UNIT 6: LEARN

VOCABULARY

Schools and exams. I can express opinions by agreeing or disagreeing.

THINK! What are the best and worst things about going to school?

Answer:

The best thing about going to school is the opportunity to learn and acquire knowledge. It provides a structured environment for education, social interaction, and personal growth. The worst thing about going to school can vary for different individuals, but some common concerns include academic pressure, bullying, and lack of flexibility in the curriculum.

1. Use the word school and the words in the box to make compound nouns. Listen and check. Which types of school can you see in the photos?

Answer:

………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Check the meaning of the phrases in the box and complete the questionnaire. Listen and check. Then ask and answer the questions with a partner.

Plan your ideal school!

What is your ideal school like? Choose from these ideas.

1. Type of school

What kind of school do you decide to (1)........... yourself in?

a. Single-sex school

b. Boarding school

c. Mixed school

d. Homeschooling

2. Subjects

Traditional school subjects are a bit boring, so you want a school where you can take (2)………. in:

a. dance, theatre and singing.

b. skateboarding.

c. graffiti art.

d. sailing.

e. other (please tell us what!)

3. Timetable

What hours do you choose to go to (3)…………?

a. from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

b. from 9.00 a.m to 4.00 p.m.

c. from 10.00 a.m to 2.00 p.m.

d. A timetable? No, thanks. I go to lessons when I feel like it.

4. Study

It's important to do (4)………… How much would you do at your ideal school?

a. 2-3 hours a day

b. 4-5 hours a week

c. More than ten hours a week

d. Homework is so old-fashioned. We don't have it at my ideal school!

5. Rules

What happens if you don't (5)…….. rules at your school?

a. You get extra homework.

b. Nothing.

c. You stay at home for a week.

d. You spend your lunchtime in class.

6. School leavers

You're finally in your last year. The most Important thing for you is to:

a. (6)..…..….. exams so you can get (7)…..…… and find a job.

b. not (8)…………. exams.

c. get (9)………… and get (10)……..… to study for your future career.

d. enjoy your last year with your friends.

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Watch or listen to three people talking about school and answer the questions.

1. What type of school does Emma prefer?

2. What does Max say is more important than getting good results?

3. What is Elizabeth's opinion of homeschooling?

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………….

4. USE IT! Work in pairs. Give your opinions on these statements using the key phrases.

Age of school-leavers to increase to 19

All secondary schools will have uniforms by September

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WILL BE REDUCED TO THREE WEEKS IN SUMMER

All schools will become single-sex schools

Answer:

Học sinh tự thực hiện

.

Finished?

Use the key phrases to tell a partner about your ideal school.

Answer:

Học sinh tự thực hiện.

READING

Reviews. I can find and rephrase information in a text.

THINK! Which things would you change about your school? Why?

Answer:

Some things I would change about my school:

- More modern and up-to-date curriculum that includes practical skills for real-world situations.

- Organizing more diverse extracurricular activities and giving opportunities for students to pursue their interests.

- Improving facilities and resources, including updated technology and comfortable learning spaces.

- Reducing workload and stress levels for students, including changes to the grading system and homework.

1. Read the reviews about two unusual schools. Which school used to be single-sex? At what age can you attend these schools?

BRIT School, London

If you study hard and have a passion for performing arts, you won't be able to resist the BRIT school.

BRIT School students can take special classes in technology and performing arts like dance, singing, music and drama. However, they also do ordinary subjects, such as English, maths, science and foreign languages. After they graduate, many students will be able to have very successful careers as singers or actors.

Young people can join the school from the age of fourteen. Its unusual curriculum means students do exams and take part in performances and exhibitions. The timetable is challenging: they have to practise at break time and after school, but they can't forget to do their homework on time!

RIVER PLATE SCHOOL

Buenos Aires, Argentina

This is definitely a school with a difference. The school is located in the stadium of one of South America's most important football teams.

River Plate is unique because it's the only sports institution in the world that's got its own kindergarten- with students as young as five years old - school, college and university. If you get good marks at the school, you can get into college or university at the same location. Students can watch football matches and see famous players practise.

