Give it the old college try! In this lesson, students will discuss going to college and learn about the necessary skills needed to find a job. This lesson features a video about university degrees that are considered useless. Students will talk about 21st century skills and practice vocabulary relating to the topic. The lesson includes plenty of engaging discussion activities and worksheets that have been developed for adult and teenage learners.

Lesson Objectives

To develop speaking and listening skills

To discuss the topic of education and skills

To learn and use new vocabulary in practice

Video

What should students study in college? Do people ever wonder if their degree was worth it? Watch this video to learn about some university degrees that may not be worth considering.

Video Transcript

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

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