While regular schools still exist, the virtual classroom plays an important role in today's learning community. (Para.1)

Meaning: Though there are regular schools, the virtual classroom has a very important position and job in today's education.
play a role in: have a position or job in...
People have come to understand that computer is playing an increasingly important role in our life. 人们开始意识到计算机在我们生活中起着越来越重要的作用。

Online learning is playing a very important role in education. 网络学习在教育中起着重要的作用。

community: n. a group of people living together and/or united by shared interests
the academic community 学术界  the black community 黑人社区

Job opportunities for students are expanding rapidly and more people of all ages are becoming aware of online learning that allows them to study at home. (Para.1)

Meaning: Students have many more chances to get jobs, and more people of different ages are beginning to learn about online learning which allows them to study at home.
expand: v. (cause to) grow larger 
Iron expands when it is heated. 加热时铁会膨胀。
The company has expanded its operations in America by building a factory there. 这家公司在美国建立了一家工厂，从而扩大了在美业务。
people of all ages: people of different ages
be aware of: having knowledge or understanding of
I'm quite aware of how you feel about this problem. 我很清楚你对这个问题的感受。
He was so deep in his reading that he wasn't aware his father had entered. 他读书很专心，连父亲进门都不知道。

Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. (Para.1)

Meaning: But online students must have some unusual and special qualities if they want to be successful.
unique: a. unusual; being the only one of itself
The town is very unique in its beautiful and quiet environment. 这个小城美丽幽静的环境是颇具特色的。

The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students. (Para.1)

Meaning: In the following list we discuss some necessary and perfect qualities of successful students.
ideal: a. perfect or faultless in every way
It's an ideal place for a holiday. 是一个度假的理想的地方。

This forum for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder some students from expressing themselves. (Para.3)

Meaning: As a place for communication, the online method doesn't require people to see each other personally. So some students won't feel it difficult to express their ideas.
visual: a. gained by or connected with seeing
Visual knowledge of a place of battle helps a general to plan his attack. 亲临战场对将军制定攻击计划很有帮助。
The visual arts are painting and dancing, etc. as opposed to music and literature. 视觉艺术是绘画，舞蹈等，与音乐和文学相对。
barrier: n. something placed in the way in order to prevent or control the movement of people or things   
The police put up barriers to control the crowd. 警察搭起路障对人群加以控制。
The color of one's skin shouldn't be a barrier to success. 肤色不应该成为成功的障碍。
hinder: vt. prevent sb. from doing sth.; prevent sth. from happening
I'm sorry that some business hindered my answering your letter. 很抱歉，由于忙于一些事务，未能回信。
Don't talk to me now; you will hinder me. 现在不要和我讲，那样会妨碍我的。

In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before replying. (Para.3)

Meaning: What is more, students are given time to think about the information carefully before replying.
reflect: v. 1) express, give an idea of
This statement reflected his opinions about this matter. 这一陈述表达了他对这个问题的看法。
The book reflected the author's idea on marriage. 这本书反映了作者的婚姻观。
2) throw back (sound, heat, light or an image)
The smooth surface of the lake reflected the light of the house. 平静如镜的湖面映射出房屋的灯光。
The still water reflected the moon. 平静的水面映着月亮。
reflect on: think carefully
After reflecting on it, I have decided to give up the job. 经过一番思考，我决定放弃那项工作。

I have been reflecting on what you said these days. 这些天我一直在考虑你说的话。
You should reflect on the likely result before you decide to do something. 决定做一件事之前应虑可能产生的后果。

In the virtual classroom nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that students feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. (Para.5)

