The number of young women enrolling in an agriculture course in the Scottish Borders has reached a record high. Stephanie Crozier, a 16-year-old who grew up on a farm near Hawick, is one of 12 female students on the National Certificate (NC) Agriculture course at Borders College. This increase in female enrollment is a trend seen across similar courses in Scotland. Women now make up 46% of students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), up from 42% in the previous year. Stephanie expressed her love for agriculture and her hope for a future in the industry.
Borders College previously struggled to make its rural skills program viable, with only 10 students enrolling in the NC Agriculture course in the previous academic year. However, lecturers are now reporting their highest ever numbers, with almost half of the students being teenage girls. Andrew Johnson, the head of rural skills, stated that they have always had girls applying, but the current numbers are unprecedented. In addition to the 25 students studying NC Agriculture, there are 18 more enrolled in the National 5 Modern Agriculture course, and 12 apprentices in agriculture and mixed farming.
Mr. Johnson emphasized the importance of attracting young people to the agriculture industry, as there are job opportunities available and the industry needs new talent to drive it forward. The UK government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has previously warned about the potential permanent damage to the farming industry due to a lack of available workers. The Scottish government has also launched a Women in Agriculture taskforce to address barriers preventing women from making an impact in the sector.
Not all of the young women on the Borders College course have farming backgrounds. Bethany Scott, for example, had no agricultural experience before enrolling in an animal care course. However, she was drawn to the practical aspects of the agriculture course and enjoys the busy and dynamic nature of farming. Borders College managers are confident that the upward trend in enrollment in agriculture courses will continue, with 18 school pupils already participating in their agriculture pathway program.
Several students shared their positive experiences and aspirations for a career in farming. Emily Mulligan, who has secured part-time work at a local auction mart, recommends farming to undecided school pupils. Jessica Damerell, who grew up working on a family sheep farm, expressed her love for being outside and her desire to pursue farming as a career. The National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) has welcomed the increased interest in the sector, highlighting the passion young people have for agriculture and their eagerness to learn more.
In conclusion, the number of young women enrolling in agriculture courses in the Scottish Borders has reached a record high. This trend is seen across similar courses in Scotland, with women now making up a significant percentage of students. Borders College has experienced a significant increase in enrollment, particularly among teenage girls. The agriculture industry is actively seeking young talent to address labor shortages and drive the industry forward. Students have expressed their enthusiasm for farming
Original news source: Record number of girls on Borders College farming course (BBC)
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Vocabulary:
| 1 | enrollment | The act of officially joining a course or program |
| 2 | agriculture | The practice or science of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products |
| 3 | trend | A general direction in which something is developing or changing |
| 4 | viable | Capable of working successfully; feasible |
| 5 | lecturers | Teachers or instructors in a college or university |
| 6 | unprecedented | Never done or known before |
| 7 | apprentices | People who are learning a trade or profession from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages |
| 8 | emphasized | Give special importance or prominence to (something) in speaking or writing |
| 9 | barriers | Obstacles or hindrances that prevent progress or success |
| 10 | practical | Of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas |
| 11 | aspirations | Strong desires or ambitions, especially to achieve something high or great |
| 12 | sector | A particular area or part of a larger area, especially of a country or the economy |
| 13 | passion | Strong and barely controllable emotion or excitement |
| 14 | labor | Work, especially hard physical work |
| 15 | enthusiasm | Intense enjoyment, interest, or approval |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, they should work together to create a summary of the main points of the article. Encourage them to use their own words and focus on the key information. Afterward, have each group share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class form pairs or small groups. Ask them to discuss and share their opinions on the following question: “What factors do you think have led to the increase in female enrollment in agriculture courses in the Scottish Borders?” After their discussion, conduct a class poll by asking each group to share one or two factors that they think are most influential. Write these factors on the board and discuss them as a class.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Ask them to choose a scene or concept from the article and sketch it on their paper. After a few minutes, have the students share their sketches with a partner or small group. They should explain their drawing and discuss how it relates to the article.
