VOA 慢速：Teacher, Lecturer 和 Tutor 词义辨析
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between a “teacher,” a “tutor,” and a “lecturer.”
Question:
Hello Teacher,
My name is Saddam, and I am from Uganda in Africa. I request your help to differentiate between three words and their deep meanings: “teacher,” “lecturer” and “tutor.”
Thanks,
Saddam
Thanks for this great question, Saddam. All three words are nouns used to describe educators. All three teach students in different ways and have different experiences and qualifications. Let’s look at each word so we understand the differences.
l Teacher
A teacher is a professional educator who teaches students. When we think of a teacher, we see a smaller classroom with 15 to 25 students. A teacher might teach in front of the class or go around to work with individual students. In the United States, we call those who teach students up to 12th-grade teachers. They teach all subjects in elementary school or specific subjects like math, English or history in middle or high school. Teachers are usually required to have an advanced degree, such as a master’s in education. They also must pass a certification or test in general teaching knowledge and specific subjects. Ms. Leslie is a first-year elementary school teacher. She recently completed her certifications and spent many hours in a classroom helping another teacher.
l Lecturer
A lecturer, or professor, is an educator who teaches in colleges or universities. Lecturers often teach larger classes and stand in front of a big room. For one-on-one time with students, they meet outside the classroom during office hours. Lecturers or professors usually have an advanced degree, like a Master’s or Ph. D, in their subject or special field of study. Angela is an economics lecturer at a university. She has a Ph.D., but this is her first year of full-time teaching.
l Tutor
A tutor is an educator who specializes in a certain subject or content area. Tutors usually help students one-on-one or in small groups. They do not need a degree. However, some professional tutors have at least a bachelor’s degree. High school students can be tutors to other students if they have advanced knowledge in a subject. Tutors usually give study help to students at different times, like in the evening or on the weekends. They make lessons more personal and help students with specific problems. I have a big English test coming up, so I am meeting with my tutor after school every day this week so I can be prepared.
Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Saddam. Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
And that’s Ask a Teacher. I’m Faith Pirlo.
VOCABULARY
1. certification n. 认证，证书。在这篇文章中，certification指的是教师获得的专业资格证明，表明他们已经通过了某些测试，具备在公立或私立学校任教的资格。
2. differentiate v. 区分，辨别。在这篇文章中，differentiate指的是区分teacher、lecturer和tutor三个词之间的差异。
QUESTIONS
Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.
1. What is the main difference between a teacher and a lecturer?
A. Teachers work in smaller classrooms, while lecturers teach in large rooms.
B. Teachers need an advanced degree, while lecturers do not.
C. Teachers teach students up to 12th grade, while lecturers teach in colleges or universities.
D. Teachers provide one-on-one help, while lecturers teach in front of the class.
2. Which educator specializes in a certain subject or content area?
A. Teacher.
B. Lecturer.
C. Tutor.
D. Professor.
3. What qualification is usually required for teachers?
A. Advanced degree.
B. Bachelor’s degree.
C. Ph.D.
D. Certification or test.
4. When do tutors usually give study help to students?
A. During office hours.
B. In the evening or on weekends.
C. During class time.
D. After school every day.
5. What is the purpose of meeting with a tutor after school?
A. To prepare for a big English test.
B. To receive one-on-one help in a specific subject.
C. To teach other students advanced knowledge.
D. To pass a certification or test.
KEY
1. What is the main difference between a teacher and a lecturer?
A. Teachers work in smaller classrooms, while lecturers teach in large rooms.
B. Teachers need an advanced degree, while lecturers do not.
C. Teachers teach students up to 12th grade, while lecturers teach in colleges or universities.
D. Teachers provide one-on-one help, while lecturers teach in front of the class.
【答案】C
【解析】细节题，答案来自于文中对teacher和lecturer的详细解释。在美国，teacher教授12年级及以下的学生，而lecturer则在学院或大学里教学。
2. Which educator specializes in a certain subject or content area?
A. Teacher.
B. Lecturer.
C. Tutor.
D. Professor.
【答案】C
【解析】细节题。根据文中的解释，tutor是指专门从事某个学科或内容领域的教育工作者。
3. What qualification is usually required for teachers?
A. Advanced degree.
B. Bachelor’s degree.
C. Ph.D.
D. Certification or test.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。根据文中所提到的，通常要求teacher具备高等学历，如硕士学位。
4. When do tutors usually give study help to students?
A. During office hours.
B. In the evening or on weekends.
C. During class time.
D. After school every day.
【答案】B
【解析】细节题。根据文中所提到的，tutor通常在晚上或周末给学生提供学习帮助。
5. What is the purpose of meeting with a tutor after school?
A. To prepare for a big English test.
B. To receive one-on-one help in a specific subject.
C. To teach other students advanced knowledge.
D. To pass a certification or test.
【答案】A
【解析】细节题。根据文中所提到的，主角与他的tutor每天放学后见面是为了准备一次重要的英语测试。
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