Unit 28: AI: Just Another Tool to Use II
Warm-up and Vocabulary
Welcome back, Class! In Unit 28, we read about AI and decided it is just a tool, like a calculator. Now, in Unit 12, we are going to talk about it. But here is the secret: You don’t need to think of new ideas today! We will use the ideas we already learned. Your only goal today is Fluency. We want to stop saying ‘Umm…’ and ‘Ehh…’ and start speaking smoothly like a river. Let’s find your flow!
Vocabulary List
Read the list below carefully. You will need these words to understand the lesson on fluency.
- Fluency: Speaking easily and smoothly, without stopping too much.
- Pause: To stop speaking for a short time.
- Hesitation: Waiting or stopping because you are unsure what to say.
- Filler: A sound like “Umm,” “Ahh,” or “Like” used to fill silence.
- Rhythm: The musical pattern of speech (stress and timing).
- Chunking: Grouping words together so they flow better.
- Flow: Moving steadily and continuously (like water).
- Stutter: To repeat sounds or have difficulty starting words.
- Connector: A word used to join ideas (e.g., “So,” “And,” “Because”).
- Intonation: The rise and fall of the voice when speaking.
Activity 1: Let’s Discuss
Look at the questions below. Think about your answers or discuss them with a partner.
- When you speak English, do you often say “Umm,” “Ehh,” or stop for a long time? Why?
- Who is a famous person (YouTuber/Actor) who speaks very smoothly? Why do you like listening to them?
- Do you think speaking fast is the same as speaking fluently? (Hint: No!)
Don’t Be a Robot, Be a River
Many students think “Fluency” means speaking fast. This is wrong! Fluency means speaking smoothly.
Imagine a car. A smooth driver doesn’t go 100km/h and then slam the brakes. A smooth driver goes at a steady speed.
Here are 3 strategies to reduce “Umm” and “Ahh”:
Strategy 1: Chunking (Grouping Words)
Do not read every word separately like a robot:
- Robot: “AI… is… a… tool… that… helps… us.” (Bad)
- Chunking: “AI is a tool / that helps us.” (Good)
- Tip: Group words by meaning. Pause slightly between the groups, not in the middle.
Strategy 2: The “Bridge” Words (Connectors)
When you need time to think, do not be silent. Use a “Bridge Word” to keep the sound flowing.
- Instead of: “I think AI is good… (silence)… (umm)… it helps us.”
- Use: “I think AI is good because it helps us.”
- Common Bridges: So, Well, Actually, You know, I mean.
Strategy 3: The Breath Trick
If you run out of breath, you will panic and stop.
- Take a breath at the punctuation (commas and periods).
- Do not breathe in the middle of a phrase.
Model Comparison:
- Choppy (Bad): “I think… umm… AI is… uh… dangerous because… umm… robots.”
- Fluent (Good): “I think AI is dangerous / because robots / might replace us.”
Skill Practice
Complete the following 4 exercises.
Exercise 1: Word Search
Exercise 2: Matching Chunks
Exercise 3: Replace the “Umm”
Choose the best Connector/Bridge Word to fill the silence instead of saying “Umm”.
Exercise 4: Shadowing Practice
You will see a sentence from Unit 11.
- Read it silently first.
- Look at the bold parts (stress them).
- Record yourself speaking it smoothly. Do not stop!
Sentence 1: “AI is a tool, not a replacement for humans.”
Sentence 2: “It can help us write, but it cannot think.”
Sentence 3: “Students must verify the facts because AI makes mistakes.”
Sentence 4: “We should use it to be efficient, not lazy.”
Sentence 5: “In conclusion, AI is a partner in our education.”