听力题 W: I think continuing education is for innovative adults. M: That’s interesting. I always thought of continuing education as training sessions for teachers to update their knowledge or for workers to fit themselves for new jobs. W: There are those, too. But I mean people who personally choose to take continuing education, those who pay out of their own pockets because they decide, at a mature age, that life needs a little polishing up. M: You mean like Marie who worked as a nurse for 25 years? At 45 she decided to go to university and then go for an MBA and is now the Chief Nurse. She earns double the salary, but has also double the trouble. W: Exactly. Someone who has the courage to say, “Hey, I don’t want to die doing only this!” You know, someone who wants to use 99% rather than 60% of his or her potential. M: It does take guts to return to studying as a working adult. I mean, you have family responsibilities, usually a job, and suddenly, you have to study and pass exams again. W: That’s why I think continuing education is for people with initiative. M: Well, count me out. I’m for live-and-let-live. So I’ll never make big money, but I earn enough to lead a good life. I’d rather go and learn to be a carpenter so when I retire I can make furniture or something like that. W: Well, that’s a kind of continuing education. It doesn’t all have to be intellectual. The philosophy behind continuing education is that you’re never too old to learn. But of course we return to learn what we enjoy. M: If you put it that way, I’m definitely for continuing education. I mean, I have no regrets as a dentist. But if I had another chance, I might choose architecture or art rather than medicine. I guess with continuing education I can try to get the best of both at different stages in my life!