Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a movement
    • ex. There is a growing movement to reduce plastic use in the city.
  2. surroundings
    • ex. The school has clean and safe surroundings.
  3. track
    • ex. We can track the package online.
  4. an activist
    • ex. Many activists work to protect the environment.
  5. a browser
    • ex. Students use browsers to search for information online.

Article

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

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Groups of young adults are joining a new movement to spend less time on phones and focus on real life. In Brooklyn, more than a dozen people met in an apartment and placed their phones in a metal bowl before reading, drawing, and talking. At another nearby event, about 20 people also stopped using their devices and took time to notice their surroundings and each other.

The movement started as a response to growing concern about screen use. It comes almost 20 years after Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone. Some members believe modern apps take too much attention and affect daily life.  Coordinators say the goal is to help people reconnect with the world around them. Companies like Apple have added tools to track screen time, but activists feel these steps are not enough.

Some people now use simple phones, such as those from Light Phone, which do not have social media or internet browsers. Experts in the History of Science say this “attention movement” is growing slowly and may lead to wider cultural change over time.

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.

The “Attention Movement”

  • Would you be interested to be part of the “attention movement?” Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What activities would you like to try if you join the movement (ex. reading, gardening)? Discuss.
  • Why do you think young adults, who grew up with technology, are the main supporters of this movement? Discuss.

Screen Use

  • How would you describe your personal screen time: just enough, or too long? Discuss.
  • Is it necessary for people to take regular breaks from screens or their devices? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Some members of the attention movement believe modern apps take too much attention and affect daily life. Do you agree with them? Why or why not? Discuss.