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Listen to a conversation. Take notes on the problem presented and the possible solutions suggested.
preparation – the process of getting ready for something
sponsor – to support someone while they do something
independent – done alone without the help of others
devote – to give ail of your attention to something
teaching assistant – a student that teaches part of a class along with a professor
Listening:
View the transcriptM: Hi, Linda. How's it going?
W: Pretty good. How about you, Alan?
M: Good, except graduation has been on my mind lately. I only have one year to make my preparations to become a teacher.
W: I know what you mean,
M: The thing is I that want to get experience as a teacher. That way I can be prepared when I go out and look for my first job. But I'm not sure how to get that experience since I'm so busy.
W: Having experience is really important. Hey, why not ask Professor Schwartz to sponsor you for an independent teaching project. She mentioned to me once that some past students did this. They put together mini-lessons that they taught in after-school programs.
M: That seems like a good idea. I am just worried that I'm too busy to devote a bunch of time to something like that.
W: Fair enough. You certainly don't want to fall behind in your schoolwork.
M: Exactly.
W: Well, hey, how about this? Why not Just wait until you get to grad school? You're planning to go anyway. And they always let you be a teaching assistant in grad school, right? That way, you'll get plenty of practice being a teacher before you actually go out and get a teaching job.
M: That's a good idea, but they don't always let you become a teaching assistant. Sometimes they just don't have enough classes for all the grad students to take. And I worry about waiting until grad school. If I don't get a teaching position ... then I really won't have any other chance to get experience.
W: That's very true. Well, I think you should consider both options.
M: I definitely will.
Read the prompt below.
The speakers discuss two possible solutions to the man's problem. Describe the problem. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and explain why.
Look again at your notes from the listening. Decide which solution sounds best and why.
Listening:
Try to fill in the blanks of the sample response below using your notes.
Notes for the Response
Opinion 1
- Problem: The man does not know how to get teaching experience.
- Best Solution: Ask a professor to sponsor an independent project.
- Reason 1: He will get experience right away.
- Reason 2: It will give him a chance to change his mind.
Opinion 2
- Problem: The man does not know how to get teaching experience.
- Best Solution: Become a teaching assistant in grad school.
- Reason 1: He is too busy to do a project now.
- Reason 2: He will get better experience in grad school.
Deliver your response, including all the facts and using necessary transitions.
Listen to two sample responses. Note any useful ideas and expressions that could improve your response.
Opinion 1
The man's problem is that he wants to get teaching experience before he becomes a teacher. I think that the first choice is better: he should work with his professor to do an independent project. First, it will help him get experience right now. Teaching is something I think you need a lot of practice to get good at. Second, it will give him a chance to change his mind. If he gets experience now and finds that he does not like to teach, then he could do something else.
Opinion 2
The man's problem is that he wants to get teaching experience before he becomes a teacher. I think the second 'choice is better: he should wait until he gets to grad school. First, he is really busy right now. Teaching is something that you need to devote a lot of time to, and he does not have enough time. Second, he will get more valuable experience in grad school. He can teach real classes, which will give him more genuine teaching experience.
Notes for the Response
Now give your response to the prompt again, incorporating useful expressions from the sample, while also paying attention to your pronunciation and intonation. Record your time.
