Education and Work of Teenagers
The Problems of Teenagers
It is said that the most beautiful period in the life is when you are teenagers.
It seems that teenagers have no problems as they do not have to work, care about their families. They don't think what to eat and where to live. And they are too young to see onlybad sides of life.
But still they have a lot of problems. The first problem is school. Young people have to learn a lot.Of course, it's very important, but it's not possible to learn all the time, especially if every teacher considers his subject as the most important one. After school they come home and have to do homework again. Teachers and parents think that doing homework develops a pupils' ability to work without assistance and to prepare for a high, school education more successfully. But many teenagers think that homework in some subjects is totally unnecessary, and they don't have time for developing their personal interests, like playing computer games, listening to the music, etc.
Another problem of teenagers, is their parents, they don't understand the problems of young people. It is the so-called generation gap. Generation gap is .the difference in ideas, feelings and interests between older and younger people, it's lack of understanding. Parents forget what they did when they were young. They give advice young people too often and they treat teenagers as they are still in a nappy. Sometimes parents and children-don't talk to each other, do not share their problems do not express their expectations and feelings. And that's the main reason of the conflicts in the families. Parents think that their problems such as work, family life, etc. more important and serious than those, which their children have. Teenagers look for their own identity and life goals. They are busy with themselves. Then the generation gap becomes wider and wider.
Another thing that is very important for teenagers is to be accepted by their friends. They try to wear strange things which are fashionable among young people. They speak in a way which is accepted among the teenagers. But it's difficult for the parents and teachers to understand this style. As for me, I also have some of these problems. For example, my parents don't understand the music I love. They disapprove some of my clothes and jewellery. They also want me to be more careful and attentive with my homework;
When we have one of these situations my parents and I try to make a compromise. For example, they don't object me to listen to the music I love, but I switch it on not very loud, When I go for a walk with my friends 1 always wear clothes and jewellery I like. But when we visit museums and theatres I try to put a proper clothes on. As for my homework they trust and rely on me in many cases. Ithink if both generations cooperate, living together will be easier and more pleasant.
|
|
|
Topical Vocabulary
teenager – подросток
to consider- считать, полагать
to develop - развивать
ability - способность
assistance – помощь
successfully - успешно
the so-called, - так называемый
generation gap – конфликт поколений
to give advice – давать совет
nappy- пеленки
reason- причина
identity- личность, индивидуальность
to accept- принимать
to disapprove- не одобрять
jewellery - драгоценности
to make a compromise – идти на компромисс
proper – подходящий, соответствующий
to rely on- полагаться
to cooperate- сотрудничать
lack- отсутствовать
demand- требовать
The Probfems of Teenagers
Teenagers are young people of between thirteen and nineteen years old. They say, it's the most beautiful period of life as young people usually experience their first great love and they have many friends. They don't have to work and take care of their families. And they are sure they will have a long and happy life. But at the same time it is the most difficult period, as teenagers have many problems at school and at home.
The first problem is school. The last year at school is especially very difficult. Young people learn a lot not only at school, but they also attend different kinds of courses, which will help them to enter colleges and universities. They spend much time to prepare their school homework and to do different assignments for the courses. They don't have much time for fun and entertainment, as usually every teacher considers his subject as the most important one.
|
|
|
Another problem is a generation gap. It is misunderstanding and difference in views, feelings and interests between younger and older people. It is the eternal problem. Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with the present. They always talk about "The good old days". The young, on the other hand usually think that their times are the best. Young people look at the . world with fresh eyes. Everything is new, interesting for them, they have no responsibilities and sometimes they can't solve their everyday problems. But they want to be treated like adults. And adults do not want to accept this point of view and act sometimes like dictators, choosing clothes, books, even friends for their children. Adults grumble about what teenagers do and what they wear. But they have their own fashion, which parents and teachers very often criticize. Teenagers always try very hard to be accepted by their friends. They want to be "one of them". That's why they follow their special teenager's style in clothes, speech, behaviour. They pay much attention to their appearance. Zits, bad hair, gaining weight- all these things are very serious problems for teenagers.
At these ages young people wanted to be liked and, to have friends. Those who make fun of others or laugh if someone makes a mistake can't be the best friend. .But those who share things with friends and give them help when in need make others like them. And it's good for a teenager to know that his friend always keeps promises and tries to do his best if it's necessary for him. Another thing about teenagers is their first love. There is no right age to begin dating. Dating may begin as young as 13-14 years old, but becomes common around 16-18. Teenagers generally date people of they own age, though girls sometimes date boys two or three years older than they are. They may go out with one person one week and someone else the next one. Young people may date several friends at the same time. They go to parties, cinema, dances together. And they are very proud of having a girl or a boyfriend. Dating is not very expensive, but still they should have some money to go to the cinema, disco, to have a cup of coffee, etc. Some teenagers ask their parents for money, others try to earn themselves, doing, different kinds of work two or three times a week.
|
|
|
Love is such a wonderful feeling, especially the first love. It can make you the happiest person in the world. But sometimes it can bring you real sufferings. Teenagers can get upset or depressed very much. That's why it's so important to help teenagers and not to leave them alone in such a situation.
