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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

In the next decade, I believe travel technology will transform our adventures in two major ways: through augmented reality or AR experiences and more sustainable travel options.

First, AR is set to change how we explore new places. Imagine pointing your phone at a historical site and seeing its history come to life on your screen, or getting real-time translations of signs and menus. Last year, I used an AR app at an art museum, and it felt like having a personal tour guide in my pocket. 

Second, sustainability will be a huge focus. With climate change concerns growing, there's a push for greener travel options. Electric planes and trains are on the horizon, promising to reduce carbon emissions drastically. I recently read about a company developing solar-powered hotels, which could revolutionize where we stay, making our trips kinder to the planet.

In conclusion, the future of travel technology looks promising, with AR making our journeys more immersive and sustainability efforts ensuring we tread lightly on the earth. 

60 Second Task

Social media's great for keeping us connected, but it's also a hotspot for fake news. The ease of sharing stuff with just a click means false stories can fly around the globe in seconds. I saw a friend share a "news" piece that was totally made up. It was a real eye-opener about how quick we are to hit 'share.'

Echo chambers are another big problem. Social media tends to feed us what we like, making it easier to swallow false info if it matches our beliefs. I've fallen for stories that fit my views, only to find out later they were bogus.

So, what do we do? Fact-checking is crucial. Now, I pause and check the facts before sharing. It's surprising how many stories don't check out. Also, listening to different sides can help us spot fakes and understand the whole story better.

Bottom line: While social media can spread misinformation like wildfire, we can fight back by double-checking facts and being open to other viewpoints. It's up to us to keep our feeds honest.

Definitely, the languages we speak shape our thoughts. Each one offers a unique perspective.

For instance, languages with specific words for emotions or experiences broaden our emotional awareness. Learning these phrases made me realize there are feelings I hadn’t considered before.

Language structure influences our thinking too. Spanish phrases often remove direct blame, subtly changing how we perceive actions and responsibility. This shift in perspective showed me the impact of language on our view of events.

In short, the languages we know profoundly influence our thought processes, from emotional recognition to concepts of time and responsibility. It’s fascinating how language can expand and reshape our worldview.

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. Now, I pause and check the facts before sharing.

2. The future of travel technology looks promising.

3. It's surprising how many stories don't check out.

4. Social media can spread misinformation like wildfire.

5. It's fascinating how language can reshape our worldview.

6. Imagine getting real-time translations of signs and menus.

7. I saw a friend share a "news" piece that was totally made up.

8. Solar-powered hotels could make our trips kinder to the planet.

9. Listening to different sides can help us understand the whole story better.

10. In short, the languages we know profoundly influence our thought processes.

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.

Social media's great for keeping us connected, but it's also a hotspot for fake news. The ease of sharing stuff with ju__ a click means false stories can fl_ around the globe in seconds.

I sa_ a friend share a "news" piece th__ was totally made up. It was a_ real eye-opener about how quick we ar_ to hit 'share.' Echo chambers are an_____ big problem. Social media tends to fe__ us what we like, making it ea____ to swallow false info if it ma_____ our beliefs.

I've fallen for stories th__ fit my views, only to find ou_ later they were bogus. So, what do we do? Fact-checking is crucial. Now, I pause an_ check the facts before sharing. It's su________ how many stories don't check out. Al___ listening to different sides can help u_ spot fakes and understand the whole st___ better.

Bottom line: While social media can sp____ misinformation like wildfire, we can fight ba__ by double-checking facts and being open t_ other viewpoints. It's up to us t_ keep our feeds honest.

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