A moment that changed me: I learned to read and write – at 42

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

Even though
Definition: Despite the fact that.
Example: Even though it was raining, we went out.
Might
Definition: Used to express possibility.
Example: I might go to the cinema.
Struggle
Definition: To have difficulty doing something.
Example: I struggle to understand maths.
To deal with (something/someone)
Definition: To handle or manage a situation or person.
Example: She deals with difficult customers every day.
To carry on (doing) something
Definition: To continue doing something.
Example: He carried on working despite being tired.
Eventually
Definition: In the end, after some time.
Example: Eventually, we found the house.
To figure (something/someone) out
Definition: To understand or solve something.
Example: I figured out the answer.
To be overwhelmed
Definition: To feel unable to cope with something.
Example: She felt overwhelmed by her workload.
Deaf
Definition: Unable to hear or having serious hearing loss.
Example: He was born deaf.
To convince (someone to do something)
Definition: To persuade someone to do something.
Example: I convinced him to join us.
To manage (to do something)
Definition: To succeed in doing something difficult.
Example: I managed to finish on time.
To be worth (doing) something
Definition: To have enough value or benefit to justify something.
Example: This book is worth reading.
To get in touch (with someone)
Definition: To contact someone.
Example: I’ll get in touch with you tomorrow.
To discourage (someone from doing something)
Definition: To make someone less willing to do something.
Example: They discouraged me from quitting.
To move out
Definition: To leave the place where you live.
Example: She moved out last month.
Relief
Definition: A feeling of comfort after worry or pain.
Example: I felt relief when I passed the exam.
To get by
Definition: To manage with what you have.
Example: We get by on a small income.
To earn a living
Definition: To make money to pay for your needs.
Example: He earns a living as a teacher.
Partially
Definition: Not completely; only to some extent.
Example: The road was partially blocked.
An aisle
Definition: A passage between rows of seats or shelves.
Example: The milk is in the next aisle.
To miss out (on something)
Definition: To fail to experience or get something enjoyable.
Example: I don’t want to miss out on the party.
A meltdown
Definition: A sudden loss of emotional control.
Example: The child had a meltdown in the shop.
To be put on hold
Definition: To wait on the phone while someone pauses the call.
Example: I was put on hold for ten minutes.
A stammer
Definition: A speech difficulty involving repeated sounds or pauses.
Example: He has a slight stammer.
To step in
Definition: To intervene or take action to help.
Example: The teacher stepped in to stop the argument.

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.       Did Peter have a normal schooling?

2.       What did he do when he left school, and why?

3.       What was the moment that changed his life?

4.       How and why did he learn to read and write?

5.       What does he do and think now?

6.       ‘I can’t believe how beautiful reading is!’. Do you agree with Peter?

7.       What was your attitude to reading as a child?

8.       Do you think everyone has areas of intellectual weakness?

9.       In your school, was it cool to be clever?

10.     What is the next qualification you would like to have?

11.     What are you reading at the moment?

12.     Do you think schools should continue dedicating a lot of time to handwriting?

13.     Is handwriting an important skill?

14.     What did you find difficult at school?

15.     Do you sometimes buy books and then not finish them?