Common European Framework Intermediate Level (B2–C1)
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Welcome back! In this autumn issue of Teen magazine we get to know an interesting actress and singer – one of America’s most successful performers; we find out about new inventions coming out of Europe; and look at how technology is transforming the world of education. We start a new series of investigations* into the world of sport, in this issue meeting some of the world’s best women’s sports stars, and in another new series, this time on recycling, we visit some old buildings that have been given a new life. Finally, we look at ways of getting ready for the world of work. As always, the articles are accompanied by fun games and activities to support your learning. So, are you ready to dive in*?
Glossary
investigation: (here) a careful look at, study dive in: (figurative) do something suddenly, with lots of energy, without thinking about it too much patron saint: holy person who protects something/someone combat: fight against mistreatment: unkindness or cruelty toward a person/animal
Around the World
World Animal Day
World Animal Day, celebrated on October 4th each year, was established in 1931 by the International League for the Protection of Animals to honour Saint Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint* of animals. On this day, money is raised to support animal rights organisations, there are events to raise awareness of animal rights and campaigns to combat* the mistreatment* of animals. World Animal Day helps us to think about the importance of animal rights, and encourages us to show respect for all animals. It’s also a good time to thank our pets for the joy and affection they give us every day.
1. World Animal Day is celebrated on 14th October each year.
2. It was established in 1931 by the International League for the Protection of Animals.
3. Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.
4. On this day, concerts are organized to raise awareness.
5. One of the objectives of the day is to increase respect for animals. 6. World Animal Day is about allowing animals to live in freedom.
Teen People
Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus has had an eclectic* career. She started out as a child actor on TV and in film, and then moved on to a highly successful music career. Her single Flowers won two Grammys this year. Performing different music genres, from rock to Country, her musical tastes are as bold* as her fashion. Let’s get to know her better!
Passport
Name: Miley Ray Cyrus
Place and date of birth: Tennessee (United States), 23 November 1992
Profession: singer, songwriter and actress
Distinguishing features: actor and musician, at home in different musical genres and fashion styles, but always stays true to herself*.
Let’s start at the beginning...
Miley Ray Cyrus was born Destiny Hope Cyrus. She is the daughter of Country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, and Leticia “Tish” Cyrus. Raised in a musical family, she spent her childhood steeped* in Country music. She showed a talent for music from a young age, and began performing in public at just 11 years old. In 2006, at the age of 13, she got the role that made her famous all over the world, Miley Stewart, in the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana The series became a huge success and catapulted* Miley into international stardom*. In 2008, she signed a fouralbum deal* with Hollywood Records and released her debut* album Breakout, which was a commercial success.
Since then, she’s continued to build her music career, releasing a number of hit* albums. She’s also gone through an artistic transformation, from the sweet “Disney girl” she was when she was younger, she’s now known for having a more challenging* image. In addition to her music, Miley has continued to act. She’s appeared in several films and television series, which further reinforces how versatile* she is.
Miley, tell us about your relationship with music.
“I’ve always loved music, ever since I was born, but I’ve never been into* just one kind of music. I’ve always found something in any music I listen to, from Country to Blues, to Jazz and Pop. I see myself in all of it. Pop, rock and Country are where I feel most at home, though. Which one do I prefer? It depends on my mood, on what I want to express. As you know, I talk about difficult topics in my music, such as mental health, my personal relationships. I believe in being honest about my life, and I want to encourage other people to talk about the problems they’re going through too. It’s so important not to isolate ourselves if we’re having
a bad time. Music has the power to take me wherever I want, and it gives me the freedom to say whatever I want.”
Your style has changed a lot over the years. What does fashion mean to you?
“For me, fashion means being able to wear my emotions, my deepest feelings, my values, and my identity. It’s using clothes to show the world your pain and joy. When I decide what to wear, I don’t pay too much attention to what other people think of me or how they judge me. I try to be my authentic self whatever I’m wearing. Dressing up is a chance to change the way I look, and explore different aspects of myself in a fun way.”
Many people dream of having a career like yours, but success sometimes comes at a very high price...
