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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

Preventing mental health issues is really important, both for ourselves and our communities. One way to do this is by creating strong support networks. Talking openly with friends, family, or support groups about our feelings and struggles can make a huge difference. For instance, I joined a community group where we share our experiences and coping strategies. It’s helped me realize I’m not alone in my feelings, which is incredibly reassuring.

Another key aspect is promoting healthy lifestyles. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and enough sleep can significantly impact our mental well-being. I’ve personally found that when I stick to a routine that includes exercise and healthy eating, my mood improves a lot.

Educating ourselves and others about mental health is also vital. Workshops or seminars in schools, workplaces, and communities can raise awareness and teach people how to recognize signs of mental health issues in themselves and others. This knowledge empowers us to seek help early or support someone who might need it.

Finally, advocating for policies that support mental health services and make them accessible to everyone is crucial. Better access to professional help can prevent many mental health issues from worsening. Through these combined efforts—building support networks, living healthily, educating ourselves, and advocating for accessible services—we can make a significant impact on preventing mental health issues.

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.

A boss's behavior hugely impacts a company's ethics. When a leader prioritizes honesty and openness, it transforms the workplace vibe, creating trust and accountability. I've experienced a boss who championed ethical dialogue, which really united and motivated our team.

Good bosses live by the values they preach, making themselves approachable and truly caring about the team. They're not just focused on results but also on ethical integrity, steering the company towards meaningful goals. Acknowledging their own mistakes and seeing them as learning opportunities, they foster a culture of continuous improvement.

This kind of leadership integrates ethics deeply into the company's DNA, proving that the right leader not only elevates performance but also moral standards, making the workplace better for everyone involved.

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. Good bosses live by the values they preach.

2. Her approach made the workplace more cooperative.

3. Preventing mental health issues is really important.

4. One way to do this is by creating strong support networks.

5. Women leaders also show others that it's possible to make it big.

6. Programs that support work-life balance can make a huge difference.

7. Advocating for policies that support mental health services is crucial.

8. Regular physical activity can significantly impact our mental well-being.

9. Workshops can teach people how to recognize signs of mental health issues.

10. Studies show that companies with women at the top often do better financially.

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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