Unit 8 – My View on Instagram
Warm-up and Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Communication and Opinions
- Propose: To suggest a plan or idea to be considered.
- Concern: A feeling of worry about something.
- According to: As stated by someone or something.
- Clarify: To make something easier to understand.
- Criticize: To express disapproval of someone or something.
- Viewpoint: A person’s opinion or way of thinking about something
Features and Presentation
- Feature: An important or typical part of something.
- Curated: Carefully chosen and organized.
Activity: Instagram – First Five
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Connecting the Dots: Summarizing and Speaking
Today we are learning the Integrated Speaking Task. This is different from just giving your opinion. Here, your job is to connect ideas from two sources: a reading passage and an audio clip.
The Task Flow
The task always follows the same three steps:
- READ: You will have about 45 seconds to read a short passage (75-100 words).
- LISTEN: You will listen to a short conversation or lecture (60-90 seconds) on the same topic.
- SPEAK: You will have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak your answer.
How to Take Notes
The best way to organize your information is with a simple two-column chart.
| Reading Passage | Listening Clip |
| Main Idea/Proposal: | Speaker’s Opinion: (Agree / Disagree) |
| Reason 1: | Reason 1: |
| Reason 2: | Reason 2: |
Example Task:
Reading Passage (45 seconds):
University to Add Cafes in Libraries
The university has announced a plan to build small coffee shops inside each of its main libraries. University officials say this will make study sessions more convenient for students, who often leave the library to get coffee and snacks. They believe this will help students study for longer periods without interruption.
Listening Clip (60 seconds):
(Man): “Did you see this announcement? I think it’s a terrible idea.”
(Woman): “Really? Why?”
(Man): “Well, first of all, libraries are supposed to be quiet! The noise from coffee machines and people talking will be a huge distraction. Second, people will spill coffee and leave trash, making the libraries dirty. It completely defeats the purpose of a library.”
Model Spoken Response (60 seconds):
“The university proposes adding coffee shops to the libraries to make studying more convenient. The man in the conversation disagrees with this plan. His first reason is that the cafes will be noisy, which will be a major distraction for students trying to study. He also adds that the cafes will make the libraries dirty because people will spill drinks and leave trash. Therefore, he believes it is a bad idea.”
Tips for Success
Keep these key tips in mind for the Integrated Speaking task:
- Find the Main Point (Fast!): In the reading, quickly find the main idea, proposal, or change. In the listening, your first job is to decide if the speaker agrees or disagrees. This is the most important part.
- Use “Reporting Language”: Use phrases like “The article states…“, “The announcement is about…“, and “The speaker believes…” to show that you are reporting information from the sources.
- Stick to the Sources: Your personal opinion is not needed for this task. Your goal is only to summarize and connect the information you were given.
Skill Practice
Let’s check your understanding of the task and vocabulary.
A. Multiple-Choice Questions
Choose the best answer for each question.
B. Fill in the Blanks
C. Crossword Puzzle
D. Word Search
E. Video Practice
You’re a popular “reaction” content creator! Watch this short, visually impressive video made for Instagram. Your challenge is to record a 20-second spoken reaction as if you are sharing it with your followers. Describe what you see and what you find most amazing about it. Start with a phrase like, “Wow, check this out, everyone…” or “I can’t believe what I’m seeing…”
You’ve reached the end of the lesson. Click the button below to begin the Evaluation Quiz.