Session 1

 

 

Let’s Have a Talk!

 

1. How did you feel when you turned 20?

2. I somehow feel a bit down whenever it rains. Do you ever feel the same thing?

3. Do you like reading? If so, do you have any suggestions?

4. What’s your favorite day of the week?

 

 

Are Today’s High School Students Prepared?

 

Students from across the United States are preparing to finish their high school education in the

coming weeks. Most of the students will graduate. Others will not.

 

Education experts say some of the graduates will receive a degree even though they did not complete

all school requirements. Some school officials have been found to violate graduation policies in an

effort to increase graduation rates.

 

In January, an audit discovered that about 34 percent of Washington D.C. public school students who graduated in 2017 had not met the district’s graduation requirements. The audit said that students

passed classes at most D.C. high schools even if they had violated attendance policies and missed the

majority of classwork.

 

The audit said teachers and school leaders felt pressure from officials to pass as many students as

possible. It said the city had created a culture of breaking the rules to help struggling students get

through the system.

 

The findings forced officials to admit the system had major problems. Education expert Mark Dynarski

says the major problem that results is some students graduate without the skills they need for college

or employment.

 

Studies have also shown that such students have a much higher college dropout rate if they do go on

to further study. Dynarski says graduating unprepared students just to reach a set target also harms

the economy and society as a whole.

 

 

1. Did you go to a co-ed high school or an all-girls/boys high school? Which do you think is better?

2. What subject did you like/dislike the most when you were in high school?

3. In your opinion, do high schools in Korea prepare students for college better than Hagwon?

4. Do you still hang out with your friends from high school? If you do, how often?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session 2

 

 

Let’s Have a Talk!

 

1. They are having the festival at PNU next week. Are you thrilled?

2. Who’s your favorite singer these days? What’s your go-to song?

3. Are you more like a coffee person or a tea person?

4. What was your dream job when you were little?

 

 

How Do People Spend Their Lottery Winnings?

 

The largest U.S. lottery prize ever offered – $1.56 billion – was paid out to three winners in January

2016. Of course, the federal government takes a share of lottery winnings – almost 40 percent in taxes.

And state governments may also take around 8 percent. But what do lottery winners do with the money

they get to keep? Here’s what happened to some of them, according to a study from the website

PopSugar.com.

 

First, the good stories: One married couple from Canada won $11.2 million and gave most of it away

to charitable groups after making gifts to family members. A school teacher won $111 million in a

Powerball game over 20 years ago. He started a summer camp for children. A couple from Scotland

won about $250 million five years ago. They set up a financial program and made gifts to artists, sick

children, and people in need in their community.

 

Now, the not-so-good examples: A couple in England won a prize worth almost $3 million. They

bought a new home, some expensive cars, went on trips and spent more money. Arguments and bad

investments led to debt and a break-up. Other lottery winners burned through their money, avoided

taxes and gave away more money than they had.

 

According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, around 70% of lottery winners who

suddenly receive a large amount of money lose it within a few years. Often, the hardest decision for

lottery winners is whether to go public or remain anonymous.

 

 

1. Do you often buy lottery tickets? If so, have you ever won any money? If not, why not?

2. If you won a big jackpot, would you take a lump sum or monthly installments?

3. What is the luckiest thing that ever happened to you?

4. If you won a 1.5 billion won lottery, what would you do?