5 . Google made waves recently by introducing its new program, “Google Career Certificates,” a collection of courses designed to help people get qualifications in high-paying, high-growth job fields without attending university. The courses should take about six months to complete and will cost a fraction (小部分) of a traditional college education.
Many people, especially students, were happy to see an alternative (可能的选择) to what many consider a broken education system—one that leaves many burdened with student debt for years while leaving them unprepared for the real world.
The truth is, traditional higher education may be necessary for some careers, but for others it is neither necessary nor practical. Google’s alternative not only costs a fraction of a traditional college education, but it can also be completed in far less time and can better prepare graduates for the real world.
Of course, what Google is offering isn’t exactly new. In some ways, the new program is similar to other types of training that have existed for years, like vocational education. The difference is, since Google is a household name, its certificate can be easily recognized and accepted across companies and industries — much like a degree from a major university.
Not everyone was in praise of Google’s alternative. Some people expressed concern that not enough employers would value Google’s certificate program. One even argued that graduates would likely not get a job and would then feel the need to go to college after all. Another criticism people leveled was that there are certain lessons taught in higher education that you merely can’t get in other places. “Students need more than a checklist of skills in order to compete in the real world,” those people said. “They need critical thinking abilities.”
I don’t think Google’s program will completely replace college education. But I do think it’s a step in the right direction — a separate path for students who are looking for something different from traditional higher education.
1. What is the purpose of Google’s certificate program?
| A．To prepare people for future jobs. |
| B．To allow people to get work experience. |
| C．To teach people how to get a high-paying job. |
| D．To offer people the chance to go to university. |
2. What is one reason why many people favored Google’s certificate program?
| A．Its courses are mostly easy. |
| B．It ensures people a promising career. |
| C．Its training is new and of high quality. |
| D．It costs less than traditional higher education. |
3. What is one limitation of Google’s certificate program according to critics?
| A．It isn’t practical. |
| B．It doesn’t offer valuable skills. |
| C．It isn’t acceptable to the public. |
| D．It doesn’t develop critical thinking abilities. |
4. What does the author expect of Google’s certificate program?
| A．It should move in the right direction. |
| B．It will take the place of college education. |
| C．It can serve as an alternative for some people. |
| D．It needs to make changes to meet students’ needs. |
