Obama tells students how to overcome failure

I. Pre-reading As we all know, President Obama is good at delivering speeches ( 作演讲 ). On September 8, 2009, he talked directly to students across the U.S., live （实况直播的） on the White House website. Some parents and conservatives have criticized the president, calling the speech an excuse to brainwash （强行灌输思想 于，对。。。。。。进行洗脑） American children. However, I’d like to say this “back-to-school” speech will inspire American students to work hard.

II. Skimming What is the article mainly about? It mainly tells us that the ticket (way) to success is hard work.

III. Scanning 1. What false impression about success can students get from TV, according to Paragraph 1? (within 10 words) One can become rich and successful without any hard work.

III. Scanning 2. Which sentence in the passage is the closest in meaning to the following one? You shouldn’t judge yourself by your failures. You can’t let your failures define you.

And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. 并且，即使在你痛苦挣扎时，在你灰心失意时， 在你感觉其他人都对你不抱任何希望时，你也 不要自暴自弃。 IV. Focus: Which sentence in the passage impresses you most? Please translate the underlined sentence in the last paragraph into Chinese.

Please l ist four things that you need to do to achieve success, according to the passage. (within 15 words) 1). ________________________ 2). ________________________ 3). ________________________ 4). ________________________ working hard learning from failures asking questions never giving up on yourself V. Summary

VI. Writing 假如你叫李华，你的朋友张明给你发了一封 电子邮件，他在信中说他进入高三后，学习很苦、 很累，他感到很迷茫，想要放弃学习。 请结合 Obama 的演讲，给他写封回信，鼓励 他继续努力，用自己的努力换取成功的果实。 注意： 1. 词数不少于 120, 开头已经为你写 ( 不计入总词数 ); 2. 可适当增加细节, 以使行文连贯。 Dear Zhang Ming, I’ve received your of March 16. …

Step 1: Group work Make an outline within 3 minutes, discussing it in groups.

Sample: Para. 1: Say “Sorry” to Zhang Ming for his puzzle and attempt to drop out of school owing to the hardship and tiredness in Senior 3. Para. 2: Introduce the main idea of Obama’s speech and quote ( 引用 ) some important sentences from it. Para. 3: Encourage Zhang Ming to work hard to achieve success. Para. 4: Hope your tips will be helpful to Zhang Ming.

Step 2: Individual work Please finish the passage within 15 minutes. You may refer to the following mode if you really have much difficulty in writing it. However, it’s better to do it in your own way.

Mode: Dear Zhang Ming, I’ve received your of March 16. As your, I’m really worried that owing to. As for your puzzle about, you may as well which. In his speech he holds the view that. Meanwhile he stresses, arguing that even when, even when, and. To be honest, life consists of not only but also. At the crossing of our life, we need as well as. In no case. There’s no point in complaining about. Only by sparing no effort to, can. So cheer up and don’t, which will. Just as a famous saying goes, “.” I do hope.

Step 3: Group work Share your passage with your group members first, then decide whose composition is the best one in your group, and finally present the article in class. Meanwhile correct any mistakes in the passages.

Possible version: Dear Zhang Ming, I’ve received your of March 16. As your close friend, I’m really worried that you’re dropping out of school due to the hardship and tiredness in Senior 3. As for your puzzle about what to do in the remaining time of this semester, you may as well read American president Obama’s speech “back to school”, which will inspire you to work harder.

In his speech he holds the view that the ticket to success is hard work. Meanwhile he stresses the significance of perseverance, arguing that you should never give up on yourself even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you.

To be honest, life consists of not only success but also frustration. At the crossing of our life, we need great courage as well as confidence. In no case should you be overwhelmed by the difficulties you’re faced with. There’s no point in complaining or worrying about the present situation. Only by sparing no effort to work hard, can you realize your dream. So cheer up and don’t be afraid of fatigue, which will contribute to success. Just as a famous saying goes, “Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.” I do hope my tips will help you to get rid of your trouble.