Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. network (n.) [net-wurk] – a group of people that are connected or related in some way
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. network (n.) [net-wurk] – a group of people that are connected or related in some way
Example: He has a very large social
network because he is very friendly.
2. placement (n.) [pleys-muhnt] – the act of giving or finding a position for someone (in a workplace, a team,
a school, etc.)
Example: Because he was the
university’s top student, his placement in
the company was very fast.
3. biased (adj.) [bahy-uhst] – unfairly favoring (something or someone) over another
Example: The store gives biased service to rich customers.
4. outcome (n.) [out-kuhm] – end result
Example: Students with better grades
became the outcome of the improved
educational program.
5. impact (n.) [im-pakt] – a strong effect or influence on something
Example: Advanced technology has
made a significant impact on the way
communicate.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
Teenage students must
not depend on their parents’ social networks
to find work experience, says a report co-written by the UK Education and
Employment Taskforce.
According to Brian
Lightman, who wrote the report’s introduction, work experience is important
for a young person’s future career.
Having work
experience can improve young people’s chances of getting placements in universities. Teachers have also said students who
come back from work experience become more serious with studies.
In addition, work
experience makes a student understand the working environment and reduces the
possibility of a teenager becoming a “NEET”—someone not in employment,
education or training.
However, the report
also says that half of the placements for work experience are found by teenagers
with the help of parents and friends.
The report suggests
this situation gives a biased advantage to well-connected families. Teenagers
from jobless families, on the other hand, may not easily get work experience because
their families have fewer connections.
The report
recommends that a proper and fair work experience system be made so that students
would depend less on the social networks of their friends and parents.
Lightman, who is
also the head of the Association of School and College Leaders, adds that
having work experience does not instantly leave positive impact on young people. He believes that work experience placements
need careful planning for the students’ experiences to actually produce good outcomes.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Is work experience for teenagers also important
in your country? Why or why not?
·
What do you think is the effect of having no
work experience for a teenager?
Discussion B
·
Why do you think some people take advantage of
their social networks to get jobs?
·
What are the positive or negative effects of
hiring someone recommended by a friend or family member?