Intermediate Level
Lesson 2
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Intermediate English
Lesson 2 - School
Reading

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English Reading Exercise

 

Review of Key Words
curriculum     
method
technology
waiting list
immigrant
skills
grade level
enroll
pay
describe
design
attract
offer
full
Which
throughout
generally     
quickly
further
higher
public
private   

 

Magnet Schools

A magnet school is a school that offers a special curriculum designed to attract students from throughout the school district.  Magnet schools generally use different teaching methods or offer a special curriculum in areas like technology or the arts.  Students can enroll in regular public schools or special magnet schools.  Many magnet schools are so popular that parents need to put their child's name on a waiting list before enrolling.  Some schools have waiting lists for a year or more.  Magnet schools are not private schools, they are public schools which are generally funded by the local school district. 

In one magnet school in the San Diego area, students spend half the day with a Spanish-speaking teacher and half with an English-speaking teacher.  Starting in kindergarten, native Spanish-speakers (many are Mexican immigrants) and native English-speakers are in the same classroom.  The children play together and quickly become bilingual.  Their language skills develop further in higher grade levels where they learn subject areas such as science and history in English one month and in Spanish another month.

Questions
Answer the questions below.

1. What does the word "funded" mean in the following sentence?
    

"Magnet schools are not private schools, they are public schools which are usually funded by the local school district."

2. If you want to enroll your child in a magnet school, but the school is full, what can you do?
    

3. If a child doesn't speak any English, can he go to the school described in the second paragraph?

4. Who generally pays for magnet schools?

5. Which is an example of a magnet school?
    

 

Writing

Write a paragraph describing your school. Write on a paper or on our blog.

     

 

Recommend Passport to English to your friends!

 

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