“Yes, that’s true. Of course, I’m grateful, I’ve been lucky, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else, but the ups and downs of the entertainment industry are a massive source* of stress and suffering for most artists. One day you’re the most famous person in the world, the next you’ve almost disappeared. My family has been a huge source of support for me on my journey, they’ve helped me through all my personal and professional difficulties. I know I can always go to my father, my mother and my brothers for their unconditional* support. I’m so grateful for that. I’m sure my success and resilience* comes from the amazing relationship I have with them all.”
Tell us about something that’s close to your heart.
“Well… I love animals, I have cats, dogs and horses at home! I have been vegan since 2014, I’m very proud of that. What else? I have a great relationship with Dolly Parton, who’s inspired me both musically and as a person... I also like writing. My Miles to Go biography did very well. The LGBTQ+ cause and mental health are also very close to my heart... I can’t think of anything else... is that enough?”
That’s great! Thanks, Miley!
Glossary
eclectic: (adjective) made of a mixture of different things bold: confident, not afraid true to herself: doing what she believes to be right steeped in: (here, figurative) completely surrounded by catapulted: thrown very fast with a lot of energy stardom: the state of being famous deal: contract, legal agreement debut: (adj.) first (book, record, acting role etc.)
hit: very successful challenging: (here) doing things differently from what most people expect versatile: adaptable, can change easily been into: been interested in source: the place where something starts or comes from unconditional: given freely resilience: strength, especially during difficult times in your life
Sport is Life
In this new series of articles we’ll be exploring different aspects of sport, from top professionals, technology and business, to the latest science, sporting history and endurance* sports. In this article, we find out about women’s sport.
Top Teams and Super Stars
This Girl Can
The arrival of women at top levels of sport is relatively recent, and in some cases, such as football, it is only in the last few years that women have gained similar levels of respect to men. Now women make up a bigger percentage of professional sportspeople than ever before. But attitudes take time to change. For the last ten years, a UK campaign, This Girl Can, has been encouraging women to take part in sport whatever their shape, size or ability. As a result, more than three million women have taken up* sport. But let’s go and meet some of the women’s sports teams and super stars inspiring change around the world.
Football
Spain, the US, the UK, and Germany have some of the world’s best national squads*. Spain won the World Cup in 2023, and are also current champions in the under-17, and under-20 championships – the first time that one team has held all three titles* in the women’s game. If we turn to league football, then Lyon are the outstanding team. They have won the UEFA Women’s Champions League no less that eight times, including five consecutive wins between 2016 and 2020. Other teams changing the face of* women’s football are Spain’s FC Barcelona, Vfl Wolfsburg from Germany, Portland Thorns from the US, and Brazil’s Corinthians, who have helped make women’s football more popular than ever in their home country. The combined* value
of FC Barcelona’s team is $6 million dollars, making them the most valuable women’s team currently.
Basketball
If men’s basketball started in 1891, in the US, what year do you think women’s basketball began? Perhaps surprisingly, it was launched in 1892 only one year later, and from the
start women wore trousers, covered by a knee-length skirt, to make it easier for them to play. Today, basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports, and the women’s game is reaching new levels of popularity. The final of the 2024 NCAA* Championship game between Iowa and South Carolina, had a combined television audience that peaked* at 28 million – a massive 80% increase from
The most expensive female football players are Zambianborn Barbra Banda, who now plays for US side Orlando Pride, and fellow Zambian, Racheal Kundananji, who plays for Bay FC in San Francisco and the Zambian national team. They were each transferred for $750,000–$800,000. Not bad, but still much less than Neymar, who went from Barcelona to PSG for £250 million dollars.
the previous year. The rules for the women’s game are more or less the same as for the men’s, but the ball is a little smaller. Who are the world’s top female basketball players? Iowa’s Caitlin Clark and Kamilla Cardoso from rivals* South Carolina.
Tennis
In tennis, women have been almost equal to men in terms of popularity and fame for longer than in most other sports. Women’s tennis was included in the 1900 Olympics but the sport really took off* in the 1970s. Although women almost never earn as much as men in other sports, the gender pay gap* does not exist at the highest levels of
Top tennis player, Iga Świątek from Poland, is currently the world’s highest-paid female athlete. She has earned nearly $30 million dollars in prize money and advertising contracts.
tennis, where the prize money is now the same for women as it is for men. And who is the GOAT*? That’s Serena Williams, of course! Serena, who only recently retired from professional tennis, won 23 Grand Slams*. Her power and style on the tennis court changed women’s tennis forever, and this super champion has had a huge impact on women’s sport more generally, not just tennis.