– Keyword Taboo
Instructions: Write down a list of keywords or important terms from the article on separate index cards. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and pick a card without looking at it. They must then describe the keyword to their team without using the word itself or any related words. The team must guess the keyword within a certain time limit. Alternate between teams and keep score. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have the students discuss and make predictions about the future of the agriculture industry in Scotland. They should consider factors such as the increasing enrollment of women in agriculture courses, the need for new talent in the industry, and potential challenges or opportunities. After their discussion, ask each group to share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class discussion around the topic.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the percentage of women currently enrolled in agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College?
2. Why did Borders College previously struggle to make its rural skills program viable?
3. According to Andrew Johnson, why is it important to attract young people to the agriculture industry?
4. What steps has the Scottish government taken to address barriers preventing women from making an impact in the agriculture sector?
5. Did all of the young women on the Borders College course have farming backgrounds?
6. What drew Bethany Scott to enroll in the agriculture course despite having no agricultural experience?
7. How many school pupils are currently participating in Borders College’s agriculture pathway program?
8. What positive experiences and aspirations did students share about a career in farming?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The number of young women enrolling in an agriculture course in the (1)______ Borders has reached a record high. Stephanie Crozier, a 16-year-old who grew up on a farm near Hawick, is one of 12 female students on the (2)______ Certificate (NC) Agriculture course at Borders College. This increase in female enrollment is a trend seen across similar courses in Scotland. (3)______ now make up 46% of students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), up from 42% in the previous year. Stephanie expressed her love for agriculture and her hope for a future in the industry.
Borders College previously struggled to make its rural skills program viable, with only 10 students enrolling in the NC Agriculture course in the previous academic year. However, lecturers are now reporting their (4)______ ever numbers, with almost half of the students being teenage girls. Andrew Johnson, the head of rural skills, stated that they have always had girls (5)______, but the current numbers are unprecedented. In addition to the 25 students studying NC Agriculture, there are 18 more enrolled in the National 5 Modern Agriculture course, and 12 apprentices in agriculture and mixed farming.
Mr. Johnson emphasized the importance of attracting young people to the agriculture industry, as there are job (6)______ available and the industry needs new talent to drive it forward. The UK government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has previously warned about the potential (7)______ damage to the farming industry due to a lack of available workers. The Scottish government has also launched a Women in Agriculture (8)______ to address barriers preventing women from making an impact in the sector.
Not all of the young women on the Borders College course have farming backgrounds. (9)______ Scott, for example, had no agricultural experience before enrolling in an (10)______ care course. However, she was drawn to the practical aspects of the (11)______ course and enjoys the busy and dynamic nature of farming. Borders College managers are confident that the upward trend in enrollment in agriculture courses will continue, with 18 school pupils already participating in their agriculture pathway program.
Several (12)______ shared their positive experiences and aspirations for a career in farming. Emily Mulligan, who has secured part-time work at a local auction mart, recommends farming to undecided school pupils. Jessica Damerell, who grew up working on a family sheep farm, expressed her love for being outside and her desire to pursue farming as a career. The National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) has welcomed the increased interest in the (13)______, highlighting the passion young people have for agriculture and their eagerness to (14)______ more.
In conclusion, the number of young women enrolling in agriculture courses in the Scottish Borders has reached a record high. This trend is seen across similar courses in Scotland, with women now making up a significant percentage of students. Borders College has experienced a significant increase in enrollment, particularly among teenage (15)______. The agriculture industry is actively seeking young talent to address labor shortages and drive the industry forward. Students have expressed their (16)______ for farming
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What are some potential barriers that may prevent women from making an impact in the agriculture sector?
2. How do you think the increase in female enrollment in agriculture courses will impact the industry?
3. Do you think it is important for young people to consider a career in agriculture? Why or why not?
4. What are some potential benefits of having more women in the agriculture industry?
5. How would you feel if you were a young woman interested in agriculture but faced barriers to pursuing a career in the field?
6. Do you think the government should do more to support and encourage women in agriculture? Why or why not?
7. What are some potential reasons why there has been an increase in female enrollment in agriculture courses in Scotland?
