Lorde and Ko top teenagers

Lorde and Lydia Ko are the top teenagers on Time magazine’s list of the most influential teenagers in the world. There are 16 teenagers from around the world on the list.

Lorde has just turned 17. Her song “Royals” has been on the Billboard Hot 100 for 7 weeks now. Listen to October 8th 2013 to hear more about Lorde.

Lydia Ko is a golfer. She has just turned pro at the age of 16. As an amateur playing in ladies professional golf tournaments (LPGA), she has had many wins including when she was only 14 at the beginning of last year. She was born in South Korea but came to New Zealand when she was young. She started playing golf in Auckland when she was only 5 years old.

Both young women are confident, have a sense of humour and are excellent role models for other teenagers. This is what makes them influential.

Idiom

Note the use of the verb “turn”- e.g. she turned 17, she turned pro

Vocabulary

  • influential – can influence other young people
  • pro – professional, someone who plays sport for money
  • amateur – cannot receive payment for her sport
  • role model – someone who other teenagers might admire and copy

Questions for Discussion

  • Can you think of other reasons for these two young women to be judged influential?
  • What are some of the problems for teenagers who are only 16 or 17 when they are so successful and have a public life?