The GAP Year

BUT WHY?? A break Travel Decide what to do Gain skills and life experience To earn money to: – –A) pay for a course at a private college – –B) help pay college expenses A combination of factors

Other reasons… Discover the real you – strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, areas of interest Help others Defending the country Satisfying Government regulations

“Students put a hold on studies to help needy” Sun Herald November 2006   First year deferments increasing   Increasing programs available   Deferment during uni course   Huge range of options

“Gap year a cool option for the young” Sunday Telegraph Sept See the world Work your way Learn a language Helping hand

“Students are increasingly choosing to explore the world before settling down” Sun Herald January 2006

TRAVEL new cultures religions philosophies broaden your horizons encourage self-sufficiency enhancing experiences

Work Abroad   opportunity to spend time outside of your home country   earn some much needed cash   become immersed in a new culture

Negatives of taking a GAP Year... can distract you from your career path potential employers may fear your wanderlust work experience in your chosen career would be regarded even more highly by prospective employers than travel a string of work placements may be interpreted as a lack of focus high costs involved not going on to university (at least for now) getting out of a study routine may make uni harder missing out on scholarships for Yr 12 students

Remember… Think carefully about what you want to achieve if you take a gap year Investigate opportunities early Check if doing other courses will affect your university offer of a place Good luck!

What would you do with a gap year? Write a 10 minute response to this question Write a 10 minute response to this question

Gap Year in China Students from an IB school in Ireland want to know how much it will cost them to spend their gap year in China. Students from an IB school in Ireland want to know how much it will cost them to spend their gap year in China. –As a group you must: Create a detailed budget Create a detailed budget Explain your allotments (how much you’ve budgeted for each item) Explain your allotments (how much you’ve budgeted for each item) –What expenses will the student have to pay for during a year in China?

Monthly Assessment #1 Interactive Oral Interactive Oral Fish Bowl Discussions based on 2 videos Fish Bowl Discussions based on 2 videos To prepare: review your class notes, important vocab., readings, and the proposal To prepare: review your class notes, important vocab., readings, and the proposal But what IS a fish bowl discussion? But what IS a fish bowl discussion?

Students in the “fish bowl” are active participants in the discussion AKA you must talk Students in the “fish bowl” are active participants in the discussion AKA you must talk Students outside of the “fish bowl” are passive participants in the discussion AKA you are an active listener (you may talk, but it isn’t required) – If you talk, it will only HELP your grade Students outside of the “fish bowl” are passive participants in the discussion AKA you are an active listener (you may talk, but it isn’t required) – If you talk, it will only HELP your grade

There are NO assigned roles There are NO assigned roles Everyone within the fish bowl must participate Everyone within the fish bowl must participate While you’re in the fish bowl discussion think about: While you’re in the fish bowl discussion think about: –Staying on topic –Point out possible counter-arguments (points of view) that haven’t been addressed. Are you skeptical? –Are you a stronger student? Interpret what’s being said in the conversation to help out your classmates –Remember, you must all speak. Encourage one another –Remember, you must all speak. Encourage one another

How will I be assessed? Criterion A: Productive Skills Criterion A: Productive Skills Criterion B: Interactive and Receptive Skills Criterion B: Interactive and Receptive Skills

How to create a travel brochure What is a brochure? What is a brochure? –A small booklet or pamphlet, often containing promotional material or product information.

Holiday Assignment Create a Travel Brochure for your designated country Create a Travel Brochure for your designated country