Why take a gap year? 6 Minute English

⏲️ 6 Minute English - Vocabulary & listening

5 Dec 201906:32

Summary

TLDRIn this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Neil and Georgina discuss the concept of a 'gap year', a break taken by students between high school and university to travel or gain work experience. They explore the trend's increasing importance and its practical benefits like skill development and employability. The show also features student perspectives on gap years and concludes with a quiz on university subjects leading to the highest earnings post-graduation, revealing medicine and dentistry as the top earners.

Takeaways

🎓 A 'gap year' is a break between high school and university, often used for travel or work experience.
🌍 Many students take a gap year to explore the world or gain practical work experience.
💼 A gap year can be a time to acquire skills that make students more employable.
📚 Georgina took a gap year before university, which is a common choice among students.
🧐 The concept of a gap year was unfamiliar to Tom, highlighting different attitudes towards it.
💭 'In the back of my mind' means having an idea that is not frequently considered.
💼 'Productive' refers to activities that lead to a beneficial outcome.
🔮 'Predicted' is an estimation of future outcomes based on current data.
👽 'Alien concept' describes an idea that is strange or unfamiliar.
🛠️ 'Practical' means learning real skills that can be applied usefully.

Q & A

What is the term used to describe a break taken between high school and university?
-The term used is 'gap year'.
Why did Georgina take a gap year before university?
-Georgina took a gap year to travel or gain work experience.
What does the phrase 'in the back of my mind' mean in the context of the transcript?
-It means having an idea stored deep in one's memory but not thinking about it frequently.
What is the main reason Meg decided to take a gap year?
-Meg wanted to wait for her official exam results before applying to university, instead of relying on predicted grades.
What does the term 'productive' imply when discussing gap years?
-It implies doing something that leads to a good or useful outcome, such as gaining experience or skills.
What was Tom's opinion on taking a gap year?
-Tom was not aware of the concept of a gap year and found it strange and unfamiliar.
Why did Tom think a gap year would be too expensive?
-Tom thought a gap year would be too expensive because he couldn't rely on financial support from his parents or family members.
What does Chris Rea suggest about the purpose of a gap year?
-Chris Rea suggests that a gap year should be practical, focusing on gaining skills that make one more employable.
According to the Institute of Fiscal Studies, which university subject leads to the highest average earnings five years after graduation?
-Medicine and dentistry lead to the highest average earnings five years after graduation.
What is the average earning for graduates of medicine and dentistry five years after graduation, as per the Institute of Fiscal Studies?
-The average earning is £46,700.
What does the term 'practical' mean in the context of the discussion about gap years?
-In the context of gap years, 'practical' means learning real skills that can be usefully applied and are valuable for future employment.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Gap Year Insights

In this segment, Neil and Georgina discuss the concept of a 'gap year', a period where students take a break from their studies before university. They explore the reasons why students might choose this path, such as traveling or gaining work experience. The conversation includes a discussion about the potential benefits of a gap year, like Meg's decision to wait for her official results before applying to university, and Tom's perspective on the financial barriers to taking a gap year. The segment also poses a question about which university subject leads to the highest average earnings post-graduation, with the answer to be revealed later. Additionally, they touch on the idea that a gap year should be practical, focusing on skill development to enhance employability.

05:01

📚 Recap of Vocabulary

This part of the script serves as a recap of the key vocabulary words discussed in the previous segment. Georgina and Neil go over terms like 'gap year', which refers to the year taken between finishing school and starting university, often involving travel or work. They clarify phrases like 'at the back of my mind', indicating an idea that is remembered but not actively considered, and 'productive', which describes activities leading to beneficial outcomes. They also define 'predicted' as an estimation based on current information and 'alien concept' as an unfamiliar idea. Lastly, they explain 'practical' as learning real skills applicable in the future. The segment concludes with a sign-off from the hosts.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡gap year

A 'gap year' refers to a period of time, typically one year, taken by students between high school and university or between academic years to travel, work, or engage in other activities before continuing their education. In the script, it is discussed as a concept that has become more important for students to gain practical experience and skills that can enhance their employability.

💡productive

The term 'productive' describes an activity or undertaking that leads to a positive outcome or result. In the context of the video, Meg, a student, wanted to spend her gap year doing something productive, implying that she aimed to engage in activities that would be beneficial and useful for her future, such as gaining work experience or learning new skills.

💡predicted grades

Predicted grades are estimates of a student's academic performance based on their current achievements and potential. In the script, Meg decided to wait for her official results rather than rely on predicted grades when applying to university, indicating a desire for certainty and accuracy in her application process.

💡employability skills

Employability skills are the abilities and qualities that make a person more likely to be hired and successful in the job market. The script mentions that the focus of a gap year has become more practical, with an emphasis on developing employability skills that can be attractive to employers.

💡practical

When something is described as 'practical', it means it is concerned with real-world application and usefulness. In the video, the concept of a gap year being practical is highlighted, suggesting that students should use this time to acquire skills and experiences that are directly applicable to their future careers.

💡alien concept

An 'alien concept' is an idea that is unfamiliar or strange to someone. Tom, another student in the script, refers to the gap year as an alien concept, indicating that he was not familiar with the idea of taking a break from education before university.

💡earnings

Earnings refer to the money received, especially as wages or profits. The script discusses the highest average earnings for different university subjects as a measure of potential financial success after graduation, which is a key consideration for many students when choosing their field of study.

💡average

The term 'average' is used to describe a value that is typical or representative of a group. In the context of the video, the Institute of Fiscal Studies provides data on the average earnings of graduates in different fields five years after graduation, which helps to illustrate the potential financial benefits of certain degrees.

💡vet

A 'vet' is short for veterinarian, a professional who practices veterinary medicine. In the script, Georgina guesses that veterinary science might lead to the highest earnings, suggesting that becoming a vet could be a lucrative career path.

💡university participation

University participation refers to the act of attending or enrolling in a university. The script mentions that the experience of a gap year has become more practical partly due to the increasing demands of university participation, implying that a gap year can better prepare students for the rigors of university life.

💡skills acquisition

Skills acquisition is the process of learning and gaining new abilities. The script emphasizes the value of skills acquisition during a gap year, suggesting that the practical skills gained can be beneficial not only for university applications but also for future employment.

Highlights

Introduction to the topic of gap years and their increasing importance.

Georgina's personal experience with taking a gap year.

The concept of a gap year as a break between high school and university.

Reasons for taking a gap year, such as traveling or gaining work experience.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies question about highest average earnings post-graduation.

Georgina's guess that veterinary science leads to the highest average earnings.

The idea of a gap year as a year out for productive activities and fun.

Meg's decision to take a gap year to wait for official exam results.

Tom's unfamiliarity with the concept of a gap year due to financial constraints.

The meaning of 'having an idea in the back of my mind'.

The value of a gap year for gaining practical skills and employability.

Chris Rea's view that a gap year should be practical for skill development.

The importance of gap year experiences from an employer's perspective.

The revelation that the subject leading to the highest average earnings is medicine and dentistry.

The average earnings of medicine and dentistry graduates five years post-graduation.

Recap of the vocabulary related to gap years and their benefits.

The conclusion of the 6 Minute English program.