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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

Absolutely, knowing different languages can change how we think. It's like each language gives us a new set of glasses to see the world differently.

First off, some languages have words for feelings or experiences that others don’t. For instance, in Japanese, there's a phrase that communicates falling in love with someone you've just met. There's no direct English equivalent. Learning such words made me more aware of the subtle emotions and concepts I hadn't thought about before.

Also, the structure of a language can shape our thought processes. In Spanish, you might say a phrase that means "The glass broke on me," which kind of takes the blame away from you. When I started thinking in Spanish, I noticed I began to see things more as happening by themselves, not always because of someone's action. It’s a small shift but shows how language structure can influence our perspective.

And, language can affect how we perceive time. English speakers might see the future as something ahead, but for speakers of Aymara, a language spoken in the Andes, the future is behind them. Learning about this blew my mind and made me rethink my own views of time.

So, yeah, the languages we know definitely shape how we think, from understanding emotions to how we view time and responsibility. It’s like each language adds a new layer to our worldview.

60 Second Task

Understanding local customs and embracing the culture of places we visit isn't just polite; it's essential for a deep appreciation and respect for the communities we explore.

Take, for example, the practice of removing shoes in Asian homes. I almost overlooked this during a visit to Japan, but remembering in time was more than just following a rule; it was a sign of respect and a step towards cultural understanding.

Moreover, truly immersing in traditions, such as participating in Mexico's Day of the Dead, transforms the experience from merely observing to actively engaging with the local culture. It allows travelers to connect with the community on a deeper level, experiencing traditions and understanding values firsthand.

Ultimately, getting to know the customs and culture of your destinations enriches your travels immeasurably and shows respect for the local way of life. It turns journeys into more than just trips, but stories of cultural connection and mutual respect. This approach not only enhances personal growth but strengthens intercultural bonds.

Engaging primarily through screens can dull our ability to read emotions and reactions in real conversations. I've experienced misunderstandings with friends over texts that wouldn't have happened in person, simply because digital communication lacks the nuances of live interaction.

Furthermore, the rapid pace of social media can erode our attention spans, making sustained, in-depth discussions more challenging. I've noticed this during gatherings where the temptation to check our phones interrupts the flow of conversation.

So, it's evident that while social media keeps us connected, it also poses risks to our conversational skills and emotional intelligence. Balancing online engagement with real-world interactions is essential to maintaining our ability to communicate effectively and empathetically.

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. Language can affect how we perceive time.

2. The languages we know definitely shape how we think.

3. Japanese has a phrase for falling in love at first sight.

4. Social media also poses risks to our conversational skills.

5. The rapid pace of social media can erode our attention spans.

6. How does being multilingual alter your perception of the world?

7. Absolutely, knowing different languages can change how we think.

8. Why is face-to-face communication important in today's digital age?

9. The temptation to check our phones interrupts the flow of conversation.

10. Engaging primarily through screens can dull our ability to read emotions.

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.

Understanding local customs and embracing the culture of places we visit isn't just polite; it's essential for a deep appreciation a__ respect for the communities we explore.

Ta__, for example, the practice of removing shoes in Asian homes. I almost overlooked this during a vi___ to Japan, but remembering in time wa_ more than just following a rule; i_ was a sign of respect and a_ step towards cultural understanding.

Moreover, truly immersing in traditions, such a_ participating in Mexico's Day of the De___ transforms the experience from merely observing t_ actively engaging with the local culture. I_ allows travelers to connect with the co_______ on a deeper level, experiencing traditions an_ understanding values firsthand.

Ultimately, getting to know the customs an_ culture of your destinations enriches your tr_____ immeasurably and shows respect for the lo___ way of life. It turns journeys in__ more than just trips, but stories o_ cultural connection and mutual respect. This ap______ not only enhances personal growth but st_________ intercultural bonds.

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