The school started in 1928 for young football players, but in those days, girls couldn't attend the classes. People believed that girls couldn't play football as well as boys. Now the school and its ideas have changed and everyone has the chance to be part of this historic institution.

Answer:

The River Plate School used to be single-sex.

You can attend the BRIT school from the age of fourteen; the River Plate School from five years old until university age.

2. Read and listen to the reviews again. Complete the sentences using information from the reviews in your own words.

1. BRIT School students go to lessons in ____________

2. As well as doing exams, BRIT School students also __________

3. River Plate School is unusual because _________

4. Girls couldn't attend River Plate School __________

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………….

3. VOCABULARY PLUS Use a dictionary to check the meaning of the words in blue in the texts.

Answer:

- ordinary (adj): thông thường, bình thường

- unusual (adj): khác thường, không bình thường

- challenging (adj): thách thức

- historic (adj): có ý nghĩa lịch sử

4. USE IT! Work in pairs. Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of each school. Which school would you prefer to go to?

Answer:

I would prefer to go to BRIT School because this school has special classes in technology and performing, which help students enhance creativity, improve soft skills as well as increase technological proficiency.

LANGUAGE FOCUS

can, could, be able to. I can talk about past, present and future ability.

1. Study the sentences from the texts on page 60. Do they talk about ability in the past, present or future?

1. After they graduate, many students will be able to have very successful careers as singers or actors.

2. Young people can join the school from the age of fourteen.

3. They can't forget to do their homework!

4. If you study hard and have a passion for performing arts, you won't be able to resist the BRIT school.

5. People believed that girls couldn't play football as well as boys.

Answer:

1. future

2. present

3. present

4. future

5. past

2. Match sentences 1-5 in exercise 1 with rules a-c.

Answer:

1. c

2. a

3. a

4. c

5. b

3. Choose the correct options.

1. “Will you be able to / Can you hear the bell in your classroom?”

“Yes, we can. It's really loud!”

2. In the future, we could / will be able to do all our exams online.

3. At my last school, we won't be able to / couldn't use tablets in class.

4. These days, many students can / could find out what their homework is from the school's website.

5. “In the past, will students be able to / could students use computers in class?”

“No, they couldn't.”

6. Turn the music down. I can't / couldn't study.

Answer:

1. Can you

2. will be able to

3. couldn’t

4. can

5. could students

6. can’t

4. Complete the report with the words and phrases in the box. You can use them more than once.

HOMESCHOOLING

Many people think that homeschooling is much easier than going to school. They think homeschoolers (1) ______ get out of bed at any time they like and simply have a relaxing day. The truth is that homeschoolers (2) _______ do whatever they like: they have a timetable like students at ordinary schools. In the past, teachers or parents taught children at home who (3) _________ go to school. This was often because they lived too far away from the nearest school. Today, many parents choose to homeschool their children. They believe that if they teach their children at home, they (4) _________ learn better this way. They also think their children (5) ______ get better exam results in the future.

Answer:

1. can

2. can’t

3. couldn’t

4. will be able to

5. will be able to

5. USE IT! Work in pairs. Which of these school issues are the same now as in the past? Which will be different in the future? Use can, can't, could, couldn't or will / won't be able to.

1. choice of subjects

2. ways of learning

3. school uniforms

4. class size

5. rules

Answer:

1. choice of subjects

In the present, students can be limited in their choice of subjects. In the future, students will be able to have more diverse and flexible options for subjects in school they can study.

2. ways of learning

In the past, students could learn in traditional ways. In the future, students will be able to study with greater use of technology.

In the past, students couldn’t have opportunities for experiential learning. In the future, they will be able to have more chances for internships, apprenticeships, and community service projects.

3. school uniforms

The issues we think are the same now as in the past are school uniforms.

4. class size

In the past, class size could be 30 – 40 students. In the future, class size will be able to be smaller, so that schools and teachers can focus on the benefits of individualized attention for students.

5. rules

In the past, schools could have rules related to attendance and behavior. In the future, they will be able to retain old rules and add new rules related to the use of social media, cyberbullying.

