Interviews

High-intermediate

Group Brainstorming (10-15 minutes):

• Divide students into small groups of 3-4. Give each group a large piece of paper or a whiteboard.
• Ask each group to brainstorm and write down as many school rules as they can think of in categories such as:
  • Dress code
  • Classroom behavior
  • Attendance and punctuality
  • Bullying and harassment
  • Use of electronic devices
• After brainstorming, have each group select the top three rules they think are most important and be prepared to explain why.

Here are some words and expressions that appear in the video:

dress code (noun): a set of rules about what clothing is appropriate to wear in a specific setting

– The school has a strict dress code that all students must follow.

– Employees must adhere to the company’s dress code during business hours.

implement (verb): to put into action or effect

– The school decided to implement a new policy regarding smartphone use.

– The government plans to implement new environmental regulations next year.

bullying (noun): repeated aggressive behavior intended to hurt another person physically or emotionally

– The school has programs to prevent bullying and support affected students.

– Bullying can have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health.

lenient (adjective): not strict or harsh in discipline or punishment

– The teacher was lenient with late assignments due to the students’ heavy workload.

– Some parents are more lenient with their children’s screen time than others.

discuss (verb): to talk about a topic in detail

– They will discuss the new project at the meeting tomorrow.

– The teacher asked the students to discuss their ideas in small groups.

Now, watch the interview and answer the comprehension questions. You can also turn on the automatically-generated captions for the video once you start it.

Conversation Questions

Intermediate

1. What are some examples of school rules that Aubrey and Randall discussed in the interview?
2. According to Aubrey, why is the dress code rule often seen as problematic for girls?
3. What reasons does Aubrey give for why students should be allowed to eat in class?
4. How does Aubrey suggest schools handle bullying more effectively, and why does she find this issue tricky?
5. What does Aubrey think about the current start times for high schools, and what solution does she propose?
6. Why does Randall agree with some policies regarding clothing, and what example does he give to support his point?

Advanced

1. Do you agree with Aubrey’s view on the dress code targeting girls? Why or why not? Provide examples from your own experience or observations.
2. How might schools balance the need for cleanliness with students’ need to eat during class, according to the interview? Propose your own solutions to this issue.
3. In what ways could schools address the problem of online bullying, considering Aubrey’s comments? What are the potential challenges and benefits of these approaches?

Classroom Activity

Creative Poster Design (Visual and Interpersonal Modality)

Objective: Allow students to creatively express their understanding of school rules and policies by designing posters that advocate for changes or improvements.

Instructions:

1. Group Formation: Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students.

2. Brainstorming (10 minutes): Each group discusses the school rules and policies mentioned in the interview and decides on a specific rule they would like to focus on. They can choose to advocate for changing an existing rule or implementing a new one.

3. Designing Posters (25-30 minutes):

   • Provide each group with poster board, markers, magazines, scissors, glue, and any other art supplies.
   • Groups create a poster that visually represents their ideas. Encourage them to include:
     • A catchy slogan or title.
     • Key points and reasons for their proposed rule change.
     • Visual elements such as drawings, photos, or collages to support their message.

4. Presentation (15 minutes): Each group presents their poster to the class, explaining the rule they chose, the changes they propose, and why these changes are important.

5. Gallery Walk and Feedback (15 minutes):

   • Hang the posters around the classroom.
   • Have a gallery walk where students can view each other’s posters.
   • Provide sticky notes for students to leave positive feedback or questions on each poster.

The following activities deal with related topics to give you additional language practice.

• A Day at School