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Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. limit
    • ex. Our teacher told us to limit our presentation to 10 minutes.
  2. access
    • ex. You need a password to get access to the computer in the library.
  3. a guideline
    • ex. The teacher gave us a guideline to help us with our science project.
  4. disconnect
    • ex. It’s important to disconnect from our devices and relax our eyes at night.
  5. socialize
    • ex. She loves to socialize and meet new people at events.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Brazilian students returned to school in February with a new challenge: staying away from their smartphones. This is because of a new law that limits phone access in schools. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the law in January, following trends in the U.S. and Europe. The rule applies to all public and private schools and covers classrooms and halls.

Smartphones are still allowed for school activities, but only with the teacher’s permission. Phones can also be used if needed for health reasons. Schools can set their own guidelines and can decide where students should keep their phones. Before this law, many Brazilian states had already limited phone access in schools. However, rules were different in each state and school, making it hard for everyone to follow.

Porto Seguro, a private school in São Paulo, banned phones last year. Students now keep them in lockers all day. The school’s principal, Meire Nocito, said disconnecting from phones helps students socialize better and focus more. Brazil’s Ministry of Education believes the new law will encourage better use of technology and protect students’ health.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Phone Access in Schools

  • Do you think phones should be allowed in schools? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • As a student, was it difficult for you to stay away from your phone? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you are a school principal. What rules would you create about phone use in schools? Discuss.

Disconnecting from Devices

  • Do you take frequent breaks from using your phone? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • School principal Meire Nocito said disconnecting from phones helps students socialize better and focus more. Do you agree? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what activities should you do when disconnected from your devices (ex. creative activities like playing an instrument)? Discuss.