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6 Case Study Gap years and career breaks

Time for module: 15 minutes Purpose This module provides a real situation to think of that they can enjoy themselves before starting a new challenge or when they feel stressful at work. Preparation Internet search for gap years and career breaks Pictures about volunteer jobs of young people in Vietnam * Clips about places where need gap-year placements 1. Lead-in activity Time: 2 minutes Purpose: Have students interested in the topic of module Ask students that Have you never heard about gap years?. If some student know that, elicit them with questions such as When and where did you take it?, How did you feel? Show students some pictures to help all of them understand the term gap year or career break. Suggested anwers: We can take a year off (a gap year) for travelling, working, doing voluntary work, writing a book, building a house, living with a family abroad, studying, meditating, etc. 2. Listening for gist Time: 5 minutes Purpose: Practice of lesten for general information; let students know how a gap year is Make sure students know they have to answer two questions of this part (SB, p54) Play two first interviews from beginning to end so that students get an overview of the content Have students answer the question invidually Leave the remain interviews for student practice at home Answer: Inter. When Where Experience Why nd 1 between 2 and 3rd year Nepal Positive learned more than in 3 years at university at university 2 between school Dublin Mixed good for English and culture, and degree course but boring at school 3. Discussion Time: 8 minutes Purpose: Practice speaking and brainstorming skill Students work in group of 4 to 6. Students will read 4 descriptions of gap-year placements (SB, p55). Students need to choose the one suitable to them with their own reasons. Ask them to list down any advantages and disadvantages of a year off. After discussion, the representative of some group will talk about their group opition. Suggested anwers: Advantages: gain experience and maturity, see the world, do something you cant do professionally, do something for people in need, give yourself time to make important choices, escape pressure or diffi culty, save money for studies, enhance your CV, etc. Disadvantages: get out of step / lose touch with friends / colleagues, fi nancial cost, acquire bad habits, be perceived as less serious / ambitious, lose job or miss opportunities, etc. Doan Truong Giang