Today, there are many avenues open to those who wish to continue their education. However, nearly all require some break in one’s career in order to attend school full time.

『Part time education, that is, attending school at night or for one weekend a month, tends to drag the process out over time and puts the completion of a degree program out of reach of many people. 』①Additionally, such programs require a fixed¹ time commitment which can also impact negatively on one’s career and family time.

Of the many approaches to teaching and learning, however, perhaps the most flexible and accommodating is that called distance learning. Distance learning is an educational method which allows the students the flexibility² to study at his or her own pace to achieve the academic goals which are so necessary in today’s world. The time required to study may be set aside at the student’s convenience with due regard to all life’s other requirements. Additionally, the student may enroll³ in distance learning courses from virtually any place in the world, while continuing to pursue their chosen career. 『Tutorial assistance may be available via regular airmail, telephone, facsimile machine, teleconferencing and over the Internet.』②

Good distance learning programs are characterized by the inclusion of a subject evaluation⁴ tool with every subject. This precludes⁵ the requirement for a student to travel away from home to take a test. Another characteristic of a good distance learning program is the equivalence of the distance learning course with the same subject materials as those students taking the course on the home campus. The resultant diploma or degree should also be the same whether distance learning or on-campus study is employed. The individuality of the professor/student relationship is another characteristic of a good distance learning program. In the final analysis, a good distance learning program has a place not only for the individual student but also the corporation or business that wants to work in partnership⁷ with their employees for the educational benefit, professional development, and business growth of the organization. Sponsoring distance learning programs for their employees gives the business the advantage of retaining career-minded people while contributing to their personal and professional growth through education.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of part time education?
A. It requires some break in one’s career.
B. It tends to last too long for many people to complete a degree program.
C. It affects one’s career.
D. It gives the student less time to share with the family.

2. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of distance learning?
A. The student may choose his or her own pace.
B. The student may study at any time to his or her convenience.
C. They can pursue their chosen career while studying.
D. Their tutorial assistance comes through regular airmail, telephone, facsimile machine, etc.

3. What benefit will distance learning program bring to a business?
A. Recruitment of more talented people.
B. Good image of the business.
C. Better cooperation with universities.
D. Further training of employees and business growth.

4. Good distance learning program have the following characteristic EXCEPT .
A. distance learning course is the same as students taking courses in campus
B. the result diploma or degree should be same as on campus study
C. professor-student relationship is strictly⁸ one to one all through the course
D. includes subject evaluation tool

5. What benefit will distance learning bring to an employee of a business?
A. Professional growth.
B. Good relationship with the employer.
C. Good impression on the employer.
D. Higher salary.

Vocabulary
1.avenue n. 林荫道，大街，方法，途径，路
2.accommodating adj. 乐于助人的，随和的，善于适应新环境的
3.due adj. 应得的，应付的，正当的，预期的
4.facsimile machine 传真机
5.teleconferencing n. 电信会议
6.preclude⁶ v. 排除，使避免
7.equivalence n. 同等，等价，等效性
8.resultant adj. 作为结果而发生的，合成的
9.individuality n. 个性，个人的特性，个人的嗜好
10.sponsor v. 发起，主办，赞助