SG Module #17 - Pros and Cons of Online Learning.pdf

English speaking module

1. Pros and Cons of Online Learning
Your speaking partner!
Module #17

2. During the Covid-19 pandemic, online learning seems to
become the only way of learning both teachers and
students can do.

3. Online learning is flexible, but not accessible to
everyone. How to solve it?

4. Warming up!
Let’slisten to a podcast about online learning by clicking this link:
https://esl.culips.com/2021/02/simplified-speech-112-online-learning/
*You can start listening from minute 3:53to 6:30

5. Listening Script
M: Why are you learning how to program?
W: I took some computer programmingclasses in
high school and university, but I haven’t really
touched it since then. And I know it such an
amazing skill for future job opportunitiesor just
creative things you can do with your computer.
So, I thought, you know, like, why not?
M: And how is it going so far? How long have you
been studying?
W: Well, I’ve been only studying around a week
and a half. But,it’s really funactually. I forgot how
much I enjoy coding.
M: Yeah, that’s awesome. I also took some very
basic coding classes in high school.
M: And I thought it was pretty funbecause we
learned some basic HTMLand some basic C++
programs back in the day. I don’t think it would
get me very far now because (A) I don’t
remember it and (B) because I think technology
has changed a lot since then.
W: That’s why I chose Python because like you
said, technology is always changing. And Python
is one of the leading programs right now. And it’s
really simple.
M: I’ve heard this kind of “simple” compared to
some more complicatedlanguages like Java,
Ruby, or something like that. So, what kind of
class is this? Are you doing it through Zoom,
twitter, or through online University?

6. Listening Script
W: It’s a self-study. I found it through of the most
popular online learning platforms, Coursera. And
the course is completely free. Actually a Stanford
University professor created the whole materials,
created the textbooks, he made the videos, and
he uploaded them online for free, which is
amazing.
M: Wow. So, everything is free?
W: Yes, it is. But if you want to get like a
professional certification, you can pay.

7. Listening Test
❑Why does the woman learn how to program?
❑How long has the woman been learning “coding”?
❑The man stated that he learned some basic HTML and some basic
C++ programs back in the day. But he doesn’t think it would get
him very far now because of two reasons. Could you mention
them?
❑Why does the woman choose “Python” instead of another
program?
❑How does the woman do the online learning?

8. Conversation Practice
Go back to the ‘Listening Script’ page, then simulate a conversation
between two people based on the script in pairs.
*If the number of students is odd, the mentor may be the student’s conversation partner.

9. Vocabularyand Pronunciation
Programming (n) :the process or skill of writing programs for computers
/ˈproʊ.ɡræm.ɪŋ/Ex.:She studied computer programmingat college.
Opportunity (n):an occasion or situation that makes it possible to do something that you want/have to do
/ˌɑː.pɚˈtuː.nə.t̬i/Ex.:I was never given the opportunityof going to college.
Complicated (adj):involving a lot of different parts, in a way that is difficult to understand
/ˈkɑːm.plə.keɪ.t̬ɪd/ Ex.: The rules are rather complicatedto follow.
Certification (n):proof or a document proving that someone is qualified for a particular job, or that
something is of good quality
/ˌsɜ˞ː.t̬ə.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ Ex.:He earned certificationto fly single-engine aircraft.
Retrieve (v):to find and bring back something
/rɪˈtriːv/ Ex.:Computers are used to store and retrieveinformation efficiently.

10. Superlative Adjectives
Superlative adjectivesare used to describe an
object which is at the upper or lower limit of a
quality(the tallest, the smallest, the fastest, the
highest). They are used in sentences where a
subject is compared to a group of objects.
Formula:
Noun (subject)+ verb/to be + the+ superlative
adjective+ noun (object).
Examples:
1.Marthais the eldestof the four sisters.
2.My houseis the largestonein our
neighborhood.
Rules
Adjective (adj) Superlative
One syllable adjective
E.g.: nice, hot, cold
+ -est
nicest, hottest, coldest
Two syllables ending –y
E.g.: busy, ugly
Change yto Iand add
-est
busiest, ugliest
Two/more syllables that
does not end with -y
e.g.: beautiful,
intelligent
Use the word mostor
least
most beautiful, most
intelligent

11. Exercise 1
Complete the following sentences with proper superlative adjectives
Example: My house is the _____ (big) one in this town.
Answer:My house is the biggestone in this town.
1.Samantha is the ____ (pretty) girl I have ever met.
2.I think the movie that we watched yesterday was the ____ (bad) movie
ever!
3.Mount Everest is the ____ (high) mountain in the world.
4.The Millennium Star is the ____ (expensive) diamond in the world.
5.Rob is the _____ (clever) student in my class.

12. What is opinion regarding the following
statements?
❑Students in online learning perform better than those
receiving face-to-face instruction.
❑Teachers and students must work harder to get ready for
online learning than which in a traditional classroom.
❑The most problematic issue of online learning relates to the
internet.
❑International students can get the high-quality education
needed for career advancement despite geographic
constraints.
❑The most impactful side effect of online learning is addiction.

13. Exercise 2
Complete the following sentences with comparative or superlative
adjectives.
Example: I think the parrot is _____ (clever) bird in the world.
Answer:I think the parrot is the cleverestbird in the world.
1.My kitten is _____ than my cousin’s kitten. (big)
2.Health is _____ wealth. (important)
3.This book is ____ than my dictionary. (thin)
4.I am _____ in reading than playing football. (interested)
5.The elephant is _____ animal in the world. (large)

14. What is your view regarding this
statement?
Online classes can be frustrating
for some students because they
have tospend more time in front
of their computers, which might
affect their physical and mental
health.
*You may divide your class into 2 teams: affirmative and opposition. They take turn delivering their arguments.

15. Homework
Find 10 (ten) adjectives and create ten sentences that contain
superlative degree (-est/most) like the explanation in the
grammar section.

16. Cheers up! :)
Your speaking partner!
IG: @speakgurus
www.speakgurus.com