Lesson6 Schools
In America, all children from six to sixteen go to school.
They spend six years in 'elementary' school, and four or six years in 'secondary or 'high' school. School education is free. At the end of every school year, the child takes a test.
If he does well, he goes into the next grade. If he doesn't do well, he has to repeat the grade. Some schools have modern teaching equipment, like computers and closed circuit television, but there are also small country schools, with just one classroom. At the end of their time at school, most students get a high school diploma. If they want to go on to college, they take college admission tests.
In Britain, all children from five to sixteen go to school. They spend six years in 'primary' school, and then go on to 'secondary' school. In Britain there are 'state' schools, which are free, and private schools for which parents pay.
Many British private schools are 'boarding' schools. The children stay at school all the time, and only come home in the holidays. They usually wear uniforms at all schools.
Teaching in both countries is usually quite informal. Students often work together in groups, and go to the teacher only when they need help.

closed circuit television 闭路电视
diploma 文凭，毕业证书
boarding school 寄宿学校

学校
在美国，六岁到十六岁的孩子在学校读书。他们读六年小学，四年或六年中学。中小学教育是免费的。每学年末，学生要参加考试。如果他顺利通过，就可升级，否则必须留级。有些学校有现代化的教学设备，像计算机和闭路电视，但也有小的只有一间教室的乡村学校。完成中学学业后，大多数学生会拿到中学毕业证书。如果想读大学，他们还需参加大学入学考试。
在英国，五岁到十六岁的小孩都要上学。他们读六年小学，然后读中学。英国有免费的“公立学校”，也有需要父母付费的私立学校。英国的很多私立学校是寄宿制学校，学生除在节假日回家外，其他时间都呆在学校里。所有学校的学生通常都要穿校服。
英美两国的教学大都很随意。学生通常组成小组学习，只在需要帮助时才会去找老师。