Exploring the World’s Best Education Systems with BBC’s 6 Minute English
Dive into a discussion about the best education systems in the world with this episode of BBC’s 6 Minute English. We’ll explore the Pisa rankings, which attempt to show which countries are most effective at teaching maths, science, and reading, and discuss the factors that could lead to a higher ranking.
Test your understanding of the video with these five questions:
Q1: What does ‘contentious’ mean?
In the video, the term ‘contentious’ is used to describe the initial reaction to the Pisa tests. If something is contentious, it is something that people might argue about – it’s controversial.
Q2: What does it mean if you are ‘outpaced’ by someone?
In the video, it’s explained that large European countries are being ‘outpaced’ by smaller nations. If someone outpaces you, they’re going faster than you – at a higher pace.
Q3: What is a ‘knowledge economy’?
In the video, a ‘knowledge economy’ is described as an economy based on service industries that require workers to be highly educated, such as IT, finance, or advanced engineering.
Q4: What does it mean if something happens ‘regardless’ of something else?
In the video, it is mentioned that the most successful education systems educate everyone to a particular standard, regardless of their background. If one thing happens regardless of something else, it means that the something else is not important, or not a problem.
Q5: What does it mean if people are ‘segregated’?
In the video, the term ‘segregate’ is used when discussing the teaching methods in Estonian schools. ‘Segregate’ means to separate and keep apart.
Vocabulary
Enhance your vocabulary with these words from the video:
contentious
causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial The Pisa tests were initially quite contentious.
outpace
to go faster, do better, or develop more quickly than someone or something else Many large European countries are being outpaced by smaller nations.
knowledge economy
an economy dependent on quantities of information and knowledge Singapore, Estonia, and Taiwan are transitioning into a knowledge economy.
regardless
without paying attention to the present situation; despite the prevailing circumstances The most successful systems educate everyone to a particular standard, regardless of their background.
segregate
to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group Estonian schools do not want to segregate students.
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