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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

Social media has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, it connects us; on the other, it's a breeding ground for false information. One big reason for this is how easy it is to share content. A single click can spread a story, true or not, to thousands of people. I once saw a friend share a news story that turned out to be completely fake. It was a reminder of how quickly we can be fooled.

Another issue is echo chambers. Social media often shows us only what we like or agree with, which can make false information seem more believable. I've been guilty of this myself, getting caught up in stories that support my views, only to find out later they weren't entirely accurate.

So, what can we do? Fact-checking is key. Before sharing something, take a moment to verify it through reliable sources. I've started doing this and sometimes, I'm surprised by how many stories don't hold up. Also, we should be open to different viewpoints. Breaking out of our echo chambers can help us see the full picture and question the validity of what we read.

In essence, while social media can easily spread false information, we have the power to combat it through careful fact-checking and staying open-minded. It's on us to ensure the integrity of the information we consume and share.

60 Second Task

Oh, for sure, learning different languages totally changes the way we think. It's like getting new lenses to see the world with.

Take how some languages have words for stuff we can't easily say in another. Like a Japanese speaks to the feeling you're gonna fall in love with someone you just met. English doesn’t have a quick way to say that. Discovering these words opened my eyes to new emotions.

Then there's how language structure messes with our heads. In Spanish, you might say a glass broke "on you," not "you broke the glass," which kinda shifts the blame off you. Thinking in Spanish got me seeing things more like they just happen, not always someone's fault.

And time! Some languages view time differently than we do in English, which can really flip your perspective.

So, yep, the languages we speak definitely mold our thoughts, from feeling new emotions to how we see time and blame. It's wild how much language shapes our worldview.

Understanding local customs and culture deeply enriches travel and respects the communities visited. For instance, adhering to shoe-removal practices in Asian homes, which I nearly missed in Japan, goes beyond mere protocol; it's an act of cultural respect. Similarly, actively participating in Mexico's Day of the Dead rather than just watching from the sidelines allowed me to connect meaningfully with local traditions.

Embracing the culture of destinations not only elevates the travel experience but also honors local traditions. This approach fosters genuine connections and mutual respect. This turns  journeys into impactful stories of cultural engagement and personal growth. It's about more than visiting a place; it's about experiencing and respecting its value to humanity.

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. Social media has become a double-edged sword.

2. English doesn’t have a quick way to say that.

3. Also, we should be open to different viewpoints.

4. Discovering these words opened my eyes to new emotions.

5. A single click can spread a story to thousands of people.

6. One big reason for this is how easy it is to share content.

7. We have the power to combat it through staying open-minded.

8. Social media often shows us only what we like or agree with.

9. Understanding local customs and culture deeply enriches travel

10. I once saw a friend share a news story that turned out to be completely fake.

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.

Oh, for sure, learning different languages totally changes the way we think. It's like getting new lenses to se_ the world with. Take how some languages have words fo_ stuff we can't easily say in an_____.

Like a Japanese saying speaks to the fe_____ you're gonna fall in love with so_____ you just met. English doesn’t have a_ quick way to say that. Discovering th___ words opened my eyes to new em_______. Then there's how language structure messes wi__ our heads.

In Spanish, you might sa_ a glass broke "on you," not "y__ broke the glass," which kinda shifts th_ blame off you. Thinking in Spanish go_ me seeing things more like they ju__ happen, not always someone's fault. And time! Some languages view time differently than w_ do in English, which can really fl__ your perspective.

So, yep, the languages we speak de________ mold our thoughts, from feeling new em______ to how we see time and bl___. It's wild how much language shapes ou_ worldview.

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