Exploring University Majors

Theresa I June 23, 2023

Category
General English, Business English, Speaking Lessons

Topic
Skills, Education, Work

Media
Video

Level
A2 Elementary, B1 Intermediate

Grammar
Mixed Grammar

Focus
Speaking, Vocabulary, Listening

Lesson ID
A2B1.B-19

Lesson Time
30 minutes

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Lesson Overview

Give it the old college try! In this lesson, students will discuss going to college and explore the necessary skills needed to find a job. The lesson features a video about university degrees that are considered useless. Students will talk about 21st-century skills and practice vocabulary related to the topic. The lesson includes plenty of engaging discussion activities and worksheets designed for both adult and teenage learners, ensuring a practical and interactive learning experience.

Lesson Objectives

Listening: Students will watch and listen to a video discussing university degrees considered less valuable in today's job market. This activity aims to improve comprehension skills and introduce vocabulary related to education and career planning.

Speaking: They will engage in discussions about the value of different university degrees and how these choices impact career opportunities. This will help students articulate their views on education and employment in English, enhancing conversational skills.

Vocabulary: The lesson introduces terms such as "marketable skills," "art history," "gender studies," and "religious studies." Students will learn how to use these words in discussions about education, making their conversations more nuanced and specific.

Homework: Students are tasked with matching descriptions to the correct roles like problem-solving and project management, filling in blanks with appropriate words given definitions, and choosing correct answers in multiple-choice questions about expressions and terms used in education and work contexts.

Vocabulary and Pronunciation

give it the old college try [idiom]: to use one's very best effort; to try very hard

useless [adjective]: not fulfilling or not expected to achieve the intended purpose or desired outcome; pointless

21st century [noun]: the years from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2100

specialist [noun]: a person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field

marketable [adjective]: attractive to potential employers or clients; in demand; able or fit to be sold or marketed

major in [phrasal verb]: to study something as your main subject at a university or college

CV [noun]: a list of a person's entire education, accomplishments, awards, achievements, and professional experiences; resume

SEO [noun]: Search Engine Optimization; the process of getting traffic from free, organic, editorial, or natural search results in search engines

coding [noun]: the process or activity of writing computer programs

advance [verb]: move or progress forward in a purposeful way; proceed

allocate [verb]: give or distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose

analyze [verb]: study or examine (something) in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it

network [verb]: interact with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts

theory [noun]: a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based

utilize [verb]: use or make practical and effective use of