The Classroom Where Fake News Fails

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Transcript

Audio Time: 3 min 51 sec

Level: Upper Intermediate and up

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

Pizzagate: The suffix “gate” means a political scandal. It derives from the Watergate scandal of the United States in the early 1970s, which resulted in the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon.

To air: to broadcast something on radio or television.

Bottom line: the most important part of something : the most important thing to consider; the result or outcome. 

Conspiracy: a secret plan made by two or more people to do something that is harmful or illegal.

Pizzeria: restaurant where mainly pizza is served.

Intel (intelligence): information of political or military value.

Annotation: a note added to a text, book, drawing, etc., as a comment or explanation.

Rumor: information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true.

To sort fact from fiction: To separate what is true from what is false.

To kick off: to start.

To pilot: done as a test to see if a larger program, study, etc., should be done.

Vignette: a short written description.

Meme: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from one person to another in a culture.

To catch on: to become popular.

To figure out: to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking.

Credible: able to be believed : reasonable to trust or believe.

To label: to put a word or name on something to describe or identify it : to attach a label to (something).

Red flag: a warning sign: a sign that there is a problem that should be noticed or dealt with.

Byline: a line at the beginning of a newspaper or magazine article that gives the writer's name.

Damn: informal + impolite: used to show that you are angry, annoyed, surprised, etc.

Literacy: the ability to read or write; knowledge that relates to a specified subject.

To unveil: to show or reveal (something) to others for the first time; to remove a cover so that people can see it.

To endorse: to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something).

To ignore: to do nothing about or in response to (something or someone).

To run through: to read, repeat, or practice (something) quickly.

Bias: a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in an unfair influence on something.

Face value: Something that is taken/accepted at face value is regarded as true or genuine without being questioned or doubted.

To admit: to say usually in an unwilling way that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something).

Discussion questions:

1. What do you think about the project to help students improve their news literacy?

2. What are some of the ways to tell fact from fiction in the news?

3. How can we reduce fake news?

4. How can we help students to be better critical thinkers?

5. Have you ever been fooled by fake news?

Desiderata

Level: Intermediate

Listen to a spoken version here, here and here.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, 1927

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

Desiderata: something that is needed or wanted.

Placid: calm and steady.

Amid: in or into the middle of. 

Haste: speed of motion or action: quickness that can result in mistakes.

To surrender: to agree to stop fighting, hiding, resisting, etc., because you know that you will not win or succeed.

On good terms: Having a friendly or good relationship with someone.

Dull: not exciting or interesting.

Ignorant: lacking knowledge or information.

To avoid: to stay away from someone or something.

Vexation: something that worries or annoys you.

Vain: too proud of your own appearance or abilities.

Bitter: an unpleasant flavor that is the opposite or sweet; causing painful or unpleasant emotions.

Humble: not proud: not thinking of yourself as better than other people.

Possession: the condition of having or owning something.

Trickery: the use of tricks to deceive or cheat someone.

Virtue: morally good behavior or character.

To strive: to try very hard to do or achieve something.

To feign: to pretend to feel or be affected by (something).

Cynical: believing that people are generally selfish and dishonest.

Aridity: very dry: having very little rain or water.

Disenchantment: no longer happy or satisfied with something.

Perennial: existing or continuing in the same way for a long time.

To nurture: to help (something or someone) to grow, develop, or succeed.

Misfortune: an unlucky condition or event.

Distress: unhappiness or pain: suffering that affects the mind or body.

Fatigue: the state of being very tired: extreme weariness.

Wholesome: good for your health and wellbeing.

To unfold: to spread or cause (something) to spread or straighten out from a folded position.

To conceive: to think of or create (something) in the mind.

Labor: physical or mental effort: work.

Aspirations: something that a person wants very much to achieve.

Sham: something that is not what it appears to be and that is meant to trick or deceive people.

Drudgery: boring, difficult, or unpleasant work.

Discussion questions:

1. What part of this poem do you like the most?

2. What parts do you agree or disagree with?

3. Where do you get inspiration and wisdom?

4. How can we live a good and wise life?

5. What’s the best way to “strive to be happy”?

Exercise Helps Students in the Classroom

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Transcript

Audio Time: 4 min  1 sec

Level: Intermediate

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

Endurance: the ability to do something difficult for a long time.

To go for it: to try to achieve or get something.

Racket: a piece of sports equipment that is used to hit a ball or other objects in games like tennis or badminton.

To shuffle: to slide your feet along the ground or back and forth without lifting them completely.

To backpedal: to move backward with quick steps.