Meaning: In the online classroom, people communicate with each other by writing, so it is very important that students do feel at ease in writing to express their opinions.
critical: a. 1) very important; very serious or dangerous
I didn't realize the unemployment problem was all that critical here. 我原来不知道这儿的失业问题这么严重。
Note: In the that-clause of "it is/was critical that ..." pattern, we should either use "should + bare infinitive" or simply use "bare infinitive." Very often, fluent native speakers use only the 'bare infinitive.'
It was critical that the teacher (should) not punish the students who gave incorrect answers. 关键的是那位老师不应该惩罚回答错误的学生。
It is critical that you (should) keep up with the progress of an online course. 跟上网络课程的进度十分重要。
2) finding fault
Don't be critical of him; he is a beginner. 不要对他挑剔, 他是初学者。
She looks on everything with a critical eye. 她用批判的眼光观察每一件事。

... students share ideas, perspectives and discussions on the subject being  studied. (Para.5)

Meaning: ... students share ideas, ways of seeing things and discussions on the subject they are studying.
perspective: n. way of thinking about something 
He says that the death of his father 18 months ago has given him a new perspective on life. 他说18个月前父亲去世使他对生活有了新的看法。
  We must look at the problem in the right perspective. 我们必须以正确的眼光看待这个问题。

Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise. (Para. 6)

Meaning: Online students should be willing to ask questions if there are any.
arise: vi. to come into being, appear
When I was in great difficulties with my language learning, the opportunity for online learning arose. 当我在语言学习中碰到困难的时候，网上学习的机会来了。
A strong wind arose. 刮起了一股强风。

This means students must be absolutely explicit with their comments and requests. (Para.7)

Meaning: This means students must express their ideas and requests very clearly.
absolutely: adv. completely
It is difficult to cross the desert by car, but not absolutely impossible. 开车穿越沙漠很难，但并非完全不可能。
They seemed to have absolutely no sense of moral principles. 他们似乎完全没有道德原则。
explicit: a. clear and fully expressed
He gave an explicit description of how the accident happened. 他清楚地讲述了事故发生的经过。
The agreement is explicit in saying the rent must be paid by the tenth of every month. 这份协议清楚地说明了必须在每个月十号付房租。
comment: n. opinion about an event or a person 
She asked the Minister if he had any comment on the government's new decision. 她问部长对政府的新决定有何评论。
There has been no comment so far from the police about the case. 到目前为止警方对这一案件没有任何评论。

If they experience technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, they MUST speak up; (Para.7)

Meaning: If they have equipment problems or have problems in understanding the course content or instructions, they must tell others.
Please pay attention to the word "experience" as this word is used as a noun with different meanings as well as a verb.
experience: something that happens to one and has an effect on the mind and feelings
(Note: "Experience" used in this sense is a countable noun; we can say: "experiences" or "an experience".)
Learning a foreign language was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding experiences of my life. (Text A) 学习外语是我一生中最艰苦也是最有意义的经历。
But when "experience" is used in the sense of "knowledge or skill, which comes from practice in an activity" (经验，感受，体验), it is an uncountable noun. 
Don't correct him all the time; he'll learn by experience. 别总是纠正他，他会从经验中学习的。
And "experience" can be used as a verb, too, meaning, "feel, suffer, or learn by an experience" .
Margaret Rudland, head teacher in Hammersmith, also thinks children must experience actual peer relations. (Text C) 海默斯密斯学校校长玛格利特.鲁兰也认为孩子们必须与同龄人交往。

While explaining something to others, students reinforce their own knowledge about the subject.(Para.7)

Meaning: When they explain something to others, students get a stronger and firmer understanding of what they have learned on the subject.
reinforce: vt. make stronger or firmer; add strength or support to
They hope to reinforce their idea that online learning is not easier than learning in regular classrooms. In fact, many students say it requires much more time and effort. 他们希望强调他们的观点，即网上学习不比课堂学习容易。事实上，许多学生说它需要花更多的间和力气。

Online students need to commit 4 to 15 hours a week for each course. (Para.9)

Meaning: Students who take online courses need to spend 4 to 15 hours a week on each course.

