Computers and internet

Starter questions

How often do you use a computer or smartphone in a typical day?
What's your favorite thing to do on the internet, and why do you enjoy it?
Can you tell me about a time when the internet or a computer helped you solve a problem?
What's the most interesting or useful app you've used recently, and what do you like about it?
In what ways do you think computers and the internet will change in the next 10 years?

Keywords and phrases

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Computer Types: desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch
Computer Parts: keyboard, mouse, screen, processor, hard drive, USB port
Internet Basics: Wi-Fi, connection, browser, website, search engine, download, upload
Online Activities: surf the web, stream videos, post updates, share photos, send emails, video call
Social Media: profile, friend request, like, comment, share, follow, unfollow
Online Shopping: add to cart, checkout, payment method, delivery, review, discount code
Email: inbox, attachment, spam, reply, forward, CC, BCC
Computer Games: multiplayer, graphics, level up, character, save progress, high score
E-learning: online course, virtual classroom, webinar, tutorial, quiz, certificate
Internet Safety: password, privacy settings, antivirus, firewall, cyberbullying, phishing
Smartphone Features: touchscreen, camera, GPS, voice assistant, fingerprint scanner, face recognition
Popular Apps: messaging app, social media app, navigation app, fitness tracker, language learning app
Tech Vocabulary: update, upgrade, install, delete, restart, troubleshoot
Digital Communication: video conference, instant message, voice message, emoji, GIF, hashtag

Technology in Our Lives

Technology is a big part of our lives today. We use it at home, at school, and at work. Let's learn about different types of technology and how they affect us.

Types of Computers

We use different types of computers every day. A desktop computer is good for working at home. A laptop is portable, so we can take it with us. A tablet is small and easy to use. And a smartphone is always in our pocket! Computers are now much faster and more powerful than they were in the past.

Internet Usage

Many people spend a lot of time on the internet. We use it for browsing, searching, emailing, and streaming videos. The internet helps us communicate with friends and family, learn new things, and find information. Life would be very different without the internet.

Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are very popular. They help us connect with people and share our lives. But we need to be careful about our privacy and cyberbullying. It's important to look out for fake news and cut down on our social media use if we spend too much time on it.

Online Shopping

Online shopping is very convenient. We can buy clothes, books, and electronics from our homes. The advantages of online shopping are the variety of products and the good prices. But we need to be careful about security and returns. It's important to look for good deals and read reviews before we buy something.

Email Communication

Email is a common way to communicate at work and school. We can send and receive messages, attach files, and reply to emails. But spam and viruses can be a problem. It's important to check our email regularly and look out for suspicious messages.

Computer Games

Many people enjoy playing computer games. There are different types of games, like action, adventure, and strategy games. Games can be fun and help us develop skills. But we need to be careful about addiction and spending too much time playing games.

Learning with Computers

We can use computers for learning at school and at home. Online courses, research, and presentations can help us learn new things. The advantages of online learning are flexibility and access to information.

Internet Safety

It's important to stay safe online. We need to protect our privacy, use strong passwords, and be aware of online threats. We should report cyberbullying and block suspicious people.

Smartphones and Apps

Smartphones are very useful in our daily lives. We use them for communication, navigation, entertainment, and information. There are many different apps that can help us with different tasks.

Technology in Daily Life

Technology has changed our daily routine. We use computers, smartphones, and other gadgets at home and at work. The advantages of technology are efficiency and convenience. But we need to be careful about dependency and isolation.

Questions on the text:

Name two types of computers mentioned in the text.
What are three things people use the internet for?
Why should we be careful when using social media?
What is one advantage of online shopping?
What can be a problem with email communication?
How can computers help with learning?
What are two things we should do to stay safe online?

Answers

Desktop computer and laptop (also tablet and smartphone).
Browsing, emailing, and streaming videos (also searching, communicating, and finding information).
Because of privacy issues, cyberbullying, and fake news.
There is a variety of products and good prices.
Spam and viruses can be a problem.
Computers help with online courses, research, and presentations.
Protect our privacy and use strong passwords (also report cyberbullying and block suspicious people).

