CPE Article on Gap Year

Hi everybody ! I received this Article Sample from Debora. I post it here with some feedback.

Unfortunately, I have to say I have some issues with it. To me it looks more like a job advertisement than an article. I would stronly suggest making changes. Take a look and feel free to provide your own feedback !

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Question: You have been asked to write an article for Job Prospects magazine, a publication for 18-30 year olds, on the following topic:

How taking a gap year* can enhance your career prospects.

You should focus on the types of job and leisure opportunities for young people taking a gap year in your country (or a country that you know well), the types of skills that can be gained and the likely value of these to potential employers.

Write the article for the readers of the magazine. (around 280 - 320 words)

Take a gap year and boost your career prospects

Feedback in red

A gap year is a chance to figure yourself out, get in contact with alternative ways of life and enhance your skills. Besides, more than ever employers are seeking for talents beyond the knowledge itself. (What do you mean?) Having this experience will put yourself in an unknown situation every day, strengthening your decision-making capabilities. It will present you with the chance to become a better version of yourself! It doesn’t matter if your gap year is just before college or in mid-jobs; there is always room for improving old habits and creating good new ones.

-Options all around:  (Not so common to use subtitles in articles)

Have you ever considered living with a host family in another country? Do you like kids? If you answered yes, the Au pair program is for you! This authentic way to perceive a new culture will change your life. Although living with another family may not be the easiest job ever, you’ll learn to compromise, be gentle, caring and responsible; it is an experience to take forever. .

Are you an adventurous person who would love to visit many countries? The Skills program is for you! There you will visit around 10 and, from cooking to building a small house, you can choose the skills you’d like to learn. It might be a unique opportunity to understand more about your strengths and how to overcome obstacles.

If altruism is your cup of tea, volunteering is for you! Getting to know other ways of life and also being able to give yourself and your time to improve other people's stories is truly a worthy year gap!

These 3 options are not even stretching the surface and a bunch of other alternatives are available in the market. You should not miss out in this amazing opportunity and plan your gap top-notch year!