1. Learn to discuss possibilities and plans
Topic: Future career, study plan, personal project, etc.
2. Learn to describe job requirements
Topic: Mock interview
3. Learn to explain the benefits and negative influence of an event / programme
Topic: Summer program, study abroad, internship, etc.
Developing Critical Thinking
1. Do you think the careers adviser has the right to design your future?
2. Do you think students have realistic expectations about the world of work? Why or why not?
3. If someone could not find work in their chosen career, what would you advise them to do instead?
4. How can teachers make teaching English attractive?
5. Can you think of other jobs that can be done while travelling?
6. What kind of people make good teachers?
Leading a formal discussion
Task 1 Work in pairs and say which of these opinions you agree with and why.
1. If you plan your career while at college, you will be more successful.
2. It’s not necessary to choose a career until you leave college.
3. The most important thing is to find a career that really interests you.
4. The most important thing is to find a well-paid job.
Task 2 Discuss things you can do to improve your career prospects while at college.
Task 3 Work in groups of four and discuss how important it is to plan your career while at college.
Tips:
In formal discussions, there is usually a discussion leader, and people only speak when the leader invites them to do so. The job of the discussion leader is to make sure that everyone has a chance to speak and that the discussion is logical and reaches a conclusion. The discussion leader should do the following:
Greet everybody and briefly introduce the topic. It is a good idea to make a few general comments on the topic.
Invite people to speak. Remember to include the more silent members of the class.
Move the conversation politely on if someone is talking too much or isn't being very logical or clear.
Summarize from time to time and also at the end of the discussion.
Task 4 Work with the whole class. Choose a discussion leader and hold the discussion.
Sample:
Ann: Good afternoon, everyone. Today we’re going to discuss how important early career planning is. We have here to give us their views, on my right Jim and Ken, and over on my left Zoe and May. So Let’s get down to it right away. What’s your view of this, Jim?
Jim: I think early planning is essential. Getting a good job is very competitive business and we need every possible advantage. Frankly, we can't have that if we don't have a target and plan in advance.
Ann: That sounds pretty convincing to me. Does anyone want to argue against it? Yes, thank you, Zoe.
Zoe: I guess Jim’s idea works for some careers which are pretty stable, but the world changes too fast nowadays for it to be good general advice. We can’t foresee what opportunities there will be in a few years’ time, so it’s far better to prepare ourselves for everything. In other words, develop our personalities and make ourselves adaptable and ready to take on any challenge.
Ann: Yes, thank you, Zoe. I think May wants to come in here.
May: Thanks. I think Zoe is exaggerating the role of change. Yes, if we simply learn how to be a mobile phone technician and suddenly mobile phones are replaced by some entirely new product, we’re in trouble. But if we want to go into some form of finance, a good external qualification in accountancy is going to be an advantage.
Zoe: Well. I think May is....
Ann: Sorry, but can we hear from Ken next?
Ken: Well, I was going to stress internships. They’ve become very important recently, and we can’t really choose a suitable job unless we have a career objective. But I do also see Zoe’s point. Being a leading actor in a major play clearly shows you’re going to be good at presentations and public events. It should impress employers.
Ann: Yes, so we’re moving closer to one another. We need a target. It mustn’t be too narrow. We need to do things that are useful to reach our target, but they don’t all have to be immediately connected to it.
Interviewing candidates for a part-time job / an internship
Task 1 Work in groups of four, with each group divided into two pairs.
Pair A –– You are going to interview two candidates (Pair B) for a job. Decide on:
and discuss the questions you will ask in the interview.
Pair B –– Listen to Pair A during their discussion. Then work on your own and decide what you will say in the interview.
Task 2 Do the following:
Pair A –– Interview the two candidates in turn. Decide who should have the job. Tell the candidates who get the job, giving reasons for your decision.
Pair B –– Discuss how you thought you did in the interview. Listen to Pair A’s decision; say how you feel and ask questions.