8. How do you think the agriculture industry can attract more young people to pursue careers in the field?
9. What do you think are some of the challenges faced by the agriculture industry in Scotland?
10. Do you think it is important for agriculture courses to include practical aspects and hands-on experience? Why or why not?
11. How do you think the agriculture industry can address the labor shortages it is currently facing?
12. What are some potential career opportunities in the agriculture industry?
13. How would you feel if you were a young person considering a career in agriculture and were told that there were job opportunities available in the field?
14. Do you think it is important for young people to have a passion for farming in order to pursue a career in the industry? Why or why not?
15. What are some potential ways to encourage more young people, particularly young women, to consider careers in agriculture?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. enrollment
2. agriculture
3. trend
4. viable
5. lecturers
6. unprecedented
7. apprentices
8. emphasized
9. barriers
10. practical
11. aspirations
12. sector
13. passion
14. labor
15. enthusiasm
Meanings:
(A) Of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas
(B) The practice or science of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products
(C) Teachers or instructors in a college or university
(D) Never done or known before
(E) Strong and barely controllable emotion or excitement
(F) Intense enjoyment, interest, or approval
(G) People who are learning a trade or profession from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages
(H) A particular area or part of a larger area, especially of a country or the economy
(I) Obstacles or hindrances that prevent progress or success
(J) Capable of working successfully; feasible
(K) A general direction in which something is developing or changing
(L) Give special importance or prominence to (something
(M) Work, especially hard physical work
(N) The act of officially joining a course or program
(O) Strong desires or ambitions, especially to achieve something high or great
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the percentage of female students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)?
(a) 46%
(b) 42%
(c) 50%
(d) 40%
2. How many female students are currently enrolled in the National Certificate (NC) Agriculture course at Borders College?
(a) 12
(b) 10
(c) 25
(d) 18
3. Who is the head of rural skills at Borders College?
(a) Stephanie Crozier
(b) Bethany Scott
(c) Emily Mulligan
(d) Andrew Johnson
4. Why is it important to attract young people to the agriculture industry?
(a) The industry needs new talent
(b) The farming industry could suffer without available workers
(c) There are job opportunities available
(d) All of the above
5. What taskforce has the Scottish government launched to address barriers for women in agriculture?
(a) Agriculture Enrollment taskforce
(b) Women in Agriculture taskforce
(c) Rural Skills taskforce
(d) Scottish Borders taskforce
6. How many school pupils are currently participating in Borders College’s agriculture pathway program?
(a) 12
(b) 18
(c) 25
(d) 10
7. Who has welcomed the increased interest in the agriculture sector?
(a) Scottish government
(b) Borders College managers
(c) UK government
(d) National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFU Scotland)
8. What did Jessica Damerell express her love for?
(a) Animal care
(b) Auction marts
(c) Being outside
(d) Sheep farming
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. The UK government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has warned about the potential permanent damage to the farming industry due to a lack of available workers.
2. The Scottish government has disbanded a Women in Agriculture taskforce with no plans to address barriers preventing women from making an impact in the sector.
3. Lecturers at Borders College are reporting their lowest ever numbers of students in the agriculture course.
4. Andrew Johnson, the head of rural skills, stated that they have never had girls applying, and the current numbers are expected.
5. Women now make up 46% of students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
6. The number of young women enrolling in an agriculture course in the Scottish Borders has reached a record high.
7. The National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) has welcomed the increased interest in the sector, highlighting the passion young people have for agriculture and their eagerness to learn more.
8. Borders College previously excelled in making its rural skills program viable.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What is the current trend in enrollment for agriculture courses in the Scottish Borders?
2. How has the enrollment in the National Certificate (NC) Agriculture course at Borders College changed from the previous academic year?
3. Why is it important to attract young people to the agriculture industry?
4. What initiatives has the Scottish government launched to address barriers for women in agriculture?
5. What are some of the reasons that young women are enrolling in agriculture courses, even if they do not have a farming background?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. Women currently make up 46% of students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
2. Borders College previously struggled to make its rural skills program viable because of low enrollment, with only 10 students enrolling in the NC Agriculture course in the previous academic year.
