1. Study break
  2. Video series
  3. Short films
  4. Zara

Zara

Zara knows what she wants for her future. But first she has to talk to her mum ...

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the short film and do the exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Transcript

Teacher: Zara. I’ve noticed that you haven’t selected travel journalism as one of your study options.
Zara: I need to speak to my mum.
Teacher: Would you like me to speak to her?
Zara: Good luck catching her, Miss.

Zara: But I want to travel and write about it!
Mum: I don’t have time for it, Zara. That’s it. End of discussion. Hello.

Friend: Hey. I’ve been looking for you.
Zara: I tried talking to my mum about my options.
Friend: And?
Zara: She’s always got a meeting or something.
Friend: You should book a meeting with her.
Zara: (Laughing) Hey, let me borrow your phone.

Mum: Zara! What are you doing here? I’ve got a meeting!
Zara: Yes. It’s with me. I want to travel the world and I want to write about it. I’m good at it!
Mum: You know what? When you are married and have your own family, your husband will decide.
Zara: My teacher’s recommended me because of how well I’m doing. If you listened then you would already know.
Mum: You have to think about your future.
Zara: I am. You just want to get me off your hands.

Mum: Zara? Zara! So, tell me about this.
Zara: Really?
Mum: Yes.

Worksheets and downloads

Zara - exercises205.97 KB
Zara - answers188.01 KB
Zara - transcript193.53 KB
Discussion

Do you think a lot of young people have similar problems to Zara? What can parents do to help their children choose their studies and future careers?

Language level
B2 English level (upper intermediate)
C1 English level (advanced)
Topics
studying
family
careers
work
Personal online tutoring
EnglishScore Tutors is the British Council’s one-to-one tutoring platform for 13- to 17-year-olds.
Find out more

Comments

Submitted by PolinaLogvinenko on Sat, 10/01/2022 - 11:49

I think that many people have similar problems. Parents should support their children.

Submitted by totallyrandomperson on Thu, 10/22/2020 - 13:59

"Parents should let their children follow their dreams," I would say if I had any dreams to begin with. Here's what I say, go out there into the big world and be better than me, and don't worry, I'll catch up to you.

Submitted by hermione123 on Sun, 05/30/2021 - 11:54

Nice username totallyrandomperson! :) Anyway, "go out there into the big world, be better than me, and don't worry, I'll catch up to you" is just so sweet and kind :p

Submitted by Athony on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 14:48

I'm tired of being what you want me to be-"Numb"

Submitted by hermione123 on Sun, 05/30/2021 - 11:58

I know this song! It matches to the video. So impressive that you can find the matching lyric ;) I've sung and listened to this song hundred times but never realized that!
Profile picture for user mannon

Submitted by mannon on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 11:42

Yes, every teenager have a lot of dreams and it's different from the dreams which their parents put to them.
Profile picture for user Batgirl

Submitted by Batgirl on Sun, 06/03/2018 - 14:06

Lots of teenagers all around the world have such problems. But they are caused only because parents want their children to have a better future and life. I think that parents should listen to their children's opinion and to explain why it is bad or good.
Profile picture for user Lerara

Submitted by Lerara on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 19:13

I have a similar problems. I want to be an architect. But most of parents do not want their kids to be a designer or something like that because creative jobs are not well paid and also it is difficult to find a really good job in this area, especially in Russia, where I live.
English courses near you