| Level: | Topic: | Speakers: | Length: |
| intermediate | student credit cards | man – woman | 02:00 |
Pre-Listening Exercise
Student credit cards are becoming more and more popular, and a number of Web sites can provide information on comparing your options. With these ideas in mind, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards, particularly for people your age and in similar financial situations?
Idioms
“dough” = informal for money
“I need more dough to pay off my credit card bill.”
“have money to burn” = have a lot of money
“Sara’s dad always gives her a big allowance, so she has money to burn.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Vocabulary Practice
Do the vocabulary quizzes with the words from the conversation for more practice:
Post-Listening Exercise
A few decades ago, getting a credit card was somewhat difficult and almost impossible for students with no credit history. Now, many students have their own. However, finding the best card is often difficult. What do you think are the dangers of having a credit card?
Online Investigation
Conduct research on two different credit cards offered online that are specifically aimed at students and compare them based on credit card fees, interest rates, and benefits of each. As part of your investigation, check to see if these companies provide credit monitoring which is one component of identity theft protection services. Furthermore, examine whether there are any hidden costs that credit card users might not be aware of when using the card. Are there any other options besides credit cards that students can use to make purchases?