1. EAP 1 Expectations and Comparisons

2. A. expectations, transition, an anti- climax, homesickness, environment B. grieving, apprehension, tolerance, vulnerability

3. A. expectations, transition, an anti-climax, homesickness, environment In the first weeks and months away from my family, I had a terrible sense of _________ I felt lonely in the new, unfamiliar _______________________ The teenage years are often seen as a period of ________________________ We were disappointed by the film. The end in particular, was such _____________ The play did not meet my __________________________ B. grieving, apprehension, tolerance, vulnerability Before an exam, most people feel at least some ______________________ The death of a loved-one is always followed by a sense of loss and ____________ My brother hates flying. He says that it gives him a sense of _______________ To adapt to a new environment requires __________________________

4. In the first weeks and months away from my family, I had a terrible sense of homesickness. I felt lonely in the new, unfamiliar environment. The teenage years are often seen as a period of transition. We were disappointed by the film. The end in particular, was such an anti- climax. The play did not meet my expectations. Before an exam, most people feel at least some apprehension. The death of a loved-one is always followed by a sense of loss and grieving. My brother hates flying. He says that it gives him a sense of vulnerability. To adapt to a new environment requires tolerance.

5. Discuss the following questions with a partner and try to list at least three ideas for each question: -What kind of worries do you think international students have before they start a university course in the UK? -What problems do you think they encounter when their courses start? Now read the short extract from a “University Counselling Service” document on home-sickness (page 2) and see if any of your points are mentioned...

6. Here is the original article. Where does it come from? Who is it for? COUNSELLING SERVICE GENERAL INFORMATION ON HOMESICKNESS Beginning life at university naturally generates both excitement and anxiety about, for example the move, academic work and meeting new people. For some, this apprehension is quickly overcome as they adapt to a new environment. For others, the transition takes longer and sometimes emerges as homesickness where there is a preoccupation with home-focused thoughts. There is a yearning for and grieving over the loss of what is familiar and secure. Most often the main source of anxiety is about the loss of people - family and friends - but it is also about the loss of places and routines, and the realisation that family life continues without you…. Research on homesickness amongst British university students shows that 35% of new students experience some homesickness, and that between 5% and 15% describe the experience as frightening…….. …..Vulnerability to feeling homesick is affected by: a)the distance from home b) sense of anticlimax at finally arriving at university after working towards it for so long c)whether the student was responsible for the decision to come to university d)unhappiness due to expectations of university not being met e)"job strain" - i.e. work overload and low control over it f)whether family members at home are well and happy g)contrast in lifestyle There are two tasks involved in starting at university: leaving familiar things, people and places, and adapting to new things, people and places. Individuals have different levels of tolerance to change and have learned different ways of coping with new situations. ……… ……..In a familiar place people generally feel accepted and secure, and are therefore able to function and meet challenges successfully. Away from the familiar, they are without their usual sources of support, and in unfamiliar surroundings their tried and tested methods of coping and working are challenged; "failure" looms large and self esteem and confidence drops. Tasks which would normally have been taken in one's stride, can suddenly seem quite a challenge, or even feel impossible. Adapted from http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/hsick.html

7. Which of the following causes of homesickness have you experienced in coming to the UK? Can you add any more? …..Vulnerability to feeling homesick is affected by a)the distance from home b)a sense of anticlimax at finally arriving at university after working towards it for so long c)whether the student was responsible for the decision to come to university d)unhappiness due to expectations of university not being met e)"job strain" - i.e. work overload and low control over it f)whether family members at home are well and happy g)contrast in lifestyle

8. Make further sentences about your own experience using the structures below : The campus is much smaller than I had expected. I had expected that tutors and staff would dress in a more formal way. I knew in advance that the UK is quite an expensive place to live. The weather was not as cold as I had feared. Think about: the food, other students, your accommodation, British people

9. HOMEWORK: Do Language Follow Up Exercises A and B on pages 3 and 4 of your materials booklet. We will look at the answers in tomorrow’s class.