English Lesson 107

Age and new technology

Your age and your future, a time you started using a new device, and technology in learning and life.

How to practise
  1. Listen to an answer two times. Read the text while you listen.
  2. Shadow it. Set the speed to 0.75×. Play it again and speak at the same time as the voice.
  3. Turn on practice mode. The answers are hidden. Read each question and answer it out loud.
  4. Make it yours. Use the same phrases, but say true things about your city, your job and your life.
  5. Practise with a partner. One person reads the questions. The other answers without looking.
Speed

Part 1 · Interview

Age

Short answers. About 20 to 30 seconds each. Answer, give a reason, add one detail.

Are you happy to be the age you are now? Why?

Yes, I'm happy to be twenty-eight. I'm old enough to make my own decisions, and I have a job and my own money. But I'm still young, so I have energy and many possibilities ahead of me.

  • old enough to…at the right age to
  • make my own decisionsdecide for myself
  • many possibilities ahead of memany chances in the future

When you were a child, did you think a lot about your future?

Not really. As a child, I only thought about games and holidays. Sometimes I dreamed of being a pilot or a football player, but I didn't think about it seriously. I started thinking about my future when I was about sixteen.

  • Not really.a soft no
  • I dreamed of being…I imagined becoming
  • seriouslyin a real, careful way

Do you think you have changed as you have got older?

Yes, a lot. I'm more patient now, and I worry less about what other people think. I'm also more responsible with money. But some things haven't changed. I still love football and silly jokes!

  • Yes, a lot.a strong answer
  • I worry less about…I don't worry as much
  • more responsible with moneycareful with money
  • some things haven't changedsome things stayed the same

What will be different about your life in the future?

I hope I'll have my own family and maybe live in a bigger home. I'd also like to have more experience at work, maybe as a manager. And I hope I'll travel more and see different countries.

  • I hope I'll…say a hope
  • my own familya husband or wife and children
  • see different countriesvisit various countries

Part 2 · Cue card

A time you started using a new technological device

You get 1 minute to prepare and then speak for 1 to 2 minutes. Follow the four points on the card in order.

Candidate task card

Describe a time when you started using a new technological device.

You should say:

  • what device you started using
  • why you started using it
  • how easy or difficult it was to use
  • and explain how helpful it was to you
Ready 1:00

Start

I'd like to talk about when I started using a tablet with a digital pen. It completely changed the way I study.

What device

It was a tablet with a special pen that lets you write and draw on the screen, just like paper. I bought it about two years ago.

Why you started using it

I was carrying lots of heavy books and notebooks to university every day. My back hurt, and my notes were always messy and lost. A friend showed me how she took notes on her tablet, and I decided to try.

Easy or difficult

At first, it was a bit difficult. Writing on glass feels different from paper, and I made many mistakes. Also, I had to learn how to use the note-taking app. But after about a week, I got used to it.

How helpful it was

It was extremely helpful. Now all my notes and books are in one light device. I can search my notes, add colours and move things around. I can also record lectures while I write. My grades improved, and my back is much happier!

  • It completely changed the way I studya strong opening
  • just like paperthe same as writing on paper
  • My back hurtI had pain in my back
  • I got used to itit became normal for me
  • record lecturessave the teacher's talk as audio
  • My grades improvedmy marks got better

Part 3 · Discussion

Technology in learning and life

Longer answers. About 30 to 45 seconds. Give your opinion, explain why, and give an example.

What is the best age for children to start computer lessons?

I think around seven or eight years old is good. At that age, they can read and understand simple instructions. Before that, children should play with real toys and learn to talk and move. Of course, the lessons should be fun and short.

  • around seven or eight years oldabout 7 or 8
  • simple instructionseasy directions
  • fun and shortenjoyable and not long

Should schools use more technology to help children learn?

Yes, but carefully. Technology can make lessons more interesting, with videos and interactive games. But children also need to write by hand, read real books and talk to each other. Technology should support teachers, not replace them.

  • but carefullywith care
  • interactive gamesgames where you take part
  • write by handwrite with a pen
  • support teachers, not replace themhelp, not take their place

Will computers replace teachers one day?

I disagree with that idea. Computers can teach facts and check answers, but teachers do much more. They encourage students, understand their feelings and teach them how to behave. A computer can't care about a student.

  • I disagree with that ideaI don't think it's true
  • check answerssee if answers are right
  • can't care about a studenthas no feelings for students

How much has technology improved the way we communicate?

It has improved it a lot. We can talk to anyone in the world instantly, for free, and even see their face. But it has also made some communication worse. People sometimes text each other while sitting in the same room.

  • instantlyimmediately
  • even see their facewith video
  • made some communication worsemade it worse in some ways

Are there still many more major technological innovations to come?

Yes, definitely. Artificial intelligence is still developing, and there will be big changes in medicine, energy and transport. Maybe we'll have cars that fly, or medicines made for each person. I think the next fifty years will be very exciting.

  • technological innovationsnew inventions
  • is still developingis still growing
  • made for each personpersonal

Why are some people deciding to use technology less?

Some people feel tired and stressed because they're always online. Others worry about their privacy or their sleep. And some people want to spend more time in nature or with real friends. So they take a 'digital detox', a break from screens.

  • always onlinealways connected
  • their privacytheir personal information
  • a 'digital detox'a break from phones and computers

Audio: Microsoft neural voices. A British voice reads the examiner's questions, and an American voice reads the model answers.