Lesson D

Communication and Cultural Awareness

University Life in the United States

Culture
In some cultures, like the
United States, when you
turn 18 years old, there is
a lot of pressure from society
to be independent. You start
working and find your

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own apartment or go away
from home to live and study
on a university campus.

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What do you think about this?

When you are 18 years old in the United States, you are considered
a legal adult. This means that for many people, it is time to move out
Discuss the following
of their parents’ house. In most cases, young adults go to the university.
questions in small groups.
This university campus can be an hour away from your home, or several
• Do you think you would hours away across the country in another state. No matter where it is,
be comfortable living far it is the first time that young people live on their own.
away from your family
to study at the university At most university campuses across the United States, there are
like many students do
dormitories, or dorms, where students can live. These are large
in the U.S.? Explain.
buildings that can have several floors and include many rooms. Usually
• How do you think U.S. rooms are shared between two students. They have two beds and two
university life is similar desks, but no bathroom. Most of the time one bathroom is shared
to university life in your
country? How do you
by many rooms. There are cafeterias in these buildings that serve all
think it is different? types of food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Student housing can be
very expensive, costing thousands of dollars per semester, unless you
• If you were given the have financial assistance from the government or private scholarships.
opportunity, do you think
you would like to study The university years in the United States, like in many countries
in the United States?
Why or why not?
of the world, require a lot of hard work, but there is also time for
fun. There are several clubs and organizations that students can join,
including sports, arts, and theater groups. There are also cultural events.
Some say that they are the best years of your life!

Fill in the blanks with 1-3 words to complete the sentences

according to the reading.

• You are considered a legal adult in the U.S. when you

• When you go to the university in the U.S., it is usually the first time

that you live

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• The places where students live are called

• Dorm rooms usually have two and two

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• Unless you have financial aid, student housing is very

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 Oral Communication
1. Listen to these two students talking about personalities
and complete the form below.

Myers – Briggs Personality Test

Created by:

You take a and get results.

Four categories:

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Where to find it:

2. Judge your own personality based on these characteristics

• Are you an introvert (I) or an extrovert (E)? Write I or E.

• Do you follow your senses (S) or intuition (N)? Write S or N.

• Are you a thinker (T) or a feeler (F)? Write T or F.

• Do you tend to judge (J) or perceive (P)? Write J or P

Now put the four letters you wrote above together in order.

Write them here:

3. Go online at school or at home and take the test.

https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

Write your result in four letters here:

4. Did you predict the same result? What does your result mean?
Write notes and be prepared to share them with your classmates.
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Reading

Have you ever given a younger person advice?

Advice for a High School Student Preparing for College

Hello future university students!! 3. Telling the truth will always get you further
than lying. If you do something wrong, like cheat
I can imagine you all are very apprehensive about on a test, always tell the truth. Your professors
the new stage of life you are about to experience. will appreciate you much more for being honest
College is a big step for everyone to take. It means than continuing to try to cover your error up.
more independence, but also more
responsibility. I have come up with 4. Studying is important, but so is enjoying life.
a list of tips to hopefully make Some students become so involved with their
the transition easier for you. studies that they don’t make time for fun. This
is not good. You should find a balance where
1. It’s important to keep you can be successful in your classes, but also
up with your studies. do healthy activities you like.
It’s easy for university
students to get involved 5. Establishing and maintaining a support system
in having a social life and is crucial. We all need someone to lean on when
let their schoolwork slip. times get tough. Knowing you have a circle
Remember that the further of friends and family that you can count on when
behind you get, the harder it is you are going through difficult moments is what
to catch up. will help you make it through them.
2. It’s okay to ask questions. As long as you have I hope these tips help you. And remember, like
been paying attention in class and your question in other aspects of life, attitude is everything.
is not something the professor just said, ask! If you maintain a positive attitude throughout your
Maybe your classmates have the same question. university experience, you will most certainly have
the time of your life!

Vocabulary

apprehensive. worried, Summarize this blogger’s advice in one paragraph of 5 sentences.

cautious Use your OWN words and summarize the main ideas.

keep up with. complete

on time

slip. in this context,

fall behind

lean on. metaphorically,

to find support in someone

In this reading, again we can observe the use of gerunds and

infinitives. What are the patterns you can observe? Write them below.

Gerunds are used

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Inifitives are used

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