Topic 2 Part 2 Adolescence Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. It could be described as “a period of transition” and “a period filled with discovery, turmoil, growth towards independence”. Discuss the following questions: 1 What events mark the beginning of adolescence? In other words, when does childhood end? 2 What events mark the end of this period? In other words, when does early adulthood start? Watch the following video and write out at least 3 differences in attitudes towards various issues between a child and an adolescent. The video is illustrative, even though the quality is not very good. Before you start check if you understand the expressions below: bravado …………………… bunch …………………….. grader …………………….. in depth …………………… stuff ………………………. http://vimeo.com/2436795 After the introduction above you can read two texts on adolescence. The first one is a kind of summary of features typical for adolescence. A Fill each gap in the following text with an appropriate word. There is one extra word. challenging, dramatic, important, observe, of, opinions, own, still, stress, they, to Adolescence is a time of great change. The __________ physical development that comes with adolescence is easy to __________, but the emotional changes and growth are even more __________. The adolescent is constantly pushing for more independence, __________ parental control, and experimenting with different attitudes and __________. This process helps the teenager create his or her __________ adult identity. At the same time adolescents continue __________ need the support and guidance of their parents. While __________ often challenge and even disobey parental rules, adolescents __________ need to know that the rules exist. The parents __________ an adolescent need to have great patience during this stage in their child’s life. B Text 2 Pre-reading In the USA there is a stereotype of the adolescent. It is someone who has many problems, is often rebellious, and does not communicate well with his or her parents. To what extent is/was your adolescence like this? Respond to the scale of 1 – 5. If you agree strongly, circle 1; if you disagree strongly, circle 5. Compare answers with your classmates. During my adolescence I was … Strongly agree Neutral Neutral Neutral Strongly disagree a very rebellious 1 2 3 4 5 b often in conflict with my parents 1 2 3 4 5 c full of negative thoughts about life 1 2 3 4 5 d under a great deal of stress 1 2 3 4 5 Read the jumbled paragraphs A – D, then put them to the correct order and form the original article on adolescence Defining adolescence A We may choose to define adolescence in biological terms. In that case, adolescence begins with the onset of puberty (with sexual maturity and a readiness to reproduce) and ends with the end of physical growth. Or we may adopt a more psychological perspective and emphasize the development of the cognitions, feelings, and behaviors that characterize adolescence. This approach views adolescence “as a psychological process occurring within the individual” (Forisha-Koviach, 1983). B Some psychologists consider this period in terms of growth and positive change, others view adolescence as a period of great turmoil, stress, rebellion, and negativism (Conger and Peterson, 1984). Adolescence may very well be filled with conflict, storm, and stress, but it is also a period of adjustment that most of us manage to survive quite well. In fact, the picture of the troubled, rebellious, difficult, uncooperative adolescent is probably more of a social stereotype than a reality (Garbarino, 1985; Manning, 1983). C The period of development that we call adolescence is an exciting one. It is filled with discovery, turmoil, growth toward independence, and the beginning of lifelong commitments. It is clearly a period of transition – from the dependence of childhood to the independence of adulthood. It is very difficult, however, to specify exactly when adolescence begins or when it ends. D Additionally, it is also possible to think about adolescence from a social perspective by examining the role of adolescents in society. Such views generally define adolescence in terms of being in-between – not yet an adult, but no longer a child. In this context, the period usually lasts from the early teen years through one’s highest level of education, when the individual is thought to enter the adult world. Actually, whether we accept a biological, psychological, or social approach to defining adolescence, we usually are talking about people between the ages of approximately 12 and 20. After you read Which of the following is the best single-sentence summary of the text? 1. There are three different ways in which it is possible to define adolescence. 2. The stereotype of the adolescent is that of a rebellious, negative, troubled young person. 3. Adolescence is an exciting period of life. Paragraph organization 1 Look at the structure of the A paragraph, which is given below in skeleton form, and then answer the questions. (sentence one) . In that case, (sentence two) . Or (sentence three) . This approach (sentence four) . Additionally, (sentence five) . Such views (sentence six) . In this context, (sentence seven) . 1 This paragraph describes three different ways of looking at adolescence. Which sentence or sentences discuss: a the first way? b the second way? c the third way? 2 Which words signal the transition from: a the first to the second way? b the second to the third way? 3 Words like this, that, and such refer back to previous ideas in a paragraph. What previous ideas do the following refer to? a In that case, …. b This approach …. c Such views … Adapted from. Seal, Bernard. Academic Encounters. Reading, Study Skills, and Writing. Cambridge: CUP, 1997, p. 48