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.
Today’s movie
6 Minute English: Education Rankings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbv4IIqwW-4
Listening Quiz
Test your understanding of the video with these five questions:
Q1: What does ‘contentious’ mean?
Q2: What does it mean if you are ‘outpaced’ by someone?
Q3: What is a ‘knowledge economy’?
Q4: What does it mean if something happens ‘regardless’ of something else?
Q5: What does it mean if people are ‘segregated’?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Estonian schools do not want to segregate students.