B2 – Upper Intermediate
With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, many are rethinking the value of a university education. AI tools can now perform tasks once done only by highly educated professionals, raising questions about the role of traditional learning. Some believe university is still important for developing critical thinking and specialized knowledge, while others argue that practical experience and digital skills may now matter more than a degree.
Watch the video to know more and be able to answer the questions below.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the phrase “worth doing something”? “With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, many are rethinking if it’s worth going to university.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
- What does “to go far”? “One thing is for sure: a student with a variety of skills, a lifelong desire to learn, and a good attitude will go far.“ Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
- What does the phrase “plug the gap” mean? “Online courses can help plug the gaps in what students don’t learn at university.” Make you own sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you believe a university degree is still necessary to succeed in the age of AI? Why or why not?
- Should students focus more on developing practical digital skills instead of pursuing a traditional degree?
- In what ways do you think artificial intelligence is changing the skills that students need to learn in university?
- How can universities adapt their programs to stay relevant in an AI-driven world?
2 replies on “Is It still Worth Going to University?”
1. Do you believe a university degree is still necessary to succeed in the age of AI? Why or why not?
I do not believe it absolutely necessary because nowadays there are a lot of opportunities and ways to obtain advanced and professional knowledge to suceed in this age of AI, but I also think a university degree gives you an advantage in professional relationships and practices, communication, workteam and perseverance to achieve your goals in a very competitive and daily environment.
2. Should students focus more on developing practical digital skills instead of pursuing a traditional degree?
Absolutely, not only technology but also generations and people’s minds are changing, or trying to adapt to the evolution. Traditional education is obsolete to present and it is the fundmental pillar for everyone, not just youth, to understand and control how technology is changing the world, and not upside down.
3. In what ways do you think artificial intelligence is changing the skills that students need to learn in university?
AI is the key to solve problems, optimize costs and time and learn quicker and better about anything we need. The problem is that AI must be only a tool and not the one and only knowledge and source for people. In fact, everything done by AI must always be supervised by humans. AI must be a supportive way to achieve goals faster and easier.
4. How can universities adapt their programs to stay relevant in an AI-driven world?
To put it on clear and direct… Focusing on implementing methods and actual techonolgy used in professional environments in their educational programs and leaving all the old and non-used knowledge back or just as an introduction to the world youth is going to face.
You wrote your answers well. Good work!
Remember to avoid writing in fragments. Here is a better way to write this response into sentences:
Keep being consistent!