INFORMATIC’S COURSE SECOND YEAR

First dialogue
A: What can I do for you today?
B: I would like to use a computer.
A: Do you have your library card?
B: I sure do.
A: There is a wait for the computers.
B: That's all right.
A: You need to print your name on this list.
B: Okay. Now what?
A: Once a computer is available, I will let you know.
B: How am I supposed to log on to the computer?
A: All you do is type in the number on the back of your card.
B: That's it? Thank you very much.

Second dialogue
A: How may I help you?
B: I need to get on the Internet.
A: Do you have your library card with you?
B: Yes, I have it.
A: You're going to have to wait for a computer.
B: That's okay.
A: Please put your name on this list.
B: Then what do I need to do?
A: When there is a computer available, I will call you.
B: What do I do to log on to the computer?
A: Just type in the number on the back of your library card.
B: Okay. Thanks for your help.

Third dialogue
A: What do you need?
B: I need to use the Internet.
A: You have your library card, right?
B: Yes, I do.
A: There is a wait right now to use the computers.
B: That's fine.

Fourth dialogue
A: Do you have your own computer?
B: Yes, I owned a personal laptop when I was in university.
A: How often do you use the computer?
B: Almost every day. I can’t work without a computer.
A: Have you ever joined any computer class?
B: Yes, years ago. I learned about Microsoft Word and Excel.
A: What do you use the computer for?
B: You know, I’m an accountant, so managing business records would
be much easier for me using a computer.
A: What are some advantages of using the computer?
B: With a computer connected to the Internet, we can shop, pay bills
or do bank transactions online. Listening to music, watching movies are
even more convenient.
A: Do you use other high-tech devices besides computers?
B: Yes, apart from a computer, I also use a smartphone.
A: Should children learn how to use the computer?
B: Yes, I think so. Children should be given chances to approach the
computer but under the control of their parents.

Fifth dialogue
A: Are you a tech and gadget lover?
B: Yes, I am. I love shopping for new gadgets.
A: What is an important technological advancement you know?
B: That’s the emergence of online payment systems like Credit Cards or
Paypal thanks to the development of the Internet, I think.
A: What do you use it for?
B: I use these services to do shopping online. Now I can book flight
tickets in advance without the need to go to the agency.
A: How long have you been using it?
B: I’ve been using these services for around 3 years.
A: Does it make your life easier?
B: Sure. It’s fast, simple and convenient.
A: How did it change your life?
B: Well, I can enjoy my life more. I can do a plenty of things online like
shopping, transferring money, booking tickets, and so on.
A: How often do you use it?
B: At least once a week.
A: What are other technological advancements you know?
B: There are many: electricity, smartphone, the internet, robot, and so
on.
Sixth dialogue
Simple Conversation about Computer
Teacher : Kamesh, do you know how to operate?
Student : Sir, I am learning.
Teacher : When did you start training?
Student : Only two days back. Sir.
Teacher : Be confident, don’t be shy. Can you see the programme?
Student : Yes, sir, it is well planned.
Teacher : There is your friend Mugesh. Look at him.
Student : He is also having training under Mr. Gopal only from
yesterday.
Teacher : How much time will you take?
Student : I will take only 30 minutes, sir.
Teacher : Our H.M. will go round all the computer classes today.
Student : Yes sir. We are happy to meet him.

Words to Know:
Operate, Learning, Training, Confident, Programme, Planned, Shy,
Computer
Seventh dialogue
Conversations for Learners of English
Fei helps Jerry buy a new computer in Beijing's Zhong Guan Cun district
Jerry: I'm so glad you brought me to Zhong Guan Cun, Fei. I might
never have found it by myself.
Fei: No problem, Jerry. I'm always happy to help.

Jerry: Are you sure I can find what I want here?

Fei: Could you remind me exactly what you're looking for?

Jerry: I want to buy a very small computer, one that is very light and
easy to carry. I want to be able to prepare my lessons wherever I am -
in a taxi, at a restaurant, even at the beach.

Fei: Ha ha ha. That would be interesting to see you writing your lessons
at the beach! Anyway, I'm sure you can find what you want here. In
this building they sell nothing but electronics and computers.

