

But understand this – THE MORE YOU LEARN, THE MORE YOU EARN. Education is your key to financial security,
and dropping out of school now will affect you for the rest of your life. It is a really bad idea, if things are bad at
school because you are being harassed or bullied try changing schools rather than quitting.

Besides, Drop outs have a harder time getting good, secure, decent paying jobs because more and more jobs require
a minimum of high school graduation. Not to forget, too, that dropping out gives you a lot of free time, even if you
get a full time job, you are more likely to get in to a self destructive rut including drugs or alcohol.

Think again my friend. Dropping out is not cool, it does not make you a tough guy, nor does it mean you are grown
up or more mature - in fact it makes you the exact opposite of all these things. And while you’re at it, think
about going to college. People who have gone to college, even just for two years, have more job opportunities and
make more money than high school graduates.

So, are you still thinking of dropping out? Think again – dropping out is not a very good option. Talk with your
parents, teachers, friends, or anyone else you trust to help you make a good decision. Do what you need to do and
get the help you need to finish high school. Remember, the more you learn the more you earn!

3. Illiteracy / Solutions

Illiteracy is a worldwide problem nowadays. It is everywhere, in both children and in adults. To overcome illiteracy,
we have to approach the problem on different levels.

We should start from the basic unit of society - the home. One of the best solutions to solving the stubborn problem
of literacy is to teach parents to read, so that they can in turn teach their children. If the adult women are educated
first, each generation will be able to read and write, since mothers are the first educators of children. The
women will teach their children, both male and female, who will in turn teach their children. Besides, parents
should be attentive to the learning needs of their children. It is not enough that our children go to school; we must
support their educational development in every possible way.

Governments in developing countries, too, have to fully assume their responsibilities to combat illiteracy as well
as other social hardships such as poverty, child labour and juvenile delinquency. Schools, books and simple
learning equipments should be provided everywhere in a nation. Free education has to be supported especially
in distant poor areas. In other words, deprived families and regions should be offered equal learning chances and
opportunities.

Most important of all, rich and developing countries as well as international organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF and
The World Bank are tasked to boost literacy in the developing world through low-interest loans, charity funds and
mainly by sharing their expertise to develop education levels all over the world.
4. A speech of Philanthropy at school

Distinguished guests! Ladies and gentlemen!

It is my honour to be invited as a speaker in a charity event at this respectful school. It is a great pleasure for me to
be here today.

I would like to seize the opportunity to congratulate us on launching this outstanding fundraising campaign in which
many people are involved.

Our donations in this year have amounted to 50, 000 dollars - the sum that will be endowed to poor
families of our dear schoolmates. The money will be donated for medical care, education expenses, and
indispensable life amenities. Our goal is to decrease the level of poverty. To achieve this noble goal, we have
organized this Open Day. I am honoured to thank all sponsors, organizations and private persons, who care for our
needy siblings.

Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” We all
know that some students are in a desperate economic condition. One can hardly imagine that all this may be
possible in the first decade of the 21st century. We are living in the world that needs great changes. We are
responsible for the future of the world as well. Our charity organization has been constantly working on fundraising.
Our mutual efforts, our support - Together, we will fulfill our duty of cherishing every human life.

In closing, I wish to thank all of you, our sponsors and donors, for your donations. Let's go on building the bonds of
friendship and goodness through cooperation and mutual respect.

Thank you all for being with us, joining us, and supporting us.

Thank you all!

5. Virtual learning / Pros

Nowadays, it is more than evident that virtual learning is increasingly becoming one of the most crucial
debated controversial issues that may positively transform the educational system all over the world for several
reasons.

First of all, a virtual course is as close as a computer with an Internet connection. Hence, students can take
online courses whenever they need them, not based on some college’s annual or semester schedule and
with no set class times, students themselves decide when to complete their assignments and readings. They
personally set the pace.

Added to this, prices are often cheaper for online courses than traditional college and trade courses with no housing
or meals plans to worry about. Moreover, Students don’t feel the necessity to travel or move far away from home
for learning.

Last but not least, virtual school reinforces reading skills and offers up-to-date references and books. It may also
provide audio-visual learning aids such as clips, lectures, pictures and exam research papers.

