ESL: Very Well’s

New here? Or just checking us out? Here’s a How-to guide for our approach.

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

Combining traditional medicine with modern treatments can be like getting the best of both worlds, but it's not without its challenges.

First off, traditional remedies often come from centuries of practice. They're part of cultural heritage and can offer a more holistic approach to health. For instance, I've seen how a simple ginger tea can work wonders for a cold, something my grandma swore by. These remedies can complement modern medicine by providing gentle, natural alternatives for minor ailments or enhancing well-being alongside conventional treatments.

However, there's a flip side. Not all traditional remedies have been scientifically tested, which means their effectiveness and safety aren't always guaranteed. I heard a story about someone who relied solely on herbal supplements for a serious condition, avoiding medical advice, and it didn't end well. This highlights the risk of substituting proven medical treatments with unverified traditional methods.

Another point to consider is the possibility of interactions between traditional remedies and prescribed medications. Combining the two without professional guidance can sometimes lead to adverse effects. A friend once mixed herbal anxiety treatments with prescription medicine and experienced unexpected side effects. It's a reminder that even natural products can have powerful effects.

So, while using traditional medicine with modern treatments offers holistic benefits and connects us to cultural roots, it's crucial to approach this blend with caution, seeking advice from healthcare professionals to avoid risks and ensure the best health outcomes.

60 Second Task

Travel technology in the next ten years is poised for two big shifts: augmented reality (AR) and sustainable travel.

AR will revolutionize how we experience places. Imagine using your phone to overlay historical scenes onto present-day sites or translate signs instantly. I used an AR app in a museum once, and it was like having a guide in my pocket, making the visit much more engaging. This tech is set to make travel richer and more interactive.

Sustainability is the other game-changer. As we become more aware of climate change, the travel industry is innovating with electric transportation and eco-friendly accommodations. I've heard about solar-powered hotels and electric planes in development, aiming to slash our carbon footprint while exploring the world.

In short, the next decade in travel tech looks exciting with AR adding depth to our explorations and green innovations making our adventures more planet-friendly. These changes promise to enhance our travel experiences while preserving the world for future explorers.

Social media's a double-edged sword: it connects us but also spreads fake news fast. The simplicity of sharing content means false stories can quickly go viral. I've witnessed friends unknowingly share fabricated articles, highlighting the ease with which misinformation spreads.

Echo chambers compound the issue, presenting us only with views we already agree with, making falsehoods seem more credible. I've personally been caught in this trap, believing skewed stories because they aligned with my biases.

The antidote? Diligent fact-checking and openness to diverse perspectives. I've made a habit of verifying stories before sharing and exploring different viewpoints to challenge my assumptions.

In short, tackling misinformation on social media demands critical scrutiny from us, the users, and a willingness to consider the full spectrum of opinions. It's on us to maintain the credibility of what we share.

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. I've personally been caught in this trap.

2. A friend once experienced unexpected side effects.

3. Imagine using your phone to translate signs instantly.

4. Combining the two can sometimes lead to adverse effects.

5. Traditional remedies often come from centuries of practice.

6. I've witnessed friends unknowingly share fabricated articles.

7. I've seen how a simple ginger tea can work wonders for a cold.

8. Travel technology in the next ten years is poised for two big shifts.

9. In what ways can traditional and modern medical practices be integrated?

10. The simplicity of sharing content means false stories can quickly go viral.

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.

Travel technology in the next ten years is poised for two big shifts: augmented reality (AR) and sustainable travel.

AR will revolutionize how we experience places. Imagine using your phone to overlay hi________ scenes onto present-day sites or translate si___ instantly. I used an AR app i_ a museum once, and it was li__ having a guide in my pocket, ma____ the visit much more engaging. This te__ is set to make travel richer an_ more interactive.

Sustainability is the other game-changer. As w_ become more aware of climate change, th_ travel industry is innovating with electric tr____________ and eco-friendly accommodations. I've heard about so___________ hotels and electric planes in development, ai____ to slash our carbon footprint while ex_______ the world.

In short, the next decade in tr____ tech looks exciting with AR adding de___ to our explorations and green innovations ma____ our adventures more planet-friendly. These changes pr_____ to enhance our travel experiences while pr________ the world for future explorers.

Help ESL: Very Well Grow

This newsletter has all of the resources that you need for the protocol. If you’re on Facebook follow ESL: Very Well to participate in our growing community and access other news and events.

Some people are shocked to hear that we produce ESL: Very Well 100% coffee-free. However, I do eat a lot of broccoli and we use AI tools that are not free. If you’d like to fuel our efforts, we’d very much appreciate that.

If you’d like to donate money to get out the word about ESL: Very Well to a targeted group that is close to your heart. Say people interested in soccer in Sao Paulo Brazil venmo us any amount of money with that description and we’ll see that it happens.