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A.The greatest advantage of the tutorial system is the individual attention that students receive. B.Tutorials can be considered the backbone of undergraduate teaching at Oxford. C.Sometimes,the student may leave a tutorial with only a reading list and the title of the next essay. D.Tutorials can greatly enhance the undergraduates'academic performance. E.The greatest advantage of the tutorial system is the various curriculums that students receive. F.In the mean time,tutorials are also beneficial for developing students'skills of critical analysis. |
The Tutorial System of Oxford University
In the University of Oxford,teaching is conducted primarily through the tutorial system.It is one of the most unique and well-known methods of teaching across the world.
The weekly tutorial consists of a one-hour meeting between the tutor and small numbers of students (usually two to four).During this time,an essay prepared specifically for that tutorial is read by students and commented upon by the tutor.At the end of the tutorial,the tutor will assign the topic of study for the coming week and suggest readings.(67)B Meanwhile,they are also complemented by departmental lectures which are conducted on a university wide basis,lab work,and seminars (研討會) often with groups of perhaps 10students.
Tutorials have gained their reputation because of the close relationship they maintain between the tutor and the student.The tutorial system provides undergraduates with direct and in most cases weekly contact with tutors in their academic fields.(68)F
Before the weekly tutorial,students are required to prepare an essay or other works,which they read or present to the tutor.During each tutorial,students are expected to communicate,debate,analyze and critique the ideas of others as well as their own in conversations with the professor and fellow-students.The tutorial system has great value that it creates learning and assessment opportunities which are highly authentic (可靠的) and difficult to fake,as the student's work is discussed on the spot.
(69)A The contrast between tutorials and large lectures common in the American universities is obvious.In the typical American university,students are taught by the same specialists,in the same manner,and held to the same standards.
However,during tutorials,students have the opportunity to explore their own ideas directly with experts in particular subjects.(70)C As a result,students must engage in extensive independent reading and research,using the resources available,under the guidance of the tutor.