It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate information and make the right decisions based on critical thinking. (Para.11)

Meaning: It is very necessary for students to understand and take in information. Besides, students should examine and judge information carefully and then make the right decisions.
assimilate: v. understand and take in; (cause to) become part of
You have to assimilate the facts, not just remember them. 你得消化事实，而不只是记住事实。
His family found it hard to assimilate into the local community after they moved to the city. 他家人移居到这座城市之后觉得很难融入当地社区之中。

In a positive online environment, students feel valued by the instructor ... (Para.11)

Meaning: In a helpful online environment, students feel respected by the instructor ...

Time is given to allow for careful development of responses. Testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged. (Para.13)

Meaning: Students are given time to develop their answers carefully. They are encouraged to prove and question whether certain ideas are right.
allow for: take into consideration
We must start early, to allow for finding their house.我们得早点出发，留出时间来寻找他们的房子。

Allowing for the train's being late, we should be back by half past ten. 考虑到火车晚点，我们必须十点半回来。
You should allow for the weather when you plan for an outing. 制定郊游计划时, 应考虑到天气因素。

Online learning is normally sequential and requires commitment on the students' part. (Para.15)

Meaning: Online learning is usually an orderly, step-by-step process and students need to give their entire concentration to it.

Keeping up with the face-to-face class and completing all work on time is vital. (Para.15)

Meaning: It is very important for students to keep up with the progress of the regular class and to finish all work on time.

Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators ... (Para.16)

Meaning: Just as many excellent teachers may not be good at making online learning easy …

 

  Learning A Foreign Language

1. Learning a foreign language was one of the most difficult yet most rewarding experiences of my life. (Para.1)

Meaning: Learning a foreign language was one of the most difficult things to do but it was most worth doing in my life.

2. Although at times, learning a language was frustrating, it was well worth the effort. (Para.1)

Meaning: Although sometimes learning a language is disappointing, it was rewarding enough to spend the time and effort on it.
  be well worth + noun/ doing sth.: rewarding enough for the time or effort 
  This report about the effect of modernization on human nature is well worth reading. 这份关于现代化对于人性影响的报告很值得一读。
He's decided to have a look at the house for it is well worth buying. 他决定去看看这栋房子，因为它非常值得去买。

3. Because of the positive method, I eagerly answered all the questions I could, never worrying about making mistakes. (Para.2)

Meaning: Because of the effective and helpful method, I was very willing to answer all the questions I could, and I never worried about making mistakes.
positive: a. 1) effective; helpful
Don't just watch me; give me some positive advice. 别只是看着我，给我提些积极的建议吧。
2) definite, allowing no room for doubt
We still don't have a positive answer as to how he died. 他究竟如何死的,我们还没有得出明确的答案。
He was expected to make a positive decision about whether these workers were to be fired. 他应对是否解雇这些工人做出明确的决定。
3) sure, having no doubt about sth.
Are you positive that he's the man you saw yesterday?

She was positive that John would help her out of trouble.

4. I was at the top of my class for two years. (Para.2)

Meaning: I was one of the excellent students in my class for two years.

5. It didn't take me long to lose my eagerness to answer questions. (Para3)

Meaning: Before long I was no longer eager to answer questions.

6. Not only did I lose my joy in answering questions, but also I totally lost my desire to say anything at all in English. (Para.3)

Meaning: I not only didn't feel happy answering questions, but also I didn't want to say anything in English. 
Note: With "not only" or "only" placed at the beginning of a sentence, the sentence order should be inverted (倒装) as you find it in the reading passage. Here are more examples:
Only in this way can you hope to finish the work at the end of this month. 只有用这种方法你才有望在月底之前完成这项工作。
Not only did we enjoy the film, but we also had a wonderful time. 我们不仅看了电影，而且玩得很痛快。

7. Unlike my senior middle school teacher, ... (Para.4)

Meaning: Different from my senior middle school teacher, ...
unlike: prep. different; not like, not the same
Her recent report is quite unlike her earlier work. 她最近的报告与以前的大不相同。
Unlike me, my son likes to get up early. 与我不同，我的儿子喜欢早起。

