TRANSCRIPT (Link download file in below)
1. Introduction to
the Episode:
Host (Alex):
"Hey there, and welcome back to English on the Go, your go-to
podcast for learning English in a fun and practical way! Today’s episode is all
about something many young people dream of—traveling. We’re diving into the
question: 'Is traveling good for young people?' Whether it's for exploring new
places, learning about different cultures, or even just taking a break from
everyday life, travel seems to offer a lot. But, is it always the best choice?
In today’s discussion, we’ll explore the benefits and challenges young people
face when traveling. Stick around, because there’s plenty to unpack and learn
from!"
2. Introduction to
the Topic:
Host (Alex):
"Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into today’s topic—traveling as a
young person. We all know that traveling offers a chance to see the world, meet
new people, and gain experiences that you just can’t find in the classroom or
at home. But, for young people, it can mean even more—it can help with personal
growth, learning independence, and building new perspectives. However, it’s not
all smooth sailing. There’s the cost, safety concerns, and the question of
whether it’s better to focus on studies or work first. In today’s conversation,
we’ll hear from two friends who have very different views on whether traveling
is beneficial for young people. Before we start, ask yourself: Do you think
travel is essential for your development, or is it something that can
wait?"
3. Pre-listening
Questions:
Host (Alex):
"Before we jump into the conversation, I’d like you to take a moment to
think about these questions. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers—it’s
all about your opinion and experiences. First, have you ever traveled to a new
place? If so, how did it change you? Second, do you think traveling at a young
age can really help shape a person’s future, or is it just a fun experience?
Take a moment to reflect on these ideas. As you listen to the conversation,
think about how the views of our characters align with your own thoughts on the
topic."
4. Conversation:
Host (Alex):
"Alright, in today’s conversation, we have two friends—Lisa and
Mark—talking about whether traveling is beneficial for young people. Lisa
believes that travel is an essential part of growing up, while Mark thinks
there are other priorities to focus on. Let’s listen to what they have to
say."
Lisa: I just got back
from my trip to Italy, and let me tell you, Mark, it was an eye-opener! I feel
like I’ve grown so much just from experiencing a new culture. It really
broadened my horizons.
Mark: I’m glad you had
a good time, Lisa, but do you really think traveling is that big of a deal? I
mean, sure, you get to see new places, but is it really necessary, especially
when you're young? Shouldn’t we focus more on studying or building a career first?
Lisa: I get your
point, but traveling doesn’t mean you're not being productive. It’s not just
about ticking places off a list. When you travel, you’re stepping out of your
comfort zone. You learn how to deal with different situations, meet people from
all walks of life, and it forces you to become more independent. It’s like
gaining life skills you can’t pick up from a textbook. Plus, experiencing
different cultures can really open your mind in ways you wouldn’t expect. It’s
not just about the places, it’s about the people, the customs, even the way of
thinking. You come back with a new perspective.
Mark: I guess there’s
some truth to that, but it’s expensive! Most young people can’t afford to
travel without breaking the bank. And let’s face it, not everyone has the
luxury of dropping everything and taking off. Don’t you think it’s more
practical to save money, work hard, and build a stable life first?
Lisa: True, travel does cost money, but it doesn’t always
have to be about expensive trips. There are ways to travel on a budget, like
staying in hostels, backpacking, or even working part-time while traveling.
Have you ever heard of programs like Workaway or volunteering abroad? You can
actually work while you explore new places, which helps keep the costs down.
And honestly, I think of it as an investment in myself. The experiences I’ve
gained are priceless, whether it’s learning a new language, making connections,
or just getting out of my bubble. It’s like the return on investment shows up
in ways you can’t predict.
Mark: Yeah, but what if something goes wrong while you're
traveling? Like, traveling alone and you run into a difficult situation. I
mean, doesn’t that stress you out? There’s so much uncertainty, and what if you
end up stuck in a foreign country?
Lisa: That’s actually part of the adventure! Dealing with
the unexpected is how you grow. Sure, things don’t always go as planned, but
that’s where the real learning happens. You learn how to problem-solve on the
go, and honestly, those moments are often the most memorable. For example, I
got lost in Rome one night—my phone died, I didn’t speak much Italian, and at
first, I panicked. But then I figured it out, asked for directions, and ended
up having the best conversation with a local who walked me back to my hotel.
That’s the kind of experience that teaches you resilience. Every problem you
solve makes you stronger and more adaptable. I think those challenges are what
make traveling so valuable.
