Taking a Gap Year

You will hear a talk about taking a gap year. Listen to the talk and complete the notes below, write one or two words
or a number in each gap. You will hear the talk twice.

Expeditions
a) Length can vary from ....................................................... to 15 weeks. [1]
b) They have two phases. e.g. In Norway Conservation phase: Protecting ...................... and
.............................. [1]
c) Adventure phase: Mountaineering Volunteering Accommodation is usually
with........................................ [1]
d) In Ghana Volunteers work in schools, orphanages or ................................................ [1]
USEFUL ADVICE
Before you go, make sure you have
• e) .............................................................. [1]
• valid passport and sufficient cash
• f) .................................................................... [1]
What to take
g) Luggage – backpack or ....................................................... [1]
Clothes • hot countries – cotton clothing
• cold countries – jackets and layers. h) Don’t pack .............................................. [1]
Footwear
boots •
i) ...................................... trainers [1]
• plastic sandals – for hot countries only
Security
• money belt • chain and lock – for securing luggage to j) ....................................................and for
travelling on public transport. [1]

[Total:10]

1
Taking a Gap Year – Audio Transcript
Hello everyone, my name is John Golding and I work for a group that provides information to young people
who want to have a year off between school and university. This year off is also called a gap year and there
are hundreds of exciting, challenging and valuable ways to spend it.
Today, I want to look at two of the more popular types of activities that young people do on their gap year:
expeditions and volunteering.
Expeditions are group activities and usually last for between six and fifteen weeks. They can be based in one
or several countries and are designed to help you develop self- confidence and leadership skills. They include
two phases: a conservation project and an adventure phase. For example, an eight-week expedition to
northern Norway involves some time preserving plants and wildlife in the local area. This is then followed by
the adventure phase where you go mountaineering and trekking over glaciers.
If you think volunteering is the thing for you, there is a wide variety of activities you can do across the world.
You may work individually or in small groups depending on the requirements of the organisation. Sometimes
you share accommodation with other volunteers, but more often than not you stay with host families who live
locally. Many volunteers say that this makes their stay very special and is far better than staying in a hostel
or hotel as you can learn about the culture and values of the country. For example, you can volunteer in
Ghana for 6 months. There you can spend your time assisting in rural schools, or helping out at local
orphanages with such chores as cooking, cleaning and improving facilities. There are also opportunities to
support volunteer doctors working in mobile clinics which visit remote areas of the country. Many of the
voluntary programmes also offer an adventure phase which is normally done at the end of the work
placement.
It’s important to do plenty of research before choosing which activity is the right one for you. There are a
number of things that you should do before you go. One of the most important things is to get insurance as
things can happen and you may need help. You should also check that your passport is in good condition
and valid for at least six months and take enough money with you so that you don’t run out. Another important
thing is to get a good guidebook which has details about local laws and customs to avoid offending people
and breaking the law, even if by accident.
I’m often asked about what to take on your travels, so here’s some useful advice. Every traveller will tell you
to pack light, and they’re right. I recommend you pack everything in a backpack if you’re planning to go
trekking, but if you’re going to be in one place most of the time, a suitcase with wheels may be more suitable.
In addition, you might like to take a small rucksack, as it can be useful if you’re located in one place and
travelling around from there.
As for clothes, it depends on the climate. For hot climates, you’ll need lightweight, loose- fitting clothes, made
of cotton if possible. This is because it absorbs sweat and helps keep you cool. In cold climates a good quality
jacket is essential, with lots of layers such as thermal vests underneath. Jumpers are too bulky, so get fleece
tops instead.
Make sure that your footwear is comfortable. There are several options: boots for trekking or if you need
some ankle protection, and trainers, which are popular but you must make sure that they’re hardwearing
enough to survive the year. Waterproof sandals are also good for day wear in hot climates and helpful in the
shower and the sea. What is important is that all footwear is properly worn in before you go.
It’s important that you keep valuables safe, and a money belt is vital. To make sure your luggage is safe, get
a padlock and chain which can be used to attach your backpack to your bed when you’re staying in a hostel
or to a travel rack in a train or bus.
And finally, don’t pack anything you can’t afford to lose, such as jewellery …. (fade...)