What to Watch For
Where else are women making waves*? A few examples are ice hockey, field hockey, golf and cricket. In India, where cricket is one of the country’s most popular sports for
Put these events in the correct chronological order (from 1 to 6).
a. Spain’s women’s squad win the World Cup in football.
b. Women’s tennis gets a lot more popular.
c. Lyon wins the UEFA Women’s Champions League for five consecutive years.
d. Women’s basketball begins.
e. Simone Biles drops out of the Olympics.
f. NCAA Championship game attracts a record-breaking audience.
Women’s sport quiz.
1. Which country are the world’s most expensive female footballers from?
2. What happened to Simone Biles in 2023?
3. What’s happening to women’s cricket in India?
4. Who’s the biggest earner in women’s sport?
5. What is ‘This Girl Can’, and what has it achieved?
6. Who is the most successful female tennis player of all time?
both genders, women players are increasingly valuable, and are starting to earn good money. A lot of the money for this sport, as in other major sports, comes from selling broadcasting rights*. The more people watch women’s sport, the more broadcasters can charge for advertising during the matches and games.
Inspiring Women
Simone Biles is, like Serena Williams, a big influence in women’s sport. This world champion gymnast has won 37 Olympic and World Championship medals. That makes her the most successful gymnast of all time. She dropped out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, citing extreme stress and mental health issues. She was praised for her bravery and honesty in speaking openly about the problems she was having. After a two-year break, Simone Biles made an incredible comeback*, winning 4 gold medals at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships.
Glossary
endurance: (here) sport that uses a lot of energy over a long time period taken up: started squad: team title: (here) when you beat all other teams/players changing the face of: (idiom) making big, permanent changes to combined: added together NCAA: National Collegiate Athletics Association peaked: reached its highest point/number rivals: person/team you play or compete against took off: grew a lot and quickly
gender pay gap: the fact of women being paid less than men to do the same job
GOAT: (informal) greatest of all time. Grand Slam: when a person wins the four big tennis championships (Australia, France, England, US) in one year making waves: (idiom) shocking/upsetting people with something new broadcasting rights: permission to show sport on TV channel/streaming platform comeback: return (to sport, music etc.) by a well-known person
Discoveries and News from Europe
Europe is home to many leaders in innovation. Let’s find out about some recent technological advances from the continent – all of which have been developed by young people under 30.
Long-term Care*
Will Donnelly, from London, is co-founder of the startup Lottie. His goal is to change perceptions about long-term care. “I want to make retirement homes interesting, something that people are excited about, that helps them look forward with confidence,” he says. Thanks to Lottie, approximately 20,000 people looking for care each month are matched with nursing homes* for free. Donnelly says around 25% of his inquiries come from discharge teams* from the NHS, the UK’s national health service, and social workers* trying to place patients into nursing, dementia and palliative care*. Lottie expects to get most of its revenue* through its operational software Found, which helps
providers of elderly care manage realtime availability and payment processing, among other things. Donnelly co-founded the startup in 2021 with his brother Chris, a former 2020 Forbes Under 30 Europe Media & Marketing.
Health
Mohammad Filfil, founder of Danish company Paragit Neurotech, aims to improve the lives of people with neurological disorders. The company’s first wearable technology, the Paragit Sleeve, allows home monitoring* of Parkinson’s patients. The Paragit Sleeve collects data, such as muscle function and movement patterns, which is analysed by AI and the results sent to doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other healthcare providers who treat patients directly. Biomedical engineer Judit Giró Benet, co-founder of The Blue Box Biomedical Solutions, wants to make breast cancer screening* more accessible and less invasive for women aged 20 to 49. Her Spainbased company is developing a tabletop device that can identify breast cancer using just a urine sample*. The sample is analysed for specific biomarkers* using AI.
