英國教育部公布了首批即將開設 T-levels 這一新技術資格課程的英格蘭中學和職業學校名單。從2020年起，這些學校將為英格蘭地區的青少年提供建造業、數字技術、教育及保育等領域的職業課程。每門課為學生安排一次為期三個月的工作實習機會。

文字稿

The world is changing; education must too, according to the government. T-levels will be offered to 16-year-old students who'd normally be going on to study academic A-levels. They're vocational, covering subjects like finance and accounting, engineering and manufacturing and construction.

英國政府稱，世界在變化，所以教育也應順應當下。T-levels 將面向那些通常會學習高中學術課程 A-levels （相當于英國學生大學入學考試）的 16歲學生。這類職業培訓型課程涵蓋金融、會計、制造和工程等科目。

The plan is for employers to help create the courses and offer compulsory work placements. The first courses start in just over two years but there are concerns that could be too soon for such a dramatically new programme.

此計劃的目的是為了讓雇主幫助創建課程并按規定必須提供相應的實習機會。首批課程將在短短兩年后展開，但人們擔心，對于這樣一個全新的課程來說，可能還為時過早。

Critics warn that rushing it through risks young people's futures. The government says, in a fast-moving economy, T-levels are needed to prepare young people for the jobs of tomorrow.

評論人士提醒說，匆忙實施改革危及年輕人的未來。英國政府稱，在快速發展的經濟狀況下，需要通過 T-levels 課程來幫助年輕人做好適應未來工作的準備。

1. 詞匯表

academic 學術的
vocational 職業的
compulsory 必修做的，強制性的
work placements 實習機會
dramatically 巨大的
critics 批評人士
fast-moving economy 快速發展的經濟

2. 閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題 。

1. What do students in England traditionally go on to study?

2. True or false? Employees will need to help set up these courses and offer work placements.

3. Why do critics think young people's futures could be at risk?

4. When are the first T-level courses due to start?

3. 答案

1. What do students in England traditionally go on to study?
Currently, many students go on to study academic A-levels.

2. True or false? Employees will need to help set up these courses and offer work placements.
False. It is employers who will have to help create the courses and offer compulsory work placements.

3. Why do critics think young people's futures could be at risk?
Critics fear rushing in the new T-levels risks young people's futures.

4. When are the first T-level courses due to start?
The first courses start in just over two years.