2
Listening - A student who has taken a gap year

Listen to this talk by a student who has taken a gap year (a year out between his school and university studies).

Then indicate whether each answer is true or false by putting a tick (✓) in the appropriate box.

You will hear the talk twice.

True False

(a) Ed has finished studying.

(b) Ed’s gap year lies between school and work.

(c) Gap year students always travel from place to place.

(d) The use of email keeps travellers and their families in contact.

(e) According to the speaker, everyone can have access to email anywhere in the world.

(f) People with an email address don’t need their own computer.

(g) Email addresses are always a secret.

(h) There is no difference between ‘internet cafes’ and ‘cybercafes’

(i) Ed used email to check his bank account.

(j) Ed’s mother became familiar with using email.

k) Email providers all charge for their services.

l) The time spent using email is charged to your telephone bill.

3
Listening - Simon’s gap year

You will hear a young man called Simon talking about the 'gap year' he took after finishing secondary school. For each
question choose the correct answer, A, B or C and put a tick (P) in the appropriate box.

1 Simon’s parents
A supported the idea of a gap year
B preferred him to continue his education
C wanted him to work until he retired

2 What was the main reason Simon wanted a gap year?

A to become independent
B to get away from his family
C to forget about his school days

3 What did Simon do in his last year of school?

A prepare for a change of lifestyle
B daydream instead of studying
C plan his gap year trip

4 What did Simon enjoy about working in France?

A He learnt to pick fruit
B He improved his language skills
C He became interested in Vietnam

5 When Simon got to Australia he

A Got a job in a zoo
B Had no money left
C Bought a pet

6 Simon ended his gap year

A Working as a waiter
B Travelling as a tourist
C In the USA and Brazil

7 How did his gap year effect Simon

A He was encouraged to diet
B He decided to follow a different career
C He wanted to go to university when he was older

4
Listening - Simon’s gap year

I decided I would take a gap year when I was in my last year of secondary school. My parents wanted me to go straight
to university - they were keen for me to get qualified and start on a career. But I didn't want that. I was only eighteen
and I knew that once I started my profession I'd be stuck there until I retired, when I'm 65 or even 70 - who knows what
the law will be by then?
I also felt I should get some experience of life, away from everything I'd ever known, you know, school and family. I
thought that if I learnt to stand on my own two feet, I'd be able to cope with university better and get more out of my time
there. I've heard that some students are so shocked by the changes in their lifestyle when they leave home that they
give up university after only a month or two. I didn't want to risk that happening to me. So, I borrowed lots of travel books
from the library and started to plan my special year. Whenever I got stressed with my school work I would look at the
programme I'd made and dream of all the countries I was going to see. It kept me going and really encouraged me to
work hard - it's good to have goals and aims in life, I think it gives you a purpose. Of course, all this would cost me
money, even if I stayed in the most basic of hotels and travelled by bus or train, not by plane, so I started to look for jobs
I could do on my way round the world, and that's how I finalised my tour - by going to the countries where I could get
employment.
I started off in September, after I'd got my exam results, and I went to pick fruit in France. Not very far and not very
unusual, you may think, but I had a fabulous time. I met loads of other gap year students and in just a month I brushed
up my French, which proved to be useful when I got to Vietnam later in the year. Then I moved on to Greece, where I
worked in a bar on an island, and then on to South Africa, where I got a job on a farm. That was amazing - I learnt so
much about working the land. And the animals I saw - ones I'd only ever seen in a zoo before. After that I travelled in
the Far East as a tourist, so by the time I reached Australia I was broke. As the language was no problem I easily found
two jobs, working as a waiter at night and dog-walking by day. When I left there, I missed my four- egged friends. I spent
the next three months in the United States and Brazil before coming home.
My friends were amazed at how I'd changed - I'd become more confident and I'd changed physically, much thinner. That
was because of all the hard work I'd done, and sometimes I had been too poor to buy much food! But it had been the
most amazing year of my life - and life-changing. During the year I'd grown to love animals so much I decided to give
up my plan to go to university and become a farmer. My parents were so upset at first, but now they can see I'm happier
than I've ever been. I'd recommend a gap year to anyone - you just never know how it'll turn out!

