LESSON 7. American Junior High Schools

 

Reading

American Junior High Schools

 

(1)

(This is a letter from Jane, In-suk's American pen friend.)

Dear In-suk,

I was happy to get your letter. Thank you for the pictures of your family and school.

You asked me about my school. I go to Washington Junior High School. Every morning I catch the school bus at 8:05. My school begins at 8:30 and my first period is homeroom. I'm taking English, math, history, science and music. My favorite class is music.

I'm in the school band. I play the flute. We have band practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Next week we are getting our new band uniforms. I can't wait.

My hardest class is math. Our teacher gives us to much homework. I have a study hall just after math but I never finish all my homework. Every night I have to stay in my room and finish my homework. But my brother watches TV. It's not fair. I hope he will get lots of homework next year.

Please write again soon.

Your friend,

Jane

 

(2)

In America the school year begins in September after a long summer vacation. There are classes from Monday to Friday. In America classes are smaller than in Korea. A class usually has 20 to 30 students.

American schools are not all alike. For example, in different schools students have different textbooks. Most schools are informal and the students do not wear uniforms. And they can choose some of their subjects. That's why students in the same homeroom do not study together all day.

Students change classrooms every period. They go to their lockers between classes to get books for the next class.

Usually American students have lunch in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is a big room and all the students eat at the same time.

There are many after school activities lie clubs, sports, and special classes. Students may play in the band. Or they can join a basketball team.

In some ways Korean and American schools are different. But one thing is the same in both countries. The students should study hard.

 

 

Dialogue 1

인숙이와 마이크가 학교 생활에 대해 이야기하고 있다.

 

In-suk : What subject do you like best?

Mike : I like history best.

In-suk : So do I! By the way, how many subjects do you take in America?

Mike : Five or six. We must take some subjects, but we can choose some of them.

In-suk : Is your school different from Korean schools?

Mike : A little. One difference is we change classrooms every period.

 

Dialogue 2

상호와 유미가 서점에 들른 후 도서관에 가기로 한다.

 

Sang-ho : Did you finish your homework?

Yu-mi : No, not yet.

Sang-ho : Neither did I. Shall we go to the library?

Yu-mi : OK. By the way, I have to buy a book. Where's the nearest bookstore?

Sang-ho : I think there's one on the corner.

Yu-mi : Let's go to the bookstore first.