Debating Technology’s Role in Society Do you think technology brings people closer
Activity Overview:
In this activity, you will practice speaking about technology and its role in society. Specifically, you will express your opinion on whether technology brings people closer or creates distance between them. You’ll learn how to give reasons for your opinion and compare different perspectives.
Step 1: Prepare for the Speaking Task (5-10 minutes)
Before you start speaking, take a few minutes to think about the topic and the questions.
Tips for Talking About Technology’s Role:
- State your opinion clearly: Say whether you think technology brings people closer or not.
- Example: “I believe technology brings people closer.”
- Or: “I think technology sometimes makes people feel distant.”
- Give examples: Share simple examples from your life or what you have seen around you.
- Example: “For example, I use social media to talk to my friends.”
- Consider both sides: Mention both the good and bad effects of technology.
- Example: “On one hand, we can talk to anyone anytime, but on the other hand, people sometimes spend too much time on their phones and forget to talk to people face-to-face.”
- Stay simple and organized: Speak clearly and organize your ideas well. Focus on one idea at a time.
Step 2: Speaking Task
Prompt:
Do you think technology brings people closer or creates distance between them? Give your opinion and explain why.
Time:
- You will speak for 2 minutes. Try to organize your thoughts and speak clearly.
Step 3: Sample Answer
Listen to the following example. This is how you can organize your thoughts for this topic.
“I believe that technology can bring people closer, but it depends on how we use it. For example, I use social media to stay in touch with my friends and family who live in different countries. We can video call and message each other any time, so we don’t feel far away from each other. This is a good example of how technology can help us stay connected.
However, technology can also make people feel more distant. Sometimes, when we are with family or friends, we spend too much time on our phones instead of talking to each other. For example, when we have dinner, people often look at their phones instead of speaking with each other. This can make people feel lonely, even when they are with others. So, while technology helps people stay connected in many ways, we need to make sure it doesn’t take away our face-to-face connections.”
Step 4: Important Vocabulary
Here are some important words from the sample. Read their meanings and practice using them in your own sentences.
- Opinion (noun)
- Meaning: A belief or view about something.
- Usage: “My opinion is that technology makes life easier.”
- Example (noun)
- Meaning: A situation or event used to explain or support something.
- Usage: “For example, I use my phone to stay connected with my family.”
- Social Media (noun)
- Meaning: Websites like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, where people connect with others.
- Usage: “Social media helps me talk to friends from other countries.”
- Connected (adjective)
- Meaning: Being in touch or having communication with others.
- Usage: “Even if I am far from my family, we stay connected through video calls.”
- Lonely (adjective)
- Meaning: Feeling sad because of being alone or not having company.
- Usage: “I feel lonely sometimes when I am far from my friends.”
Step 5: Practice
- Speak for 2 minutes:
Answer the question: Do you think technology brings people closer or creates distance between them? Give your opinion and explain why.Remember to:- State your opinion.
- Give at least one example.
- Discuss both sides if possible (positive and negative).
- After speaking, review:
Listen to your recording. Did you:- Speak clearly and confidently?
- Use examples to explain your ideas?
- Stay within the time limit?
Step 6: Follow-up Activity
- Think about your own experience:
- How has technology helped you stay close to family or friends?
- Have you ever felt that technology made you feel distant from others? How?