VOCABULARY AND LISTENING

Courses and careers. I can distinguish between certainly and doubt.

THINK! What job do you want to do when you leave school? What qulifications are necessary for this job?

Answer:

I want to be a doctor when I leave school. So I need to attend medical school and obtain a bachelor's degree in medicine or surgery. In addition, it can also require qualifications in healthcare courses; bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or another related field.

1. Complete the phrases with the words in the box. Then listen and check.

1. attend university / college /…..

2. do a course / an apprenticeship/ …..

3. study engineering / science / …..

4. train to be an engineer / a physicist / …..

5. get the right qualifications / a job / …..

6. apply for a job / a course / .....

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Match the words in the box with photos A-J. Listen and check. Which careers would you like to do a course in? Rate them from 1 to 10.

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Find out the job titles of the people who do the jobs in exercise 2. Can you add other jobs and people to the list?

Answer:

- Jobs and job titles of the people: nursing – nurse, science – scientist, engineering – engineer, teaching – teacher, management – manager, construction – builder, entertainment – entertainer, journalism – journalist, IT – IT worker, law – lawyer

- Other jobs and people: photography – photographer, architecture – architect, chemistry – chemist, business – businessman, tourism – tour guide, banking – banker, accountancy – accountant

4. Listen and write true or false. Correct the false sentences.

1. Aisha wants to be an engineer.

2. Aisha thinks that she will get good marks in her exams.

3. Mia used to want to be a nurse.

4. Mia doesn't want to go to university.

5. Max's mum says he should be a professional sleeper.

6. Max has applied for an apprenticeship in computing.

Answer:

……………………………………………………………………………….

5. Listen again and decide who is the most certain about their future. What words help you to identify this?

Answer:

……………………………………………………………………………….

6. USE IT! Work in groups. Ask and answer questions 1-5 about the jobs in exercises 2 and 3. Then tell the rest of the class which jobs are most popular in your group.

1. Which careers involve helping people?

2. Which careers are more physical?

3. Which careers can make you more money?

4. Which careers involve studying for many years at university?

5. Which job would you like to do?

Answer:

1. Careers involve helping people are nursing and teaching.

2. Careers that are more physical are construction and engineering.

3. Careers that can make us more money are entertainment, IT, law, science and management.

4. Careers that involve studying for many years at university are journalism, IT, law and science.

5. I’d like to do IT.

LANGUAGE FOCUS

have to/ need to/ must/ should. I can talk about obligations and necessity.

1. Study these sentences. Then complete rules 1-4.

You have to be a really strong swimmer.

I must get really good marks.

I don't have to make a decision right now.

My friends say I should become a nurse.

You mustn't do something you aren't sure about.

I don't need to do an apprenticeship.

Answer:

1. have to; must

2. should; shouldn’t

3. mustn’t

4. don’t have to; don’t need to

2. Complete the school rules using the verbs in exercise 1.

SCHOOL RULES

1. Students ……. arrive at school before the bell rings.

2. Students ……. wear school uniforms, but they ….... dress smartly.

3. Students ……. cheat in exams.

4. Students …….. do their homework on time.

5. Students ……. ask for help if they feel they're not making progress.

Answer:

1. must

2. don’t have to, must

3. mustn’t

4. must

5. should

3. Study these situations. Write sentences describing the solution using the verbs in brackets.

Lee wants to be a doctor. He spends all his time watching TV. (need to)

→ Lee needs to study more.

1. Chad has an interview for college on Monday. He has a busy weekend planned with his friends. (shouldn't)

2. Rea is studying to be a physicist. She isn't very good at maths. (have to)

3. Marina talks too much in class. She failed her last history test. (mustn't)

4. Aidan is a homeschooler. He wants to have more friends. (should)

5. It's the summer holidays. Nicola's still studying. (don't have to)

Answer:

1. Chad shouldn’t go out with his friends.

2. Rea have to study Maths more.

3. Marina mustn’t talk in class.

4. Aidan should go to school.

5. Nicola doesn't have to study during the summer holidays.

4. PRONUNCIATION: Silent letters.

Listen. Which letters are silent? Practise saying the sentences.

