Teachers vs students

　在学校，老师和学生是两个最基本的群体。那么，在美国，老师是怎么教的，学生又是怎么学的呢？

    In the United States, teaching is very important. If teachers do not teach well, students complain. If many students do not understand, people think that the teacher does not do a good job. Teachers have big responsibility (责任)to make sure students understand. In a sense,(从某种意义上说) students are consumers(消费者) and teachers are offering service.

    Students have the right to evaluate（评估） their teachers, and they usually do so at the end of each course. That evaluation includes lots of aspects（方面） of teaching, such as explanation,(讲解) preparation, (备课)using good examples, answering questions, and organization of classes.

    Students are supposed to read required textbooks and recommended(推荐的) books before class. Without reading them, they will find it very difficult to understand the class. Basic courses on doing research and writing papers are taught at the beginning. They teach things very concretely(具体地) and clearly. Students are expected to apply what they have learned to their studies.

    Classes are usually divided into lectures(讲授课) and seminars(讨论课). There are some lecture classes, where the teacher just gives a lecture, and students ask questions at the end. Most graduate level classes are lectures and discussions. Joining in discussions is very important. Higher level classes have very little lecturing. They emphasize（强调） discussion and presentation by the students.