Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. assistance
    • ex. The old man needed assistance to cross the street.
  2. old-school
    • ex. He enjoys old-school movies from the past.
  3. socialize
    • ex. It is important for children to socialize at school.
  4. drastically
    • ex. Prices have increased drastically this year.
  5. intentionally
    • ex. She intentionally chose a quiet place to study.

Article

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

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At Cornell University, a German teacher is using typewriters to help students write without online assistance. Grit Matthias Phelps started this project in 2023 because many students were using AI and online tools for homework. She wanted them to try an old-school way of writing and learn how students worked before computers became common. So, she bought typewriters and created a special class task.

In class, students learn how to put paper into the machine and type by hand. There is no spelling checker, no delete key, and no internet help. Phelps said this slower process helps students focus better. She believes it also teaches them to think more carefully and enjoy doing one task at a time.

Student Ratchaphon Lertdamrongwong said the activity changed how he worked in class. Without screens, he had to socialize more and ask classmates for help. He said the experience was drastically different from normal classes, where students often use laptops and phones. He also said the typewriter made him think more intentionally before writing each sentence.

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

Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Using Typewriters

  • In your opinion, how does using a typewriter encourage students to be creative and focused? Discuss.
  • Do you think using typewriters should become a standard procedure in classes? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Given the chance, would you use a typewriter instead of a laptop to write something for work/school? Why or why not? Discuss.

Grit Matthias Phelps’s Class

  • In Grit Matthias Phelps’s class, students are using typewriters to write. Given the chance, would you join a similar type of class? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Phelps said her class teaches students to think more carefully and enjoy doing one task at a time. Do you think it’s important to do one task at a time or is it okay to do several tasks at once? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • One student in Phelps’s class said he learned to socialize more and ask for help. Do you think it’s difficult for many people now to socialize? Why do you say so? Discuss.