How can learning a new skill lead to success?
the students are probably working together, maybe learning a new skill /skɪl/ (kỹ
năng). Learning new skills is important because the world is always changing
/ˈʧeɪndʒɪŋ/ (thay đổi). For example, technology /tekˈnɒlədʒi/ (công nghệ) develops
quickly, and people who know coding /ˈkəʊdɪŋ/ (lập trình) or data analysis /ˈdeɪtə ə
ˈnæləsɪs/ (phân tích dữ liệu) will have more opportunities.
Even soft skills /sɒft skɪlz/ (kỹ năng mềm), like communication /kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃn/
(giao tiếp) or teamwork /ˈtiːmwɜːk/ (làm việc nhóm), are useful for success. By
learning new skills, students can become more confident /ˈkɒnfɪdənt/ (tự tin), more
flexible /ˈfleksəbl/ (linh hoạt), and ready for future challenges.
13.What is an example of a non-traditional path to success?
An example of a non-traditional path is someone who travels abroad instead of going
to university. Traveling gives cultural knowledge /ˈnɒlɪdʒ/ (kiến thức), language
skills /ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ skɪlz/ (kỹ năng ngôn ngữ), and independence /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ (tính
tự lập).
Another example is a person who learns coding /ˈkəʊdɪŋ/ (lập trình) online and
becomes a software developer without a degree. These different experiences /ɪk
ˈspɪəriənsɪz/ (trải nghiệm) give workers new perspectives /pəˈspektɪvz/ (góc nhìn),
and they may create innovative /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ (sáng tạo) solutions. That’s why Marcus
thinks non-traditional paths can be valuable.
12. The most important step on the traditional path
The traditional path has many steps: studying hard, getting a degree, gaining work
experience /ɪkˈspɪəriəns/ (kinh nghiệm), finding an entry-level job, and moving up.
For me, the most important step is work experience. Studying and getting a degree
are useful, but real experience teaches skills that school cannot.
For example, when working in a company, you learn how to solve problems /sɒlv
ˈprɒbləmz/ (giải quyết vấn đề), communicate /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/ (giao tiếp), and manage
time /ˈmænɪdʒ taɪm/ (quản lý thời gian). Employers value experience because it
proves that you can apply your knowledge in practice. That’s why I think work
experience is the key step on the road to success.
13. Which model of climbing the ladder best matches your personality? Do you
think this method would work well in your current or future career?
For me, the model of changing companies /ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ ˈkʌmpəniz/ (chuyển đổi công
ty) best matches my personality /ˌpɜːsəˈnæləti/ (tính cách). I enjoy trying new things,
meeting new people, and learning from different experiences. I believe this method
would work well in my future career, because the job market today changes very
quickly. For example, in fields like technology /tekˈnɒlədʒi/ (công nghệ) or
business /ˈbɪznəs/ (kinh doanh), people often switch companies to gain new skills or
work on exciting projects.
However, I also value stability /stəˈbɪləti/ (sự ổn định), so I would not change jobs
too often. My plan is to use the first years of my career to explore different companies
and then choose one company where I can stay longer and grow. I think this balance
fits my personality and career goals.
14. What are some careers that would work well in each model? Give specific
reasons for your choices.
I think some careers work better with the traditional model /trəˈdɪʃənl ˈmɒdl/ (mô
hình truyền thống), while others fit the non-traditional one.
For example, careers like law /lɔː/ (luật), medicine /ˈmedsn/ (y học), or education
/ˌedjuˈkeɪʃn/ (giáo dục) work well with the traditional model. In these jobs, staying in
one company or institution for many years allows people to build trust and gain deep
knowledge. For instance, a doctor who stays in one hospital can develop strong
relationships with patients and colleagues.
On the other hand, careers in technology, marketing, or design are more suitable for
the model of changing companies. These industries change rapidly, so moving around
helps workers learn new skills, stay creative, and earn better salaries. For example, a
software engineer might switch jobs every few years to work with the newest tools
and technologies.
In conclusion, each model has its advantages, and the best choice depends on the type
of career and personal goals.
15. What are some reasons why a student might want to take a year off from
school? Discuss with a partner.”
I think there are several reasons why a student might want to take a year off /jɪə(r) ɒf/
(một năm nghỉ) from school before going to college.
First, many students feel stressed /strest/ (căng thẳng) or burned out /bɜːnd aʊt/ (kiệt
sức) after years of studying. Taking a gap year gives them time to rest /rest/ (nghỉ
ngơi), relax /rɪˈlæks/ (thư giãn), and prepare mentally /prɪˈpeə ˈmentəli/ (chuẩn bị
tinh thần) for higher education.
Second, a gap year can provide valuable experiences /ˈvæljuəbl ɪkˈspɪəriənsɪz/ (trải
nghiệm quý giá). For example, students can travel abroad, do volunteer work /ˌvɒlən
ˈtɪə wɜːk/ (làm tình nguyện), or work part-time to learn about responsibility. These
experiences help them become more independent /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/ (tự lập) and mature.
Third, some students may use this time to learn practical skills /ˈpræktɪkl skɪlz/ (kỹ
năng thực tế), such as learning a language, computer programming, or public
speaking. These skills can be very useful when they start college or look for jobs later.
In my opinion, taking a year off is a good idea if students plan it carefully. Without a
plan, they may waste time, but with clear goals, a gap year can be a chance for
personal growth and preparation for success in the future.