Jerry: I see so many new building under construction here. I wonder

what they will be.

Fei: They will probably be office buildings for "hi tech" companies. This
part of Beijing is called China's "Silicon Valley".

Jerry: Oh, I didn't know that! Well, let's go inside and take a look. Hey,
look at all the cool stuff here! Hmmm... Maybe I should buy an MP3
player while I'm here ... Or maybe a new mobile phone...

Fei: Come on, Jerry. We had better go upstairs or you'll spend all of
your money before we even SEE the computers!

Jerry: Okay. Which floor are the computers on?

Fei: Let's see, there's a sign over here. They're on the 3rd and 4th
floors. What brand do you want to buy?

Jerry: I think I'd like to buy a SONY.

Fei: Well, you can't beat the quality!

Jerry: Yes, and SONY products are usually small and light.

Fei: Hey, here are some SONY computers. Why don't you ask the price.
This is your chance to practice your bargaining skills.
Jerry: Can we bargain in a big electronics store? I had no idea... Fei: Yes
you can, but you have to be good! I'm sure you can do it.

Jerry: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Okay, here goes... Uh, excuse
me, could you tell me how much this computer is...

Eighth dialogue
Reading. Computers and other technologies (dialogue)
Read the dialogue and answer the multiple-choice questions that
follow.
Hooking Up My Computer
Peter: Hi Jack. Can you give me a hand?
Jack: Sure. What’s up?
Peter: I've just bought a new computer and I'm having some problems
hooking everything up.
Jack: ... and I'm a geek. Yeah, I know. I'd be happy to help.
Peter: Thanks! I've connected all the cables from my monitor, mouse
and keyboard, and I've plugged it in.
Jack: Have you installed the software yet?
Peter: No, I haven't. Do I need to?
Jack: Not always, but it's best to install drivers for your keyboard and
mouse, as well as your printer.
Peter: Will the computer boot up without those?
Jack: Of course. Boot up the computer and then we can update the
drives.
Peter: OK. What's that thing (points to a computer component)
Jack: Oh, that's a memory reader. You can insert things like SD cards
from your camera and mp3 players into it.
Peter: That's handy.
Jack: You've bought a nice system. How big is the hard drive?
Peter: I think it's 750 gigabyte.
Jack: Good... The computer's booted up. Let's install those drivers.
Peter: Before we do that, can I get online?
Jack: Do you have a modem?
Peter: Yes, I do. I think I have a cable modem.
Jack: hmmm... yes you do. Is the Ethernet cable plugged in?
Peter: What's that?
Jack: It's the cable that connects your modem to your computer.
Peter: Let's surf the internet!
Jack: Just a moment... first we need to launch the browser.
Peter: The browser?
Jack: It's the program that allows you to surf the internet.
Peter: oh ... I've got a lot to learn.
Jack: Yes, you do. I can see I'm going to be here all day...
Questions
1. Why does he ask Jack for help?
He knows Jack… 
2. What does Jack suggest Peter install? (Mark with an X)

___A new browser

___A new hard drive

___Drivers for the keyboard, mouse and printer

 
 
3. What does Jack think of the system?
___He thinks it's nice.
___He thinks it's too small.
___He thinks it's cheap.

Are computers making us dumb?

We don't leave home without our mobile phones and we are always
consulting apps like spellcheckers and maps. Rob and Neil talk about
how dependent we are on computers and they wonder if this is a good
thing. Listen to their conversation and learn some new vocabulary.

Vocabulary

smartphone
phone which allows you to connect to the internet
app (application)
a computer programme for a specific purpose

to connect
to link or join one thing to another thing

crash
stop operating (computers and systems)

skill
the ability to do something well because you have practised it

talent
a natural ability to do something well
empathy
the ability to imagine and understand what another person might be
feeling

GPS
Global Positioning System which gives us information about location
and directions with the help of satellites orbiting Earth

spellchecker
software which prevents us from making spelling mistakes when we
type text on a computer

Transcript

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript

Ninth Dialogue

Rob: Hello, I'm Rob. Welcome to 6 Minute English. With me in the

studio today is Neil. Hello, Neil. 

