English, baby!

Graduation

Date: Jun 12 2009

Themes: School

Grammar: You're vs. Your

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Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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In most American high schools and universities, graduation is a pretty big deal. It involves a long (some would say boring) ceremony in which all the graduating students receive their diplomas in front of their friends and families. The head of the school usually makes a speech, as does one of the top students of the graduating class. Then everyone takes off these funny-looking hats and throws them in the air. Seriously!

Many schools also have a commencement speaker, an important person who offers some words of wisdom to the students before they head out into the wide, wide world. The best and biggest schools get the best and biggest speakers. For example, President Obama recently spoke at the University of Notre Dame’s graduation ceremony.

Ella graduated from college last year. Listen to her and Marni share their feelings about this rite of passage.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Ella

Marni: So, it is getting to be that time of the year, you’re about to graduate, aren’t you?

Ella: Well actually last year.

Marni: Oh, you did? I’m sorry, I was thinking it was this year. OK, so, how’s it been, you know?

Ella: There was just so much hoopla about, you know, the cap and gown. It was just such a hassle. I mean, I did it for my family and friends, but I’m glad it’s over with.

Marni: Well it’s a rite of passage, right? I mean it’s one of those moments in life that are pretty monumental.

Ella: Yeah. Definitely.

Marni: Do you still like look at your diploma…

Ella: I can’t even find any pictures. I stare at my degree, I’m like wow, I just paid over a hundred grand for this sheet of paper.

Marni: Well, I mean…is it because you haven’t reached that next step where you’re thriving in your career?

Ella: It just feels like they build it up so much, but then when you’re out in the workforce and…I don’t know. It was just kind of depressing and cynical after you finished it, like, this is it? And I worked that hard? But I mean, it was a good thing. It was the last time you see your friends.

Marni: Right. Well, it was a big moment in life and you took part in it.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Marni asks Ella about her graduation. Ella explains that she didn’t really enjoy the ceremony. She mostly participated in it to make her friends and family happy. Even though graduation is an important rite of passage, it was a little disappointing for Ella. She worked really hard in college, but she had a hard time entering the workforce and starting her career after graduation.

Ella also mentions how expensive college was for her. Most American students have to pay for college, and it can cost a lot of money, depending on which school you go to. Many students have a hard time paying for college, or graduate with a lot of debt.

Is graduation a big deal in your country?

Comments

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*nozomi*

Japan

I graduated from college last March. Students usualy have graduation party on spring in our country.
I weared Japanese traditional costume which is called “Hakama” in my geaduation party.I like it.

green greener

United Arab Emirates

In my country, there are private and government schools, colleges and universities in which the private, you should pay money but you're free of charge in government institutes. About me, I've studied all my life in government schools and I've graduated from Government College. I've worked after six months when I've finished my studying. I can say that I haven't exposed to any barriers of studying. Some of my siblings are studying in private institutes and I know how much expensive it is while studying. We haven't yet done the graduation ceremony, but my college will inform us about it. Also, it is a nice feelings you'll get when you'll graduate, and you'll see how is life moving so fast that you didn't feel all these years that you studied. I hope for everyone a bright future.

anatolia58

Turkey

lesuong

Viet Nam

In my country, there is no graduated ceremony for high school students but college or university students. Though this fact, the last day of mine in high school is the day i will never forget.

Miss_gorgeous

United Arab Emirates

the most great moment i'll never forget it at all..

amen1

Tunisia

in tunisia graduaion is a big deal .. i want to mention sthg what counts is not graduation but in which field you're graduated. for exemple if you're graduated in the branche of medicine, technology or computing you , have more chance to get a compensating job.

mnoman

United Arab Emirates

Graduation is important and especial to me.

moomman64

Saudi Arabia

In mater of fact we don't have such ceremonies in my country we just go to school at a specific day and receive our certificate and that's it.

honeyabie

Philippines

Graduation is important and especial to me. Though its expensive but you'll feel a great sense of pride.

Duran-198523

China

it’s definitly an impressive moment in life.it’s not only an end but a fresh start.more challenge await for you in the front!fighting!

Rodolfo.D

Brazil

I think that very good. When i graduated here was a party

ReEno_94

Jordan

me 22222

s id

Saudi Arabia

i m going to graduated after some month and i wish ,

i will take a good result .

Ca_Brazil

Brazil

I believe graduation is a big deal everywhere, since it differs people, like, if want to get a good job or make a lot of money im supposed to get a degree, nowadays there a lot of graduated people out there and they still dont have reached their goals. We have many private universities and a few public ones, everyone wishes to get a chance to get into a public school here cause its totally gratuitous.

91patii

Poland

Is graduation a big deal in your country?

hm. when we finish last year in high school we have big prom…all night..we dance..eat, drink..etc. :) we play with our class-mates and teacher :) and then we have all this prom on DVD. :)

yes it's big deal.. lots of students work hard in last year coz in the end we have final exam ' matura exams' it's so important when we want to go to gooduni .. so we must have good result on exams :)

I will graduate next year :)

snunsy

Russian Federation

graduation is not a big deal in my university, but considering there're only 5 people in my group and i hate 3 of them for me it'l be a real holiday

puella87

Egypt

i will graduate next month
i think it will be a special moment, mixing of happiness and sadness

silva_zhang

China

Yes, in my graduation, I was mix, excited and afraid I didn't know what i am able to to do, and which job suit to me, in fortune, I like my job now in quality field.

erhnakyz

Turkey

i dont think so thats not a big deal any country. Every country needs educationed people to devolep the country. So i consider it is a big deal for any ountry as like my country.

i graduated last year and now when somebody ask my job, i can say i am an engineer proudly. This is the best side of grauation.