1. You mustn't speak during the exam.

2. Jo should apply for this course.

Answer:

……………………………………………………………………………………

5. USE IT! Work in pairs. Talk about the rules at your school. Which rules would you change? Would you add any? Decide which two rules are the most important.

A: At our school, we don't have to do homework.

B: I think more people actually do their homework because they know it helps them to learn better.

A: The two rules we think are most important are…

Answer:

A: At our school, we have to tuck in shirts and wear school uniforms everyday.

B: I think school should allow us to wear more comfortable clothing, as long as it's smart.

A: The two rules we think are most important are regular attendance and respect for teachers, fellow students, and school property. Because this helps students build good habits.

B: At our school, we have to arrive on time to the classes.

A: I think class should start later so that we have enough time to prepare.

B: The two rules we think are most important are to submit assignments on time and to strictly prohibit school violence. Because this promotes self-discipline and provides a safe environment for students.

Finished?

Imagine there's a new person in your class. Write a list of your school rules for him/her.

Answer:

1. Respect your teachers, classmates, and school property.

2. Wear a school uniform and red scarf before entering school.

3. Arrive on time to your classes and be prepared with your materials and assignments.

4. Attend classes regularly and be present for all assessments and assignments.

5. Don’t cheat in exams.

6. Seek help from your teacher or guidance counselor if you are struggling with your studies or have any personal issues that affect your school work.

7. Don’t use your mobile phone or other electronic devices during class time, unless allowed by the teacher.

SPEAKING

Asking for and giving advice. I can ask for and give advice.

THINK! Who do you ask for advice about problems at school?

Answer:

There are several people I can ask for advice about problems at school.

I can ask teachers for advice about studying problems. They can offer guidance on how to improve my grades, manage time better, or deal with difficult classmates. Morever, I can ask for my parents and my friends, who are very close to me. They can offer advice on how to handle tough situations at school and give ideas or solutions that I haven't considered.

1. Complete the dialogue with the words in the box. Then watch or listen and check. What's Nell's problem? What does Dalsy advise Nell to do?

Daisy: Hi, Neil. Is anything the (1) ____________? You look really (2) ______________.

Neil: I'm really concerned about the engineering course I’m doing. It’s too (3) ___________ and I'm really not enjoying it. I know I’m not going to pass.

Daisy: Have you spoken to your teachers about it?

Neil: No. I'm so worried, I haven't told (4) _______________. What would you do if you were me?

Daisy: My advice is to get help now. If you don't, things will only get (5) ____________.

Neil: I don’t know what to do. I think an apprenticeship would be better for me, but it’s too (6) _____________ now.

Daisy: Don’t panic. It’s never too late, but you need to speak to someone about it.

Neil: You're (7) ______________. I'll go and talk to my teacher now. Thanks, Daisy.

Daisy: No problem.

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Watch or listen again and underline the phrases Daisy and Nell use to:

1. express feelings

2. ask for advice

3. give advice

Answer:

…………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Cover the dialogue in exercise 1 and read the Key Phrases. Which two key phrases aren't in the dialogue?

Answer:

Two key phrases aren't in the dialogue:

• What should I do?
• Can you give me any advice?

4. Work in pairs. Practise the dialogue.

Answer:

Học sinh tự thực hiện.

5. USE IT! Work in pairs. Ask for and give advice for each situation. Which piece of advice was the best?

1. I cheated in a test.

2. Another student is bullying my best friend.

3. I'm always late for school

Answer:

1. I cheated in a test.

I cheated in a test. What would you do if you were me?

My advice is to admit the mistake and confess to your teacher.

2. Another student is bullying my best friend.

Another student is bullying my best friend. What should I do?

Have you spoken to teachers about it? You need to report the bullying to your teachers to deal with this problem.

3. I'm always late for school.

I'm always late for school. Can you give me any advice?

You need to prepare your backpack the night before, set an alarm and wake up earlier in the morning.

