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Today’s Themes and Tasks

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

The way a company's boss behaves seriously sets the tone for the whole business, especially when it comes to ethics. It's like, if your boss is constantly pushing for honesty and openness, you're gonna see that mindset reflected across the board. I remember this one boss I had – she was all about open communication. We'd have these regular meetings where she encouraged 

everyone to speak up about any ethical concerns, no matter how small. This wasn't just talk; she acted on feedback, making sure we all felt heard and valued. It built this amazing trust within the team, making the workplace feel more like a community.

Now, thinking about what makes a boss really good at their job, it's definitely someone who practices what they preach. They're the kind of person you can easily chat with, not just about work stuff but how you're genuinely doing. They're decisive, sure, but also flexible enough to pivot when things don't go as planned, always keeping those ethical standards front and center.

A great boss also has this knack for seeing the bigger picture, setting goals that are not just profitable but also ethically sound. They inspire the whole team to aim for these targets, creating a sense of purpose. And, you know, they're not afraid to admit when they've messed up. They take those moments as learning opportunities, which really encourages everyone to keep growing and improving. It's this combination of openness, care, and integrity that doesn't just make someone a boss but a true leader, shaping not just a company's success but its character too.

60 Second Task

Cultures view mental health differently. In many Western countries, there’s a growing openness. People are more willing to talk about their struggles and seek support, a significant shift from earlier times in my own community. We’ve seen a positive change, with various campaigns and initiatives promoting open discussions about mental health, making it less of a taboo.

However, in other cultures, mental health still carries a stigma. Admitting to mental health issues can be seen as a sign of weakness or a source of shame. This creates a barrier to seeking help. Friends of mine from such backgrounds often feel isolated, worried about being judged or not understood if they speak up.

To change this, education and awareness are crucial. Schools and the media can debunk myths and provide accurate information about mental health, helping to shift perceptions. Sharing personal success stories of managing mental health can also inspire and motivate others to seek assistance.

Additionally, enhancing the accessibility and affordability of mental health services is essential. When people see that effective help is within reach, it encourages a more open attitude towards mental health.

The gender pay gap is a stark reality, largely fueled by outdated stereotypes and structural issues. My time in tech highlighted this; despite equal roles, men often received higher pay and more promotions. It's an unsettling reflection of ingrained biases.

Negotiation also plays a role. Initially, I shied away from negotiating my salary, a common issue among women, influenced by societal expectations. However, witnessing a male colleague's successful negotiation was eye-opening.

Addressing this requires transparent pay policies and more support for women in male-dominated fields. Empowering women with negotiation skills is key. It's about fairness and creating an inclusive environment where everyone's value is recognized equally. ​

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. What qualities make someone approachable?

2. She is someone who practices what they preach.

3. Initially, I shied away from negotiating my salary.

4. She acted on feedback, making sure we all felt heard.

5. What attributes are essential for effective leadership?

6. However, in other cultures, mental health still carries a stigma.

7. The way a company's boss behaves sets the tone for the whole business.

8. Despite equal roles, men often received higher pay and more promotions.

9. Addressing this requires more support for women in male-dominated fields.

10. The media can debunk myths and provide accurate information about mental health.

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.

Cultures view mental health differently. In many Western countries, there’s a gr_____ openness. People are more willing to ta__ about their struggles and seek support, a_ significant shift from earlier times in m_ own community. We’ve seen a positive ch_____ with various campaigns and initiatives promoting op__ discussions about mental health, making it le__ of a taboo.

However, in other cultures, mental health st___ carries a stigma. Admitting to mental he____ issues can be seen as a si__ of weakness or a source of sh___. This creates a barrier to seeking he__. Friends of mine from such backgrounds of___ feel isolated, worried about being judged o_ not understood if they speak up.

To change this, education and awareness ar_ crucial. Schools and the media can de____ myths and provide accurate information about me____ health, helping to shift perceptions. Sharing pe______ success stories of managing mental health ca_ also inspire and motivate others to se__ assistance.

Additionally, enhancing the accessibility and affordability o_ mental health services is essential. When pe____ see that effective help is within re____, it encourages a more open attitude to_____ mental health.

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