8. However, the situation was far from perfect. (Para.4)

Meaning: But the situation was not faultless at all.
far from: not ... at all; rather than,
Far from (being) angry, he's very happy. 他一点都不生气, 很快乐。
Her husband is far from (being) handsome; he is somewhat ugly. 她丈夫谈不上英俊, 有点丑。

9. As our classes were very large, I was only able to answer a couple of questions in each class period. (Para.4)

Meaning: Because there were many students in our classes, I could only answer two or three questions in each class period.
a couple of: two or three
I saw a couple of children playing in the garden. 我看见两三个孩子在花园里玩耍。
Could you please lend me a couple of dollars? 你能借我两三元美元吗?
比较: a pair of: a pair of earrings, a pair of shoes, a pair of gloves, a pair of socks

10. I began to feel intimidated. (Para.4)

Meaning: I began to feel frightened and lack confidence.
intimidate: vt. make one frightened by threats
The thieves intimidated the general manager by saying that they would kill him. 小偷吓唬总经理,说要杀死他。
John intimidated his brother into not telling their parents the truth. 约翰威胁他弟弟，不准他把真相告诉父母。

11. ... when I was offered an opportunity to study English through an online course. (Para.5)

Meaning: ... when I was given a chance to learn English by taking a computer course.
opportunity: n. a good chance, a favorable moment
With the help of his teacher, he got an opportunity to learn English in Britain. 在老师的帮助下，他得到了机会去英国学习英语。
The month of May offers a wonderful opportunity to go traveling. 五月份是旅游的好时机。

12. I soon got access to the necessary equipment, learned the technology from a friend and participated  in the virtual classroom 5 to 7 days a week. (Para.5)

Meaning: I soon got the necessary equipment and learned how to use the equipment from a friend. Then I could take online courses 5 to 7 days a week.
access: n. way of entering; right of using, reaching, or entering
The only access to that building was guarded by the soldiers. 通向那栋楼房的唯一通道由士兵把守着。
He was not allowed access to his young brother who was in prison. 他未能获准去监狱探望他弟弟。
virtual: a. almost what is stated; made-up
The king was so much under the control of his wife that she was the virtual ruler of the country. 国王完全受妻子的控制，以至于她是这个国家的实际统治者。
With the use of the Internet (因特网), many virtual communities are set up. 由于因特网的使用，许多虚拟社区建立起来。

13. ... it requires much time, commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the course. (Para. 6)

Meaning: ... and online learning requires that we give much time and attention to it and learn or work in a controlled way, so that we can keep up with the progress of the course.
commitment: n. a promise to follow certain beliefs or certain course of actions
He felt he didn't have to make such a commitment to Mary. 他觉得自己没必要对玛丽作出这样的许诺。
I don't want to get married because I don't want any commitments. 我不想结婚，因为我不想承担任何责任。
discipline: n. the practice of making people obey rules; the quality of behaving in a controlled way
Discipline is very important for any kind of scientific research. 自制对于任何科研工作而言都很重要。
When the fire broke out, the students showed good discipline. 火灾发生时，这些学生表现出良好的纪律性。

14. I worked hard to meet the minimum standards set by the course and to complete assignments on time. (Para. 6)

Meaning: I worked hard to reach the least standards allowed by the course and to finish the homewok on time.
Please note: "set by the course" in this sentence is a past participle phrase used as an attribute.
minimum: a. the least, or the smallest possible
He couldn't join the police because he was below the minimum height allowed by the rule. 他未能当警察，因为他身高未达到最低规定要求。
The minimum passing mark is 40 out of 100. 这次考试的最低合格线是百分制的四十分。

15. I made many, sometimes embarrassing, mistakes. (Para. 7)

Meaning: I made many mistakes which sometimes made me feel ashamed.
embarrass: vt. make one shy, ashamed
It embarrassed her that her husband was drunk at the dinner. 她丈夫在宴会上喝醉酒令她很尴尬。
This was an embarrassing situation for the gentleman for he couldn't afford the dinner. 这位先生很尴尬，因为他付不起晚餐的钱。

