Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a resident
    • ex. The residents of the apartment building are very kind to guests.
  2. don
    • ex. They quickly don their hats before going out.
  3. curate
    • ex. The teacher curated a list of videos to help the students practice English at home.
  4. a catalyst
    • ex. The new teacher was a catalyst for change, helping students become more interested in learning.
  5. a comfort zone
    • ex. He stayed in his comfort zone and did not join a new club this year.

Article

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

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In a retirement community called The Terraces in Los Gatos, California, older residents are finding new ways to explore the world. A caregiver helps residents put on virtual reality (VR) headsets, allowing them to visit faraway places without leaving their chairs. Many residents are in their 80s and 90s and cannot travel anymore, but the technology gives them new experiences.

During VR sessions, residents don the headsets and experience swimming with dolphins, flying over mountains, or visiting cities in Europe. The programs are carefully curated by a company called Rendever. The company says the technology acts as a catalyst for better memory and social connection. Some residents even visit their childhood neighborhoods, which brings back strong memories and emotions.

Staff say the VR sessions help residents step out of their comfort zone and talk more with others. “It turns into a conversation starter for them. It really does connect people,” said Adrian Marshall, a director at The Terraces. After trying VR, many residents share stories and connect with others better. Experts say VR can be helpful if it is used with care and purpose, especially to support social life and mental health.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Virtual Reality Technology and Experiences

  • What do you think about older adults using virtual reality (VR) technology to explore new places? Discuss.
  • Have you ever used VR or similar technology? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Imagine you could design a VR experience. What would it include? Discuss.

Comfort Zone

  • What is your comfort zone? Discuss.
  • VR sessions help people in the retirement community step out of their comfort zone. Talk about a situation in which you tried something new that felt outside of your comfort zone (ex. learning a new language). Discuss.
  • Imagine a friend wants to try an activity outside their comfort zone. What advice would you give them? Discuss.