6. USE IT! Work in pairs. Read the situation, prepare and practise a new dialogue. Use the key phrases and the dialogue in exercise 1 to help you.

Student A: Ask your partner what the problem is: he/ she looks tired. Listen, find out some more information, then offer some advice.

Student B: You're not sleeping well and you're always tired. You're worried that your school work is getting worse. You listen to music and text your friends when you should be asleep.

Answer:

A: Hi, B. Is anything the matter? You look really tired.

B: I’m really concerned about sleep. I’m not sleeping well and I'm always tired, and I think it's starting to affect my school work.

A: That sounds tough. Have you tried anything to help you sleep better?

B: Not really. I usually listen to music or text my friends until I fall asleep. Can you give me any advice?

A: Well, it's actually been shown that screen time before bed can make it harder to sleep. My advice is to try reading a book or doing something relaxing instead.

B: You’re right. That's a good idea. I’ll give it a try. Thanks for your advice.

A: No problem. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.

WRITING

An opinion essay. I can arrange opinions in an essay.

THINK! What ways can people learn outside the classroom.

Answer:

There are several ways that people can learn outside the classroom:

- Online learning: With the advent of the internet, there are now online resources available for learning about different subjects.

- Reading and self-study: Reading books, articles, and other educational materials outside of the classroom can help students to deepen their understanding of different subjects and develop critical thinking skills.

- Field trips: Visiting museums, historical sites, and other educational destinations can provide students with valuable opportunities to learn about different subjects in a hands-on and interactive way.

1. Study these ways of learning. Which ones help you to learn? Why?

Answer:

The ones help I to learn:

- doing things I enjoy: because when I am engaged in an activity that I find enjoyable, I’m more likely to be focused and motivated to learn and to retain the information.

- drawing pictures: because it not only can help learners to visualize concepts and ideas but it also is a useful way to summarize and organize information, making them easier to remember.

- listening to teachers: because teachers have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with their students, so I can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. In addition, teachers often present information in a logical way, which can make it easier for me to understand and remember.

- talking to my classmates: because talking to classmates can help us learn from each other by sharing ideas, asking questions, and gaining different perspectives on a topic.

2. Read the essay. What is the writer's conclusion about school?

Answer:

The writer's conclusion about school is: Students learn many things and in many ways at school, and it is the best place to learn.

3. Which key phrases can you find in the essay?

Answer:

Key phrases I can find in the essay are: All in all,…; In my opinion,…; To conclude,…; so,…; I think…

Language point: Ordering Information

4. Study the words in blue in the text. Which word can "lastly” replace?

Answer:

The words in blue in the text: Firstly, Secondly, Finally

“Finally” is the word that “lastly” can replace.

5. Write three sentences on school that express a different opinion from those in the model essay. Use the ordering words.

Firstly,...

Secondly,...

Lastly,... / Finally,...

Answer:

Firstly, school can be stressful because of strict schedules and heavy workloads.

Secondly, not all students learn well in a traditional classroom setting, as everyone has different learning styles.

Finally, studying online or at home can offer more flexibility and allow students to explore their personal interests more deeply.

6. USE IT! Follow the steps in the writing guide.

WRITING GUIDE

A. TASK

Write an opinion essay with this title: Should school holidays be shorter?

B. THINK AND PLAN

1. How long are school holidays in your country?

2. Why do we have school holidays?

3. What do you do in the holidays?

4. Do the holidays create any problems? If so, what are they?

5. Would you like the holidays to be longer or shorter? Why?

C. WRITE

Paragraph 1: Introduce the question in the title.

Many people think ...

Paragraph 2: Give your opinion.

In my opinion, ... Firstly, ... Secondly, ... Finally, ...

Paragraph 3: End the essay by answering the question directly.

All in all, ...

D. CHECK

- number of paragraphs

- ordering of information

- key phrases

- can, could, be able to

- have to, need to, must, should

Answer:

Many people think school holidays should be shorter.