I personally think that virtual learning can prepare students for real professional career via training courses on the
net in world that is becoming more and more digital and globalized.

6. Virtual learning / Cons

Nowadays, it is more than evident that virtual learning is increasingly becoming one of the most crucial
debated controversial issues that may positively transform the educational system all over the world. Yet, this
system still hides its own blemishes.
First of all, if applicable a virtual course requires high budgets for computer, software programs, and the Internet
connection. Such a fact may deprive poor families and even countries of the right of new educational tools
which would be restricted and monopolized by the most industrialized nations.

Moreover, at times virtual students may experience feelings of isolation or a sense of detachment from the real
school due to the lack of face-to-face interaction — especially in self-paced courses — or difficulty in developing
relationships with classmates.

To cap it all, students will be required to be able to work unsupervised and they will have to problem
solve solutions independently. So, unless they are self-motivated and disciplined to progress through their
programme in a timely manner, success will be highly farfetched.

Generally speaking, virtual learning as a new and innovated method of schooling surely imports its benefits; but it
wouldn’t reach its pragmatic and realistic features overnight.

III. LANGUAGE

1. Fill in the blanks with words from the list. There are two extra words.

unless / through / curriculum / fulfill / attending / yet / adjust / lack / increasingly / of

Distance learning via the internet has become a tool for training millions of new teachers needed to fill schools in
underserved areas. This is especially in primary schools where ____________ of teachers is a big reason why 75
million children who should be in the classroom aren't ____________.I n Africa , international agencies and
local universities use distance learning ____________ the internet and mobile phones as a primary way of
preparing the nearly 4 million teachers needed in sub- Saharan Africa to----------------------the agency's universal goals
. In South Africa, an online " wikibook" contains open- content math and science textbooks tied to the
national____________ that teachers can download free ____________ charge. Such open- source education
materials are becoming ____________ popular because they give poor countries access to free courses textbooks
and lessons that they can____________ to their students ' needs.

2. Fill in the blanks with words from the list. There are two extra words.

higher / online / illiterate /to increase/ occasions/ through / on / skills /without / according to

In today’s world, many adults find themselves unsatisfied with their jobs and wishing for something more. Many
people wish that they could gain more job ____________ and make more money, but demands ____________
their time and schedule make this seem impossible. The good news is that the Internet has many online learning
____________ available that will allow you to gain a ____________ education, learn new skills, and become
more marketable. And the great thing about ____________ education is that you can get an education
____________ your own schedule and can do it from the comfort of your own home. In fact, thousands of working
professionals have been able ____________ their knowledge and abilities ____________ ever having to enter a
classroom.

3. Fill in the blanks with words from the list below (There are 2 extra words):

page / part / darkness / care / surgeries / sight / almost / around / disease / with

When she was born, Mary Grant was just like any other happy babies in every way. Yet, her life was turned upside
down when a rare ____________ destroyed her basic senses, namely hearing, ____________ and speaking. Mary
had spent more than seven years of her miserable childhood in a world of ____________ without sounds or words
before Jane Eliot entered her life. Jane was a teacher ____________ special talent. She accepted the challenge to
take ____________ of a blind, deaf and dumb child. The mission seemed ____________ impossible; but not
for Jane. The most amazing ____________ of the story was that Jane herself had been blind during part of her early
childhood before she got her sight back after several ____________.

4. Fill in the blanks with words from the box- There are TWO EXTRA words

even / accessed / with / as / interactively / by / method / environment / connected

The term 'virtual classroom' may have different meanings. The word virtual can be understood as, "being
actively ______________ to a network or computer system; usually being ______________ able to exchange
data, commands, and information". A virtual classroom, therefore, is a learning ______________ that exists solely
in the form of digital content that is stored, ______________, and exchanged through networked computer and
information systems. Everything in a virtual classroom occurs in a non-physical environment; students access
the classroom ______________ connecting to the internet, rather than travelling to a real, physical
classroom. The students may not ______________ be in the same country ______________ the instructor or
teacher.

