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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

Being open about what businesses do is super important. It's all about transparency. When a company is clear about its actions and impact, it builds trust with customers, employees, and the wider community. For example, I once bought from a brand that shared everything about how their products were made and where their materials came from. This honesty made me feel good about my purchase and more loyal to the brand.

Transparency can also lead to better decision-making within the company. When everyone knows what's going on, employees can contribute more effectively, and the company can avoid potential scandals or ethical mishaps. I remember hearing about a company that tried to hide negative impacts of their products, but when the truth came out, they lost a lot of customers and had to work hard to rebuild their reputation.

To ensure companies are honest about their impact, there could be stricter regulations requiring them to report not just their financials but also their environmental and social impacts. Independent audits could help verify these reports. Additionally, creating a culture that values honesty, starting from the top, can make a big difference. Leaders who prioritize transparency set an example for the whole company.

Overall, openness in business isn't just nice to have; it's essential for building trust and making sure companies are accountable for their impact on the world.

60 Second Task

Preventing mental health issues is crucial for us and our communities. Building support networks is a big help. Having chats with friends or joining groups where we talk about our struggles makes a world of difference. It's not just about venting; it's about understanding and being understood. I'm part of a group that meets up to share experiences and coping tips, and it's been a lifesaver, showing me I'm not alone and providing practical advice.

Staying active, eating right, and getting enough sleep are key too. These habits not only keep our bodies healthy but also have a profound effect on our mental health. Personally, sticking to a routine with exercise and healthy food really lifts my spirits. It's amazing how much a simple walk or a balanced meal can boost your mood and outlook.

Lastly, pushing for policies that make mental health services accessible is vital. If professional help is easier to get, we can prevent many issues from getting worse. Accessibility can break down barriers, allowing more people to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or financial strain.

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. It's about understanding and being understood.

2. Independent audits could help verify these reports.

3. Staying active and getting enough sleep are key too.

4. When the truth came out, they lost a lot of customers.

5. These habits have a profound effect on our mental health.

6. Sticking to a routine with exercise really lifts my spirits.

7. What does it look like to embrace the benefits of diverse leadership?

8. I'm part of a group that meets up to share experiences and coping tips.

9. Transparency can also lead to better decision-making within the company.

10. Joining groups where we talk about our struggles makes a world of difference.

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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