[originaltext]CLEO: Hey, Ted. What are we going to do about this assignment?TE

CLEO: Hey, Ted. What are we going to do about this assignment?
TED: Well, Cleo, I think it’s pretty straightforward.
CLEO: Oh?
TED: Yeah, the topic is ’ Why Study Abroad?’ I suggest we do a survey of international students, collate the responses, make a graph and exhibit our findings in the form of a poster.
CLEO: Wow! You have given this some thought, haven’t you?
TED: Of course. This is only the first assignment--there’ll be a lot more to come so let’s get this one out of the way quickly.
CLEO: Well, how do we do the survey?
TED: I think we need to find a good selection of foreign students.
CLEO: So...how about we go over to the English Language School at lunchtime and talk to some of the students there.
TED: That’s not a bad idea—but we shouldn’t limit ourselves to that Department.
CLEO: Why not?
TED: Well, think about it...They’ll all give the same reason--’ to learn English’.
CLEO: Of course, you’re right. Well, one of us could cover the Language School and the other could go around the Business School.
TED: Yes, I know there are a lot of internationals there too but I think a random sample from foreign students on campus might give us a better range of answers.
CLEO: Mum. What are we going to ask them--’Why are you studying abroad?’
TED: An open question like that could mean we get hundreds of different responses—it would be better if we made up, say, 10 reasons, and asked each respondent to place them in order of importance.
CLEO: You’re right. That would certainly make collation easier. Any ideas about what these 10 reasons might be?
TED: Sure—I’ve got enough foreign friends to know quite a lot about what motivates them.
CLEO: Okay. Number I is...?
TED: I think that’s obvious—how about ’Study abroad is the best way to learn a language’? And number 2 is obvious as well.
CLEO: I know—Study abroad gives you the chance to travel’?
TED: What’s third?
CLEO: It’s either culture or friendship...
TED: Okay, let’s go for culture—’ Study abroad gives you first-hand experience of a different culture’?
CLEO: Not just that—but it gives you new experiences as well--not all of them are good but it’s meeting those challenges and adapting to new situations and solving problems and so on.
TED: Let’s make that a separate reason. How about’ Study abroad...umnl..will compel you to develop new skills’?.
CLEO: Sounds good. Then, ’Study abroad promotes international friendship’.
TED: What are we up to now?
CLEO: Umm, wait. That was number five...
TED: Do you think ’ learning about yourself’ is the same as ’ developing new skills’?
CLEO: No, I think it’s quite different—probably more closely related to culture—you really mean embracing new concepts and perceptions, don’t you?
TED: Yes, and reconsidering one’s own beliefs and values, or, at least, seeing them through new eyes.
CLEO: We could make that the next one and call it something like ’Study abroad provides the opportunity to learn about yourself ’.
TED: We ought to throw in a few about study and work because I’m sure that rates highly with many foreign students.
CLEO: Of course. ’ Study abroad gives you the opportunity to expand your academic...umm...’
TED: Academic what? Let’s simplify it--make it ’...the opportunity to study different subjects’.
CLEO: Yes, good. It can also enhance the value of your degree.
TED: How’s that?
CLEO: Well, I think you can take courses you would never have had the opportunity to take on your home campus and employers will know also that your language skills have been given quite a boost.
TED: Isn’t that the same as number seven?
CLEO: No, I think it’s a separate issue.
TED: Alright. Keep it. Now, I think this next one is more important?
CLEO: Shall I change the order?
TED: No, no need, the students are going to rank them according to their views.
CLEO: So what is it?
TED: ’Study abroad enhances employment opportunities’.
CLEO: Ugh, why didn’t I think of that? Anyway, there’s one even more obvious than that.
TED: Let me guess: ’ Study abroad broadens your mind’?
CLEO: Exactly.
TED: Okay, now we have ten. Let’s print off 100 questionnaires and go and do the survey.