Grammar point 6: Expression of contrast

Expressions of contrast are used to show differences between things

 

·         but …

I would love to learn French but I just don’t have enough time.

 

·         Neither ….. nor …… are . . . .

Neither music nor art are offered at my school.

 

·         Unlike . . . . /. . . is . . .

Unlike math, art is fun.

 

 A. Practice: Create a chart of your classes, the time of the classes and description of how you feel about the classes.

1st Class: Time:	2nd Class: Time:	3rd Class Time:
Description: I love this class because… This is a really boring class. Etc.	Description:	Description:
4th Class: Time:	5th class: Time:	6th Class: Time:
Description:	Description:	Description:
Extracurriculum Activities
Description

 

B. Practice: Comparing classes -Fill in the blanks accordingly.             

1. Both          and          are interesting.

2. Neither         nor           are very useful.

3. I love         .  On the other hand, I           .

4. My          teacher is           .  On the other hand, my          teacher is         .

5. My          class is           . Likewise, my          class is           .

6. Unlike           ,            is great.

7. Write a few sentences with your own comparisons.

 

Reading Activity: Complete the chart.

Step 1: Read the interview.

Step 2: Fill in the chart

Step 3: Fill out the chart for Madagascar

Step 4: Complete the questions

Interview: Terrel Bell, former US Secretary of Education describes his visit to a classroom in Japan

Reporter: How does the quality of education in Japan compared with that in the U.S?

Bell: The Japanese educational system is superior to ours, if you measure quality by academic achievement in such area as literacy and command of mathematics and science.

Reporter: What was the atmosphere you found in Japanese schools?

Bell: There is much more emphasis on order and discipline. In both grade school and high school, everyone wears a uniform. Even though it was summer when I visited, I was able to attend classes, because Japanese children have 240 days of school, compared to 180 in the U.S.

The school day is longer, too-7 hours instead of 5½ or 6 hours here-and then the students come back  for a half  day on  Saturdays.  I talked to several fourth graders with a good command of English.

Then there is the single, national curriculum, instead of the varied course requirements we have,  and  students  move  along  in  along  at  very  fast  tough  pace.  Teachers don’t adjust instruction to fit each student. By golly, the student complies or else. The result is that students grow up learning to perform at the outer limit of their ability, which washes over into the workplace after they graduate.

Reporter: How about the drawbacks of the Japanese system?

Bell: The intense pressure is the main thing. If students don’t meet those very tough standards and don’t pass the national examination given after completing high school, it almost amounts to family shame. I wouldn’t want my 14-year-old son in that pressure cooker environment. But there is much we can learn from Japanese, without going to the extremes that they follow.

 

Educational system	In Japan	In the U.S	Add information about schools in Madagascar
School days	240	…(1)….
Number of daily school hours	…(2)….	…(3)….
Curriculum	…(4)…..	Varied course requirements

 

Reading/Writing Activity: Write a paragraph for each of the comparison questions:

1. To what extent is the Japanese educational system superior American educational system?

2. What do you think of the Japanese educational system? Write a paragraph expressing your opinion.

3. Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the Japanese education system to Madagascar’s education system.

 

 

 

 

These documents are revised and adapted for students use by Genevieve BALDERSTON

Taken from TERMINALES CURRICULUM TEACHER'S GUIDE.