Environment
The Paris Climate Agreement is an international commitment to reach net zero* by 2050, but how will companies reduce their carbon footprints over the next 25 years? This is where Greenly comes in. This Paris-based startup helps businesses identify which of their processes and operations are creating the most carbon. The technology offered by Greenly conducts a review of the entire business, from supply chains through to marketing tactics. Greenly then provides each client with a climate expert to help implement changes suggested by the review findings. “We’re like dieticians, but for the climate,” says Arnaud Delubac, Greenly’s 28-yearold co-founder. “We start by mapping the reality, and then we outline a plan to improve it.” Greenly earned approximately $10 million in 2023, and that’s likely to double this year. The startup boasts clients such as LVMH and L’Oréal, but even a small company could work with Greenly for around $3,000 a year. The startup is also expanding overseas, where Tripadvisor is already one of its clients. Delubac says Greenly could help remove 1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030.
Communications
SuperChat is a complete messaging suite* for businesses, allowing them to manage customer interactions across platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and Google Business Messages. Its unified* inbox combines these channels into a
Europe is a centre of technological excellence in sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and software, to the manufacture of hardware and advanced medical devices.
The most advanced countries in terms of research and technology development are the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, France and the Netherlands.
streamlined platform to help businesses communicate faster with customers and collaborate internally. SuperChat claims to have facilitated over 30 million interactions for 3,500 global companies, including McDonald’s and Engel & Völkers. SuperChat, backed by $19.5
million in funding, was co-founded by Yilmaz Köknar and Mika Hally in 2020, and is based in Berlin.
Launched in 2019, Fernride is another company based in Germany. This logistics*
business was set up in response to a serious driver shortage*, and to address the environmental impact of transportation by introducing autonomous* electric trucking. Fernride’s innovative approach allows trucks to be moved remotely by a human operator from the safety and comfort of an office. Automation improves efficiency and productivity as only one person is needed to operate several vehicles, while the electric vehicles they use reduce emissions significantly. Fernride counts Volkswagen and DB Schenker among its customers. Founded by Hendrik Kramer, who initially sold horses and was studying for a Masters at the Technical University of Munich, Fernride is pioneering the use of human teleoperators to supervise a fleet of up to ten trucks in ports and container* storage yards*.
Glossary
care: (here) when old or ill people are looked after by medical/nursing professionals
nursing home: building offering long-term personal/ medical care
discharge team: people who decide where patients go after hospital
social worker: (in UK)
person employed to help people living with disability, physical/mental illness or poverty
palliative care: medical care given at the end of a person’s life
revenue: money earned by a business
monitoring: watching something for a long time to learn about it
screening: (here) testing
people for cancer etc. before they show symptoms sample: (here, medicine) small amount of blood, urine, tissue, that is tested biomarker: biological molecule that shows signs of disease etc.
net zero: when you make no carbon emissions suite: (here) collection of computer programs unified: joined together logistics: (here) business of moving goods to customers shortage: when there’s not enough of something autonomous: driverless, that can be operated remotely container: (here) large metal box used for transporting goods yard: (here) fenced area
In this new series, we focus on creative, intelligent solutions for a better future. The phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ is often used to promote a more environmentally friendly way of living. In this article we look at cool ideas from the world of architecture – repurposing* old and historic buildings.
Transforming Old Buildings
From Up to Down…
What happens to an area when a factory shuts down, when a department store is shut up, or an industrial building no longer has a purpose? Abandoned buildings can really change the atmosphere of a district – for the worse. When it’s being used, a factory or industrial building is a centre of activity, employing people from the surrounding area, and providing support for a wider economy of shops and services. As patterns of industry change, buildings that were once full of life close down and stay empty, sometimes for decades. These old buildings are uncared for*, people and businesses move away. The whole place feels run-down*. But there is a solution. And that is a concept in architecture called ‘adaptive* reuse’.
