Welcome back!

BY ANNA CARUK

Warm up!
How do you feel about returning to school after the summer break?
Why do you think you feel this way?

Excited, nervous, happy, sad, curious, confident, overwhelmed,

indifferent, motivated, apprehensive, eager, reluctant, enthusiastic,
anxious, optimistic, cautious, inspired, prepared, unsettled, hopeful.

Ex.1
Make a list of good and bad things about returning to school after the
summer break.

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

 Ex.2
Compare the pictures.

Ex.3
Look at the list of personal and academic goals below. Select six goals,
three personal and three academic, that you would like to focus on for
this school year. Explain your choices.

Personal Goals: Academic Goals:

1. Be better at managing time. 1. Try to get higher grades in some subjects.

2. Do homework regularly.
3. Keep my school stuff organized.
4. Listen more carefully in class.
5. Talk more during class discussions.
6. Get better at speaking in front of others.
7. Feel more confident about myself.
8. Make friends with my classmates.
9. Have a good balance between school and
free time.
10. Play a sport or exercise regularly.
11. Not give up when things are tough.
12. Learn how to handle stress.
13. Make new friends.
14. Help others by volunteering.
15. Get better at talking with others.
16. Solve problems with friends nicely.
17. Be kind and caring to others.
18. Spend time doing things I enjoy.
19. Learn more about using computers safely.
20. Think carefully when solving problems.
2. Go to school every day and be on time.
3. Finish my schoolwork when it's due.
4. Understand what I read better.
5. Write better, including spelling and words.
6. Be good at math or another subject.
7. Take better notes in class.
8. Ask for help if I need it.
9. Study well for tests and quizzes.
10. Read more books or articles.
11. Do science or research projects.
12. Help lead school clubs or groups.
13. Take harder classes if I can.
14. Get better at using computers.
15. Learn by going to workshops or events.
16. Create projects for school.
17. Try to win awards at school.
18. Study a little bit each day or week.
19. Talk to my teachers if I need help.
20. Plan for school in the future.

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

 Ex.4
What are some things that could make the school year more enjoyable
for you? Choose 3 tips from the list below. Then say how they could
help you (and other students).

1. Set a Routine: Create a daily routine that includes time for schoolwork, relaxation, and
hobbies.
2. Plan Fun Breaks: During breaks, do something you enjoy, like drawing, reading, or playing a
quick game.
3. Stay Active: Incorporate short bursts of physical activity into your day, like a quick dance or
stretching break.
4. Stay Organized: Use a simple calendar or planner to keep track of assignments and
important dates.
5. Celebrate Achievements: Reward yourself for completing tasks or achieving goals, even
small ones.
6. Enjoy Snacks: Bring healthy and tasty snacks to school to keep your energy up during the
day.
7. Make Friends: Try to talk to new people and make friends. School can be more enjoyable
with friends.
8. Explore Interests: Set aside time to explore your hobbies and interests outside of school.
9. Stay Curious: Ask questions and learn new things, even beyond what's taught in class.
10. Share with Family: Share your school experiences with your family; they can offer support
and encouragement.
11. Get Enough Sleep: Make sure to get a good night's sleep to feel rested and ready for school.
12. Be Kind: Treat others with kindness and respect; it can make your school days more
pleasant.
13. Ask for Help: Don't be afraid to ask for help from teachers or family when you need it.
14. Enjoy Simple Moments: Appreciate small, everyday moments that bring you joy.
15. Plan Fun Weekends: Look forward to enjoyable activities or outings on weekends.

Ex.5
Which school would you prefer to go to? Why?

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023

 Ex.6
Watch the video. Fill in the gaps with the words you hear.

This is why Asians are smarter than you. These Chinese students begin their day at
(1)................... and immediately start studying. After a 3-hour morning review session,
the whole school is forced to (2)................... to stimulate their brains. Then students
go back to studying, which includes classes, practice (3)..................., and self-reviews,
until they finally get a 30-minute lunch (4).................... Luckily, lunch is a healthy meal
provided by the school. Afterwards, everyone must take a mandatory afternoon
(5).................... Then it's back to studying for (6)................... more hours. You tired
yet? Thankfully, students get a slightly longer dinner break of 1 hour. But soon, it's
time for (7)................... class. They study for 2 more hours until they can finally sleep.
These students live at the school from Monday to (8)................... and only get a day to
see their parents. In total, they study for 10 hours per day, 6 days per week. So…

Discuss:

1. The students in the video take a mandatory afternoon nap. What

do you think about this idea? Would you like to have a nap during
school?
2. How long is the students' school day in the video? Do you think it's
a long day for them?
3. Would you like to attend a school like the one in the video? Why or
why not?
4. What can we learn from the video about different school routines
around the world?

Ⓒ by Anna Caruk 2023