When language learners arrive in Oxford, many ask where the university is, thinking that they will be shown just one building. It’s up to their teachers to explain that Oxford University is made up of a collection of many different colleges and institutions, each with its own history and characteristics.
许多初到牛津城的语言学习者会问牛津大学在哪里。他们以为会将他们领到一幢建筑物，仅此而已。老师需要向他们解释，牛津大学是由许多不同的学院和学部组成的，每个学院和学部都有各自的历史和特点。
• just：单独处理，以说明出乎意料之外
There are many other surprises that learners discover about the city and its university. Katie Jennings is a social organizer at King’s St Joseph’s Hall in East Oxford, and it is her job to organize activities for learners outside of lesson time. She says many learners are surprised to discover that Oxford is a home to a wide variety of nationalities and ethnic groups, and one of the most popular social events is a night out at one of town’s Latin American dance clubs. After a day spent learning English and absorbing the ancient atmosphere of the university, learners can samba the night away.
学生们还会发现牛津城和牛津大学还有许多别的惊奇之处。凯蒂·珍妮丝是东牛津皇家圣约瑟夫学院的社会活动组织者。她的工作机会为学生们组织课外活动。她说许多学生都惊奇的发现牛津竟然聚集了许多不同国籍和种族的人。那儿最流行的一项社交活动就是在城里找一家拉美舞蹈俱乐部泡上一晚上。白天学习英文，领略着这所大学古老的氛围，到了晚上便可以跳跳桑巴舞轻松一下。
• a night out : 在外过夜
The city also has a thriving Asian community, and the sight of women in saris is as common in Oxford’s streets as academics in gowns and mortarboards. There is also a mouth-watering selection of Asian restaurants serving curries, as well as shops stocked with exotic vegetables and fruits.
牛津城还有一个生气勃勃的亚洲侨民团体。在牛津街头，穿着印度纱丽的女子和身穿长袍头戴学位帽的学者一样随处可见。还有很多供应咖喱食品的亚洲餐馆可供选择，真是令人垂涎欲滴。当然还有许多商店出售从国外进口的蔬菜水果。
• exotic vegetables and fruits : 进口的蔬菜 水果 ——正反译法
• curry：咖喱
• mortarboard：学士帽、学位帽
• saris：（印度）纱丽服
The city has attracted such a diverse population not only because of the university, but also because it is an important industrial centre which is known for car manufacturing among other things. In spite of large industrial areas, the old of the city centre has remained surprisingly intact.
牛津城之所以吸引众多各色人等，不仅是因为牛津大学，还因为它是重要的工业中心，尤以汽车工业最负盛名。然而令人惊奇的是，尽管牛津有大片的工业区，城中心古朴的风格却丝毫未遭破坏。
Carmel Engin, who teaches at the Lake School, says many learners are surprised to find that the city is free from the usual high-rise modern buildings. “From the centre of Oxford, you can see green hills in the distance, and this will make learners deeply feel that they are in a small, friendly town, but not just another modern metropolis.
雷克学院的教师卡莫尔··恩金说许多学生对在牛津城里根本看不到城市中常见的现代化高楼，表示惊讶。“从牛津城中心你可以望见远处郁郁葱葱的山丘。这使人们感到自己身处的是一座友善的小镇，而非仅仅是又一座现代化的都市。”
• surprised：单独拿出来，置于句末（因为汉语的信息焦点一般在句末）
Some learners will be tempted to explore those green hills – Oxford is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in southern England – but, as Engin admits, with so much to do and see in the city, few learners find the time to explore its surroundings.
有人会禁不住想到山上去探个究竟—牛津城被景色优美的乡村所环抱，这些乡村是英格兰南部风景最美的地方—然而正如恩金所言，城里有这么多东西要看，这么多事情要做，几乎没有谁能腾出时间到四郊去做个发现之旅。
Oxford has developed some imaginative initiatives for language learners. One is a local radio station which broadcasts news and provides information for learners. They can visit the station to get experience in radio production. Or they can meet university students in pubs and clubs or at one of the many campus sports facilities which are open to language learners.
牛津还为语言学习者开发了一些激发想象力的活动。例如，当地一家为学生提供新闻广播和信息的电台。学生可以参观电台，切身体验电台节目制作的过程。另外，他们还可以在酒吧、俱乐部或为语言学习者开放的学校体育馆结识其他大学生。