Mark: I see where you’re coming from, but I still think
it’s not for everyone. Some people would rather focus on building their future
first and traveling later when they’re more financially secure or when they’ve
settled down. Don’t you think there’s some value in waiting until the right
moment?
Lisa: I hear you, Mark, but the thing is, life is
unpredictable. If we always wait for the 'perfect time,' it might never come.
And while there’s nothing wrong with focusing on building your career,
traveling while you’re young gives you a different perspective on the world. It
can shape your future in ways you didn’t expect. I mean, you can find
inspiration for your career or business ideas from the places you visit, or
even meet people who could help you in the future. You don’t have to put your
life on hold to travel, and it’s about balance, really. You can build your
career and travel at the same time, even if it's just small trips in between
jobs or study breaks.
Mark: Fair point. I guess it does come down to personal
preference. It’s just hard to see myself dropping everything to go travel right
now. Maybe I’ll take the plunge and try it out one day. Who knows?
Lisa: You should! Once you start, you might not want to
stop. Trust me, it’s a game-changer. And it doesn’t have to be a grand trip
around the world. Even exploring nearby countries or just visiting a new city
can give you that sense of adventure. You never know how it’ll impact you until
you experience it.
Mark: Yeah, maybe a short trip would be a good way to
start. I’ll think about it. It sounds like it really changed your perspective.
Lisa: It did! And you’ll be surprised at how much you
learn about yourself along the way. You discover strengths you didn’t know you
had, and you get a clearer idea of what you want in life. Plus, the memories
you make are worth every penny.
Mark: Alright, you’ve convinced me to at least consider
it. Maybe next year I’ll start planning something. Just a short trip, like you
said. I could use a break from the daily grind anyway.
Lisa: That’s the spirit! Start small, and who knows? You
might catch the travel bug and never look back. Just remember to enjoy the
journey and keep an open mind. The world has so much to offer.
In today’s conversation, Lisa and Mark used some
interesting vocabulary, phrasal verbs, idioms, and life-related phrases that
are useful for talking about travel and life experiences. Let’s dive into a few
of them.
First off, Lisa says her trip to Italy was an eye-opener.
Now, when we call something an “eye-opener,” it means it gave us a new
perspective or taught us something surprising. Lisa found the experience very
insightful. For example, "Visiting different countries is always an
eye-opener—it makes you realize how diverse the world is."
Then, Lisa mentions that traveling broadened her
horizons. This idiom means it expanded her knowledge or understanding.
Traveling allows you to see things you wouldn’t experience otherwise, so it’s a
great way to broaden your horizons. For instance, "Reading books is good,
but traveling really broadens your horizons."
Now, Mark brings up the issue of breaking the
bank. This idiom means spending a lot of money, more than you can
afford. He’s worried about the cost of traveling, and he doesn’t want to break
the bank. "If you’re not careful, dining out all the time can really break
the bank."
Later in the conversation, Lisa talks about stepping
out of your comfort zone. This is a common phrase we use when talking
about doing something that feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar but helps you
grow. Lisa feels that traveling forces her to step out of her comfort zone.
"Starting a new job can push you out of your comfort zone, but it’s often
worth it."
Finally, Lisa wraps it up by saying travel is a game-changer.
A game-changer is something that completely changes the way you think or
approach something. "Learning English was a real game-changer for my
career."
6. Comprehension
Questions:
Here are somes
questions based on the conversation about whether traveling is good for young
people. Reflect on the answers as you think back to the conversation:
1. Why does Lisa
believe traveling is important for personal growth?
2. What concerns did
Mark have about traveling as a young person?
3. How did Lisa
convince Mark that traveling is worth the cost?
4. What new
experiences did Lisa mention that she gained through traveling?
5. How did Mark
describe stepping out of his comfort zone, and why was it important to him?
7. Post-listening
Questions:
Now that you've
listened to the conversation, consider these questions to help you apply what
you've learned to your own life:
1. Have you ever
traveled to a place that changed your perspective? If so, what did you learn
from that experience?
2. How do you think
traveling can impact your friendships or relationships with family?
3. What destinations
are on your travel bucket list, and why do they interest you?
4. Can you think of a
time when you stepped out of your comfort zone while traveling or trying
something new? How did it feel?
5. In what ways can
you prepare yourself for a trip to make the most out of your experience?
Take a moment to
reflect on these questions, and think about how your experiences might relate
to the benefits of traveling.
# Conclusion
Host Alex:
Thanks for joining me today! I hope this conversation inspired you to think
about the benefits of traveling. Remember, stepping outside your comfort zone
can lead to incredible experiences. We’ve prepared a special free PDF for this
episode, full of useful tips and vocabulary to help you learn more. Make sure
to check it out! See you next time on "English on the Go!"
