they have some of the luckiest. On
average, Finnish kids receive no
more than three hours of homework
a week. Plus there are no exams and
no grades.
3. In order to be at the top, you have
to put in the work. Singapore ranks
high both in the world’s smartest
kids category and most hours spent
on homework (nearly 9.5 hours a
week). The country has spent the
past 40 years transforming their
economy from a blue-collar-based
job market to a tech-based, whitecollar
one.
4. The French are a sophisticated
bunch. For years, the French have
kept Wednesdays sacred — older
kids get Wednesdays off, but may
have school lessons on Saturdays.
Even with the midweek break,
French students are still in class for
eight hours every other day, with
a 90-minute lunch break. Because
the French are very French when it
comes to their cafeteria food.
5. Everyone loves Costa Rica. You
can surf in two oceans. It scores
high on the happiness index. And,
it’s winning at literacy, because
98 percent of people age 15 to 24
can read. It’s because the country
spends a huge 8 percent of their
GDP* on education. (The United
States spends about 6.4 percent, by
comparison). Costa Rica devotes its
money to young minds.
6. You think Japanese schools
have the most homework. Untrue.
Japanese kids average just 3.8 hours
a week, but still manage to be on
the higher end of worldwide math
scores. The reason for the limited
homework isn’t because they have
it easy, it’s because most kids have
school after school or “gakudo”. It
serves more as a daycare for kids,
but since they’re at school, there’s
still learning to be done.
AUDIO SCRIPT 11
1. It can be
beneficial to share your
feelings with someone you trust.
2. You can
accomplish anything if
you believe in it.
3. All students will
receive
certificates after completing the
project successfully.
4. Sevda was a highly
sophisticated
and elegant woman.
5. The students were given an
intelligence test.
6. The police asked a man to give
them as much
evidence as possible.
7. I am
extremely grateful to all the
teachers for their help.
8. Imran did not
idle away his entire
holiday.
9. Our company needs
investment.
10. Shaig wants to
involve as many
people as possible in the school
events.
11. What do you
suggest I read
during holidays?