美国总统奥巴马谈教育的重要性

美国总统奥巴马谈教育的重要性

Through education, you can also better yourselves in other ways. You learn how to learn — how to think critically and find solutions to unexpected challenges. I remember we used to ask our teachers, “Why am I going to need algebra?” Well, you may not have to solve for X to get a good job or to be a good parent. But you will need to think through tough problems. You’ll need to think on your feet. You’ll need to know how to gather facts and evaluate information. So, math teachers, you can tell your students that the president says they need algebra. Education also teaches you the value of discipline —that the greatest rewards come not from instant gratification but from sustained effort and from hard work. This is a lesson that’s especially t rue today, in a culture that prizes flash over substance, that tells us that the goal in life is to be entertained, that says you can be famous just for being famous. You get on a reality show — don't know what you’ve done — suddenly you’re famous. But that's not going to lead to lasting, sustained achievement. And finally, with the right education, both at home and at school, you can learn how to be a better human being. For when you read a great story or you learn about an important moment in history, it helps you imagine what it would be like to walk in somebody else’s shoes, to know their struggles. The success of our economy will depend on your skills, but the success of our community will depend on your ability to follow the Golden Rule — to treat others as you would like to be treated.

通过教育，你们还能够在其他方面完善自己。你们可学会如何——如何批判性地思考，并对难以预料的挑战找到应对方案。我记得我们曾经问我们的老师：“我为什么需要学代数？”也许你不必因为能求得X的值才能找到一份好工作，或者做一个好父（母）亲，但你必须认真思索困难的问题。你需要独力思考。你需要知道如何搜集材料，对信息进行判断。所以，数学老师们，你们可以告诉学生说，总统说他们需要代数。教育也教你认识严于律己的价值。最大的回报不是来自一时的满足，而是来自持久不懈的努力，来自勤奋地工作。这一课在今天尤其不可缺少。追求浮华不讲实质的文化告诉我们，生活的目标是寻求娱乐，你可以只为出名而出

名。你上了真人秀——而不知道你成就了什么——突然之间你就出了名。但这不会带来永远、持久的成就。最后，你若在家里和在学校，都有良好的教育，你便能够学到如何做一个更完善的人。因为当你读到一个感人的故事，或者你了解到历史上某个重大的事件，这会帮助你，设身处地体验别人的感受，了解他们的奋斗经历。我国经济的成功将取决于你们的技能，但是我国社会的成功将仰赖你们是否能够遵守这条金科玉律：将心比心，推己及人。