Culture Corner
文化广角
The Education System in the UK
英国的教育体系
Education in the UK is compulsory for everyone between the ages of five and sixteen.
在英国每个年龄在五岁到十六岁之间的孩子必须接受义务教育。
It is provided by two kinds of schools: government and private.
这种教育由两种学校提供：公立学校和私立学校。
Private schools are considered better than government schools but are usually quite expensive.
私立学校被认为比公立学校好，但是通常都很贵。
Kindergarten. At the age of three or four, many children start at nursery schools or kindergartens.
幼儿园。很多孩子在三四岁的时候开始上托儿所或幼儿园。
Here children do not learn any subjects.
孩子们在这里不学习任何科目。
Instead they learn how to play with other children in preparation for school.
相反，他们学的是如何与其他孩子一起玩耍，为上学做准备。
Primary. Children start their formal education at five.
小学。孩子们五岁开始接受正式教育。
In primary school, students learn the basic skills and knowledge that they will need for the rest of their education.
在小学里，学生们学习他们在以后的教育中需要用到的基本技能和知识。
Secondary. At eleven, students enter secondary school.
中学。十一岁时，学生们进入中学。
They take the state exams or GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) at the age of sixteen.
他们在16岁时参加全国考试或GCSEs（中等教育普通证书）的考试。
Students take between 8-12 GCSEs in a range of subjects
学生们参加8至12门一系列学科的GCSE考试，
that always include mathematics, science, English, and at least one foreign language.
通常包括数学、科学、英语，还有至少一门外语。
Further Education. Students may legally leave school and find a job at the age of 16.
继续教育。学生们在十六岁就可以合法离开学校，找一份工作。