I am excited / because I have a new group of students to teach, / and I look forward to / watching them learn writing, / mathematics, / and information about the community / and the world they live in. / Although it is sometimes difficult, / it is very satisfying to be a teacher. / I believe / each child has / a unique (独一无二的) pattern of qualities and abilities / that makes him or her special. / I am as concerned with their character / as with their success / and feel proud that / I am helping so many children become useful, / wellmannered, / and welleducated adults.
关于“快速阅读技巧”,这里想简单再讲几句。所谓“速读技巧”,一般即指“skimming (略读)” 和“scanning (掠读)” 两项阅读技能。平时,我们拿到一份材料或一篇文章后,多半会很快地从头至尾浏览一遍,了解其中大致讲些什么。我们这么做,实际上已在运用“skimming”这一技巧了。用快速阅读的术语说,就是“skimming for an overview”。而速读中的 “scanning”, 则多半用于搜索所需的特定信息或材料, 例如查阅电话簿,翻看电影广告,查找史书中某一事件的年代,等等,这就是所谓的 “scanning for specific facts or information”。
所以,“skimming” 和 “scanning” 这两项速读技巧,实际上也是常识性的技能,我们在生活和学习中一直都在使用,只是没有意识到罢了。现在,只要我们有目的、有意识地在阅读中加以运用,相信很快就会熟练掌握好的。
最后似乎还得强调一点,提高阅读速度固然重要,但是阅读理解总体能力的加强,才是英语阅读教学中的“重中之重”。如果阅读速度的提高无助于阅读理解,那么这种提高显然毫无意义;反之,如果阅读理解能力总体加强了,自会促进阅读速度的提高——这一道理想必是不言而自明的吧。
但愿大家能喜欢这套教材,更希望能在使用中提出宝贵意见。