3. According to Andrew Johnson, the head of rural skills at Borders College, it is important to attract young people to the agriculture industry because there are job opportunities available and the industry needs new talent to drive it forward.
4. The Scottish government has launched a Women in Agriculture taskforce to address barriers preventing women from making an impact in the agriculture sector.
5. No, not all of the young women on the Borders College course had farming backgrounds.
6. Bethany Scott was drawn to enroll in the agriculture course despite having no agricultural experience because she was attracted to the practical aspects of the course and enjoys the busy and dynamic nature of farming.
7. There are currently 18 school pupils participating in Borders College’s agriculture pathway program.
8. Students shared positive experiences and aspirations for a career in farming. For example, Emily Mulligan, who has secured part-time work at a local auction mart, recommends farming to undecided school pupils. Jessica Damerell, who grew up working on a family sheep farm, expressed her love for being outside and her desire to pursue farming as a career.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Scottish
(2) National
(3) Women
(4) highest
(5) applying
(6) opportunities
(7) permanent
(8) taskforce
(9) Bethany
(10) animal
(11) agriculture
(12) students
(13) sector
(14) learn
(15) girls
(16) enthusiasm
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. enrollment
Answer: (N) The act of officially joining a course or program
2. agriculture
Answer: (B) The practice or science of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products
3. trend
Answer: (K) A general direction in which something is developing or changing
4. viable
Answer: (J) Capable of working successfully; feasible
5. lecturers
Answer: (C) Teachers or instructors in a college or university
6. unprecedented
Answer: (D) Never done or known before
7. apprentices
Answer: (G) People who are learning a trade or profession from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages
8. emphasized
Answer: (L) Give special importance or prominence to (something
9. barriers
Answer: (I) Obstacles or hindrances that prevent progress or success
10. practical
Answer: (A) Of or concerned with the actual doing or use of something rather than with theory and ideas
11. aspirations
Answer: (O) Strong desires or ambitions, especially to achieve something high or great
12. sector
Answer: (H) A particular area or part of a larger area, especially of a country or the economy
13. passion
Answer: (E) Strong and barely controllable emotion or excitement
14. labor
Answer: (M) Work, especially hard physical work
15. enthusiasm
Answer: (F) Intense enjoyment, interest, or approval
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the percentage of female students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)?
Answer: (a) 46%
2. How many female students are currently enrolled in the National Certificate (NC) Agriculture course at Borders College?
Answer: (a) 12
3. Who is the head of rural skills at Borders College?
Answer: (d) Andrew Johnson
4. Why is it important to attract young people to the agriculture industry?
Answer: (c) There are job opportunities available
5. What taskforce has the Scottish government launched to address barriers for women in agriculture?
Answer: (b) Women in Agriculture taskforce
6. How many school pupils are currently participating in Borders College’s agriculture pathway program?
Answer: (b) 18
7. Who has welcomed the increased interest in the agriculture sector?
Answer: (d) National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFU Scotland)
8. What did Jessica Damerell express her love for?
Answer: (c) Being outside
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The UK government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has warned about the potential permanent damage to the farming industry due to a lack of available workers. (Answer: True)
2. The Scottish government has disbanded a Women in Agriculture taskforce with no plans to address barriers preventing women from making an impact in the sector. (Answer: False)
3. Lecturers at Borders College are reporting their lowest ever numbers of students in the agriculture course. (Answer: False)
4. Andrew Johnson, the head of rural skills, stated that they have never had girls applying, and the current numbers are expected. (Answer: False)
5. Women now make up 46% of students on agriculture courses run by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). (Answer: True)
6. The number of young women enrolling in an agriculture course in the Scottish Borders has reached a record high. (Answer: True)
7. The National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFU Scotland) has welcomed the increased interest in the sector, highlighting the passion young people have for agriculture and their eagerness to learn more. (Answer: True)
8. Borders College previously excelled in making its rural skills program viable. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
