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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

Different cultures have their own unique views on mental health, which can vary widely. For instance, in some Western societies, there's a growing acceptance and understanding of mental health issues, with more people openly discussing their struggles and seeking help. I remember how in my own community, talking about mental health used to be taboo, but now, there are campaigns and support groups that encourage open discussions, which is a huge step forward.

However, in some other parts of the world, mental health is still stigmatized. In certain cultures, admitting to mental health issues might be seen as a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. I have friends from such backgrounds who find it really hard to talk about their mental health because they're afraid of being judged or not taken seriously.

Improving how a culture thinks about mental health starts with education and awareness. Schools and media can play a big role in changing perceptions by providing accurate information and debunking myths about mental health. Another key factor is promoting stories of people who've successfully managed their mental health issues, which can inspire others to seek help.

Additionally, making mental health services more accessible and affordable is crucial. When people see that help is available and effective, it can change their attitudes towards mental health. Overall, it's about creating an environment where mental health is taken seriously, and people feel supported in seeking help.

60 Second Task

Sure, let's tackle the gender pay gap issue. So, why do men often get paid more than women? A lot of it comes down to old stereotypes and unfair systems. Like, at this tech place I worked, I saw firsthand that guys often got better pay and more chances to move up, even when we were all doing the same job. It just didn't feel right, you know?

And there's this thing about negotiating salaries. Women, including me once, might not push for more money because we're taught to not come off as too pushy. But then, I saw a male colleague negotiate and actually get a higher salary for the same role. It was a real eye-opener.

So, what can we do? Well, companies need to be clear about how much they pay everyone. That could help spot when things aren't fair. Also, giving women more support in jobs where there aren't many of us, like with mentors, can make a big difference. Plus, getting better at negotiating can really help even things out. It's about making the workplace fair for everyone.

When you dive into the worlds of the Egyptians, Romans, and Mayans, it's like opening a treasure chest of knowledge, especially in building and star mapping. Take the Egyptians, for example. They put those massive stones together with such precision, it makes you wonder. Standing there in front of the Great Pyramid, I was just floored by the ingenuity.

And don’t get me started on the Mayans and their stars. Their calendar and ability to predict celestial events are out of this world, literally. Visiting Chichen Itza and seeing how everything lines up with the sun at certain times of the year was nothing short of amazing. It just goes to show, the wisdom of these ancient cultures is stuff that still lights up our world today, pushing us to keep exploring and building on what they knew. It’s pretty incredible, right?

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. Women might not push for more money.

2. How can workplaces better support women?

3. Support groups encourage open discussions.

4. What can we learn from ancient civilizations?

5. Making mental health services more affordable is crucial.

6. A lot of it comes down to old stereotypes and unfair systems.

7. Different cultures have their own unique views on mental health.

8. Admitting to mental health issues might be seen as a sign of weakness.

9. Improving how a culture thinks about mental health starts with education.

10. However, in some other parts of the world, mental health is still stigmatized.

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.

Sure, let's tackle the gender pay gap issue. So, why do men often get pa__ more than women? A lot of it comes down t_ old stereotypes and unfair systems.

Like, a_ this tech place I worked, I sa_ firsthand that guys often got better pa_ and more chances to move up, ev__ when we were all doing the sa__ job. It just didn't feel right, yo_ know? And there's this thing about negotiating sa______. Women, including me once, might not pu__ for more money because we're taught t_ not come off as too pushy. Bu_ then, I saw a male colleague ne_______ and actually get a higher salary fo_ the same role. It was a re__ eye-opener.

So, what can we do? Well, companies need to be clear ab___ how much they pay everyone. That co___ help spot when things aren't fair. Al___ giving women more support in jobs wh___ there aren't many of us, like wi__ mentors, can make a big difference. Pl___ getting better at negotiating can really he__ even things out. It's about making th_ workplace fair for everyone.

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