The ‘Gap Year’ in the UK 撰文及考題設計 英國文化協會 Joel Finnestad
M
ore and more these days, UK parents and stu-
Taking a gap year has been common practice in
dents who think that a university education
the UK for decades. The idea is that students who
has to begin immediately after high school (or second-
barrel ahead right after high school end up ‘burned
ary school) are reconsidering. According to one study,
out’ sooner than those who take some time off. This
in 2012 over 2.5 million students opted for a gap year,
burnout results in lower grades, disappointment, and
with over 20% of parents agreeing to fund it!
consequently a higher dropout rate.
“What's the rush?”, many ask. Whilst others argue
Of course, students who see a year off as an oppor-
that students taking a year off will result in their get-
tunity for a year-long party at their parents' expense
ting better grades. Doing so can also help grads pre-
have the wrong idea. In the UK, gap year programs are
pare financially, determine what they want out of the
soaring in popularity. Companies like gapforce.org and
experience, and most importantly, allow for a period of
yearoutgroup.org are among the hundreds of organisa-
adjustment to the freedom and independence that col-
tions cashing in on the ongoing gap year craze.
lege life affords.
According to such companies, a gap year needs to serve
空檔年可做的事很多，圖為兩位從大學中休學一年的女孩，利用這空檔年到泰國當志工。（歐新社）
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a purpose. Teaching overseas, pursuing an internship, or
fraternity parties, and endless opportunities to do any-
taking a part-time job, are all possibilities for a pro-
thing except study! This is not to say that a year off
ductive year off. Students can gain experience in a
after high school will kill the urge to waste time and
field related to what they intend to study, and also earn
money going to parties and skipping lectures. It might,
money to pay for their education at the same time.
however, give some people the chance to get some of the
Regardless of the possibilities, many parents in the
"party animal" out of the system before getting started.
UK argue that the best reason for taking a gap year in-
By the time the opportunity for university arrives,
volves the change in lifestyle that comes with this new
most students have already been in a classroom for the
phase of adulthood. For many, mum and dad are no
good part of their lives. While it is not always bad to
longer around to talk about homework. Budgeting time
jump right into a postsecondary education, recent grads
and money suddenly becomes important, and school is
in the UK and their parents view the option of a gap year
no longer only about rules.
not as a waste of time, but as an opportunity to make
Indeed, many universities come complete with pubs,
this important transition as meaningful as possible.
中學畢業空檔一年 英國正流行 中譯 陳怡君 （中央社編譯）
年來有愈來愈多英國家長和學生，一改過去認
近
的空檔年有非常多的可能性，像是去海外教學、取得
為中學一畢業得馬上銜接大學教育，而有不同
實習經驗或從事兼職工作等。學生也能在這一年針
的想法。根據一項研究，2012年超過250萬名學生選
對他們有意攻讀的學位領域獲取實際經驗，同時賺
擇休息一年，其中超過兩成的父母還同意贊助孩子
取大學學費。
經費！
無論在這空檔的一年從事什麼，許多英國父母主
許多人會問：「急什麼呢？」有些人主張，空檔一年會
張，休息一年最好的理由是，它意味著隨著成年新階
使學生成績進步，也有助畢業生在經濟上充分準備，這
段到來，伴隨的生活型態將改變。對許多人來說，父
個經驗也有助於他們瞭解自己所要的；而最重要的是，
母不會隨時在旁討論回家作業，時間與金錢管理瞬
讓學生有個調適期來迎接大學生活的自由與獨立。
間變得很重要，而學校也不再只是規範約束的地方。
學生中學畢業後空檔一年的做法，在英國已行之
的確，許多大學生活會伴隨酒吧、派對、以及嘗試
數十年。主張這個概念的人認為，高中一畢業就立刻
做盡各種事，就是不讀書！這並不是說高中畢業休息
投入大學，會比休息一段時間再上大學的人更快「身
一年，就會遏阻浪費時間與金錢在跑趴和蹺課的渴
心俱疲」，而體力和心力透支會導致成績低落與挫
望，但或許有可能會讓熱衷此道的人在開始過這種
折感，也因此提高輟學率。
生活前，能有機會離開這個體系。
當然，若是認為休息一年就好比靠父母養一年，而
在上大學的機會來臨之前，其實大多數學生早就
可以四處狂歡，這想法就錯了。空檔年計畫目前在英
花了生命中美好的時光待在教室內。雖然直接展開
國愈來愈受歡迎，有數百間如Gapforce或是 Year Out
大學生活不見得一定不好，但英國近來有愈來愈多
Group等組織，在這股「空檔年熱潮」中大發利市。
畢業生與父母不再認為休息一年是浪費時間，而是
這類公司表示，空檔一年必須要有個目的，有收穫
一個盡可能讓這個重要過渡期有意義的契機。
CNA NEWSWORLD
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Key Words gap year – 空檔年 a year off, or a break before beginning formal university studies
condition of having no energy left to finish a task
“What's the rush?” – 有什麼好趕的 same as asking “Why hurry?”
to ”cash in on” – 趁機利用……賺錢 to take advantage of a popular trend and earn as much money as possible from it
affords – 提供，給予 to be the cause or source of something
internship – （通常不支薪的）實習 a job taken more to gain experience, and often unpaid
common practice – 普遍做法 behaviour that happens often, or in large numbers
kill t he urg e – 遏 阻 衝 動 t o s t o p o n e s e l f f r o m proceeding with a strong desire to do something
barrel ahead – 沒有充分準備便投入某事 to proceed quickly with an activity without enough planning or preparation
party animal – 很愛參加派對的人 a term to describe a person who really loves going to parties and having a good time on a more than regular basis - generally irresponsible
burnout – 精神或體力透支 a mental or physical
雅思考試模擬試題 IELTS questions
IELTS style questions Choose the correct answer:
D. Rules apply in university; freedom is possible in high school.
5. In the UK in 2012, the majority of parents agreed to pay their children’s gap year expenses. 6. In the UK, the number of students taking a gap year is on the decline. 7. Companies like gapforce.org believe that students need make some money if they take a gap year. 8. According to the article, a gap year will not necessarily take away a student’s urge to waste time at university. 9. According to the article, pubs and fraternity parties serve an important transition from gap year to university life. 10. Starting a postsecondary education right after high school usually results in unhappy, unprepared students. 4. B
5. F
6. F
7. NG
8. T
3. Which of the following best summarizes what the writer suggests in Paragraph 5 as the difference between high school and university? A. High school is restrictive; university allows for independence. B. University has bars; high school does not. C. High school requires homework; university has fraternities.
True / False / Not Given
3. A
2. According to the essay, why might taking a year off before university to save money for tuition not be a good reason to do so? A. It is more important to focus on a job related to a student's field of study. B. It costs less to settle for the wrong field of study. C. The price of an education over a one year period can be higher than money saved by working. D. Gap years need to be productive.
4. Which of the following is the best title for this essay? A. The Difference between High School and University B. The Gap Year: A Worthy Consideration C. Taking a Year Off: A Terrible Idea D. The Ups and Downs of a Postsecondary Education
2. C
1. What does this essay suggest is a reason for higher dropout rates? A. Year-long parties at the parents' expense. B. Lower grades and disappointment caused by burnout. C. Taking some time off, or a "gap year." D. Studying in Australia or Europe.
1. B
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9. F
10. NG
Answers 118
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