ESL: Very Well Protocol | Week 13 - Day 75

8 May 2024

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Today’s Themes and Tasks

Social Justice

Health & Wellness

Literature

What does it mean to be an ally? How can we support people who experience injustice?

How is the way we get our food from around the world changing our health?

Why do the stories from old books still matter to us today?

Workout of the Day

Complete the Workout of the day. Click on the images to be linked to the videos hosted on YouTube.

1. Fluency Waterfall

2. Waterfall Model

3. Vocabulary Connections

4. EI. 10

Waterfall Model Transcripts

Review these transcripts to see other ways of responding to the Waterfall tasks and to look for grammar patterns and vocabulary that may be useful for you in your response. The example responses are C1+ in their level. How do your responses compare? What can you do to improve your responses during the next Fluency Waterfall?

90 Second Task

What does it mean to be an ally? How can we support people who experience injustice?

Being an ally means standing with people who face injustice, even if we don't share their experiences. It's about using our voice and actions to support others. Let's break it down into two main ideas: listening and taking action.

Firstly, listening is crucial. It's about really hearing what people dealing with injustice are saying, without making it about ourselves. I learned this when a friend shared their experience with racial discrimination. Instead of jumping in with my thoughts, I just listened. It showed me the power of simply being there and acknowledging their struggle.

Taking action is the next step. This doesn't always mean big gestures; sometimes, it's the small things that count. For instance, I joined a campus group that focuses on equality and we organize events to raise awareness about different social issues. It's a way to bring attention to injustices and show solidarity.

Supporting people facing injustice means being there for them in meaningful ways. Whether it's lending an ear to their stories or standing up with them through actions, it's all about showing that you care and are willing to fight alongside them. Being an ally is a commitment to understanding, supporting, and advocating for those who need it most

60 Second Task

How is the way we get our food from around the world changing our health?

The global food market brings the world to our plates, offering benefits and drawbacks for our health. On one hand, it's fantastic to enjoy out-of-season fruits or exotic dishes anytime. This convenience, though, comes with a catch. Much of this food has to be transported over long distances, which often means it's processed to last longer. Ever noticed how some fruits look perfect but taste like water? That's a sign they've traveled far and might have been treated to stay fresh.

Then there's the impact on our eating habits. With foods from all corners of the globe readily available, we're introduced to a variety of cuisines. This diversity is great, but it can also lead us to consume more sugars, salts, and unhealthy fats without realizing it. I remember snacking on something from abroad that tasted amazing but later found out it was packed with sugar.

So, while it's incredible to have such a variety of food choices from around the world, it also makes us think twice about what we're eating. It's about striking a balance between enjoying these global flavors and maintaining a healthy diet.

Why do the stories from old books still matter to us today?

Old books are more than just stories; they're lessons in empathy and windows into our past. "To Kill a Mockingbird" exemplifies this, teaching us about justice and understanding through its compelling narrative. It personally inspired me to value personal integrity. Similarly, "Pride and Prejudice" offers insights into historical societal norms and personal growth, connecting readers across generations—I've shared meaningful discussions about it with my grandmother. These classics also tackle timeless questions like those in "The Odyssey," about identity and belonging, making them perpetually relevant. Through such narratives, old literature not only educates us about humanity's constants but also bridges historical and personal divides, proving its lasting value and impact.

EI - 10

Compare your recording to the transcript below. What did you miss? What did you mess up? Don’t be afraid to do the task again. 

  1. This convenience, though, comes with a catch.

  2. It personally inspired me to value personal integrity.

  3. The global food market brings the world to our plates.

  4. Being an ally is a commitment to those who need it most.

  5. Much of this food has to be transported over long distances.

  6. It should also makes us think twice about what we're eating.

  7. It's a way to bring attention to injustices and show solidarity.

  8. It's about striking a balance between enjoying flavors and a healthy diet.

  9. She showed me the power of simply being there and acknowledging their struggle.

  10. This doesn't always mean big gestures; sometimes, it's the small things that count.

Vocabulary Connections

Here’s the vocabulary for today. This vocabulary is connected to the new topic and task introduced in the Waterfall today (90 second task). What words would help you better express your thoughts tomorrow? Which words could you substitute for more precise expression.

Cloze Exercise

Read the response out loud trying to remain fluent while filling in the gaps.

How is the way we get our food from around the world changing our health?

The global food market brings the world to our plates, offering benefits and drawbacks for our health. On one hand, it's fantastic to en___ out-of-season fruits or exotic dishes anytime. Th__ convenience, though, comes with a catch. Mu__ of this food has to be tr_________ over long distances, which often means it__ processed to last longer. Ever noticed ho_ some fruits look perfect but taste li__ water? That's a sign they've traveled far an_ might have been treated to stay fr____.

Then there's the impact on our ea____ habits. With foods from all corners o_ the globe readily available, we're introduced t_ a variety of cuisines. This diversity i_ great, but it can also lead u_ to consume more sugars, salts, and un_______ fats without realizing it. I remember sn______ on something from abroad that tasted am_____ but later found out it was pa____ with sugar.

So, while it's incredible to have su__ a variety of food choices from ar____ the world, it also makes us th___ twice about what we're eating. It's ab___ striking a balance between enjoying these gl____ flavors and maintaining a healthy diet.

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