Pursuit: the act of following or chasing someone or something.

To eliminate: to remove (something that is not wanted or needed) : to get rid of (something).

Disparities: a noticeable and often unfair difference between people or things.

Background: the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person's past.

Fit: physically healthy and strong.

To fidget: to make a lot of small movements because you are nervous, bored, etc.: to move or act in a nervous or restless way.

Disruptive: to cause (something) to be unable to continue in the normal way : to interrupt the normal progress or activity of (something).

Self-esteem: a feeling of having respect for yourself and your abilities.

Depression: a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way.

Anxiety: fear or nervousness about what might happen.

To impair: to make (something) weaker or worse.

Attentiveness: thinking about or watching something carefully : paying careful attention to something.

Extensively: large in size or amount : very full or complete.

Capacity: the largest amount or number that can be held or contained.

Nutrients: a substance that plants, animals, and people need to live and grow.

To whittle away: to reduce or get rid of (something) slowly.

Sub-set: a group of things, people, etc., that is part of a larger group.

Discussion questions:

1. How can exercise help students in the classroom?

2. Do you exercise? If so, what kind of exercise do you do?

3. Do you find that exercise helps your mental performance?

4. What kind of exercise have you done in school?

5. Do you think exercise can help you improve your English skills?

TED:Why I'm A Weekday Vegetarian

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Transcript

Audio Time: 3 min  58 sec

Level: intermediate

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

Vegetarian: a person who does not eat meat.

Hippie: a usually young person who rejects established social customs (such as by dressing in an unusual way or living in a commune) and who opposes violence and war; especially: a young person of this kind in the 1960s and 1970s.

Log: a long, heavy section of a tree that has fallen or been cut down.

Cabin: a small, simple house made of wood.

Mere: used to say that something or someone is small, unimportant, etc.

Cruelty: someone who hurt others and do not feel sorry about it; causing or helping to cause suffering.

Hypocritical: a person who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those beliefs.

Environment: the conditions that surround someone or something: the conditions and influences that affect the growth, health, progress, etc., of someone or something; in this case, natural world.

Emissions: the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source.

To convince: to cause (someone) to believe that something is true.

To stall: to avoid doing something or to delay someone in a deliberate way because you need more time, do not want to do something, etc.

To pitch: things that are said by someone (such as a salesman) in order to make someone want to buy, do, or accept something.

Binary: relating to or consisting of two things or parts.

To swap: to replace (something) with something else.

Sustainable: involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources.

Harvest: the amount of a natural product gathered in a single season.

To end up: to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected.

Intake: the amount of something (such as food or drink) that is taken into your body.

Pocketbook: the amount of money that someone has available to spend: someone's ability to pay for things.

Discussion questions:

1. What do you think about the idea of being a “weekday vegetarian”?

2. What were some of the reasons the speaker gave about becoming a weekday veg?

3. Are there many vegetarians where you live?

4. What are the pros and cons of being a vegetarian?

5. What do you think is the best diet for the health of people and the planet?

6 Common Mistakes And Confusing Words About Film

Watching movies can be an enjoyable and useful way to learn and practice languages. Here are six common mistakes and confusing words in English related to film. Some of these are specific mistakes that Russian speakers make, but any English learner might find them useful as well.

What's the difference between movie and film? 

In general, these two words mean the same thing. One can say, "I want to watch a good movie", or "I want to watch a good film"; the meaning is the same. However, movie tends to be used more in American English and film tends to be used more in British English.

Film also has a more artistic association.  In this sense, a film can refers to a work with greater artistic value instead of a movie, which may be made primarily for entertainment and profit and not artistic aims. For example:

I am an artist! I don't just make movies, I make films!

Lastly, Film (and the word cinema too, as we will see below) can refer to the art form itself.

Film is a fairly new art form as opposed to music, dance, painting and sculpture, which are thousands of years old.

What's the difference between a horror movie and a horrible movie?

Horror: an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.

Horrible: causing or likely to cause horror; shocking.

These two words are similar in meaning, which causes the confusion, but they have very different meanings with we use them with the words movie or film. A horror movie is a genre of film, a type of movie like comedy, drama, or romance, which is about scary things that makes one feel fear.

Dave doesn't like horror movies that are filled with blood, terror, and violence, because he thinks the real world has enough horror already-- just look at the news!

A horrible movie is a very bad movie that is of low quality and that people think isn’t good.

I can't believe I paid money to see that horrible movie. I just wasted two hours of my life!

What's the difference between a fantastic movie and a fantasy movie?

