🎬 Interactive video — script & questions
NARRATOR: You will hear a woman telling a friend about her experience living and studying abroad.
SPEAKER 1: Hey, welcome back! How was your semester in Spain? I bet you missed your own bed.
SPEAKER 2: Thanks! Honestly, I did. I stayed in a student residence near the university in Seville. It was a bit noisy, but the location was perfect for classes. It's so different from living at home with my parents, though. I had to learn to cook for myself!
SPEAKER 1: And how was the university? Was the course difficult?
SPEAKER 2: The education system there is quite traditional, with lots of long lectures. I’m used to more practical group projects, so it was a bit of a challenge at first. But my Spanish improved a lot because I had to write all my essays in the local language.
SPEAKER 1: Did you manage to see much of the country?
SPEAKER 2: Yes, I spent most of my weekends traveling. I thought about visiting Portugal, but I decided to stay within Spain to save money. I took the high-speed train to Madrid and Valencia. It’s expensive, but much faster than the bus. Next time, I want to rent a car to see the small villages in the north.
- Where did the woman stay while she was in Spain?
- a) A house with her parents.
- b) A student residence.
- c) A rented apartment.
- What does the woman mention as a new experience compared to living at home?
- a) The noisy neighbors.
- b) Finding the university.
- c) Learning to cook.
- What did the woman find challenging about the university system in Spain?
- a) Too many lectures and not enough practical work.
- b) The difficulty of the Spanish language.
- c) The lack of group projects.
- Why did the woman decide not to visit Portugal?
- a) Because she forgot her passport.
- b) To save money.
- c) Because she preferred Spanish food.
- How did the woman travel to Madrid and Valencia?
- a) By bus.
- b) By car.
- c) By train.
🗣️ Speaking — discussion
Context
- Human curiosity has always driven people to explore new places and cultures.
- Modern travel is more accessible than ever due to low-cost airlines and the internet.
- Overtourism is becoming a problem for famous cities like Venice and Barcelona.
- Sustainable travel focuses on protecting the environment while visiting new locations.
Themes
- Relaxation and Discovery — The emotional and physical benefits of taking a break from work or study.
- The Impact of Tourism — The balance between tourism income and protecting local landmarks.
- Digital Travel — How technology has changed the way we book flights and find our way around.
Personal Response
- Where did you go for your last holiday, and who did you go with?
- Do you prefer staying in hotels or in local apartments when you travel? Why?
Themes & Ideas
- Some people say that travel is the best way to learn about the world. Do you agree?
- Is it better to travel to many different countries or to visit the same place every year?
Exam Style - Long Turn
- Describe a place you have visited that you really liked. You should say where it was, what you did there, and explain why you liked it so much. (1 minute)
Cultural & Social Topics
- How has travel changed in your country over the last 20 years?
- Is it important for tourists to learn the local language before they visit a new country?
🎭 Classroom activity
Collaborative Task: Imagine you are planning a trip together. Look at a list of three destinations: a big city, a mountain village, and a tropical beach. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each and decide which is best for a one-week holiday. (Time: 3 minutes)
✏️ Questions
- Which person learned about their subject by visiting many historical or cultural sites?
- Which person decided on their career path while they were already working in a related environment?
- Which person's education began because their parents were moving from place to place?
- Which person changed where they lived during the time they were studying?
- Which person stopped their traditional education plans to try a different method?
- Which person learned practical manual skills at the same time as their academic studies?