Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. transitional
    • ex. After finishing high school, Tom felt nervous about the transitional period before starting college.
  2. scarce
    • ex. Water became scarce in the summer of last year.
  3. get through (something)
    • ex. I always talk to my best friend to help me get through difficult times.
  4. credentials
    • ex. The company is looking for a new manager who has the credentials to lead the team successfully.
  5. daycare
    • ex. Claire takes her son to daycare every morning before going to work.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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California public schools are offering a free program called “transitional kindergarten.” This program is for children around four years old. It’s designed to help kids prepare for elementary school. In the U.S., good-quality education for early learners is often scarce and expensive. So, the transitional kindergarten program has helped some parents get through that challenge.

Another benefit of transitional kindergarten is high-quality education. Teachers of the program have the same credentials as kindergarten teachers. A study found that students from transitional kindergarten showed stronger math, reading, and writing skills. Some schools hosting the program also offer after-school care, in which kids stay from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. This is perfect for parents who cannot care for their kids while at work.

However, many parents say the program doesn’t work for their families. It’s because not all schools provide after-school care. Some also don’t care whether the program is educational or not. What’s important is it offers care to kids during their parents’ work schedules. Some families even pay $400 (around ¥62,600) a week for a private daycare because they can’t find a program that is convenient for them.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Transitional Kindergarten

  • Transitional kindergarten is for children around four years old. It’s designed to help kids prepare for elementary school. Do you think transitional kindergarten is necessary? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What skills do you think early learners should develop before going to elementary schools (ex. reading, following instructions)? Discuss.
  • A benefit of transitional kindergarten is high-quality education. In your opinion, what is high-quality education (ex. teachers have excellent credentials, the school is popular)? Discuss.

Childcare Challenges

  • What are some childcare challenges that parents face (ex. busy work schedules, expensive daycare)? Discuss.
  • In the U.S., good-quality education for early learners is often scarce and expensive. Why do you think this is so? Discuss.
  • Some parents don’t care whether the program is educational or not as long as it offers care to their young children while they’re at work. What do you think about this (ex. it’s okay, it’s not good)? Discuss.