… And Back Up Again
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals have helped focus attention on how we can make better use of resources. Where in the past an old building might have simply been demolished*, today,
architects are finding clever ways to keep the old building, while adapting it to modern requirements. There are several advantages to doing this. The buildings are often much-loved landmarks* that the local community wants to keep. By giving these old buildings a new function, you can breathe life back into*
depressed* communities. Constructing new buildings is one of the most carbon-intensive* things that we do, and while modern buildings are more energy efficient, the amount of energy and materials used to build them from new take between 10 and 80 years to offset* in spite of the improved energy
One of the most famous examples of repurposing comes from New York where an abandoned railway line, built several metres above street level, has been turned into a linear park 2.5 km long. It’s called The Highline.
efficiency. On top of that, there is nothing stopping you from adding solar panels, water recycling and so on to a reused building.
A Note of Caution
While repurposing old buildings seems like a ‘no-brainer’*, it can come with some design and structural problems. Cheap or poor quality materials might have been used in the original building. There may even be materials that we now understand are dangerous, such as asbestos*, and which are very expensive to remove. One of the biggest headaches for architects is how to make use of huge spaces that used to house machinery and may not have much natural light. But then again, those huge spaces are one of their biggest selling points today.
Battersea Power Station –London
Situated on the south bank of the Thames in London, this iconic building used to be a coal-fired* power station. In fact, it used to supply around a fifth of London’s electricity, as well as plenty of pollution! It was shut down in the early 1980s and sat empty until it was reopened forty years later in 2022 as a mixed-use centre. Not only does Apple have its headquarters here, there are over 250 apartments and a huge retail space inside the old turbine halls*, as well as roof gardens and a lift inside one of the white chimneys, with panoramic views over London.
The Zeitz Museum – Cape Town
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (also known as Zeitz MOCAA) is an incredible example of reuse from Cape Town in South Africa. The original building was a grain silo, for storing wheat. Situated by the old port, this contemporary gallery, retail and hospitality space now sees 24 million visitors from South Africa and abroad.
Fill in the gaps with words from the article.
1. In architecture, repurposing old buildings is known as ___________ reuse.
2. Unused buildings soon look ___________.
3. Old and historic buildings are important ___________ that local communities want to keep.
4. Giving old buildings a new purpose can breathe life back into ___________ communities.
5. Ultra-modern design sits in an 800-year-old ___________ in Slovenia.
6. The Highline is a ___________ park that is 2.5 km long.
Underline the words linked to Battersea Power Station.
Tai Kwun – Hong Kong
This historic former police station is known locally as Tai Kwun, or ‘Big Station’. In a city dominated by skyscrapers, its 16 lowrise buildings and large central area are particularly valued by the people of Hong Kong. It is now a vibrant retail and cultural centre.
Ptuj Performance Center –Slovenia
This project in Slovenia transformed an unused 13th century Dominican monastery into a concert hall, congress and performance centre. Here, ultra-modern design sits inside 800 years of history to create a stunning mixture of old and new.
Glossary
repurposing: changing how something is used uncared for: not looked after, unloved run-down: (adj.) in bad condition adaptive: that can change to meet a new situation demolished: destroyed (building) landmarks: well-known, easily recognised buildings breathe life (back) into: (idiom) bring (back) to life depressed: (here) poor, with high unemployment
carbon-intensive: that produces a lot of carbon dioxide offset: (here) balance (the emissions from construction and the new building’s energy efficiency) no-brainer: (informal) very simple, obvious asbestos: material used as insulation during 20th century coal-fired: powered by burning coal turbine hall: big space in power station for large machinery
Augmented and Virtual Reality
The New Frontiers of Education
The world is changing fast, and although education is something we will always need, change is happening here too. But how exactly will education evolve? What are the new trends in this field?
Personalized Learning
With the help of artificial intelligence and data analytics, personalized learning platforms can tailor* educational content and experiences to each student’s individual needs, preferences and learning styles. This helps to increase engagement* and encourages deeper understanding.
Online and Distance Learning
The COVID-19 pandemic very quickly increased the use of online and distance learning, leading to a rapid expansion of digital learning platforms, virtual classrooms and remote* collaboration tools*. This remote learning has opened up new opportunities for flexible and accessible education, overcoming barriers* to education such as geography, poverty and disability*.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are revolutionizing education by creating immersive* learning environments, simulations and interactive experiences. AR and VR keep students interested, improve understanding, and help to retain attention on a wide variety of topics and disciplines.