16. I felt like giving up. (Para.7)

Meaning: I wanted to stop doing online learning.
feel like sth./doing sth.: want to do sth.
Could we stop playing cards? I feel like having a rest. 可以不打牌了吗？我想休息一会儿。
At the sight of the miserable scene, the lady felt like crying. 看到这可怕的光景，这位女士想哭。
give up: stop having or doing
Though faced with many difficulties, he would not give up online learning. 虽然面临着许多困难，他不会放弃网上学习。
He had to give up his studies because of lack of money. 由于缺少钱，他只得放弃学业。

17. ... I had finally reaped the benefits of all that hard work. (Para.7)

Meaning: ... I gained the good things that happened as a result of all that hard work at last.
reap: vt. get sth. as a reward; cut and gather(a crop or grain) 
We say: reap a profit;  reap a reward;  reap wheat
benefit: n. profit; good effect
He told me that he got no personal benefit from the business. 他告诉我他个人没有从这笔生意中得到任何好处。
He felt that he got much benefit from conversations with foreigners. 他觉得自己通过与外国人交谈收益匪浅。

18. Learning a foreign language has been a most trying experience for me, but one that I wouldn't trade for anything. (Para. 8)

Meaning: Learning a foreign language has been an experience full of difficulties, but I wouldn't exchange it for anything else.   
trade (in) ... for... : exchange ... for...
He decided to trade his car for a truck. 他决定用小汽车换卡车。
In order to pay off his debts, he had to trade in his piano for money. 为了还债，他只好把钢琴拿去换钱。
Cf. trade on: make use of
He traded on his brother's kindness to get more money from him. 他利用哥哥的善良，想从他那儿多弄点钱。
The senator's son traded on his father's name when he ran for mayor. 参议员的儿子在竞选市长时利用了他父亲的名望。

19. Not only did learning another language teach me the value of hard work, but it also gave me insights into another culture, and my mind was opened to new ways of seeing things. (Para. 8)

Meaning: Learning another language not only made me understand the benefit of hard work, but it also made me understand another culture, and I was willing to accept new ways of seeing things.
insight: n. the act of seeing or understanding something very clearly
Visiting the city gave me insight into the lives of the people who live there. 参观这座城市使我了解了那里的居民的生活情况。
The teacher had unusual insight into children's emotions. 这位老师对儿童的情感有不同寻常的了解。

20. Talking with people is one of my favorite activities, ... (Para. 8)

Meaning: Talking with people is one of the activities I like best, ...

21. ... participate in conversations, and form new, unforgettable friendships. (Para. 8)

Meaning: ... take part in conversations, and form new friendships, which are difficult to forget.
participate in: take part in
I want to have the opportunity to participate in the party. 我希望有机会参加这个晚会。
Over half of the population in the country participates in the sport. 这个国家有一半以上的人口参加这项体育活动。

22. Now that I speak a foreign language, instead of staring into space when English is being spoken, I can participate and make friends. (Para. 8)

Meaning: As I can speak a foreign language, I can take part in the conversation and make friends, and I no longer look into the distance when someone is speaking English.
now that conj. because (something has happened) ...
Now that John has arrived, we can begin our English class.  既然约翰来了，我们可以开始上英语课了。

23. I am able to reach out to others and bridge the gap between my language and culture and theirs. (Para. 8)

Meaning: I am able to communicate with others and make smaller the differences between my language and culture and theirs.
reach out to: communicate with; contact
With the introduction of the Internet, we can reach out to our friends by e-mail. 由于因特网的使用，我们可以通过电子邮件与朋友联系。
reach out for: try to get
You must reach out for any opportunity that comes your way. 你必须抓住所遇到的任何机遇。
reach for: hold out one's hand to get sth.
He reached for the phone and dialed the number. 他伸手拿起电话，拨了号码。
bridge: vt. make up for the difference between ...; join or connect things together; build a bridge across
   The decision is an attempt to  bridge the distance between the rich and poor. 这个决定旨在缩短贫富之间的差距。
   bridge the gap: close the distance between .....; join or bring closer together
   Learning a foreign language helps us bridge the gap between two different cultures. 学习外语有助于缩小不同文化间的差距。

