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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

Having more women in charge brings diverse perspectives and leadership styles, which is crucial for any organization or society. For instance, research shows that companies with women in top positions often perform better financially, as these women bring new ideas and approaches to problem-solving. On a personal note, I once worked for a company where the CEO was a woman. Her empathetic leadership style created a positive work environment, fostering collaboration and innovation among the team. This experience convinced me that diverse leadership directly contributes to a company's success.

Moreover, women leaders can be role models, inspiring other women and girls to pursue their ambitions. Seeing women in powerful positions helps break down stereotypes and encourages more equal representation across all fields.

To get more women into leadership, we must address the barriers they face, such as gender bias and lack of mentorship. Creating supportive networks and mentorship programs can help women develop the skills and confidence needed for leadership roles. Additionally, policies promoting work-life balance are essential, as they can alleviate the pressure women often face when juggling professional and personal responsibilities.

Organizations should also actively promote gender diversity in their leadership pipelines, ensuring that women have equal opportunities for advancement. By taking these steps, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where the benefits of diverse leadership are fully realized.

60 Second Task

Absolutely, a boss's actions can really shape a company's ethics. Imagine a boss who's all in on being transparent and doing things right; that kind of attitude spreads, making the whole place more open and trustworthy. I've seen it myself: a boss who made sure we all felt comfortable talking about any issues, setting a vibe of real accountability and respect that just made us all work better together.

A truly great boss? They're the ones who not only talk a good game but live it. They're easy to talk to, genuinely care about how the team's doing, and can switch gears if needed, keeping ethics in the mix. They look ahead, aiming for goals that matter, not just profit-wise but in a way that makes us all proud to be part of it.

They own up to their mistakes too, treating them as chances to learn and grow. This kind of leadership doesn't just push us to do better; it weaves ethics into the fabric of the company, showing that the right leader can lift both the team's spirit and its standards.

Different cultures have varied takes on mental health. In some places, there’s now a real push towards openness, with communities encouraging dialogue and support, marking a positive shift from previous silence. Yet, elsewhere, stigma persists, making it tough for people to express their struggles without fear of judgment.

Education and heightened awareness are pivotal in transforming these views. By demystifying mental health through schools and media, and sharing stories of resilience and recovery, we can start to break down barriers. Making support services more accessible also plays a crucial role. When help is easy to get and seen as effective, it shifts cultural attitudes, fostering a more supportive environment for everyone to openly discuss and manage mental health challenges.

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. They genuinely care about how the team's doing.

2. Policies promoting work-life balance are essential.

3. A boss's actions can really shape a company's ethics.

4. In some places, there’s now a real push towards openness.

5. How do female leaders affect a company’s financial performance?

6. Seeing women in powerful positions helps break down stereotypes.

7. Making support services more accessible also plays a crucial role.

8. What role do mentorship programs play in advancing women’s careers?

9. To get more women into leadership, we must address the barriers they face.

10. Women leaders can be role models, inspiring girls to pursue their ambitions.

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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