Gamification and Game-Based Learning
Gamification* techniques and gamebased learning platforms use game design principles to make learning more interactive, fun and effective. By incorporating* elements such as challenges, rewards, and progress tracking, educators can motivate students, and foster* deeper learning experiences.
STEM Education and Digital Skills
There is a growing emphasis on science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) education, as well as digital literacy and computational thinking skills.
These subjects help students prepare
Link these learning methods with examples of how they can be applied.
a. In a biology class, students wear VR headsets that transport them ‘inside’ a virtual human body.
b. Exchanges of messages and videos, or collaborative projects between students from different cultures and parts of the world.
c. Thanks to special software, the teacher can convert the text of the lesson to audio, or enlarge the text making the format more accessible for students with dyslexia.
d. The teacher runs an English course from London on a video conferencing platform. Their class is made up of students from France, Italy and Spain.
e. In a foreign language course, students do a role-play where they interact with virtual characters.
f. A virtual robotics lab where students use online platforms or specialized software to design, simulate, and program robots using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts.
How do you like to learn? Rank these learning methods from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest).
Augmented and virtual reality
Online learning Gamification
Customization
STEM and digital disciplines
Cultural exchange
Educational initiatives focused on international collaboration, cultural exchange and global citizenship are becoming increasingly widespread*. In addition, artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT)*, and biotechnology are creating new educational opportunities.
for the demands of future work, and allow them to thrive* in an increasingly digital and technological world.
Glossary
tailor: adapt, change for an individual person engagement: (here) being involved in, focussing on remote: (adj.) at a distance tools: (here) programs, platforms, software etc. barriers: things that stop you doing something disability: physical/mental problems that have a longterm effect on a person immersive: that surround you completely
gamification: make an activity more like a game (to increase engagement etc.) incorporating: including something (as part of something bigger) foster: (here) encourage thrive: grow well and become successful widespread: existing in many places Internet of Things (IoT): network of digital devices that transfer data between each other
The world of work is always evolving, and the skills* required also change. Whether you’re planning to get a job straight after you leave school, or if you’re going on to further study at a university or training centre, or to apply for an apprenticeship*, here are some tips on getting ahead* of the competition.
Getting Ready for the World of Work
Work Experience
Depending on the school system you are in and the level of independent learning that you do, moving from school to work can be a shock. Around the world many schools help to bridge this gap* by asking students to complete at least two weeks of work experience before they leave school. In the UK, work experience usually happens when students are 16 or 17, and in the year when they do not have important public exams.
New Skills
As part of their work experience, students are encouraged to find a position by writing to local businesses in a sector* they are interested in. Writing a formal letter and researching businesses are both useful things to practice in themselves. Work experience can take different forms. Often, students are tasked with doing routine* jobs.
These might not be interesting, but they are necessary for the efficient running of an office or business. Good time management is one of the most
as communication and team
important skills young people learn outside the school environment, as well
Hobbies can develop into exciting careers, and when you like doing something, you’re often good at it.
LinkedIn is the most used social media for business and academia. Once you are old enough (you have to be 16 plus to have an account in most countries) it’s a great place to get a feel for the world of work. The site also has training courses on offer, many of which are free.
work. Communication skills can require confidence, for example asking a more senior work colleague to explain something you don’t understand, but they help avoid mistakes and allow you to carry out a task efficiently.
Volunteering
Some degree programmes, such as medical and veterinary schools, require applicants to do several weeks of work experience or volunteering* before they apply. While it is not possible, for obvious reasons, to volunteer as a doctor or a vet, you might be able to offer your
time at a vet practice or a care home, although you have to be a minimum age to do this in many countries. Not only does volunteering look good on your CV, it’s a way for you to find out if looking after people or animals that are sick, for example, is really what you want to do. Universities and other helpful websites have accessible* lists of volunteering requirements. Although you should always doublecheck* details with the university, business or institution that you’re interested in studying or working at. Volunteering can help you get sector-
Answer the questions to discover a possible future career path.
1. Are you good with people or do you prefer to work independently? ............................
2. How do you resolve problems? ............................
3. What are your best characteristics as a person? ............................
4. What do other people say you’re good at? ............................
5. Do you have any hobbies or interests? If so what are they? ............................
6. What transferable skills do you have? ............................
Discuss with a partner the kind of job or training that these skills could lead to.
specific* knowledge that will impress* future employers or when applying for training, university or college.