5. Fill in the blanks with the right tense or form of the bracketed words. [4]

Some parents would rather have their children home-schooled rather than send them to school. This may have
its merits but we would worry if the child (spend) ______________ all day with one tutor and misses out
the chance (interact)______________ with kids his age. We believe that education is important in a school
setting because that education (accompany) ______________ by social interaction. The child also needs tools and
resources that only schools can provide. True, there are problems in schools like bullying and drugs, but the
education and (interact) ______________ acquired in a school setting are (enrich) ______________ than one
received at home with a single tutor. Education is important especially for young kids because it is when they (be)
______________ still young that their minds are open and (teach)______________ and it’s a time of life when they
view things with (innocent) ______________ and receptiveness.

6. Supply the correct tense or form of the bracketed words

"Take care of your studies, otherwise you'll regret it one day," my English teacher told me once. Yet, it was
too late when I recognized what he (real) ______________ meant. I didn't know how important learning (be)
______________. When problems got worse my teacher caught me again- his mood was extremely bad then-
and said "if you don't improve your (behave)____________ this time, you (exclude) ______________ from
school." Unfortunately, he was right. And I was expelled from school. I know that crying for old days wouldn't do
me much; but I often find (I) ______________ ungrateful to my English teacher. I feel sorry I didn't take his
words seriously. Nevertheless, his words (always/ remain) ______________ deeply curved into my memory.

7. Put words between parentheses in the right tense or form.

I left school when I was sixteen. I didn't have any (qualify) ______________ I didn't mind (be) ______________ a
blue-collar worker. I got a job in a car- (produce) ______________ factory. But then they got robots to do
my job so I found (me) ______________ out of work. It was terrible being jobless. So, I was thinking (serious)
______________ to join night classes to get some extra (train) ______________. At first, the idea seemed so
(interest) ______________ that all my friends and family encouraged me to go (far) ______________. I really did.
Now, I'm thirty five and I got my high degree from the polytechnics. I'm running my own business.

8. Choose the correct alternative.

In the 20th century, education was revolutionized in many countries. New methods of (teach – teacher –
teaching) were applied and new school systems and disciplines were introduced. Children schools and kindergartens
depended (in – on – at) the theory of "learn through play", (who – which – when) allowed kids to enjoy more
playing than learning from books. Children were set free from (those - this – that) uncomfortable desks
arranged in fixed rows. They were no more (oblige - obliged – obliging) to learn lessons by heart nor punished
corporally for the (tiny – tinier - tiniest) mistakes. Instead, they were encouraged to play with coloured toys, to draw,
to paint and to discover their world by (their – them – themselves). This system really helped all children to integrate
in the society easily even those kids who had physical and mental (difficulty - difficulties – difficult).

9. Fill in the blanks with words from the box- There are TWO EXTRA words

to / learning / struggle / enroll / absolutely / proud/ ever / belief / threatened / with

Illiteracy always prevails when poverty comes around. Parents who __________ to put food on the table may often
be challenged to provide their children __________ the necessary school supplies. With the firm __________ that
every child deserves the tools they need for academic achievement, the Atlanta Community Food Bank
launched a mission to provide__________ supplies for students whose academic success is __________ by
poverty. Every year, the mission advocates are __________ to distribute hundreds of thousands of pounds of
brand new school supplies __________ students in low-income schools. Moreover, there is __________ no cost
to teachers or schools.

10. Fill in the blanks with words from the box- There are TWO EXTRA words

for / keep / through / need / despite / acquire / also / whether / just / while

Lifelong learning is the process of keeping your mind and body engaged—at any age—by actively pursuing
knowledge and experience. _____________ many companies encourage lifelong learning in their employees to
_____________ their skills up-to-date, you don’t _____________ a job to enjoy lifelong learning. In fact, learning
something _____________ for fun can be a more rewarding experience. The pursuit of knowledge _____________
lifelong learning — _____________ it’s learning how to dance, speak a foreign language, or repair your car— has
wonderful benefits _____________ adults. It's fun to learn new things, but lifelong learning _____________
brings health benefits and social benefits you might not have considered.

