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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reeze

Uzbekistan

I'm also about to graduate . On the 16 1th of June I'll get my diploma. In my country the graduation is a very big deal. Also it is becoming very expensive. But in spite of this fact I think, it's the most important moment of our life I'll never forget this part of my life, because I found there my best friends, I could get there higher education, learn foreign languages.I think I'll remember my school , my friends & teachers everytime.

herryanto

Indonesia

I never graduat. because i am still study at college. i must wait after i have finished my study. i think it's a funny time and is not boring…

tink3rb3ll

Germany

Is graduation a big deal in my country?

It is embrassed to say that I have no idea about it but it is the truth though. well i didn't finish high school when i left my country so i have no idea what its like but i suppose it is always a big deal to graduation students but it would be boring to listen to the speech as well.

Yasminne_15

Venezuela

I'll be graduated on July 30th from High school! =D I'm very happy! And its not boring.. After this ceremony comes a biiig Partyy! :D

Radiowagner

Brazil

For me the graduation was my big deal. I was graduated in Administration one year ago and was very good, was an important moment in my life.

rfialho

Brazil

Yeah graduation is big deal in Brazil,in my university had all this rite of passage and i thing that is a little boring at the same time is important.I still have more 3 years to be a graduated man and i'm anxious to finish my graduation…get a job…receive a lot of money…

isef mert

Turkey

ı havent graduated yet .ı have 2 years to graduate…

flylover

Georgia

i've good memory about my graduation. it was very nice… i was so happy... and the same time sad

thomas2

Hong Kong

Can anyone tell me how the graduation looks like?I'm just a child in P3.

pinit_thailand

Thailand

what do your in intersting. I'm in tersting about guitra but now I try to play it.

it's very difficult. in my dream i wont to play guitra to my girfriend how do you thing that. It bor sometime you read it. I'm sorry

Vivian feng

China

Yes,but i have little memory about my graduation,although i have left from university about one year,maybe more or less.

When i take over study rejoin,i thought i have being complete my dream,do what i want to do from that time .but life is true and cruel.

We still in the one by one trap.

sofree

China

Yes, kind of, I think. It should be a big deal for each student, right?

But I have almost the same opinion with Ella. Well luckily I didn't wear the cap and gown stuff, unluckily I didn't have the chance to throw that cap, should be fun!

It's been a couple of years since I graduated from university, in China,the diploma is kind of filter to deal with the overpopulation.

happy 4 ever

Oman

my graduation from the university is a rite of passage. i have graduated since 2000. still the memory in my mind as it happened just yesterday. i hope i can pursue my study to attend the graduation ceremony because it's hoopla.

a4882243

Thailand

hi there! nice to meet all. I'm A zaa from thailand. I would like to talk with someone for practice english? May you help me?

zhzloverzy

China

of course, I am senior_~ I will graduate after a month! I will leave my best friends and go into society! that 's a big deal for me!!!

ZuoZhou

United States

The day I graduated from high school was the day

when I felt I have learned everything.

The day I graduated from college was the day

when I learned that I had grown up.

The day I graduated from a real university

was the day when I finally realized

I had so much to learn!

enriqueVIII

Peru

Graduation is a big deal in my country because it make the difference with other people who don't study. In Peru the job market is very competitive and it's important the number of degrees and the years experience. I remember my graduation with nostalgic. All my family and friend came. I felt as it was the cherry of the cake.