Neil: Hi. Hi Rob!

Rob: Are you alright, Neil? Are you playing on your smartphone again,
are you?

Neil: Err... what was that? Yeah, sorry, Rob... just doing something on
my smartphone, you know, the kind of phone which allows you to go
online.

Rob: Oh I can see that. But are you waiting for a call? 

Neil: No. No, I just carry it with me at all times. Where I go, the phone
goes. No phone, no Neil!

Rob: OK, but why do you need your phone so much? 

Neil: Why?! What if I need to need to go somewhere? How will I find
my way? What about the weather? Will it rain today? I need to know
these things.

Rob: Why don't you just look up in the sky and see if it is cloudy?

Neil: Look up to see if it is going to rain?! I have an app - which is short

for an application, which is a computer programme for a specific
purpose. My app tells me the weather... and this one does all the
maths I need... and here's one for translations, and this one here... can
tell me what I'm going to...

Rob: OK, OK, OK, I get the point. Today we're talking about computers -
and we'll bring you some words connected with the digital age.

Neil: Connected - to connect - we use this verb a lot. It means 'to link,
or join, one thing to another thing. In this case, connected means
'linked to the internet'.

Rob: OK, I can see you are very excited about computers. So that's
what my question is all about. The first commercially produced
"desktop computer" was designed and produced by the Italian
company Olivetti and presented at an event in New York. When did it
happen? Was it in:

a)     1955

b)     1965 or

c)     1975 

Neil: Well, I think it's (a) 1955.

Rob: Very interesting. You'll get the right answer at the end of the
programme. Now, let's talk about computers. You can't live without
them but American technology writer Nicholas Carr, the author of a
book called 'The Glass Cage - where automation is taking us', thinks
they might cause problems.
Neil: Problems?! They cause us problems when they crash - that's what
we say when our computer suddenly stops working.

Rob: Well, not just that. Let's listen to Nicholas Carr. He says if we rely
too much on computers we lose something. But what is it?

American technology writer Nicholas Carr

The ability of computers to do things we used to do is growing

astronomically and we're rushing to hand over to computers tasks,
activities - both in our work lives and in our personal lives - and what
you begin to see is what is often called a de-skilling effect. The person
becoming reliant on computers; because they are not exercising their
own talents, those talents begin to fade. And we begin to lose, as a
result, the unique things that human beings can do that computers
can't: feel empathy, take a broad perspective, interpret all the stuff
that can't be turned into data.

Neil: According to Nicholas Carr, using computers means that we are

losing skills - he talks about 'de-skilling'. A skill is the ability to do
something well because we've practised it.

Rob: And he also talks about the loss of talent - talent is a natural
ability to do something - you didn't have to learn it, you're just
naturally good at it. It's something we're all born with. Carr says that
relying on computers means our talent is fading because we don't use
it any more.

Neil: And he goes even further and says we're losing some of the things
that make us human, like empathy, the ability to imagine and
understand what other people might be feeling.

Rob: So, do you agree with this writer, Neil? 

Neil: I think he's got a point actually.

Rob: It's like the friendships we make on social media. It is nice to get
to know new people in different countries, but we have to remember
that it's important to talk to people face-to-face too.

Neil: So... maybe we shouldn't use GPS to find our way around all the
time. GPS, the global positioning system which gives us directions with
the help of satellites orbiting the Earth... instead, have a conversation
with someone - ask for directions.

Rob: Yes, and perhaps we can give the spellchecker a miss

occasionally. A spellchecker is a very useful piece of software which
helps us avoid making spelling mistakes when we're typing on a
computer but... it is good to actually learn how to spell the words
properly and not leave everything to the machine.

Neil: Good idea, Rob. I'll try not to rely so much on digital technology.
Computers are here to stay and they'll become more and more
sophisticated, but we have to remember they are just tools.

Rob: Yes, computers are here to stay. And by the way, when was the
first commercially produced "desktop computer" launched? As I told
you, it was designed and created by Olivetti and launched in New York.
But when was it launched? Was it: 1955, 1965 or 1975?

