1 SPEAKING In pairs, discuss what type of work experience might be offered to students in local media, education, retail outlets, public services and hospitality.
Answers Students’ own answers
2 10.12 Listen to a college student talking about her work experience and answer the questions.
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- What was her work experience?
- Why does she refer to it as ‘weird’?
- What did she have to do?
- How does she think it benefited her?
- What improvements would she like to see for a future work placement?
Answers 1 teaching assistant in a primary school 2 being in her old primary school in a diff erent role 3 help both students and teachers, preparing the classroom – setting out the tables, making sure there were enough books and pencils, clearing up after class, support students during class 4 It gave her real insight into how children learn and what the job of a teacher involves. 5 She’d like to have more responsibility; less physical work; observe another level rather than just stay with the same class all the time.
3 Read the student’s report below. What do you think is positive and negative about the report?
I was at Petra Primary School for three weeks as my work placement and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The kids were all great and the teacher Mrs Allaham was amazing! I helped her out with all the lesson prep and cleared up the classroom afterwards. I also got to help out during the lessons and went round the class to see if the kids were doing the right things. The whole experience was beneficial to me and now I know that I really want to be a teacher. It was also a welcome break from college and exams! It was a lot of fun and I think it’s cool for students like me to see what we’re letting ourselves in for before we choose a career. I certainly didn’t get bored. I was sad to leave and I really hope to keep in touch with the kids. Thanks for everything, Mrs Allaham! I hope your next teaching assistant appreciates your advice as much as I did.
Answers Positive: the kids were great, the teacher was amazing, the experience was benefi cial, it was a break from college, it was fun. Negative: Nothing except, perhaps, that it as a lot of work.
4 Study the Writing box and tick what the writer has NOT done in the report in Exercise 3.
WRITING | A report
When writing a report you should:
- clearly state the topic of the report in an introduction.
- outline what will be included in the report.
- use formal and objective language throughout.
- give headings to the individual sections.
- describe events succinctly.
- avoid repetition by using rephrasing, reference devices of substitution.
- make clear recommendations with justification and anticipated outcomes.
- link the conclusion to the rest of the report.
Language
- Signalling intent in a report
- This report is intended to ...
- The purpose of this report is to ...
- This report sets out to ...
- The report will comment on ...
- This report will serve as a record of ...
- Concluding a report
- All in all, ... Overall, this experience ...
- If these recommendations are implemented ...
- Answers The writer has not done the following:
- • clearly state the topic of the report in an introduction
- • outline what will be included in the report.
- • use formal and objective language throughout.
- • give headings to the individual sections.
- • describe events succinctly.
- • make clear recommendations with justification and anticipated outcomes.
- • link the conclusion to the rest of the report.
5 Read the report on page 57. Has the writer done what the task requires?
Answers The report fulfi ls all requirements.
6 In pairs, read the Writing task and discuss why young people might want to spend a period of time working in another country. Think about the points below.
| contacts different culture friends and family language new working environment personal development |
You decided to spend some time working in another country before starting university and you used a company to fi nd a placement and make the arrangements. The company has asked you to write a report on your experience. Your report should:
• outline what the work experience involved,
• explain what (if any) benefi ts you got from the experience,
• evaluate the company that found the placement,
• make recommendations for how the placement and arrangements could be improved for future students.
Answers Students’ own answers
7 WRITING TASK Read the notes. What else would you add? Use your ideas from Exercise 6 and write your report.
Answers Students’ own answers