11. Circle the right alternative

Online school reports are said to replace traditional mailed reports. Once upon a time, in a land before the
(sea / internet /college), school pupils could hide a bad end-of-year report deep inside an unfindable bin, tell
parents it wasn't (ready / valuable /virtual) yet, and hope that by the end of the summer holiday, the detailed
notes on ( attended / unattended / attentive) maths lessons and Ds in English would be long (forget / forgot /
forgotten). But, students! Those days are (over / out / above). Some English secondary schools provided (higher /
online / police) reports for all parents who are able now to find (out / away / off) what their children do each day in
school just by (hugging / digging logging) on to a secure website.

1. Fill in the blanks with words from the box

migrate – widespread – which – immigrate – because – whose – escape - departure

Investment in higher education is lost when a trained individual leaves and does not return. Also, whatever
social capital the individual has been a part of is reduced by his or her (1) ___________. The spokesman for the
Royal Society of London coined the expression “brain drain” to describe the outflow of scientists and technologists
to Canada and the United States in the early 1950s. Its counterpart is brain gain in the areas to (2) ___________
talent migrates. Brain drain can occur either when individuals who study abroad and complete their education do
not return to their home country, or when individuals educated in their home country (3) ___________ for higher
wages or better opportunities. The second form is arguably worse (4) ___________ it drains
more resources from the home country. This phenomenon is perhaps most problematic for developing
nations, where it is (5) ___________. In these countries, higher education and professional certification are
often viewed as the surest path to (6)___________from a troubled economy or difficult political situation.

2. Put the bracketed words in the right tense or form.

The setting of modern education is changing dramatically. This is mainly because technology and the (increase) (1)
___________ popularity of internet connections allow a quality education to be delivered, on demand, to any
internet-(connect) (2) ___________ computer. So far, these amazing advancements (broad) (3) ___________ the
educational horizons for students who live too far from a traditional university, students who are frustrated by the
ever-increasing costs of colleges or students who are simply opting to get a job and work while they pursue their
degrees. When (enrol) (4) ___________ at a virtual school, most students realize how enjoyable and (benefit) (5)
___________ the experience is. They attend classes, conduct researches and have chats with classmates and
(instruct) (6) ___________. In fact, they recognize that there’s not much they can do at a traditional brick-and-
mortar college which they can’t do virtually.

3. Choose the correct alternative

Sharon Keller is a special education teacher in Delaware. She assists students (whom / whose / who) have a variety
of disabilities and learning needs. At John G. Leach School, 85 students range in age (at / from / for) three to 21. All
are disabled in some (way / type / sense), requiring augmentative communication (lines / dialogues / devices) for
speech. Keller adapts school (curriculum/ headmaster / schedule) for use with technology. For months, she’s been
(assist / assisting / assisted) a young man at the high school by adapting technology to his needs. Now he can
participate (success / successful / successfully) at one of the largest high schools in Delaware.

12. Express the following sentences differently as indicated

a. Although he was highly paid, he shifted to a more prestigious job.

Despite---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Throughout the history of mankind, Man has never been satisfied with his life.

At no time -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c. I’m sure that Peter forgot our meeting last night.

Peter must ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------

d. “Why didn’t you attend your lessons last week?” asked the headmaster.

The headmaster asked me why -------------------------------------------------------------------------

e. Nothing has been done to improve the educational system in Africa.

They haven’t --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

f. Bob certainly came late as usual last night.

Bob must --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------

g. I started teaching English in 1992. I still enjoy it.

I’ve -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

h. “Susan had my permission to go home 2 hours ago,” said the manager.

IV. Guided Writing

1. Develop the following notes into correct sentences to get a coherent paragraph about “virtual learning” – the
words are in good order

a. Virtual learning / a field / education / aims / deliver online lessons.

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b. refers / a learning environment / teachers and students / separate by time or space.

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c. teacher provide students / course content / multimedia resources / the Internet.

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d. Students / no more require/ attend lectures / sit exams in a traditional way.

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4. Use the following notes to write a biography of ‘Albert Einstein’.

Birth: 14 March 1879, Germany

Field: Physics

Career: leading scientist, researcher, university professor

Known for : General relativity, special relativity, photoelectric effect

Award: Noble Prize/ Physics 1921

Death: 18 April 1955 / New Jersey- United States

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