Unfortunately, nowadays we have very serious problems for the young people such as violence, AIDS, drugs and alcohol. A lot of teenagers who have drug or alcohol addiction almost never believe that they are dependent. These things are often combined with family and school problems.
No doubts, that the teenager's problems will increase. And it is necessary for adults to find a mutual language with young people and help them in such a beautiful and not so simple life'.
Topical Vocabulary
to experience - испытывать
assignment - задание
fun - веселье
entertainment - развлечение
eternal - вечный
to compare - сравнивать
The good old days – старые добрые времена
responsibility - ответственность
to solve - решать
to treat like adults – общаться как со взрослыми
dictator - диктатор
to grumble - ворчать
fashion - мода
to criticize - критиковать
to accept -принимать
behaviour - поведение
appearance - внешность
zit -прыщ
to gain weight – набрать вес (поправиться)
to keep promises- держать обещания
to do one's best – сделать всевозможное
to date – назначать свидание
expensive – дорого
Leisure Time of Teenagers
|
|
|
Being a teenager is both interesting and dangerous. As there is a great variety of temptations, presented by our technological civilization.
Many young people have their hobbies, special, interests, responsibilities. All these things help them to use their creative energy and to realize their ambitions.
However some young people are not motivated for studying or just working. They look for the easiest ways of enjoying their lives and escaping from reality, which demands some concrete efforts in building the career, supporting the family or routine surviving. They start smoking, drinking and even taking drugs. They gather together doing nothing. They hang out in the streets, on the attics or where not. The most terrible thing is when a teenager becomes a drug addict. Most often such groups of youth are involved into different crime affairs. They are always under the threat of death because of overdosing and AIDS, This problem is a very serious at present.
To prevent it the social authorities should do their best in organizing the leisure time of teenagers. And the first steps are expected to be made by the family.
Any youngster wants to be entertained. He considers life to be an everlasting holiday. According to the social survey, conducted among the young people of some countries, the actual priorities are as follows: TV comes first, followed by Internet, films, listening to records, radio, going to disco, dancing, reading. Then come concerts, museums, amateur arts and finally theatres.
Besides there exists a growing gap between two strata of youngsters: the first is - those who prefer easy pastime (TV shows, soap-operas, detectives, comics, discos and clubs); the second group is - creators. They are eager to realize themselves in anykind of human activities (computing, sports, amateur arts, design, writing, even in communicated on Internet and so on).
The latter group is more interesting and perspective in my opinion. I realize myself as a reader. Once it was said like that: the only reason for life to exist is being described in a book. It's true, to my mind. Sometimes I am not sure that the humanity deserves the Earth: 1 mean - wars, violence of different types, environmental pollution... In fact they are the ways of a suicide.
During our history we have been creating a myth about ourselves. And that is reflected in books. I'm afraid soon only in books we'll be able to read about great passions, great adventures and great characters, as nowadays people are busy with one thing- making money.
Topical Vocabulary
variety of temptation- разнообразные соблазны
to escape from reality- убежать от реальности
to take drugs- принимать наркотики
drug addict- наркоман
AIDS- спид
social survey- социологическое исследование
strata, stratum- страта; (зд.) слои, слой общества
pastime- приятное времяпрепровождение, развлечение
soup-operas- мыльная опера
use the creative energy- использовать творческую энергию
demand efforts- требовать усилий
hang out- болтаться, околачиваться
be involved into- быть втянутым в
prevent- предотвратить
to be entertained- быть развлекаемым
actual priority[prai'ɔriti]- актуальные приоритеты
an everlasting holiday- нескончаемые каникулы
Teenagers' Rights
Everyone has rights in a modern society including teenagers. To protect children's rights the United Nations has worked out an international agreement called the United Nations Convention on the Rights 'of the Child, It sets out a number of statements called articles, the rights that all children and young people up to the age of 18 should have. First of all the Convention proclaims the right to non-discrimination. It means that all children should have rights whatever their race, sex, religion, language, disability opinion or family background.
Article 6 says that children have the right to life. It means that they, should have a chance to live in a safe and unpolluted environment with good food and clean drinking water.