Fantastic has two meanings, which can lead the confusion here. The first meaning is similar to the world fantasy: imaginative or fanciful; remote from reality. However, the second meaning is "extraordinarily good or attractive." When we use this word with film or movie, it is the second meaning that we use.

The critics and the public thought it was a fantastic movie, and they highly recommend it. It will probably win at least one Academy Award.

Fantasy means "the ability of imagining things, especially things that are impossible or improbable." And we talk about the genre of fantasy when we talk about fantasy films or movies. These are movies that are about things that are not possible in the real world, such as films about fairy tales, dragons or magic.

Some people think fantasy films like "Lord or the Rings" or The Harry Potter series just help us to escape the harshness of reality, but these stories also help us to understand what is really important in life. They are modern fairy tales and myths.

What's the difference between hero and main character? 

Sometimes hero and main character are the same, but this is not always the case. The main character in a film is the leading character of a story. The story is centered around the main character, and it is this character that makes the key decisions in the story. A hero is a certain type of main character that does great and important things, which are usually for good or noble purposes. Heroes can be fictional characters like Hercules, King Arthur, Superman or Batman, who do great actions to save and help the world. A hero could also be a real person that has done great things like Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela, or someone else who shows great courage in some way, for example, by running into a burning building to save someone. Thus, almost all movies have main characters, but not all of them have heroes.

Even if the main character of a film isn't someone whom we like and respect, a good film will help us to see the main character’s motivations and understand this person better. 

The film is about a simple lawyer who becomes a hero after showing great courage by fighting for justice against corrupt government officials.

What's the difference between scene and stage?

In Russian these words can both be translated as сцена. However, in English these words have different meanings. Scene is the time and place where the actions of a film (or play) happen.

The first scene of the movie happens in the 1940s, when the main character of the movie arrives in New York City for the first time. The last scene of the movie takes place 50 years later in the countryside, when the main character is an old women. 

A stage is the raised floor or platform usually in a theater on which actors, musicians or speakers perform.

We should have bought better tickets for the show, because our seats were so bad we could hardly see the actors on the stage.

"All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts..."

--William Shakespeare

What's the difference between the words movie theater and cinema?

The general meaning of these expressions are the same: they are both the theater where one goes to watch a movie or film. The difference, like movie and film, is that the first one is usually used in American English and other is usually used British English.

However, the word cinema also refers to the art form of film.

"Cinema is the most prestigious cultural activity in the modern world. It is for us what theatre was in the age of Shakespeare or painting was in the days of Leonardo da Vinci...”

--Alain de Botton and The School of Life

So, cinema can mean both the art form of film and the place where we go to watch a movie or film.

Hopefully, understanding these common mistakes will help you enjoy learning English with film better. What are some other common mistakes about film you make? Feel free to add them in the comments section.

What Asimov Predicted For 2019: Computerization And Lunar Life

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Transcript

Audio Time: 1 min 50 sec

Level: intermediate and up

Vocabulary:  To help learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story (in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).

Definitions are written with the help of various sources including  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary

Toronto star: a newspaper.

To predict: to say that (something) will or might happen in the future.

Off base: not correct: wrong or mistaken.

Forecast: to predict something will happen after looking at the available information.

Up and running: in operation; functioning.

Mining: the process or business of digging in mines to obtain minerals, metals, jewels, etc.

Faint: weak; very slight or small; no clearly seen.

Semblance: the state of being somewhat like something but not truly or fully the same thing — usually + of.

To take over to take control of something.

Assembly line: a line of machines, equipment, workers, etc., in a factory that builds a product by passing work from one station to the next until the product is finished.

Left out: to not include or mention (someone or something).

Utopian: an imaginary place in which the government, laws, and social conditions are perfect.

Laid off: the act of ending the employment of a worker or group of workers.

Paintbrush: a brush  used for putting paint on a surface (Brush: a tool with many stiff hairs, fibers, etc., that is used for cleaning, smoothing, or painting something).

To envision: to think of (something that you believe might exist or happen in the future) : to picture (something) in your mind.

Left to their own devices: to allow (someone) to do what he or she wants or is able to do without being controlled or helped by anyone else.

Avail oneself of: to make use of something.

Cosmos: all of space and everything in it including stars, planets, galaxies, etc.

Discussion questions:

1.  What were some of Asimov’s predictions for 2019?

2. What do you think the world will be like in 35 years?

3. Do you think we will have mining on the moon in 35 years?

4. How advanced do you think computers and robots will become after 35 years?

5. Read the original article that Isaac Asimov wrote. What other issues does he discuss in the article that weren’t discussed in the NPR story?