Speaking outline

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1. Types of Computers

What type of computer do you use most often, and why?
How have computers changed from the past to now?
What do you think will be the future of computers?

turn on → "I turn on my laptop to do my homework."
shut down → "I shut down my computer when I'm finished."
look up → "I look up information on my computer."
run out of → "My computer runs out of battery quickly."
get used to → "It took me a while to get used to using a tablet."

2. Internet Usage

How much time do you spend on the internet daily, and for what purposes?
How does your family use the internet?
What would life be like without the internet?

log on → "I log on to the internet every morning."
look up → "I look up recipes online."
sign up for → "I signed up for an online course."
keep up with → "I keep up with the news online."
get in touch with → "I get in touch with friends on social media."

3. Social Media

Which social media platforms do you use, and why?
What are some benefits and dangers of social media?
How do you think social media affects friendships?

sign up for → "I signed up for Instagram to share photos."
keep up with → "I keep up with my friends on Facebook."
look out for → "You have to look out for fake news on social media."
get in touch with → "I get in touch with old friends on social media."
cut down on → "I'm trying to cut down on my social media use."

4. Online Shopping

What do you usually buy online, and why?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping?
How popular is online shopping in your country?

look for → "I look for good deals online."
sign up for → "I signed up for a shopping website to get discounts."
try on → "You can't try on clothes when you shop online."
send back → "I had to send back a shirt because it was too small."
pay for → "I pay for my online purchases with a credit card."

5. Email Communication

How often do you check your email, and for what reasons?
What are some common problems with email communication?
How has email changed the way we communicate?

check for → "I check for new emails every day."
send out → "I send out emails to my classmates."
reply to → "I need to reply to my boss's email."
look forward to → "I look forward to hearing back from you."
run out of → "My email inbox runs out of space."

6. Computer Games

What types of computer games do you enjoy, and why?
What are some positive and negative effects of gaming?
How has gaming changed since you were younger?

log on → "I log on to the game server."
level up → "I want to level up my character."
team up with → "I team up with my friends to play the game."
look out for → "Look out for the enemy!"
run out of → "I ran out of time to finish the game."

7. Learning with Computers

How do you use computers for learning at school or home?
What are the advantages and challenges of online learning?
How do you think education will change with technology?

look up → "I look up information for my homework."
sign up for → "I signed up for an online course."
keep up with → "It's hard to keep up with all the online assignments."
get involved in → "I get involved in online discussions."
turn in → "I need to turn in my assignment online."

8. Internet Safety

What steps do you take to stay safe online?
What are some common online threats?
How can children be protected online?

look out for → "Look out for suspicious emails."
sign up for → "Don't sign up for websites you don't trust."
keep up with → "Keep up with the latest security updates."
get in touch with → "Get in touch with an adult if you feel unsafe."
turn off → "Turn off your location settings."

9. Smartphones and Apps

How do you use your smartphone in daily life?
What are your favorite apps, and why?
How do you think smartphones will evolve in the future?

turn on → "I turn on my smartphone in the morning."
look up → "I look up directions on my phone."
sign up for → "I signed up for a new app."
keep up with → "I keep up with my friends on my phone."
run out of → "My phone runs out of battery quickly."

10. Technology in Daily Life

How has technology changed your daily routine?
What are some technologies you use at home?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology?

turn on → "I turn on the TV in the evening."
look up → "I look up recipes on the internet."
sign up for → "I signed up for a streaming service."
keep up with → "I keep up with the news online."
run out of → "I ran out of space on my phone."

Debate topics

1. Social media: good or bad for society?

For:

Connects people around the world

Helps share information quickly
Useful for business and marketing
Can be educational
Provides entertainment

Against:

Can be addictive
May lead to privacy concerns
Can spread misinformation
May cause mental health issues
Reduces face-to-face interactions

2. Online learning vs. traditional classroom learning

For:

Flexible schedule
Learn from anywhere
Access to a wide range of courses
Can be more cost-effective
Allows for self-paced learning

Against:

Lack of face-to-face interaction
Requires self-discipline
Technical issues can disrupt learning
May not be suitable for all subjects
Limited hands-on experience

3. Should children have limited screen time?

For:

Promotes better sleep habits
Encourages outdoor activities
Improves face-to-face social skills
Reduces risk of eye strain
Allows time for other hobbies

Against:

Limits access to educational resources
May hinder digital literacy skills
Can isolate children from peers
Restricts access to online entertainment
May not prepare them for a digital future