阅读选择
Finnish(芬兰的) schools are the best in Europe, some might say in the world. Only three countries - China, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea--can compete (竞争) with Finland in study. So, why is it so good?
Surprisingly, Finnish children spend less time in school than the children in many other countries. They don't start school until the age of seven. Their school days are short, and their vacations are long. Studying in Finland is relaxing. Classrooms often look like living rooms. Students don't wear uniforms or formal (正式的) ones and they call teachers by their first names. What's more, they have only 30 minutes of homework each night.
Many people believe the key is that the teachers are so good. It's a popular, well-paid job, and teachers are usually kind and not strict. Different from those in other countries, they also have their way of teaching. Rather than having separate subjects like history and geography, students learn everything together. There are seven things that Finnish students must learn in school:
·how to think clearly;
·how to understand and join in Finnish culture:
·how to use language and numbers;how to use technology;
·how to take care of themselves;
·how to be successful at work;
·how to be a good person for the future of Finland.
After finishing high school, Finnish students can also get into university (大学) for free This is very different from the United States, where the cost is around $30,000!