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Nov 2020
19m 40s

26. Should University be Free? (English ...

Thomas Wilkinson
About this episode

On today’s episode, we are going to look at the idea of free education. Should university be free? This question has been debated for many years. The costs have been rising every year, and more and more graduates are struggling with large amounts of debt. In particular, poorer students are normally those who need to borrow the most money. Should they be punished for wanting to educate themselves?  Should taxpayers pay for the education of other people? All of these questions will be addressed in today’s episode of thinking in English!

Full Transcript: https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2020/11/26/should-university-be-free-english-vocabulary-lesson/

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Vocabulary

Proportion (n) - the number or amount of something when compared to the whole

Children make up a large proportion of the world’s population!

Tuition (n) - teaching, especially when given to a small group or one person, such as in a college or university

All students receive tuition in maths!

To saddle with (Phrasal v) - to give someone a responsibility or problem that they do not want and thus will cause them a lot of work or difficulty

The company is saddled with debt!

Crippling (adj) - causing serious injuries or harm

The bomb attack dealt a crippling blow to tourism in the country!

Default (n) - a failure to do something, such as pay a debt, that you legally have to do

Any default on your mortgage payments may mean you will lose your house!

Burden (n) - something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about

Buying a house is often a large financial burden on young people!

Notably (adv) - important and deserving attention

Other sports have had work stoppages, most notably baseball!

Vocational (adj) - providing skills and education that prepare you for a job

The school offers vocational programs in welding, electrical work, and construction

Amenity (n) - something, such as a swimming pool or shopping centre, that is intended to make life more pleasant or comfortable for the people of a town, hotel, or other place

The council is spending money on many new public amenities!


Comprehension Questions

Q. How much debt does the average UK graduate have?

A. £40,000

Q. Name 3 things I mentioned that the GI bill paid for.

A. 3 of the following - 22,000 dentists, 67,000 doctors, 91,000 scientists, 238,000 teachers, 240,000 accountants, 450,000 engineers, three Supreme Court Justices, three presidents , many congressmen, at least one Secretary of State, 14 Nobel Prize winners, at least 24 Pulitzer Prize winners, many entertainers

Q. True or false. Bernie Sanders is an opponent of free education.

A. False

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