Education options for
FAMILY LIFE
Uni
7 t school-leavers

Unit

LESSON 3

READING

Options for school-leavers

LESSON 3

WARM-UP

Task 1: Answer the question.

PRE-READING

WHILE-READING

POST-READING

CONSOLIDATION

READING

Vocabulary

• Task 2: Match the highlighted words with their meanings
• Task 3: Match the headings with the paragraphs.
• Task 4: Complete each gap with ONE word.

Discussion

• Wrap-up
• Homework

WARM-UP

ANSWER THE
QUESTIONS.

A vocational school student

A university student

1. Which of the two options for school-leavers is more common in your
town?
2. Can you think of other options?

PRE-READING

opportunity (n)
/ˌɒp.əˈtʃuː.nə.ti/

a time when a particular situation
makes it possible to do or achieve
something

PRE-READING

independently
(adv)

/ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dənt.li/

without being connected with or
influenced by something or by each
other

PRE-READING

hands-on (adj)
/ˌhændˈzɒn/

doing something rather than just
talking about it

PRE-READING

salary (n)
/ˈsæl.ər.i/

money that employees receive for doing their
job, especially professional employees or
people working in an office, usually paid every
month

THE EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY FOR SCHOOL-LEAVERS 
This month, Teen Talk magazine has received many letters from secondary school students asking about
the different options for school-leavers. We've talked to educational experts, and they think that young
people should either continue their studies at a college or university or go to a vocational school.
A. ______________________Higher education is really for people who want formal learning in order to
get an academic degree. If you are good at certain subjects and need a degree related to those subjects, then
university is the right choice for you. Besides studying, university students also have the opportunity to
live independently, make new friends, and join different clubs. Many students still manage to work parttime during their university years. In addition, college or university students usually have an advantage
over students from vocational schools when it comes to further studies after a degree. They will also have
broader career options and an advantage in the job market.
B. ______________________If you are not interested in traditional academic subjects and want to work in
a specific trade, then vocational education is the right choice for you. You will gain the practical skills and
knowledge necessary for a specific job. In addition, a vocational school may also offer you an
apprenticeship. This type of training not only provides students with hands-on experience, but also gives
them wages to cover their living costs. Most importantly, vocational training is usually much shorter than a
college or university course. After getting their vocational qualifications, graduates can immediately start
work and earn a salary.There are a lot of educational opportunities for school-leavers today. You can
choose from hundreds of vocational schools or higher education institutions to continue your educational
journey. 

VOCABULARY

2 Read the article. Match the highlighted words with their meanings.
1. formal

a. a job that requires special training and skills

2. manage

b. a period of time working for and learning from a skilled
person

3. trade

c. to succeed in doing something difficult

4. apprenticeship

d. important organisations that have a particular
purpose

5. institutions

e. received in a school, college, or university, with
lessons, exams, etc.

WHILE-READING

3

Read the article again. Match the headings (1–3) with the paragraphs
(A–B). There is one extra heading.

1. Getting vocational training
2. Earning a salary while studying
3. Going to college or university

KEY:
A–3
B–1

WHILE-READING

4

Read the article again and complete each gap with ONE word.

College or university
• For students who want (1)
___________learning
formal
• Get a (2) _________ related
degree
to an academic
subject
• Join different clubs

Vocational school
• For students who want to
work in a specific (3) _______
trade
• Can offer a(n) (4)
_______________
apprenticeship
• Finish
their (5) _________
quickly and start earning
a
training
salary.

POST-READING

5

Discussion

Which of the two options will be appropriate for you after
leaving school? Why?

CONSOLIDATION

1 Wrap-up
What have you learnt today?
• Some lexical items about education options for schoolleavers
• Reading for main ideas and specific information about
education journey for school-leavers

CONSOLIDATION

2 Homework
• Do exercises in the workbook.
• Prepare for Lesson 4 - Unit 7.

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