IELTS NGOC BACH 170
their dreams. Also, leaving students to choose the subjects they study means letting them have a say in deciding their future from an early age, which can boost their independence and determination. However, this would cause problems to those who don’t know yet what they want to do in the future, thus stopping them from studying their potential favorite or important subjects.
14.7. How are educational priorities today different from those in the past?
In modern society, a higher priority is placed on the education of children than in the past. This is simply, in my opinion, a recognition that we now live in a world of work in which specialist knowledge and skills are essential for many jobs. So, education now gives more priority to the ability to use technology. Students today must be both literate and computer-literate.
14.8. What is your opinion on the way languages are taught in schools?
Too passive, I think. Most schools in Vietnam focus too much on teaching grammar and vocabulary, thus neglecting speaking, listening and writing. Except for those from specialized schools, most Vietnamese students often speak with no intonation, their pronunciation of each sound is rarely fully correct, and it’s hard for them to strike up a conversation with a foreigner in English due to their poor speaking and listening skills. Most of them can hardly come up with a decent piece of writing either.
14.9. What changes do you think will happen in the classroom in the near future?
Studying in the future may include a lot of technology. Right now education technology is already on the rise, and I think it’s going to be everywhere in years to come. The role of the teacher may be minimized, and in some places the physical classroom may also be eliminated and replaced by the virtual one.
IELTS NGOC BACH 171
VOCABULARY
ü Incorporate [verb] to include as part of something
Example: The textbook incorporates all the latest information on climate change.
ü Educator (thầy/cô giáo) [noun] (formal) a person whose job is to teach or educate people (formal)
Example: Modern educators prefer a different approach to the teaching of reading.
ü Submit (nộp) [verb] to give a document, proposal, etc. to somebody in authority so that they can study or consider it
Example: Completed projects must be submitted by 10 March.
ü Hand something in (nộp) [phrasal verb] = submit
Example: You must all hand in your projects by the end of next week.
ü Filter down [phrasal verb] to move slowly down to lower levels of an organisation or system
Example: During the day, the news that the company was going to close filtered down to the employees.
ü Literacy [noun] the ability to read and write
Example: Now that most children go to school, the rate of literacy in the country is improving.
ü Analyze (phân tích) [verb] to examine the nature or structure of something, especially by separating it into its parts, in order to understand or explain it
Example: He tried to analyze her feelings and finally managed to get what she wanted.
ü Foundation (nền tảng) [noun] a principle, an idea or a fact that something is based on and that it grows from
IELTS NGOC BACH 172
Example: Repect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage.
ü Prime (hàng đầu, bậc nhất) [adjective] main; most important; basic Example: The care of the environment is of prime importance.
ü Aptitude (khả năng bẩm sinh) [noun] natural ability or skill at doing something e.g. After working for several months, she got promoted as she showed an aptitude for the work.
ü Critical thinking (tư duy phê phán) [noun] the process of analyzing information in an objective way, in order to make a judgement about it
e.g. The school encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills.
ü Go on [phrasal verb] happen/take place
Example: I often check the news on the internet to know what’s going on in the world.
ü Realize [verb] to achieve something important that you want to do Example: She never realized her amibition of becoming a singer.
ü Say (in something) (sự ảnh hưởng) [noun] the right to influence something by giving your opinion before a decision is made
Example: We had no say in the decision to sell the company.
ü Boost (làm tăng) [verb] to make something increase, or become better or more successful
Example: The movie helped boost her screen career. She received several prizes and was asked to do some TV commercials.
ü Potential (tiềm năng) [adjective] that can develop into something or be developed in the future
Example: First we need to identify actual and potential problems, then we may come up with some solutions.
IELTS NGOC BACH 173
ü Computer-literate [adjective] able to use computers well
Example: She is highly computer-literate and she now teaches other people to use computers.
ü Apparent (rõ ràng) [adjective] obvious
Example: It was apparent from her face that she was really upset.
ü Pay attention to smt/smb (quan tâm, để ý) [expression] listen to, look at or think about something/somebody carefully
Example: The teacher asked her students to pay their full attention to what she was saying, as that part was really important.
ü Neglect (lơ là) [verb] not give enough attention to something
Example: She has neglected her studies – all she’s done is playing.
ü Specialized (chuyên) [adjective] designed or developed for a particular purpose or area of knowledge
Example: The course is very specialized; only psychologists are allowed to attend it.
ü Intonation (ngữ điệu) [noun] the rise and fall of the voice in speaking, especially as this affects the meaning of what is being said
Example: In English, some questions have a rising intonation.
ü Strike up sth (with sb) (bắt đầu cái gì với ai) [phrasal verb] to begin a friendship, a relationship, a conversation, etc.
Example: He would often strike up conversations with complete strangers.
ü Come up with [phrasal verb] to find or produce an answer, a sum of money Example: She came up with a new idea for increasing sales.
ü Decent (ổn) [adjective] of a good enough standard or quality; acceptable to people in a particular situation
Example: I need a decent night’s sleep; I have been staying up late recently.
IELTS NGOC BACH 174
ü To come (trong thời gian tới) [idiom] in the future
Example: They may well regret the decision in years to come.
ü Eliminate (xoá bỏ) [verb] to remove or get rid of something/somebody Example: The police have eliminated two suspects from their investigation.
ü Virtual (ảo) [adjective] made to appear to exist by the use of computer software, for example on the Internet
Example: New technology has enabled development of an online “virtual library”.
15. Describe someone who has a great influence on you/ Describe a person