They also' have the right to name and nationality at birth. So all children must get a name when they are born and become a citizen of a particular country.
The Convention proclaims the right to protection. The government should protect children from harm, cruelty, abuse and drugs. This right also means that the government must protect children from exploitation and dangerous work, which can harm their health or interfere with the education-Very important right is the right to education and development. Every child can go to school and different kinds of secondary schools should be available for children. School should help children develop their skills, teach them about their own and people's rights and prepare for adult life.
Article 24 says that children have the right to health .and health care. It means that the government must give children good medical care and try to reduce the number of deaths in childhood.
There is a very important article about disabled children. They have the right to take full and active pait in everyday life. So children with disabilities must be helped to be as independent as possible.
According to the Convention children have the right to privacy. Nobody can open children's letter and listen to their phone calls. They also have the right to information, especially the information that would make their life better.
Children have the right to express their views and the right to meet other people. That means that they can say what they think. Children can join organizations, take part in meetings and peaceful demonstrations which do not affect other people's rights. And, of course, children have the right to leisure. Every child should have a chance to rest and play.
All these rights should apply to young people everywhere whether they live in rich or poor countries.
Russia joined the UN Convention in 1989 and worked out some documents with age limits for some activities for Russian children. For example, at fourteen they get their passports. The law also makes teenagers fully responsible for their criminal actions. They can be sent to a special prison for young people. At sixteen they can see a category-16 film at the cinema. They can ride a motorbike. At eighteen teenagers can get a license to drive a car, buy cigarettes and alcohol, etc. They join the army (boys), vote on elections, manage a property, etc.
I think that Convention is great and gives children more rights. For the first time children have a document with which to work together on their problems.
UNO (the United Nations Organization)- ООН
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child-Конвенция ООН по правам ребенка
work out- разрабатывать
statement-утверждение
proclaim-провозглашать
whatever- несмотря на
disability- нетрудоспособность
family background- социальный статус семьи
particular- определенный
harm- вред
cruelty- жестокость
abuse- оскорбление, плохое обращение
reduce the number of deaths- сокращать смертность
Youth Subculture
Subculture is the behaviour beliefs and customs of a particular group of people within a society. Often it is a group whose behaviour is disapproved of by most people and whose interests different from those of the mainstream culture.
Young people have a particular relationship with the world. A particular cultural grouping is a way for young people to express their individuality- There are many different groups, for example rocker, mod, punk, hacker, raver, skinhead, biker, goth, hippie, etc.
Rocker is a young person following a fashion for leather jacket, army boots, and motorcycle . These people are associated with something rebellious. Mod is a member of a group of young people who developed their own style different from others. They usually have neat white shirts, shorts jackets and narrow trousers. Their faces are pale with plenty of make up. They drive motor scooters (light motorcycles) and often have fights with rockers, especially in seaside towns on Bank Holidays. They also like soul music. It's popular modern black American music, derived from gospel, blues and jazz. It expresses strong emotions.
Punk is a young person who follows punk styles in music, dress, etc. These people are oppose to the values of money-based society and they express their protest in loud violent music - punk-rock. They, dress in a shocking way, they wear metal chains and have brightly coloured hair. They reject everything.
Hacker is a person who is able to use or change the information in other people's computer systems without their knowledge or permission. Hackers are the wizards of the computer community. They have deep understanding of how their computers work and can do things with them that seem "magical".
Raver is a person who leads an exciting life of social and sexual freedom. Computer-made synthesized music and all-night dancing are typical for them.
Skinhead is a young person, usually male, with hair that is shaved off or cut very short. They often wear tight trousers, heavy boots, and an earring in one ear. The majority of them are working class, patriotic, football fans. They are very interested in politics. They are often regarded as violent and aggressive.
Goth is a person who wears very black clothes with a lot of silver jewellery. These people have dark black hair. They look as thin and pale as possible. The members of this group talk about being vampires and about the end of the world.
Hippies are types of people dress in unusual clothes. They have long hair (both men and women) live in groups together, they take drugs. Many of them are rock'n'roll fans. Their behaviour is differ from social norms. But they always want to change the world to the best. Hippies believed in peace and one of their sayings is "Everything that brings people together is good, everything that draws them apan is evil. Love is the most powerful thing that brings people together. Make love, not war".
So a!! of these groups exist, as society can't suggest anything really worth for teens. That's why they are rebellious. Teens don't think much about their future life. They want to live now. Being in a group is like living a real life for them. A subculture is not a fan club for teens, it's a way of life and expression of their individuality.