Neil: And I said 1955.

Rob: Perhaps you should ask your smartphone because the correct
answer is actually (b) 1965.

Neil: I don't believe it!

Rob: The computer was called Program 101 and it was presented at
the New York World's Fair. They sold 44,000 units all over the world.
The initial price in the US was US$ 3,200. Well, we are almost out of
time so let's remind ourselves of some of the words we said today,
Neil.
Neil: smartphone, app (application), to connect, crash, skill, talent,
empathy, GPS (Global Positioning System), spellchecker 

Rob
Thank you. Well, that's it for today. Do log on to
bbclearningenglish.com - maybe on your smartphone, Neil - to find
more 6 Minute English programmes. Until next time. Goodbye!

Neil
Bye!
Tenth Dialogue
A: Would you please write your name on this list?
B: Then what?
A: I will call you when a computer is free.
B: How do I log on to the computer?
A: Use the number on the back of your library card.
B: Thanks. I'll be sitting over there.

A computer is a programmable machine. The two principal

characteristics of a computer are: It responds to a specific set
of instructions in a well-defined manner and it can execute a
prerecorded list of instructions.

Questions about Computers: General Questions

1. Do you know a lot about computers?

2. How often do you use computers?
3. Can you access the internet at home?
4. What type of computer would you like to have in the future?
5. Do you have a printer at home?
6. What are two disadvantages of using smartphones and tablets?
7. What do you think about Cybercafés? Are they still useful?
8. What are you looking for in a good computer?
9. Do you like a job in which you have to use computers?
10. Do you spend too much time online?
 11. Does your mother of father know how to use a computer?
12. Do computers make life easier?

Questions about Computers: Software

1. Do you use Microsoft Office or Open Office?

2. Do you use Windows or Linux?
3. What software should come pre-installed on computer?
4. What software do you use to keep your computer clean?

Questions about Computers: Websites

1. Do you visit English websites?

2. What websites do you visit in a regular basis?
3. What is your favorite internet browser?
4. What are two browsers that you would recommend?

Questions about Computers: Security

1. What antivirus do you have in your computer?

2. What antivirus have you tried in the past?
3. Do you rely on an Avant version of an antivirus to protect your
computer?
4. What measure do you take to protect yourself from hackers?
5. Are you concerned about making bank transactions in your
computer?

Questions about Computers: Devices

1. What do you think is more useful? Smartphone or Tablet?

2. Have you ever used an Apple computer? What do you think about
them?
3. What do you think about the Apple MacBook Air?
4. What do you use more? Cellphones or Computers?
5. What do you think about desktop computer?
6. Do you have a laptop? What’s your laptop brand?
7. Have you ever considered buying a Chromebook?
Questions about Computers: The Cloud

1. Do you have a cloud storage device?

2. Where do you save your photos?
3. Have you ever used drop box?

Questions about Computers: Entertainment

1. Do you play computer games in your computer?

2. Do you download movies or music from the Internet?
3. Do you use your computer to check or update your social media
profiles?
4. Do you usually store movies and music in your computer?
5. Do you use your computer to play video games?
6. What are some advantages of using social networks?

Questions about Computers: Emails

1. What email service do you use?

2. What do you like to use the most? Gmail or Outlook?
3. Have you ever tried the Yahoo email service?
4. Do you get a lot of junk mail?
5. Do you usually check email in your computer or another device?

Learning about Computers

1. Do you know any computer programming languages?

2. Do you take computer classes in school?
3. What do you think about computer classes taught in schools?
4. What do you think about computer- related jobs?

Quotes about Computers

Give your students a chance to analyze these quotes so you can discuss
them in class.

One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do
the work of one extraordinary man.
–Elbert Hubbard

Humanity is acquiring all the right technology for all the wrong reasons.
–R. Buckminster Fuller

The great myth of our times is that technology is communication.

–Libby Larsen

All of our technology is completely unnecessary to a happy life.

–Tom Hodgkinson

Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.

