### **English Learning Module: Technology and Communication in the Modern World**
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#### **Learning Objectives:**
By the end of this module, learners at B1, B2, and C1 levels will be able to:
1. Discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of digital communication.
2. Evaluate the impact of technology on social media dependency, personal relationships, and privacy.
3. Use practical conversation skills to initiate discussions, ask meaningful questions, and express opinions on communication and technology.
4. Confidently introduce themselves and engage in small talk.
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### **Section 1: Vocabulary and Phrases**
#### **Key Vocabulary by Level:**
– **B1:**
• social media, message, chat, video call, connection, privacy, habit, online/offline, convenient, relationships, app (application), digital device, future
• Phrases: “I think that…”, “In my opinion…”, “What about you?”
– **B2:**
• dependency, digital footprint, personal data, instant communication, disconnect, widespread, balance, technology addiction, accessible, pros and cons, long-term effects
• Phrases: “From my perspective…”, “It could be argued that…”, “A potential downside is…”, “What’s your take on this?”
– **C1:**
• algorithm, surveillance, erosion of privacy, ethical dilemma, interpersonal, societal impact, digital revolution, sustainable innovation, connectivity, anonymity
• Phrases: “This raises an ethical question about…”, “While it’s true that…, it’s also important to consider…”, “Could we draw a line between…?”
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### **Section 2: Grammar Structures**
#### **B1 Grammar Structures:**
– Simple Present Tense: “Social media connects people all over the world.”
– Comparatives and Superlatives: “Digital communication is faster than traditional methods.”
– Modals (can, could, should): “People should be careful about sharing private information.”
#### **B2 Grammar Structures:**
– Passive Voice: “Personal data is often collected without our knowledge.”
– Conditionals: “If people spend too much time on social media, it can harm their real-life relationships.”
– Relative Clauses: “Technology, which is constantly evolving, has completely changed how we communicate.”
#### **C1 Grammar Structures:**
– Complex Sentence Structures: “Although digital communication has numerous benefits, it creates challenges that require careful consideration.”
– Reported Speech: “Experts say that overuse of technology could increase feelings of isolation.”
– Emphasizing Clauses: “What is most concerning is the erosion of privacy caused by digital advancements.”
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### **Section 3: Bringing Technology to Discussion Topics**
#### **1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Digital Communication**
– **Examples:**
– B1: It’s easy to talk to someone far away. It helps you stay connected. However, it can make in-person communication harder.
– B2: Digital communication allows us to work remotely, but it often makes people feel like they can never disconnect.
– C1: While digital communication promotes globalization, it can harm interpersonal relationships by reducing face-to-face interactions.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “Do you think online communication is better than face-to-face conversation?”
– “What’s the greatest advantage of digital tools?”
– “Can you think of a situation where digital communication caused a problem?”
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#### **2. Dependency on Social Media**
– **Examples:**
– B1: Social media is a way to share information, but many people use it too much.
– B2: While social media helps people stay informed, it can also lead to overdependence and a lack of focus.
– C1: Social media algorithms are designed to encourage addictive behaviors, raising moral concerns about their use.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “How often do you check social media?”
– “Do you ever feel like you’re spending too much time online?”
– “What would life be like without social media?”
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#### **3. How Technology Is Changing Communication Habits**
– **Examples:**
– B1: People send fewer letters now because texting or emailing is faster.
– B2: Technology has made communication instant, but it can also make messages less personal.
– C1: The rise of asynchronous communication, such as emails and voice notes, has transformed traditional conversational norms.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “Do you prefer texting or talking on the phone?”
– “Has technology made communication better or worse?”
– “How do you usually keep in touch with friends or family who live far away?”
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#### **4. Technology and Privacy**
– **Examples:**
– B1: Most apps know where we are and what we like.
– B2: People often share their private information without considering the risks.
– C1: The widespread surveillance facilitated by digital tools poses serious ethical and privacy concerns.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “Do you feel safe sharing personal information online?”
– “What do you know about how your data is used?”
– “Do you think companies care about privacy?”
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#### **5. Technology and Personal Relationships**
– **Examples:**
– B1: Video calls can help people when they are far apart.
– B2: Social media keeps people connected but can cause misunderstandings in relationships.
– C1: Technology allows people to stay in touch but can also disrupt the quality of deep, personal connection.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “Do you feel technology affects your relationships?”
– “Is social media good or bad for friendships?”
– “What are some ways to improve communication in relationships with technology?”
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#### **6. The Future of Technology**
– **Examples:**
– B1: Technology could make life easier or faster in the future.
– B2: Future inventions might solve problems like traffic or healthcare access.
– C1: Emerging technologies hold the potential to radically reshape daily life, from AI-driven healthcare to advanced communication systems.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “What kinds of new technologies do you expect in the future?”
– “How do you think AI will change our lives?”
– “Could technology solve current communication problems?”
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#### **7. Communication 20 Years Ago vs. Now**
– **Examples:**
– B1: We used phones to call and didn’t text as much.
– B2: People relied on postal mail for communication and had fewer options compared to today.
– C1: The digital revolution over the past two decades has shifted communication from analog to highly integrated global systems.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “How did you communicate with people 20 years ago?”
– “What’s the biggest difference between then and now?”
– “Do you think life was better before these changes?”
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#### **8. Ethical Challenges of Technology**
– **Examples:**
– B1: Some people think technology makes life unfair.
– B2: Technology is useful, but it can also cause moral dilemmas, like replacing jobs.
– C1: Innovations, such as facial recognition, present significant ethical concerns, including discrimination and surveillance.
– **Good Questions to Ask:**
– “What do you think is the hardest part of using technology fairly?”
– “Should there be more rules for how we use technology?”
– “How should we decide what is ethical or not when creating new technology?”
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### **Section 4: Practical Communication Skills**
#### **Introducing Yourself and Others**
– B1 Level: “Hi, my name is ___. I live/work in ___. Nice to meet you!”
– B2 Level: “Hello, I’m ___. I’ve been working/studying as ___ for ___. What about you?”
– C1 Level: “Hi, I’m ___. I specialize in ___. It’s great to meet someone with fresh perspectives on this topic.”
#### **Small Talk Prompts:**
– B1: “How’s your day going?” / “Do you like using social media?”
– B2: “Do you think technology has made life easier or harder?” / “What do you usually do online?”
– C1: “What’s your take on the digital transformation we’re seeing?” / “How do you balance screen time with other activities?”
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### **Final Practice: Role-Playing Conversations**
– **Scenario 1 (B1):** Talk about your favorite social media app and why you use it.
– **Scenario 2 (B2):** Debate whether people are spending too much time online.
– **Scenario 3 (C1):** Discuss how ethical problems in digital communication could be addressed in the future.
By using this framework, learners can comfortably and aptly navigate conversations about technology, communication, and interpersonal connections.