In this week’s club, we are talking about “Investing In The Future- This is a great moment to get to know the other Conversation Club members, and to practice speaking a wide variety of arguments, which will also help you increase your vocabulary and improve your comprehension skills.

All mpec courses are based on Conversation, Communication and Interaction and our main goal is to give our students the confidence to approach any topic or idea in English. In this week’s Club, other than practicing speaking English, our goal is to find and learn new vocabulary and put it to use immediately…

Some Expressions

• “In the near future” – This adverb is used to talk about a future that is not ‘so far away’ – the next couple of months or years, for example. “I hope to see a big change in attitude towards the climate in the near future.”
• “In the distant future” – This adverb, on the other hand, is used for exactly the opposite; to talk about a future that is still far away, and therefore, potentially, can change more easily. “I can see things changing, sure, but only in the distant future.”
• “In the not too distant future” – This is a variation of the previous expression used to express a time between the near future and the distant future. “The results of the study will be available in the not too distant future.”
• “To have time on your side” – this expression is used when we feel that there is no ‘time’ pressure, that we have a lot of time to do whatever it is we need to do. “I have to prepare a large report for my new client, fortunately, time is on my side, the deadline is the end of next month”
• “Come what may,…” – We use this expression to say ‘It doesn’t matter what happens’ – ‘anything can come’ and we usually use it to confirm committments. “Come what may, I will help you move house!”
• “For the time being” – This means for the moment, for the current time, at this time. “My car is at the mechanic’s for some work, so I’m taking the bus for the time being.“
• “Only time will tell.” – This is used to say that the only way to get an answer to something is to wait and see what happens. “I’ve bought some of that new cryptocurrency. I’m not sure it was a good investment, but only time will tell.”

Preparation for the future

1. The modern school & university systems are designed to prepare us for the future. Do you think they work?
2. What elements do you think could be added or removed to improve the system?
3. Do you think that someone who is good at school is also “good at life”?
4. Some kids simply aren’t cut out* for the modern school system. What could they do instead?

*To be cut out for something – to be naturally able or suited to do something

Yesterdays’ future & today’s future

1. Do you think the way schools and universities teach has advance at the same speed as society? Why / why not?
2. Are the jobs of tomorrow really being considered in the modern school system?
3. What, in your opinion, should change to help prepare today’s young people for the future that we can see?
4. Do you think the school system needs rethinking? What alternatives are there to ‘invest in one’s future’?

Investing In the Future

1. What jobs do you think will be important in the next 50 years? Why?
2. What jobs do you think will disappear or become automated?
3. Do you think teachers will still be important in the future, or will learning become a fully digital activity?
4. What do you think are the best investments (time or financial) that you can make today for tomorrow?

All mpec students are welcome to join our Conversation Club Zoom Sessions which take place every Tuesday, 6pm to 6.30 pm and Thursday from 1 to 1.30 pm from October to June. If you are not a part of the mpec community yet, please get in touch with us and we will partner with you to create the right course for your needs and goals. Live English Courses via Streaming

Self Study Suggestion:

A Ted Talk of approx. 19 minutes that offers some interesting information on school systems around the world.