Topics for Discussion

 

Your experience of learning English

1.  When and where did you begin to learn English?

2.  Do you enjoy learning English? Why?

3.  How was your English teacher in junior or senior middle school?

4.  Do you have any trouble learning English? If any, what is it?

1. When and where did you begin to learn English?

..Tips:

—I began to learn English... years ago.

—I have learned English for...

—My experience with English began in...   when...

2. Do you enjoy learning English? Why?

       Tips:

    —No, I don’t enjoy it because it is useless/too difficult.

    —Yes, I enjoy it very much. It can help me

Ø find a good job after graduation.

Ø learn the cultures of other countries.

Ø make some foreign friends.

Ø learn the value of hard work.

3. How was your English teacher in junior or
    senior middle school?

—My English teacher in... was

kind/patient/encouraging/strict/impatient/

cold/always angry

when I...

4. Do you have any trouble learning English?

— I always feel it difficult to...

— It’s not easy for me to

Ø understand what others say.

Ø remember so many words.

Ø understand the grammar.

Ø read quickly.

Ø speak in public.

Online learning

1.What can you do online?

2. What are the advantages  of

    learning English online?

Tips for the advantages:

1.  equal opportunity to do...

2.  any place, any time or pace

3.  cheaper and more convenient

4.  quicker and easier to get access to

     much information and to teachers

student-centered

no limit to the number of students

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

摘要：衔接是发话者用来表示经验和人际方面语义接贯的语法手段。它指的是语篇中语言成分之间的语义关系。一篇文章是否衔接得好直接影响到文章意义的表达和读者对此文章的理解。而在科技英语中，出于文章内容和专业性以及表达方式的独特性和理解需要的精确性，衔接就成为科技文章传送信息的关键。在此类文章中，衔接的不同手段运用频率也与一般的文章有所不同（照应用得相对较多，而为了避免岐义，省略用得相对的较少）。本文使用韩礼德关于语篇衔接的理论，分析科技英语中出现的语法现象。　查看全文

摘要：许多语言学家从句法平面上研究了被动语态的用法，而本文则是以Halliday提出的三大纯理功能之一语篇功能理论为基础，从语篇层面上分析了被动语态的语篇功能。经分析，被动语态包含六种语篇功能：突出主题功能、引入主题功能、转换主题功能、凸显焦点功能、对比焦点功能以及语篇衔接与连贯功能。被动语态的这六种语篇功能往往共同作用于语篇的重组，使语篇称为一个结构上衔接、语义上连贯的有机整体。 [关键词] 语篇功能 被动语态　查看全文

摘要：语言是符号系统、人类重要的交际工具和文化载体，语言教学的根本目的就是培养学生运用语言进行正确地、得体地交际的能力,即：培养学生语言能力、交际能力和语用能力。本文对国内外学术界就语言能力、交际能力和语用能力的内涵是什么以及为应对21世纪信息化和全球化时代的挑战，国内外外语界进行的外语教育改革对这三种能力的具体要求进行论述，揭示了其内涵的动态性特征。 关键词语：语言能力、交际能力、语用能力 内涵 动态性特征　查看全文

摘要：模糊限制语是一种常见的语言现象,对其研究正朝着功能研究的方向发展。韩礼德的功能语法理论，拓展了模糊限制语的研究空间。作为人际功能主要体现手段的情态，其实是模糊限制语的一个重要组成。因此，模糊限制语的使用，在人际功能层面上可以增强话语的可接受性，使言语表达更委婉、更礼貌、更稳妥，不仅有效地保护了说话者，实现了说话者自我保护功能，而且可以提高言语的表达效果和灵活性。。 关键词:模糊限制语、情态、人际功能　查看全文