Topical Vocabulary
behavior [bi΄heivjə ]- поведение
rebellious[ri΄beljəs]- жестокий
be associated [ə΄səuʃieted]-ассоциироваться
mainstream culture-общепринятая культура
wear-носить(одежду)
have fights- иметь драки
follow- следовать
reject[ri΄dʒekt]- отвергать
lead a lifestyle- вести образ жизни
violent [vaiələnt]- жестокий
differ from social norms- отличаться от социальных норм
1. To express themselves/myself
2. To express their/ my own identity
3. To develop their/my own style distinct from others
4. To show off
5. To identity with a particular subculture
6. To know who they are
7. To support a … attitude and lifestyle
8. To change the world to the best
9. To try out all sort of options
10. To protest against the parents
11. To rebel against the society/ the older generation
12. To show a rebellion against the regime/society
13. To reject everything
14. (Not) to society’s standards
15. To be in a collective
16. To differ from social norms
17. To be designed to shock
18. To have their/ my own values and beliefs
Education and Work of Teenagers
When you are teenagers, it's hard to say that you have much free time during the school year. There is always something to learn. All teenagers as well as other children attend school.
Education in Russia is compulsory up to the 9th form inclusive. After finishing the 9th form one can go on to a vocational school which offers programmes of academic subjects and a programme of training in a technical field or a profession. They can also enter technical schools or colleges.
If a pupil of a secondary school wishes to go on in higher education, he or she must stay at school for two more years. After finishing 11 th form of a secondary school, a lyceum or a gymnasium one can go on in higher education. All applicants must take competitive examinations. And it's one of the problems for them. They have very hard and nervous time. Sometimes there are 3, 4, 5 times applicants Tore than the university can admit.
Higher education institutions (institutes and universities) offer a fiye-year programme of academic subjects. All secondary schools, institutes and universities until recently have been funded by the state. Now there is quite a number of private secondary schools, some universities have fee-paying departments. Not all the teenagers can afford it. American teenagers also attend school. But the USA doesn't have a national system of education. All educational matters are left to individual states. 50 states are free to determine their own system for their' own public school. There are two major types o! school in the USA - public and private or fee- paying. Secondary education is provided from the age of 11-12 years. Junior high school is from ages 11-12 up to 14-15 years. A senior high school is for teenagers from 14-15 up to 17 -18 years. High school graduates continue their education at universities. University education is not free and you must pay tuition fees. Usually there are no entrance examinations for candidates to a university, but the well-known universities such as Harvard, for example, have very strict requirements for admission.
Many of the Russian and American teenagers are very busy with their studies, as they know that ,good exam results may get them better jobs. But most young people worry more and more about money as well. Many teenagers want to pay for their education themselves or help their parents in it. They also need pocket money to go to the coffee bars, discos, cinemas to wear teenage fashion clothes, etc. For many young people life is harder now. Things are so expensive and it's difficult to find a job for a teenager. Though last years part-time jobs became very popular not only among American teenagers but Russian young people as well. The most popular jobs for teenagers are washing cars, babysitting, delivering newspapers, work in McDonalds, etc. In many places, for example in McDonalds, you must have an interview. And it's very important to get to the interview on time, speak slowly and clearly, show interest for a job you want to get, be polite and, of course, wear clothes suitable for the job. Such behaviour can help to sell yourself in a job.
Some teenagers also do Saturday jobs, for example, they can work in a shop. Most young people try to save a part of money. They want to be independent from their parents. Some of them dream about their own homes, though it's rather expensive and difficult to find a place to live. Another problem of the teenagers is free time, as they want not only to study and work, but enjoy themselves. It is nice to have free time, but only if it comes after some hard work. Only then we can appreciate what free time is. If you had only free time it would be very boring.
I think it's not so easy being a teenager as there are so many problems around you. But at the same time it's great fun. Life is amazing and you are here to prove it.
Topical Vocabulary
compulsory - обязательный
inclusive - включительно
vocational school – профессиональное училище
academic subject – академический предмет
programme of training in – программы подготовки по какому-нибудь предмету
secondary school – средняя школа
higher education – высшее образование
lyceum - лицей
applicant - (зд.) абитуриент, соискатель
competitive examinations –конкурсные экзамены
higher education institution - вуз
to be funded by the state – финансироваться государством
fee-paying – платный
national system of education – национальная система образования…
educational matters – вопросы образования
junior high school – средние классы (первая ступень средней школы)
senior high school- старшие классы (вторая ступень средней школы)
graduate - выпускник
tuition fee – установленная такса за обучение
requirements for admission – требовать при поступлении
studies - учеба
pocket money – деньги на карманные расходы
independent - независимый
amazing- удивительный, восхитительный
Дата добавления: 2022-07-16; просмотров: 33; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!