What Interests You
Unless you have a strong interest in something, like animals, medicine, or the arts, it can be difficult to know what you will enjoy doing for work. One way to solve this is to try out lots of different jobs. Another is to write down a list of things that you enjoy doing or learning about. Then you can go online and see what careers might help you develop those interests. You might be surprised at the variety of skills needed in a job. It is also true that our interests change over time, but today it is easier to change careers than it used to be, and you can usually find extra training if you need it.
Transferable Skills
What if you don’t have any special interests, and are not sure what you want to do in your future career? Don’t underestimate the value of transferable skills. These are skills that can be used in more than one place. Sometimes these don’t seem so important to us, but they are what companies are looking for. For example, are you good at problem solving? Do you have good analytical* skills? Can you write? Are you a good leader? Are you good with people? Are you able to adapt to challenges? These, and many other characteristics, are useful in the world of work. All of this might seem overwhelming*, but another great skill is the ability to take things one step at a time!
Glossary
skills: something you do well apprenticeship: when you learn how to do a job or trade (e.g. building, hairdressing etc.) from another person getting ahead (of the competition): being successful compared to other people bridge the gap: (idiom) make a connection between two separate things sector: (business) area routine: done every day, ordinary volunteering: when you
give your time for free to help a charity etc. accessible: that you can find easily double-check: ask a second time, to make sure something is correct sector-specific: group of businesses that do similar things impress: earn respect or admiration analytical: looking at facts and information in a careful way overwhelming: too much to deal with/process
Solve these anagrams from the article on Miley Cyrus.
Role-playing Game
Imagine you are a business consultant. Your partner, on the other hand, is the head of the following companies. Which startup from our article on innovation from Europe would you recommend? And why?
1. Transport Spain is a Spanish transport company. For some years it has been having serious problems due to lack of staff and lack of innovation. The director is looking for a technological solution.
2. Logica Materiali is an Italian company that produces and sells materials for furnishing bathrooms and campers: from plexiglass to plastic and other polymers. It has to adapt to
new laws requiring the reduction of carbon emissions, but it is a very traditional company and needs guidance.
3. The French National Health Authority is looking for new solutions to improve the services it offers to neurological patients. They want to monitor them constantly, but without having to hospitalize them for long periods.
Have you read the article on super sports stars? Find the odd one out.
4. Tokyo Olympics cricket ice hockey golf
5. Barbra Band, Lyon FC Barcelona Racheal Kundananji
6. comeback broadcasting rights world champion Simone Biles
6E. 1 communications, 2 logistics/transport, 3 and 4 health/medicine, 5 long-term care, 6 environment/carbon emissions. Do you know of any other startups, European or otherwise, that are developing innovative technology? If so, which ones? Own answers. P 8-9 Fill in the gaps with words from the article. 1 adaptive, 2 uncared for, 3 landmarks, 4 depressed, 5 monastery, 6 linear. Underline the words linked to Battersea Power Station. headquarters, pollution, retail, iconic, mixed-use, electricity, panoramic. P 10-11 Link these learning methods with examples of how they can be applied. 1E, 2C, 3F, 4B, 5A, 6D. How do you like to learn? Rank these learning methods from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest). Own answers. P 12-13 Answer the questions to discover a possible future career path. Own answers. Discuss with a partner the kind of job or training that these skills could lead to. Own answers. P 14-15 Solve these anagrams from the article on Miley Cyrus. 1 eclectic, 2 Hannah Montana, 3 catapulted, 4 stardom, 5 Country music, 6 unconditional. Role-playing Game. 1 Fernride, 2 Greenly, 3 Paragit Neurotech. Have you read the article on super sports stars? Find the odd one out. 1 India (known for women’s cricket not football), 2 FC Barcelona (the others refer to the US women’s basketball final), 3 Spain (Serena Williams is American), 4 Tokyo Olympics, 5 Lyon (the
others are either the most expensive female players or most expensive team), 6 broadcasting rights. Answer True or False. 1T, 2F, 3F, 4F, 5T, 6T.
