MAKE ME A GROWN UP
PROGRAMME 3: ALEX
ACTIVITIES
Young people are often sensitive about personal development issues. These activities support a mix of individual, paired and group work, depending on the context and the composition of the groups involved.
Before viewing
Describe a Chav. How hard do you think it is for a Chav to get a job? Would you employ a Chav? Why?
Make a list of words that you think people should avoid using when they are in a job interview or at work. Discuss and justify your ideas.
Discuss the following statement. 'You should always be yourself – wear what you want, say what you want and do what you want – no matter what other people think.'
After viewing
To view 4Learning video clips you will need Windows XP/2000 and Windows Media Player 9, 10 or 11. Unfortunately, the clips are not supported on Macintosh computers.
The video clips may contain a few seconds of extra material at the beginning and end. We have therefore included opening and closing descriptions to help identify the intended scene.
Stereotyping
Clip one: 02:37 – 03:34
Describe the stereotype of Chavs that the people in this clip are using. Is it accurate? Are stereotypes ever accurate? What is the best way to challenge stereotypes and why? Are the mentors right to help Alex change his image or should they be helping him to challenge the stereotype in other ways?
Coping with change
Clip two: 04:45 – 05:15
Explain why Alex is resistant to change at the start of the programme. Look at the following description of how most people react to change:
- Deny it – feel and say that nothing needs changing
- Resist it – try to stop things from changing
- Anticipate it – think about what might happen if things do change
- Accept it – agree that something has to change and get ready for change
- Get on with it – make some changes.
Describe how Alex moves through these steps during the programme and his feelings at each stage. Think of a major change that has happened in your life. Did you work your way through the five steps? If so, how did you feel and who or what helped you to get from step 1 to step 5? If not, what did you do?
Think of a major change that you are likely to face in the next couple of years. Imagine how you might move through the five steps and who might help you. Share and discuss your ideas.
Setting the right tone
Clip three: 11:55 – 12:27
Explain what you think that Stephen means when he tells Alex that he has to 'create the right tone' in order to convince people that he has something worth having. Discuss how the following factors can help to create the right or wrong tone in an interview:
- how you look
- how you smell
- what you take in with you
- what you say
- what you do
- how you move.
What advice would you give other young people to ensure that they create the right tone in an interview? Would you use this advice? Why?
Identifying strengths
Clip four: 14:25 – 14:49
Identify the positive statements that Alex makes about himself in this clip. List three personal strengths you think employers or education and training providers would like to hear about. Working in a small group, share your strengths. Give examples to support what you say and explain why you have chosen these strengths to share with others. Finish by discussing how easy you found it to identify positive things about yourself, how comfortable you were sharing them with others and whether or not this will affect how you prepare for applications and interviews in the future.
Interview techniques
Clip five: 19:23 – 19:43
Use the ideas in this clip and other resources (for example, the internet, materials in the Connexions Resource Centre or careers library) to produce an 'Interview Tips' presentation (e.g. poster, PowerPoint presentation, leaflet) for other young people to use.
