Lesson One

An American in Beijing

Pre-reading Question1. Do you have a plan to study abroad? Why do you intend (plan) to do so?

2. If you are going to study abroad, which country do you want to go? Explain your reason.

3. How do you think of Chinese students to study abroad? Is it good or bad? Why?

Text studyReading the first four paragraphs of the

passage, and answer the questions below:1. As we all known, the passages is about an American in

Beijing, and who is the American?2. According to the passage, how many U.S students studied

abroad in the 2005-2006 academic year?

3. How many students went abroad to Asia region to study? And how many chose to go to China?

4. According to the paragraphs, what do you think the author try to tell us?

So why did they go?Read the paragraphs 5-7 by yourself, and try to

answer the questions:

1. Do most of the U.S people agree that students ought to study abroad?

2. How many reasons does the author tell us why student ought to study abroad?

Yes. 79% of the U.S population agrees that.

There are ____ reasons to show that student should study abroad:

1. It is a better way for them to improve language skill.

2. It offers students a chance to travel and to expand their worldview.

3. It can have excellent benefit for future employment by providing students with international skills and experience.

3

Uncle Sam wants YOU to go abroad

Who is Uncle Sam?

About Uncle SamUncle Sam is a national personification of the United States, often portrayed as a tall white-haired man with a goatee. He is often dress in red, white, and blue, and wears a top hats.

Question: Why do you think Uncle Sam want the students to study abroad?

Understanding SelfRead paragraph 10 by yourself, and try to understand the sentence:

“…empower students to better understand themselves and others through a comparison of culture values and ways of life.”

According to a comparison of culture values and ways of life, studying abroad allow students to understand themselves and other people in a better way.

Read paragraph 11-12, and try to answer the questions:1. Much of what do people consider to be “self” ?

2. What does foreign experience allow students to do?

3. What other thing do you think that the foreign experience can benefit the students?

It is simply a set of beliefs and assumptions about life…

It allows students to recognize these assumptions in both their host culture and their own.

So why Asia?Questions:

1. In what way has Asia play a huge role?

2. For the educational reason, Why did the author choose to study in Asia?

3. Do you think Asia continue to affect the U.S? Why? Explain the reasons.

In shaping U.S history and foreign policy.

Because the educational system in the United State is heavily U.S-European focused.

Yes, it is .

Some Information about several wars:

The Korean War: Time: June 25, 1950- July 27, 1953

Place: Korean Peninsula

Countries: North Korea, China;

South Korea, The U.S

Result: the truce agreement has been signed

The Vietnam War: Time: 1961-1973

Countries: Vietnam, The U.S

Result: The U.S army leave Vietnam

Why China matters?Questions:

1. According to paragraph 16, what does the author want to tell us?

2. What does the author want to tell us in paragraph 17?

3. Why did the author say that there is a clear need to raise culture awareness of China of the United State?

China is playing a important role in U.S economy.

Most of the U.S students don’t know China well.

Choosing ChinaPractical interestsTravel and LanguageMaking textbook a reality

Question:1. What did the author make his decision based on?

Any combination of the reasons listed above.

2. Why did the author choose to pursue a degree in the field?

Because it is so incredibly underrepresented, but still so important.

Practical interestsAsian Studies degree require- Asian language- Chinese

Economic factor Culture factor

A Chinese student

Study in China

More questions: 1. According to the American Council on Education, Why is it

necessary for students to study abroad?

2. As to the importance of studying abroad, what were listed by Senate Resolution 308?

3. Why is China the worthy place for U.S students?

4. What benefits has the author gained from studying in China?