TASK 1 ⇱
According to some Canadian news media, university students don't like to share their own cultures with each other and are not keen to learn about new ones. However, a study conducted earlier this year at the University of Winnipeg found the opposite.
Its aim was to gauge undergraduate students' attitude towards cultural identity and cultural diversity. It was influenced by the findings of a 2021 study that examined how nine dally Canadian newspapers defined the term 'multiculturalism'.
The current study included 10 undergraduate students who participated in two discussions about culture and heritage. All participants agreed on the importance of multiculturalism. Seven of them had arrived in Canada in the last 10 years from different places including the Philippines, Pakistan, and Nigeria. The students talked about where they, their parents. and their grandparents came from, discussing everything from language to festivals. religion, and traditions.
Three groups of students emerged. The first group maintained a strong connection with their heritage culture and values, and shared stories about their customs and how they made sure they didn't forget their heritage language. For example. one of them still liked listening to music in his home language. The second group felt a sense of belonging to a blend of cultures. They were exposed to different cultures when they grew up, however, they were open to and interested in experiencing other cultures through festivals and friends. The third group had experienced language and culture loss through the process of becoming Canadians. Although they were sad about that loss, they still felt enthusiastic about enriching Canadian culture and making it more diverse.
(Adapted from: Global success workbook 12)
TASK 2 ⇱
How to find a summer job? A guide for high school students
If you're currently in secondary school you may be interested in getting a job during your summer break. However, you may not know how to find a summer job. Here is some useful advice for you.
Firstly, you should find out when your school will close for the summer. Then you should plan to apply for jobs two to three months before the start of your summer break. This can help ensure that you have a job already lined up when summer arrives. After that you need to learn about the types of jobs that are available. For example, find out whether there are full-time or part-time jobs, and whether they require previous experience or training so that you can feel confident about applying.
Secondly, you should prepare an application letter for the job you want to apply for. In the letter, you should explain why you want the job and provide more details about the experiences or skills listed on your CV. You may have to change each application letter for every specific job to increase your chances of moving further in the hiring process. For example, your application letter for a shop assistant may highlight different qualifications than the one for a home tutor to a young child
Lastly, you should prepare for the job interview. If an employer is interested in hiring you, they may ask you for an interview. Before the interview, prepare for some questions that the interviewer is likely to ask you, such as why you want the position and what relevant skills you have. On the day of the interview, bring printed copies of your CV and application letter in case the employer wants to review them. You should also wear a professional outfit and try to be positive and friendly during your interview.
(Adapted from: Global success workbook 12)
TASK 3 ⇱
VO THI SAU HEROINE
Vo Thi Sau was born in 1933 in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. She wasn’t even a teenager when Ho Chi Minh declared independence from France on September 2, 1945. Swept in the fervor of anti-colonial resistance, Vo Thi Sau joined a local guerilla unit. By the age of 14, Sau was already a staunch militant and she proved this by throwing a grenade at a group of French soldiers, killing one and injuring at least a dozen.
Two years later, Vo Thi Sau attempted another grenade strike, but this time, she was arrested before any more French bodies were blown into bits. Like many fighters before her and after her, she was sentenced to death via firing squad.
On January 23, 1952, Vo Thi Sau spent the last minutes of her life singing. She refused to be blindfolded as they tied her to a stake and song still flowed from her mouth—until it was silenced by the sound of bullets. She was 19…
Vo Thi Sau is currently interred at Con Dao Island but this place has changed a lot since her time. What used to be a final destination has now become a tourist destination.
Each year, thousands of people visit Vo Thi Sau’s grave. They bring with them fresh cut flowers and incense sticks to pay homage to a heroine who rebelled until the very end. Although she’s no longer singing, her name can be heard in Vietnamese songs celebrating her life and bravery.
(Adapted from: Global success workbook 12)