Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a graduate student
    • ex. Sarah is a graduate student studying biology, and she spends most of her time in the research lab.
  2. a decline
    • ex. There was a decline in sales last month because fewer people bought winter clothes.
  3. account for (something)
    • ex. Tourists account for a large part of the city’s income each year.
  4. enrollment
    • ex. The school’s enrollment grew this year because more children joined the classes.
  5. delay
    • ex. The teacher delayed the test because many students were not ready.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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The University of Central Missouri saw a big change at the beginning of autumn 2025. Only half as many new international graduate students arrived compared to last year. Many students could not get visas, and some were not able to get interviews. Because of this, the school is seeing a decline in international student enrollment.

The university has around 12,800 students. International students usually account for about 30% of the school’s total enrollment. These students also bring in nearly 25% of the school’s income. According to university president Roger Best, the university cannot give as much help with school fees to local students when the school has fewer international students. 

The problem is not only in Central Missouri. More than 100 other US colleges also depend on international students for income. Many of them are small schools, but some are large universities. These universities are looking for different ways to save money. For example, the University of Central Missouri has stopped increasing staff salaries and delayed construction projects. Lee University in Tennessee, whose international students dropped from 82 to about 50 to 60, raised school fees by 20% over the past five years.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

International Students

  • Would you like to study in another country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Why do you think students want to study in another country? Discuss.
  • What advice would you give to someone who wants to study in another country? Discuss.

Colleges and Universities

  • In your opinion, what university is the best in your country? Discuss.
  • If a university has less money, what do you think it should do to increase income (ex. raise school fees, cut costs)? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think studying at a college or university is important to get a job? Why or why not? Discuss.