ESL: Very Well Protocol | Week 7 - Day 37

25 March 2024

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Today’s Themes and Tasks

Language Learning

Business Ethics

Mental Health

Does being surrounded by a new culture help you learn its language better, or can you get the same experience online?

How important is it for businesses to be open about what they do? What can be done to make sure companies are honest about their impact?

What are some ways we can all help prevent mental health issues from developing in ourselves and in our communities?

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

Does being surrounded by a new culture help you learn its language better, or can you get the same experience online?

Being surrounded by a new culture definitely boosts language learning because you're immersed in the language every day. But, online learning has unique advantages too.

First, immersion in a new culture forces you to use the language in real-life situations. When I studied abroad, I learned Spanish much faster because I had to speak it at the store, with friends, and even to ask for directions. It's like being thrown into the deep end—you learn to swim because you have to.

However, online learning platforms offer resources that physical immersion can't. For example, you can access instant translations, grammar lessons, and pronunciation guides anytime, anywhere. Plus, online forums and language exchange apps connect you with native speakers around the globe. I've improved my French by chatting with a friend from Paris via a language exchange app, practicing more structured conversations than I might have in casual encounters.

While physical immersion provides a rich, unavoidable language bath, online learning tailors the experience to your pace and needs. It can complement immersion by reinforcing lessons with interactive tools and real-time practice with natives without leaving your home. Both approaches have their unique benefits, making them complementary rather than mutually exclusive in the journey to language proficiency.

60 Second Task

How important is it for businesses to be open about what they do? What can be done to make sure companies are honest about their impact?

Transparency in business is crucial. It's about building trust. When companies share openly about their practices and impact, it makes customers and employees feel valued and connected. Like, there was this brand I bought from because they were so upfront about their product origins. It made me trust them more.

Transparency also prevents scandals. Being open can catch issues early before they blow up, avoiding bigger problems down the line. It’s like a safety net, ensuring that if something does go wrong, it’s handled with honesty rather than covered up. A company I know tried to hide some bad stuff about their products, but when it got out, they lost tons of customers. It shows honesty is key.

To keep companies honest, we might need tougher rules on reporting environmental and social impacts, not just profits. Independent checks could help too. Plus, if leaders show they value being open, it encourages the whole company to follow suit.

In short, being open isn’t just good; it's necessary for trust and accountability. It makes a big difference in how we see and support businesses.

What are some ways we can all help prevent mental health issues from developing in ourselves and in our communities?

Preventing mental health issues is essential. Cultivating strong support networks by openly discussing our struggles makes a significant difference. In my experience, joining a group where we exchange coping strategies has been incredibly beneficial, offering both comfort and practical advice.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep directly impacts our mental well-being. Personally, adopting such routines has notably boosted my mood.

Educational workshops on mental health can enlighten us about early signs and ways to support others, demystifying the subject. Moreover, advocating for accessible mental health services is crucial, ensuring everyone can get the help they need.

By fostering understanding, promoting wellness, and enhancing service accessibility, we can effectively prevent mental health issues.

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. When I studied abroad, I learned Spanish much faster.

2. Being open can catch issues early before they blow up.

3. Educational workshops on mental health demystify the subject.

4. Personally, adopting such routines has notably boosted my mood.

5. What are some effective ways to manage mental health challenges?

6. Cultivating strong support networks makes a significant difference.

7. Being surrounded by a new culture definitely boosts language learning.

8. Immersion in a new culture forces you to use the language in real-life.

9. Online learning platforms offer resources that physical immersion can't.

10. If something does go wrong, it’s handled with honesty rather than covered up.

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.

How important is it for businesses to be open about what they do? What can be done to make sure companies are honest about their impact?

Transparency in business is crucial. It's about building trust. When companies sh___ openly about their practices and impact, i_ makes customers and employees feel valued an_ connected. Like, there was this brand I_ bought from because they were so up_____ about their product origins. It made m_ trust them more.

Transparency also prevents scandals. Being open ca_ catch issues early before they blow up_ avoiding bigger problems down the line. It__ like a safety net, ensuring that i_ something does go wrong, it’s handled wi__ honesty rather than covered up. A co_____ I know tried to hide some ba_ stuff about their products, but when i_ got out, they lost tons of cu_______. It shows honesty is key.

To keep companies honest, we might ne__ tougher rules on reporting environmental and so____ impacts, not just profits. Independent checks co___ help too. Plus, if leaders show th__ value being open, it encourages the wh___ company to follow suit.

In short, being open isn’t just go___ it's necessary for trust and accountability. I_ makes a big difference in how w_ see and support businesses.

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