Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. sign up for (something)
    • ex. My friend decided to sign up for a weekend cooking class.
  2. a certificate
    • ex. The teacher gave all the students certificates to show they completed the program.
  3. interior design
    • ex. Anna studies interior design because she enjoys choosing colors, furniture, and decorations for homes.
  4. enroll
    • ex. Many students enroll in the summer camp every year.
  5. in person
    • ex. The manager prefers to interview job applicants in person instead of online.

Article

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

Font size

Millions of adults in the United States are signing up for college courses to earn certificates, learn new skills, or finish their degrees. Many older students want better jobs, higher pay, or more job security. Others return to school to follow personal interests or try something new. According to Eric Deschamps, the director of education at Northern Arizona University, continuing education gives people a chance to study when they may not have had the chance before.

Adult learners often work full-time and take care of children or family members while studying. At UCLA Extension, the continuing education division of the University of California, Los Angeles, students can choose from over 90 certificate programs. Subjects include interior design, accounting, photography, and music production. Last year, about 33,500 students enrolled, and nearly half were over 35 years old.

School leaders say adults should think carefully about their time, money, and long-term goals before enrolling. Classes can be taken online or in person, and many programs offer lower costs and financial help to make learning easier for busy adults.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Continuing Education

  • Many adults are now returning to college in the U.S. Do you think the opportunity to study later in life is more important now than in the past? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Why do you think many adults decide to go back to school? Discuss.
  • If you could go back to college and take a certificate course, what subject would you choose to study? Why? Discuss.

Adult Learners

  • Do you think it is harder for older students to return to school? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How do you think schools can make learning easier for busy adults? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what are the advantages of learning new skills later in life? Discuss.