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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

Getting young folks interested in keeping traditions alive in our fast-changing world is a challenge, but it's definitely doable. First up, we need to make traditions relevant to them. It's all about connecting the dots between the past and their present lives. For example, my cousin started teaching traditional dance classes but mixed in modern music that teens love. Suddenly, her classes were packed! It showed me that when traditions feel current and fun, young people are way more likely to get involved.

Another big thing is using technology to our advantage. Let's face it, everyone's glued to their screens these days. So, why not bring traditions there? I've seen folks use social media to share stories behind traditional festivals or post tutorials on age-old cooking recipes. This one YouTuber I follow started doing DIY crafts based on traditional art forms, and it's a hit. It makes traditions accessible and, honestly, pretty cool.

Lastly, involving young people in the planning and running of traditional events can spark their interest. My high school had a "cultural day" where students could showcase their heritage through food, dance, and stories. Being part of organizing it made me appreciate my roots more. It felt like we were keeping our traditions alive together.

So, by making traditions relevant, leveraging technology, and getting young people directly involved, it shows that traditions aren't just relics of the past; they're a living, breathing part of our story.

60 Second Task

What we wear really changes how we feel about ourselves and how others see us. For starters, clothes can give us a huge confidence boost. I remember slipping on a suit for an interview and feeling instantly more powerful and prepared. 

Also, our outfits can hint at our personality or interests without us having to say a word. Ever worn a band T-shirt and ended up making friends because of it? I have. It's a great way to connect with people who share your tastes.

Clothes also let us show off our cultural background or values, almost like a visual statement. Wearing traditional clothes at festivals has made me feel proud of my roots and sparked interesting chats with others.

In short, our choice of clothing can boost how confident we feel, silently share bits of our personality, and even invite respect and curiosity about our background.

Preserving old buildings is crucial; they're like bridges to our past, enriching our cities with history. Take my town's ancient market—it's a direct link to centuries ago, offering a unique sense of time.

Yet, modernizing these buildings without ruining their charm is tricky. For instance, fitting our old library with internet involved cleverly hiding tech upgrades to maintain its historic look.

Space is another issue. With urban expansion, it's tough to save old structures from being replaced by new developments. Losing historic buildings to parking lots is disheartening.

In essence, keeping old buildings is vital for preserving history and city character. We need smart solutions to integrate modern needs with historical preservation.

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. Old buildings are like bridges to our past.

2. Everyone's glued to their screens these days.

3. What we wear really changes how others see us.

4. Involving young people can spark their interest.

5. My cousin started teaching traditional dance classes.

6. Another big thing is using technology to our advantage.

7. Losing historic buildings to parking lots is disheartening.

8. It's a great way to connect with people who share your tastes.

9. When traditions feel fun, young people are more likely to get involved.

10. It's all about connecting the dots between the past and their present lives.

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.

What we wear really changes how we feel about ourselves and how others see us.

For starters, clothes can give us a hu__ confidence boost. I remember slipping o_ a suit for an interview and fe_____ instantly more powerful and prepared.

Also, ou_ outfits can hint at our personality o_ interests without us having to say a_ word. Ever worn a band T-shirt an_ ended up making friends because of it_? I have. It's a great way t_ connect with people who share your ta_____.

Clothes also let us show off ou_ cultural background or values, almost like a_ visual statement. Wearing traditional clothes at fe_______ has made me feel proud of m_ roots and sparked interesting chats with ot_____.

In short, our choice of clothing ca_ boost how confident we feel, silently sh___ bits of our personality, and even in____ respect and curiosity about our background.

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