How to become independent

Tick (v) the appropriate box to see how independent you are. Add up your points. If your total score is nine or above, you are independent. Compare with a partner. (Đánh dấu (v) vào ô thích hợp để xem mức độ độc lập của bạn. Thêm điểm của bạn. Nếu tổng số điểm của bạn là chín hoặc cao hơn, bạn độc lập. So sánh với một người bạn)

Read the text. Match the paragraphs (A-C) with the headings (1-5). There are TWO extra headings. (Đọc văn bản. Nối các đoạn văn (A-C) với các tiêu đề (1-5). Có HAI tiêu đề thừa)

1. Manage your money

2. Relax and sleep well

3. Develop time-management skills

4. Improve your decision-making skill

5. Learn basic, but important life skills

Becoming independent is important for teenagers. Below are the necessary skills you should learn to achieve independence for the future.

A. First, make sure you can safely get around by yourself using public transport, walking, or cycling. Second, learn to communicate well and develop good relationships with people. Do some part-time jobs and get to know how to manage your money. You should also learn to cook healthy meals for your family. Finally, help your parents with household chores like cleaning and doing laundry.

B. To begin with, identify the problem and come up with as many solutions as possible. Write down the options, so you can review the advantages and disadvantages of each one. This will help you see which option could be the best for you. Don’t base your decision on emotion only. Once you have made your choice, create a plan of specific steps to move forward. Then carry out your plan, and think about whether you have achieved the result you wanted.

C. First of all, get into the habit of making a to-do-list every day or week. Make use of time-management tools, such as apps or diaries, to know what you need to do next. In addition, decide how much time you need for each task and always do one thing at a time to make sure you complete it. Schedule time to relax as well, and make sure you sleep at least nine hours each night. A good night's sleep is necessary for teenage brain development and good health. Becoming independent is not easy, but itis not as challenging as you may think. It’s about learning useful skills, making decisions by yourself, and knowing how to spend your time.

Read the text again and match the highlighted phrases in the text with their meanings (Đọc lại văn bản và nối các cụm từ được đánh dấu trong văn bản với ý nghĩa của chúng)

Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions. (Làm việc theo cặp. Thảo luận các câu hỏi sau)

Which of the skills mentioned in the text do you have? What other skills do you think teenagers need fo become independent? (Bạn có những kỹ năng nào được đề cập trong văn bản? Bạn nghĩ thanh thiếu niên cần những kỹ năng nào khác để trở nên độc lập?)