Real-Life English Unit 15: Further Education - Enhance Career Skills for Success

Learning English is not only about mastering grammar and vocabulary, but more importantly, being able to use it naturally in real-life scenarios. However, sentences in textbooks are often too formal and differ significantly from everyday expressions. To speak authentic, natural English, you need to expose yourself to dialogues in real-life contexts. In this article, we have selected frequently used English expressions from daily life, covering socializing, work, travel, and more, to help you get rid of 'textbook English' and learn the phrases that native speakers actually use. Here’s the content from this issue of Real-Life English Unit 15: Further Education. Keep practicing to make your English more life-like! Unit 15: Further Education Part One: Expressions 1. I’m calling about your continuing education program. 2. I want to become certified in secondary education. 3. Do you offer any night courses? 4. How do I sign up? 5. Tell me about it. 6. I’m learning how to speak Russian. 7. The job market is so competitive nowadays. 8. I want to develop some useful skills. 9. I really admire you. 10. I got laid off. Part Two: Dialogues 1. Continuing education program A: Hello, this is the admissions office. Can I help you? B: Hi. I’m calling about your continuing education program. A: What would you like to know? B: I want to become certified in computer programming. Do you offer any part-time courses for adult further education? A: Yes, we offer both night and weekend courses in a number of different subjects. B: How do I sign up? A: If you give me your address, I can mail you an information packet and the application forms. B: Great! A: 你好，这里是招生办公室，有什么可以为你效劳？ B: 你好，我打电话来询问你们学校继续教育课程的有关情况。 A: 你想了解什么情况呢？ B: 我想获得电脑编程方面的证书。你们有开设成年继续教育的业余课程吗？ A: 有，我们开设夜课和周末课程，分很多不同的科目。 B: 如何报名呢？ A: 把你的地址给我，我会把相关信息和申请表邮寄给你。 B: 太好了。 2. Night class A: Where are you going? B: It’s Tuesday today. I always go to my class on Tuesday night. A: I didn’t know you were taking any kind of class. Tell me about it. B: Well, I’m learning how to use math in the business environment. A: What for? B: The job market is so competitive nowadays. I want to develop some useful skills. A: I really admire you for that. How is it going? B: It’s going all right. I’m learning some things for the first time, but I’m also brushing up on some things that I already know. A: 你去哪里？ B: 今天是星期二。我星期二晚上通常要去上课。 A: 我可没听说你要上什么课。跟我说说。 B: 哦，我在学习如何在商务中应用到数学。 A: 学这个有什么用呢？ B: 现在人才市场竞争激烈。我想拓展一些有用的技能。 A: 真是佩服你。（课）进展如何？ B: 一切顺利。我在学习一些新东西。同时也在温习一些已经学过的知识技能。 3. Laid off A: What’s wrong? B: I got laid off today. A: Oh no! That’s terrible! B: Yeah. A: What happened? B: My boss said I didn’t have enough skills to do the job well. A: What are you going to do? B: I’m going to start taking classes at the local community college to try to improve my skills. Then I’ll start looking for a new position. A: 出什么事了？ B: 我今天下岗了。 A: 哦，天。真是糟糕。 B: 是呀。 A: 怎么会这样？ B: 我的老板说我不具备足够的技能做好我的工作。 A: 那你打算怎么办？ B: 我打算在本地的社区大学学习，以此来提高自己的技能。然后我会开始找一份新的工作。 Part Three: Substitutions Drills 1. A: Can I help you? B: Yes, I’m calling about the (continuing skills/ adult education/ summer school) program. 2. A: Why do you want to take these courses? B: I want to become certified in (computer programming/ first aid/ child education). 3. A: Do you offer any (night/ part-time/ weekend) courses? B: Yes, we do. 4. A: Tell me about (it/ your courses/ your plans). B: Where should I start? 5. A: What are you learning? B: I’m learning how to (use computer/ speak Russian/ type more quickly). 6. A: I’m brushing up on (my skills/ that subject/ my Russian). B: That’s nice. 7. A: I want to develop some (practical/ useful/ advanced) skills. B: That’s great. It will help you in your career. 8. A: I really admire you for your (hard work/ knowledge/ dedication). B: Oh, it’s nothing. 9. A: I got laid off. B: That’s (terrible/ disappointing/ a real shame). 10. A: I don’t have enough (skills/ experience/ qualifications). B: You should consider some kind of further education for improvement. Part Four: Monologue “Nowadays the job market is more competitive than ever. Many people are searching for jobs and every one of them is hoping for the best job possible. Therefore, to some people the process of applying for a job can be nerve-wracking and incredibly difficult. In order to stand apart from the other applicants during the process, one must make oneself noticeable. Employers see great value in the skills that a potential employee might bring – and the more skills, the more valuable the applicant. It is also helpful to dazzle them with one’s dedication and desire for self-improvement. In this competitive world, every little bit counts.” Part Five: Vocabulary and Phrases -- continue? 继续，持续；延伸 -- offer 给予，提供；拿出 -- learn how to 学习如何… -- competitive 竞争的；经由竞争的，竞争性的 -- develop? 使成长；使发达；发展 -- admire 钦佩；欣赏 -- laid off 被解雇 -- consider? 考虑，细想 -- search for寻找