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In Spain, for students who achieve high grades at the end of their post-16 studies (el bachillerato), going to university is a popular option but also very competitive. Students have to sit an exam called 'la selectividad'. There are also many students aged 16-24 who choose to follow the apprenticeship route into their chosen careers.
Here is some important vocabulary on the topic of post-16 education:
la academia | post-16 college for certain careers |
el aprendiz | apprentice |
el cursillo de aprendizaje | apprenticeship |
la carrera | career, profession |
la carrera universitaria | university course |
conseguir | to get, to achieve |
el curso | course, school or university year |
la empresa | company |
la experiencia laboral | work experience |
la f谩brica | factory |
la formaci贸n profesional | vocational training |
el t铆tulo | university degree |
tomar un a帽o sab谩tico | to take a gap year/a year off |
la universidad | university |
la academia |
post-16 college for certain careers |
el aprendiz |
apprentice |
el cursillo de aprendizaje |
apprenticeship |
la carrera |
career, profession |
la carrera universitaria |
university course |
conseguir |
to get, to achieve |
el curso |
course, school or university year |
la empresa |
company |
la experiencia laboral |
work experience |
la f谩brica |
factory |
la formaci贸n profesional |
vocational training |
el t铆tulo |
university degree |
tomar un a帽o sab谩tico |
to take a gap year/a year off |
la universidad |
university |
Read what these young Spanish students say about what they want to do when they leave school.
础苍诲谤茅蝉:
Yo quiero ir a la universidad. No s茅 exactamente lo que voy a estudiar para la carrera, pero si saco buenas notas en los ex谩menes, quiz谩s estudie derecho.
Beatriz:
En este momento estoy harta de estudiar. Creo que necesito un a帽o libre. Me gustar铆a tomar un a帽o sab谩tico y trabajar como voluntaria en alg煤n pa铆s sudamericano.
Celia:
A m铆 no me interesan tanto los estudios acad茅micos. Prefiero hacer cosas con mis manos. En septiembre voy a empezar un cursillo de aprendizaje en una empresa de ingenier铆a.
David:
Me gusta cocinar, as铆 que, cuando deje el instituto, quiero ir a una academia para estudiar un curso en hosteler铆a y turismo.
Elena:
A m铆 me gusta ayudar a la gente, as铆 que, quiero ser m茅dica. Claro, hay varios a帽os de estudios universitarios y luego, cuando hayas conseguido el t铆tulo, unos a帽os m谩s de formaci贸n profesional. Pero valdr谩 la pena.
Federico:
Con tal de que gane bastante dinero para sobrevivir, no me importa mucho lo que haga. Estoy buscando trabajo en una f谩brica. As铆, tendr茅 tiempo para salir con mis amigos por la noche y pasarlo bien.
Question
Now answer these questions.
Write:
A - (础苍诲谤茅蝉)
B - (Beatriz)
C - (Celia)
D - (David)
E - (Elena)
F - (Federico)
- 驴Qui茅n va a estudiar un curso en hosteler铆a?
- 驴Qui茅n quiere ser m茅dica?
- 驴Qui茅n quiere ser aprendiz?
- 驴A qui茅n no le importa demasiado lo que hace?
- 驴Qui茅n va a tomar un a帽o libre?
- 驴Qui茅nes quieren ir a la universidad? Menciona dos personas.
- The question asks who is going to study a hotel management course. The answer is D - David who writes: 'I like cooking, so when I leave school, I'm going to go to a college to study a course in hotel management and tourism.'
- The question asks who wants to be a doctor. The answer is E - Elena who writes: 'I like helping people so I want to be a doctor. Of course, there are several years of university studies and then, when you've got your degree, a few more years of professional training. But it'll be worth it.'
- The question asks who wants to be an apprentice. The answer is C - Celia who writes: 'I'm not that interested in academic studies. I prefer doing things with my hands. In September, I'm going to start an apprenticeship in an engineering company.'
- The question asks 'Who doesn't mind too much what he/she does?' The answer is F - Federico who writes: 'Provided I earn enough money to survive, I don't mind very much what I do. I'm looking for work in a factory. This way, I'll have time to go out with my friends at night and have a good time.'
- The question asks who intends to take a year off. The answer is B - Beatriz who writes: 'At the moment I'm fed up with studying. I think I need a year off. I would like to take a gap year and work as a volunteer in a South American country.'
- The question asks who wants to go to university and you need to mention two people. The answer is A - 础苍诲谤茅蝉 and E - Elena. 础苍诲谤茅蝉 writes: 'I want to go to university. I don't know exactly what course I'm going to study but if I get good marks in my exams, perhaps I'll study law.' Elena states that she wants to be a doctor and that there are several years of university studies required.