Teacher: Hello, Jake. You look great today.

Jake: Good evening, Miss Clark. Thank you for the compliment.

Teacher: I hope you’ll enjoy the party. After all, your classmates and you have certainly deserved it. You worked so hard during the academic year, and you passed your exams with flying colours. My colleagues and I are so proud of you all.

Jake: Oh, Miss Clark, of course we did a good job, but we are very grateful to our teachers. If not for you, our results wouldn’t be so good.

Teacher: It’s good to know that. Thank you. So, Jake, what are you going to do after the prom? Are you going to have a gap year?

Jake: Most of my classmates are going to travel somewhere, but I won’t be able to join them. I’m going straight to college.

Teacher: Why? Don’t you like to travel?

Jake: Of course, I do. Everybody likes to travel, don’t they? It’s just that this summer isn’t a good time to do it because I’ll have to help my brother. He’s just had surgery, you know.

Teacher: I hope your brother is doing fine. How did the operation go?

Jake: It all went fine, thank you. The full recovery will take some time, but he’ll be absolutely fine in a couple of months.

Teacher: Oh, that’s excellent news. So, what college did you choose?

Jake: I’m going to Birmingham University. I want to be a teacher, like you.

Teacher: Really? I would never have thought you had chosen this career.

Jake: Well, I think it’s the most rewarding job in the world, so...

Teacher: It is, but mind you, not every student will succeed in your class. Sometimes, when one of your students fails, you blame yourself for it.

Jake: I think that’s true about many jobs, like doctors, for instance. I believe that every student has the potential for success and it’ll be so exciting because each new academic year will present new challenges and new potential successes.

Teacher: Well, Jake, if you are able to look at it that way, teaching is definitely your cup of tea.

Jake: Thank you, Miss Clark. It’s you and your colleagues who have inspired me.

Teacher: Thank you. Now it’s high time for you to join your friends, and it’s time for me to wipe away the tears  — your words are so touching.

Jake: Sorry if I’ve upset you.

Teacher: No, that’s fine. It’s always good to hear such things, you know. See you later, Jake.

Jake: See you.