高２成績付けほぼ終了。高３は、エッセイ（的出題）２題のうち１題終了。残すところ後１題、８０人分。なんとか、週末で終われそうだ。採点済みの１題は必修問題で、次のような出題で80 - 150 wordsで答えるものです。
Some students think that to be able to work with a group of people is the most important skill in learning. Other students believe that to work independently is more important in learning than all the other skills. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
この問題に加えて、もう一題、選択問題で 80-150 wordsのライティングがあるので、一題に当てられる時間は２０分程度。いわゆる帰国子女が、授業を受けていなくても書けてしまわないように、TOEFLのエッセイとは異なり、上限150 wordsとしてある。意地悪なようだが、授業を受けていても英語ができるようになっていなければ充分には書けないし、英語ができる者でも、授業をきちんと受けていなければ課題の求める解答が書けないように課題を設定している。
三分の一ほどの答案が、 「group での活動は社会に出てから（就職してから）必要になるから、groupでの活動の方が大切」という、お粗末な理由付けに終始していた。主題は「学び」なのである。わざわざ learning skill と強調しているのであるから、 collaboration とindependenceとのどちらが学びの本質・目的により貢献しているか、適しているか、ということを論じなければならない。ここでも問われているのは、agree or disagree と言った小手先の表現技術ではなく、「あなたは学びに何を求めているのか」「あなたにとっての学びの価値とは」という価値観である。この授業では、ペアワーク、グループワーク、peer responseといった共同（協同）作業が必須の要素となっており、この１年間でその作業を上手く活かせる者、活かせない者がいたはずなのである。まず、自分の学習を振り返り、そこから得られる各自の価値判断を、いかに読み手と共有し、説得するか、というアプローチを取っていた者が残念ながらほとんどいなかった。まだまだ、練習が足りないようだ。授業で、序論・本論・結論という文章の構成法や、それぞれの段落での頭出しチャンクは学んでいるが、「論理」は普段からの地道な訓練が欠かせない。「学び」のテーマでの予想問題は事前に知らせておいたのに、準備をしてきたものとそうでないものとの差は歴然としている。付け焼き刃ではない、地に足の着いたアイデアを自分の行動・判断の積み重ねの中から抽出することが望まれる。
選択問題は次の通り。
次の４つの問題のうち１つを選んで 80-150 wordsの英語で解答せよ。解答の初めに問題番号を明記し、必要不可欠な書式・構成を守り、解答用紙の所定の欄に記入のこと。最後に必ず使用語数を記入すること。
- 2. Some people think that the family is the most important influence on young adults. Other people think that friends are the most important influence on young adults. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
- 3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Higher education is a period when students should leave their parents and start to live on their own. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
- 4. Which would you choose: a high-paying job with long hours that would give you little time with family and friends or a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give you more time with family and friends? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.
- 5. What makes an independent person? What quality or skill is essential to an independent person? State your opinion using specific reasons and examples.
選択率は以下のようになりました。
- 2: 31.6%
- 3: 15.2%
- 4: 19.0%
- 5: 34.2%
解答例を以下に載せておきます。
1.(1)
I think to be able to work with a group of people is the most important skill in learning. There are two reasons why I think so. First, by working with others, the width of information would spread. Sharing and exchanging information would help to deepen your understanding. Second, cooperating with a group of people would enhance your motivation. Other peopleﾕs diverse viewpoints and their efforts would stimulate your own. With the art of communicating and cooperating with others, teaming up with people would be much more productive than working alone. (90 words)
(2)
I think to work independently is the most important skill in learning. There are two reasons to support this idea. First, by investigating something you do not understand and reflecting on them by yourself, the achieved information would be deep and grasped. Second, working alone is more efficient than working with others when you have a specific goal that requires your own effort. It is all your fault if you fail, but on the other hand, you would deserve all the credit if you succeed. Working by yourself demands a strong will, yet the gain would be great. (98 words)
2.(1)
I think young adults are most influenced by their family. I would like to explain why I think so from three viewpoints.
First, our family are the first others we meet. We grow up in individual homes, and are brought up according to the familyﾕs customs, so it is natural for us to inherit those unconsciously.
Second, bonds of family and obligation towards them make us follow their behavior. Last, parentsﾕ and elder relativesﾕ words are profound and moving because they are based on their experiences.
Family is the closest being that is based on love and trust, so either consciously or unconsciously, they are the most influence on young adults. (111 words)
(2)
I think friends have the most influence on young adults. I think so because of these two points. First, we often have similar viewpoints with our friends. We can open up our heart to a friend who is at the same life stage and share similar worries and desires. Second, we tend to follow our friends when they start or bring something that is new to you. We chase each other in order not to be left behind.
Young adults are mostly influenced by our friends, either that is a good one or bad one. (95 words)
3.(1)
I disagree with the idea of living on my own in the period of higher education. I think so by looking at my friend who lives by herself. There are three reasons why I think so.
First, she often becomes homesick when something disappointing happens in daily life. She would start feeling lonely at those times, and says that family has the power of healing these pains by just being around.
Second, living alone can be dangerous, especially for girls. There are many crimes around us, such as robbery or stalking. It is too late if we realize that after something has happened. Last, we can concentrate on our studies without worries. Families can be a great help when we are busy.
In conclusion, I think we do not need to be in a hurry in leaving our family, because we have to do so someday. (146 words)
(2)
I agree with the idea of living on my own in the period of higher education. Higher education is the time to prepare for the future, and therefore by living without the help of your parents, you can realize the necessity of being independent both mentally and economically. You would learn how to manage with daily troubles yourself as well. The importance and warmth of your family is more likely to be felt when they are not around. You need to be independent of your parents someday. Therefore I think living alone in your university days would be instructive. (99 words)
4.(1)
I would choose a high-paying job with long hours even if it would give me little time to spend with my family and friends. As the proverb says, ﾒMoney talks,ﾓ and I think there are two good points.
First, with more money, I can provide my family with better housing, cars, and education for a more fulfilling life. Life would be more satisfied and rich if you could afford things you wish, mentally and practically. Second, by working hard, you can not only get more money, but also the status in society which would give you more opportunities for self-realization.
Therefore, I would choose a high-paying job with long hours even if it means less time spent with my family and friends. (122 words)
(2)
I would choose a lower-paying job with shorter hours that would give me more time to spend with my family and friends. There are two important things in life that could not be achieved with money.
First, I believe that spending time with somebody you love is the happiest moment in life. The shared experience and memories could not be bought. Second, you could devote yourself in your interests in your free time. The important thing is that you are satisfied and happy with your life. As long as you feel so, money is not a big problem.
Considering these two factors, I would find it more valuable if I have a job that allows a lot of time to spend with my family and friends regardless of how much I earn.
(132 words)
5.
An independent person is somebody who can live their own life without any help or control of others. There are two things you need to achieve in order to be such a person.
First, you need to be economically self-sufficient. There is no need to be rich, but if you do not want to be affected by others, it is an essential fact. Second, an independent person has a strong will and the art of expressing personal opinions on various things, such as society, politics, and economy.
These two qualities would help to live socially and to build good relationships with others as free human beings. (106 words)