5
 Taking a gap year
Your head teacher has asked you to give a talk to a group of school leavers at a careers information evening. The topic
of the talk is 'Taking a gap year'. (A 'gap year' is a year between leaving school and going to college or university.) Using
information from the article, write a set of notes under the headings given, as a basis for your talk.

Note-Making: Taking a gap year.

After exams, going to university or getting your first job isn't the only adventure to go for. Robert Bates said
'yes' to a year out in another country. Here he talks about his experience
I was pleased with my exam results which secured me a place at university to study engineering. But I also
wanted to travel before starting my course. I thought carefully about the kind of trip to do just backpacking
around the globe didn't appeal. Then a friend of mine told me about organisations which help students take
a gap year
Raleigh International, for instance, has projects all over the world for 18- 25-
year-olds. You can do so many different things, from deer-trekking in
Uganda to rice-picking in China. I also heard about the Schools Exploring
Society. It has three foreign expeditions a year, taking 16-20- year-olds on
science and nature trips. I love being outdoors, and a mountaineering
expedition to Alaska was on offer. I decided this was my chance to see the
world and I signed up immediately.
There was one problem, though. To be allowed on the trip, I had to raise a large amount of money for my
fare and expenses. It was daunting, but I thought about how to meet the target. To help me focus on getting
temporary paid work, I listed my skills and personal qualities. In the end, I washed cars, worked in a cafe and
also sold off some of my old books, clothes and CDs. Actually, I only made the target six days before
departure. Then, just before I was due to go, I started worrying. Can I do this? Am I fit enough? What if I see
a bear?!
Seventy of us travelled to Alaska. The first two days after arrival were spent in a school hall preparing our
equipment and five tonnes of food. Then, in groups of 12, we headed for the Talkeetna mountains. They
were stunning. On the trip we dug paths, identified plant species and analysed soil acidity. It was tiring, but I
kept thinking 'I can't believe I'm here.' Then we trekked over a glacier 6000 feet high. It was hard work and
very cold, but incredible too.
After 13 years in the same school with the same friends, it was nerve-wracking but inspiring to be thousands
of miles away, talking to people with different ideas on life. I learned a lot about tolerance - accepting other
people for what they are. We had to help each other and it made me less selfish, as I had to consider other
people before myself.
Looking back, a gap year was so right for me. I’m sure I would have burnt out in my first year of university if
I'd gone straight from school with no break from studying. Instead of being distracted from my studies, my
gap year has made me more able to concentrate and better at analysing information. Now, whenever I'm
worried about anything, I think I did Alaska - I can do this!!

6
Organisation’s that offer a gap year help.
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Before trying to get work, it is useful to.

• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

How a gap year can develop your character?

• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

How a gap year can help you academically?

• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
• …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7
Article Writing – Taking a gap year.

Is a gap year between school and university a good idea, or is it a waste of time? Here are some comments
made by young people about the concept.
Here are two comments from your friends:

‘Gap year helps you grow up and

become more mature’. 'You don’t achieve anything in a gap year –
you just laze around.'

'If you travel in a gap year it's

'It's an opportunity to have a break from very expensive. I'd rather use the
studying and do something really money to help with my studies.
different.

Write an article for the school magazine giving your views.

Your article should be between 120 and 160 words.

The comments above may give you some ideas, but you are free to use any ideas of your own.

You will receive up to 6 marks for the content of your article, and up to 9 marks for the style and accuracy
of your language.