【英语时差8,16】学生的自我形象不切实际

People often ask me to compare our current college students with the crop we taught ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago.

I answer by saying that, of course, I can only speak for myself, and only on the basis of my limited experience. Also, generalizing¹ about whole groups of people is always a little dangerous.

My students of ten, fifteen and more years ago were lovable and largely a joy to be with. That is the same story with my students today.

But I do believe a number of current students have particular needs we generally did not note in our student population several years back. Many college students in Taiwan now need more patience from us, and more nurturing² of fundamental life skills than did students years ago. A disproportionate percentage of them lack an even elementary understanding of themselves and how their words and actions affect others.

Too many of our students have unrealistic images of themselves. Too many have squishy ideas about courtesy³ and, occasionally, honesty when dealing⁴ with others. And too many students lack the motivation to improve themselves early in their college lives. By the time they want to step higher up the ladder, they've no rungs below upon which to put their weight.

Both educators and students have their work cut out for them.

 

1 generalizing   

概括，归纳，推论( generalize的现在分词 )； 推广，普及

参考例句：

• Our history teacher is always generalizing; he never deals with anything in detail. 我们的历史教师总爱概括地讲，从不详述任何史实。
• Such generalizing statements are tentative at best. 这种一般化的陈述充其量不过是一种尝试。

2 nurturing   

养育( nurture的现在分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长

参考例句：

• These delicate plants need careful nurturing. 这些幼嫩的植物需要精心培育。
• The modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants. 这个现代化温室的环境不适合培育植物。

3 courtesy   

n.谦恭有礼，礼貌的举止，好意，恩惠

参考例句：

• She called on us merely for the sake of courtesy.她来访只是为了礼貌。
• After a few words of courtesy,they got down to business.双方客气了一番，就开始谈正事。

4 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。