In my opinion, school holidays should not be shorter, but rather maintained at their current length or even extended for several reasons. Firstly, a long break provides students with the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, pursue hobbies, or even travelling that can help them to recharge. By limiting holiday time, we risk putting undue pressure on students and depriving them of the chance to relax and unwind. Secondly, I believe school holidays provide valuable opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning outside of the classroom. During longer breaks, students may have the chance to intern, volunteer, or participate in other activities that can help them to develop new skills and perspectives. Finally, it provides an important buffer against stress and burnout. The demands of the academic year can be overwhelming, and it is important for students to have time to rest and recover, which is essential for their success both in and out of the classroom.

In conclusion, school holidays provide many benefits and experiential opportunities for students. All in all, school holidays should not be shorter.

Culture: Work experience

1. Look at the photos and answer the questions. Then read the article and check your answers.

1. What job categories can you see?

2. Why do you think some teenagers work in their holidays?

The world of work experience

Forget relaxing with friends. The end of the school year is a time for working for most fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds in the UK. Around half a million teenagers in the UK do work experience every summer. This is a useful way to find out which jobs you might enjoy in the future. It is also important when you apply for university, or get a job in the future. For example, if you want to study to be an engineer, you could do work experience with a car manufacturer. Other popular work experience placements are in teaching, marketing, media, and finance. Placements usually last two weeks.

Some teenagers have no idea what job they want to do. In this case, they need to think about their passions. For example, if you are interested in music, you could work in a music shop. Alternatively, if you love animals, you could work on a farm.

My work experience:

Hi, I’m Paul, and I’ve just done two weeks’ work experience on a farm near where I live. It was brilliant. I enjoyed giving the animals their food in the morning. I also made sure the animals had exercise and I kept everything clean. At night, I helped to put the animals inside. It was hard work but I loved it. I hope the farm will give me a job when I finish school.

Answer:

1. Job categories I can see:

Picture A: teaching

Picture B: engineering

Picture C: media

Picture D: finance

2. I think some teenagers work in their holidays to gain valuable work experience and improve soft skills which can be beneficial for their future career prospects.

2. Read and listen to the article again and answer the questions.

1. What time of year do most teenagers do work experience in the UK?

2. Why does the writer think work experience is useful?

3. How long are placements?

4. What does Paul want to do when he finishes school?

Answer:

……………………………………………………………………………….

3. Your Culture. Work in pairs and answer the questions.

Do teenagers usually do work experience in your country?

NO: Why not? Do you think it’s a good idea to do work experience? Why / Why not?

YES: Which types of jobs are most popular? How old are people when they do work experience?

Answer:

Yes, teenagers usually do work experience in my country. Part-time or seasonal jobs, such as working in restaurants, cafes, or retail stores, are the most popular choices for work experience. This provides teenagers with the opportunity to gain practical skills and interact with customers.

4. USE IT! Imagine your country has a new rule: All fourteen-year-olds must do work experience in the school holidays. Prepare a class debate. Follow instructions 1–3.

1. Group A: you agree with the rule.

Group B: you disagree with the rule. In pairs, write a list of reasons to support your opinion.

2. Take turns to present your reasons.

3. Decide which group presented the best argument.

Answer:

Group A: Mandatory work experience would provide valuable opportunities for fourteen-year-olds to develop practical skills that cannot be learned solely within the confines of a classroom. It allows students to gain real-world experience, develop a work ethic, and acquire skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Group B: Fourteen-year-olds are still in the crucial stage of adolescence, where they require time for personal growth, self-discovery, and building relationships. Mandatory work experience might impose excessive responsibilities and restrict their opportunities for leisure, self-exploration, and other formative experiences.

Group A: Work experience at a young age can help teenagers explore different career paths and make more informed decisions about their future. It exposes them to various industries, giving them a firsthand understanding of the demands and challenges of different occupations.

Group B: Adolescence is a time of significant emotional and physical changes. It is important for teenagers to have adequate time for rest, relaxation, and leisure activities during school holidays. Mandatory work experience may lead to increased stress, fatigue, and burnout among fourteen-year-olds, potentially affecting their well-being and mental health.