T-levels: a new vocational qualification for English teenagers 英教育部为青少年增设职业资质课程
英国教育部公布了首批即将开设 T-levels 这一新技术资格课程的英格兰中学和职业学校名单。从2020年起，这些学校将为英格兰地区的青少年提供建造业、数字技术、教育及保育等领域的职业课程。每门课为学生安排一次为期三个月的工作实习机会。
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.
英国政府称，世界在变化，所以教育也应顺应当下。T-levels 将面向那些通常会学习高中学术课程 A-levels （相当于英国学生大学入学考试）的 16岁学生。这类职业培训型课程涵盖金融、会计、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.
此计划的目的是为了让雇主帮助创建课程并按规定必须提供相应的实习机会。首批课程将在短短两年后展开，但人们担心，对于这样一个全新的课程来说，可能还为时过早。
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.
评论人士提醒说，匆忙实施改革危及年轻人的未来。英国政府称，在快速发展的经济状况下，需要通过 T-levels 课程来帮助年轻人做好适应未来工作的准备。
1. 词汇表 academic 学术的
vocational 职业的
compulsory 必修做的，强制性的
work placements 实习机会
dramatically 巨大的
critics 批评人士
fast-moving economy 快速发展的经济
2. 阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题 。 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.