Activities

The objective of this activity is to practise the comprehension of a written text and write the answers in well-structured and complete sentences.

Read the following text and then answer the questions below with complete sentences.

Lifelong learning

Lifelong learning may be broadly defined as learning that lasts throughout life: learning that is flexible, diverse and available at different times and in different places. Lifelong learning crosses sectors, promoting learning beyond traditional schooling and throughout adult life (ie post-compulsory education). This definition is based on Delors’ (1996) four ‘pillars’ of education for the future.

• Learning to know - mastering learning tools rather than acquisition of structured knowledge.
• Learning to do – equipping people for the types of work needed now and in the future including innovation and adaptation of learning to future work environments.
• Learning to live together, and with others – peacefully resolving conflict, discovering other people and their cultures, promoting community capability, individual competence and capacity, economic resilience, and social inclusion.
• Learning to be – education contributing to a person’s complete development: mind and body, intelligence, sensitivity, aesthetic appreciation and spirituality.

Lifelong learning can instil creativity, initiative and responsiveness in people and enable them to show adaptability in post-industrial society through enhancing skills to:

• manage uncertainty,
• communicate across and within cultures, sub-cultures, families and communities,
• negotiate conflicts.

The emphasis is on learning to learn and the ability to keep learning for a lifetime.

(Adapted from Lifelong Learning Council Queensland Inc)

Questions

1. Which are the characteristics of lifelong learning?
2. What does ‘learning to be’ mean?
3. What are the advantages of lifelong learning?
4. How does lifelong learning help adapt to the post-industrial society?
5. Which are the final objectives of lifelong learning, as suggested by the text?

The objective of this activity is to practise the speaking skills by making some suggestions.

Read the following sentences and then make an appropriate suggestion for each one. Record your answer and then listen to it to check your pronunciation.

• I need to learn English.
• We’re all very tired.
• I’m quite depressed.
• I can’t find a job.
• Isn’t it very cold in this room?
• I feel alone.

Now listen to different suggestions and respond to each one in an appropriate way. You can agree or disagree with the suggestion given.

Note: there’s no correct answer to this question. To check your pronunciation, introduce your answers in the text editor in the ‘Text-to-speech’ website and then listen to the pronunciation. Practice as much as you want by repeating the words that you hear.

The objective of this unit is to practice your listening comprehension.

Download and listen to the following text. Then answer the questions below.

Questions:

1. What’s the speaker’s opinion of the Internet?
2. What internet activities does the speaker mention?
3. How long did it take to do these activities before the Internet?
4. What problems does the Internet have for the speaker’s health?
5. Why can the Internet be dangerous?