Apps are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, and for good reasons. They can help you out in just about every area of your life, like keeping fit, communicating with friends and even learning a language. 【小题1】 Here’s what you should think about before downloading an app for language learning.

【小题2】

Any seasoned language learner will tell you that the beauty of mastering a foreign language is the world which it opens up to you. This is a world of diverse sources of information, from newspapers and books to TV, radio, music and even real people. Would you limit yourself to one medium in your native language? Probably not, so why do so in your new language?

Establish your purpose and plan your habits

Do you want to be fluent in weeks or are you in it for the brain training? The good apps are designed to help you arrange your studies around your timetable. 【小题3】 These apps encourage habit building, because the successful formation of a habit ensures your safe and regular return.

Make it social

【小题4】 I mean that you need to socialize for real. I owe the speed of progress I made in Italian to the support from Jim, my partner in study time. Find a friend to accompany you. Take an evening class. Borrow a book. Buy a book. Book a week away and attend a language school. Just don’t forget your phone!

If I may speak sincerely, the combination of apps, the language school, Jim, evenings out, and a choice book or two proved extremely effective. 【小题5】

Single-sex schools are better than mixed schools

I think mixed-sex schools are the only way for children to learn, because it's natural. In higher education and their working life, they will be mixed so it makes sense for them to be mixed at school. School should reflect the real world.

My reaction to this is very clear. For me, single-sex schools are much better, and the statistics show that they get better exam results, particularly at secondary level. Anything which helps children pass exams must be a good thing.

Boys and girls learn in very different ways. I feel that they should be educated separately so teachers can focus on their different needs. The way I see it is that if you have a zoo, you don't put the lions in with the zebras!

My view on this is that it doesn't really matter. What is important is the curriculum (课程), and keeping students interested. I was a teacher and we had a lot of truancy (逃学) to deal with, and problems with students missing lessons because they found them boring. Never have a timetable with Maths as the first class on Monday morning!

I don't think there is any question that mixed schools are better. There is too much competition at single-sex schools, which often means that students don't make enough progress. I also think there is more bullying (欺凌) at single-sex schools, where children are picked on because of the increased competition. Single-sex schools lead to a “dog eat dog” situation.

More than half of the state’s public school students are in districts offering remote learning, but state Superintendent (主管) of Public Institution, Chris Reykdal acknowledged to state lawmakers that distance learning is not working for a lot of kids. He is also worried about the mental health impacts of distance learning on kids.

“They’re failing a lot. And it turns out, in the beginning, we thought it was about devices and connectivity. They’re failing because they’re not engaged,” Reykdal said.

Reykdal’s assessment comes at a critical time, with an increasing number of calls from parents pushing for school districts to bring students back for face-to-face learning. They say their children are losing motivation, falling behind academically.

State officials have been in the process of considering revising the guidance to encourage in-person learning, because research has so far shown that schools do not appear to encourage community spread of coronavirus.

Lawmakers also heard from several school district superintendents. One of them, Art Jarvis of the Peninsula School District, echoed what Reykdal said about students struggling with remote learning. “We’re seeing more evidence that social-emotional issues ranging from disengagement with the schools to suicidal tendencies that come with it need to be addressed.”Jarvis said.

He urged lawmakers to preserve education funding even though statewide public school enrollment (入学) has dropped 37 percent this school year, which would mean a cut of about $500 million in state funding. The Peninsula district is providing in-person leaning for students in Kindergarten and first grade, but he said it’s expensive to staff that.

“In spite of lost enrollment in kindergarten and first grade, we had to add 11 teaching positions for K-1 in   the Peninsula School District at a cost of over $1 million. And the added teachers are necessary to keep student groups small to allow for physical distancing.” Jarvis said.