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General English · Speaking · B1

Discussing technology and social media

Discuss a digital habit through its benefits, drawbacks and a practical boundary.

Lesson 9 · About 22 minutes

Learn: your objectives

  • Describe a specific use instead of generalising about all technology.
  • Connect a benefit and drawback to your own example.

Warm-up

Think about these questions. Say a short answer aloud.

  • Which digital tool helps you in everyday life?
  • When do notifications become distracting?

Useful language

Habits and balance

I mainly use it for …

Specify a purpose.

I mainly use it for keeping in touch with relatives.

The downside is that …

Introduce a disadvantage.

The downside is that I sometimes check messages while studying.

I've started … to …

Describe a change and its purpose.

I've started turning off alerts to concentrate better.

Notice: model speaking

Read aloud. Notice how the speakers use the phrases and respond to each other.

Zoe: Do you use social media much?

Javohir: Mostly to follow local events and keep in touch with cousins abroad. It's useful because we can share news quickly.

Zoe: Does it ever distract you?

Javohir: Yes. The downside is that I sometimes open it without a reason. I've started turning off alerts while I'm studying.

Zoe: Has that helped?

Javohir: It helps me a little, although I still need to choose when to check messages.

Speaking strategy

Discuss one tool or habit, not ‘technology’ as a single good or bad thing. Mark personal experience as personal rather than claiming everyone reacts the same way.

Pronunciation & fluency focus

Pause at the contrast: ‘It helps me stay in touch. / The downside is …’. Keep common phrases together so the answer does not become a list of isolated words.

Teaching guidance, not an analysis of your voice.

Use: controlled practice

Choose a useful response for each situation. Check when all questions are answered. These are phrase exercises, not a speaking assessment.

1. Which statement avoids an unsupported claim about all users?
2. Introduce a drawback after describing a useful app.
3. Choose a concrete example of useful technology.
4. Describe a boundary without claiming it works for everyone.
5. Ask a balanced follow-up about an online group.

Build your answer

Write a few keywords. Then look away and speak. Notes stay on this page only.

Speak: your challenge

Discuss one digital habit for 90 seconds. Give a benefit, a drawback and a realistic personal boundary. Do not invent statistics about other users.

You can discuss maps, calendars or messaging instead of social media.

Speak aloud. This page does not record, listen to or assess your speech. There is no automatic speaking score.

Self-check

Open to everyone. Answers, notes and checklists are not saved to an account. These original lessons use level labels to organize learning; completion is not official CEFR certification or proof of a level.