EXERCISE
Exercise
01: Fill in the Blanks
Instruction:
Listen to the conversation and fill in the blanks.
1.
I just got back from my trip to __________, and
let me tell you, Mark, it was an __________!
2.
I mean, sure, you get to see new places, but is
it really __________, especially when you're young?
3.
It forces you to become more __________.
4.
It’s like gaining __________ you can’t pick up
from a textbook.
5.
True, travel does cost money, but it doesn’t
always have to be about expensive trips.
6.
Have you ever heard of programs like __________
or volunteering abroad?
7.
It’s like the return on __________ shows up in
ways you can’t predict.
8.
Dealing with the unexpected is how you
__________.
9.
Every problem you solve makes you stronger and
more __________.
10. Maybe
I’ll take the plunge and try it out one __________.
Answer Key
Italy
eye-opener
necessary
independent
life skills
Workaway
investment
grow
adaptable
day
Exercise
02: Multiple Choice
Instruction:
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1.
What did Lisa think about traveling? a) It's not
worth it.
b) It broadens your horizons.
c) It's too dangerous.
2.
Mark believes that traveling is: a) affordable.
b) expensive.
c) easy to plan.
3.
Which program did Lisa mention for traveling on
a budget? a) Travel Abroad
b) Workaway
c) Backpacking
4.
What does Lisa believe you learn from traveling?
a) How to take photos
b) How to solve problems
c) How to spend money
5.
According to Lisa, life is: a) predictable.
b) perfect.
c) unpredictable.
Answer Key
b) It broadens your horizons.
b) expensive.
b) Workaway
b) How to solve problems
c) unpredictable.
Exercise
03: True or False
Instruction:
Read the statements and mark them as True or False.
1.
Lisa believes that traveling is essential for
growth.
True / False
2.
Mark thinks that young people should travel more
often.
True / False
3.
Traveling helps people become more independent.
True / False
4.
Lisa suggests that travel can be done on a
budget.
True / False
5.
Mark has already traveled extensively.
True / False
Answer Key
1. True
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False
Exercise
04: Matching
Instruction:
Match the phrases to the correct endings.
|
No. |
Phrase |
Ending
Options |
|
1. |
Traveling
helps you to... |
a)
learn new cultures. |
|
2. |
Lisa
believes that travel... |
b)
should be avoided when young. |
|
3. |
Mark
thinks it's expensive... |
c) how
to solve problems on the go. |
|
4. |
Lisa’s
experience in Rome taught her... |
d)
when you’re financially secure. |
|
5. |
The
best time to travel is... |
e) can
lead to personal growth. |
Answer Key
1-a
2-e
3-b
4-c
5-d
Exercise
05: Sentence Rearrangement
Instruction:
Rearrange the words to form correct sentences based on the conversation.
1.
I just got back from my trip to Italy.
2.
Traveling doesn’t mean you're not being
productive.
3.
Travel does cost money.
4.
It’s like gaining life skills you can’t pick up
from a textbook.
5.
Traveling while you’re young gives you a
different perspective.
Answer Key
I just got back from my trip to Italy.
Traveling doesn’t mean you're not being productive.
Travel does cost money.
It’s like gaining life skills you can’t pick up from a textbook.
Traveling while you’re young gives you a different perspective.
Exercise
06: Gap Fill with Word Bank
Instruction:
Fill in the gaps with the correct words from the word bank.
Word Bank: broadened, independent, affordable, unpredictable,
resilience
1.
Traveling can help you become more __________.
2.
Experiences can help you build __________.
3.
Life is often __________ and unexpected.
4.
Many young people think travel is __________.
5.
Traveling teaches you __________ in difficult
situations.
Answer Key
1. independent
2. resilience
3. unpredictable
4. affordable
5. resilience
Exercise
07: Sentence Reordering
Instruction:
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent dialogue based on the
conversation.
1.
You don’t have to put your life on hold to
travel.
2.
If we always wait for the 'perfect time,' it
might never come.
3.
Traveling while you’re young gives you a
different perspective on the world.
4.
I hear you, Mark, but the thing is, life is
unpredictable.
5.
You can find inspiration for your career or
business ideas from the places you visit.
Answer Key
1. I hear you, Mark, but the thing is, life is unpredictable.
2. If we always wait for the 'perfect time,' it might never come.
3. Traveling while you’re young gives you a different perspective on the world.
4. You don’t have to put your life on hold to travel.
5. You can find inspiration for your career or business ideas from the places you visit.
