ESL: Very Well’s

New here? Or just checking us out? Here’s a How-to guide for our approach. Workout of the Day

Today’s Themes and Tasks

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. E.I. 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

Having lots of exams can really change the way students learn and feel. For starters, when there's a big focus on tests, students might just try to remember things short-term instead of really understanding them. I've watched friends memorize notes word for word for an exam, only to forget it all as soon as it's over. It's like they're not learning for the long haul, but just jumping through hoops to pass.

Moreover, this emphasis on exams can discourage creativity. Instead of thinking outside the box or exploring subjects in new ways, students might feel stuck following a strict study guide just to score high on tests. This can make learning less about discovery and more about ticking the right boxes.

Then there's the stress factor. Too many exams can make students super anxious. A buddy of mine was so stressed about her finals that she had trouble sleeping and couldn't stop worrying, even about small stuff. This kind of pressure doesn't just mess with your grades; it can suck the fun out of school and make it hard to enjoy time with friends or relax.

Additionally, constant testing can undermine the value of collaborative learning. When the goal is to outperform peers on exams, students may miss out on the benefits of working together, sharing ideas, and learning from each other. This competitive environment can isolate students and diminish the sense of community in the classroom.

Schools should help us love learning, think critically, and stay curious, not leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the next test.

60 Second Task

Private companies are seriously changing the space game, making a huge impact on government space missions. They're doing two big things: pushing tech forward and changing how space projects get funded.

For starters, look at SpaceX. They made rockets that can be used more than once, slashing the cost of getting to space. The first time I saw a rocket land back on Earth, it felt like the future had arrived. This innovation is a wake-up call for government programs to adopt more efficient technologies.

Then there's the financial side. Private firms are opening new revenue streams, like launching satellites for companies or planning space tourism. This influx of money is a game-changer. It means government budgets for space can stretch further or focus on even bigger adventures, like deeper space exploration.

This partnership between private ventures and government agencies is exciting. It's speeding up technological advances and making ambitious space missions more financially viable.

45 Second Task

Art, music, and stories have a special way of helping us see and feel what others go through, pushing us towards making the world fairer. A powerful painting on a wall showing the life of refugees made me want to learn more and help out. This shows how art can make us look at big issues and do something about them.

Also, reading a book about a family living in poverty changed how I saw numbers and facts. It made these problems feel real and close, making me want to help. Art and stories do more than just entertain us; they connect us to what's happening around the world. They make us care and want to help. By sharing these, we can inspire others to make the world a better place for everyone.

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. Private firms are opening new revenue streams.

2. They're changing how space projects get funded.

3. This kind of pressure can suck the fun out of school.

4. Students might just try to remember things short-term.

5. This innovation is a wake-up call for government programs.

6. A buddy of mine was so stressed that she had trouble sleeping.

7. Schools should not leave us feeling anxious about the next test.

8. We can inspire others to make the world a better place for everyone.

9. Having lots of exams can really change the way students learn and feel.

10. This partnership between private ventures and government agencies is exciting.

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.

Private companies are seriously changing the space ga___, making a huge impact on government sp___ missions. They're doing two big things: pu_____ tech forward and changing how space pr______ get funded.

For starters, look at SpaceX. They made ro_____ that can be used more than on___, slashing the cost of getting to sp____. The first time I saw a ro____ land back on Earth, it felt li__ the future had arrived. This innovation i_ a wake-up call for government programs t_ adopt more efficient technologies.

Then there's the financial side. Private firms ar_ opening new revenue streams, like launching sa________ for companies or planning space tourism. Th__ influx of money is a game-changer. I_ means government budgets for space can st_____ further or focus on even bigger ad_________, like deeper space exploration.

This partnership between private ventures and government ag______ is exciting. It's speeding up technological ad______ and making ambitious space missions more fi_________ viable.

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