–Christian Lous Lange
Conversation Questions Computers

 Are you computer literate?

 Are you connected to the Internet?
 Do you access the Internet with your computer?
 Can you access the Internet from your home?
 What is your favorite "news" site?
 What Internet sites do you visit regularly?
 Can your mother and father use a computer?
 Do you have a computer?
 Do you have a computer at work and at home?
 Do you have a laptop or a desktop computer? Do you have both?
 Do you use your computer when you do homework for school?
 Have you ever studied English using your computer?
 How many times have you upgraded your computer?
 How powerful is your computer?
 What company made your computer?
 What kind of computer do you have?
 What size is your computer screen?
 What do you think is the best size to have?
 Where do you use your computer?
 Where in your room is your computer?
 Why did you buy your computer?
 Do you have a digital camera?
 Do you send photos by email?
 What kind of pictures do you take with your digital camera?
 Do you have a scanner?
 What kind of scanner do you have?
 Do you have a web page?
 What's the URL?
 When did you start it?
 How much time did it take to make?
 How much time do you spend keeping it updated?
 Do you know any computer programming languages?
 How many computer programming languages do you know?
 Which languages do you know?
 Which language do you use the most often?
 Do you read computer magazines?
 Which computer magazines do you read?
 Do you use a computer?
 Are you good at using a computer?
 Are you still using your first computer?
 Did you learn to use a computer in high school?
 Do you know how to type well?
 How often do you use a computer?
 What are some of your favorite computer games?
 What do you use a computer for?
 What operating system do you use?
 What software do you use the most often?
 When did you first start using a computer?
 Who taught you to use a computer?
 Do you use chat rooms? If so, what chat rooms do you use and
who do you talk to?
 Do you use e mail?
 Do you use e mail every day?
 Do you write e mail in English?
 Have you ever sent an e mail to your teacher?
 How many e-mails do you get a day?
 How many e mails do you send a day?
 How many times a day do you access your e mail?
 What's your e mail address?
 How many e mail addresses do you have?
 Do you have a Facebook account?
 How often do you access it?
 How often do you update it.
 How many friends do you have?
 How many hours a day do you spend looking at it?
 Do you want a more powerful computer? If so, what computer do
you want?
 Does your family have a computer?
 How fast can you type?
 Have you ever taken a course at school where you used a
computer?
 Have you tried Mac-OS, Windows and Linux?
 How do you study English with your computer?
 How does e-mail work?
 How many people in your family can use a computer?
 How much did your first computer cost? How much did you last
computer cost?
 How much does it cost by buy a computer?
 What's the least expensive computer?
 What's the most expensive computer?
 How much does your Internet service provider cost?
 Which ISP do you use?
 If you could buy a new computer, what would you like to buy?
 If you had lots of money, what kind of computer system would
you like to buy?
 What is the difference between software and hardware?
 Which do you like better, a laptop computer or a desktop
computer?
 What is your favorite website?
 Do you ever visit English websites?
 Do you think our lives have been improved by computer
technology?
 Think of a few examples of how computers have an educational or
an entertainment value.
 Could you do without them?
 What is multimedia?
 What are the components and the element of multimedia?
 When did you first get a computer?
 What kind of computer was it?
 About how much did it cost?
 Do you still have it?
 Do you still use it?
 Do you remember the first time you used a computer or the
Internet?
 What did you think about it?
 How long have there been personal computers in your country?
 When did the average person start using a computer?
 Can your parents operate a computer?
 How do they use their computer?
 Do you chat with your parents?
 What kind of computer do they use?
 Do they enjoy using their computer?
 Can your children use a computer?
 Do you think a computer can bring us happiness?
 Do you have a computer?
 Do you know any computer languages like C or C++?
 What is configuration of your PC?
 How often do you perform a backup?
 What kind of backup method do you use?
 What kind of backup media do you use?
 What are some good things about having a computer?
 What are some bad things about having a computer?
 Does having a computer make life more complicated or less
complicated?
 What computer games have you played?
 Which are your favorites?
 Which do you think are not so interesting?
 Do you use chat rooms and instant messaging?
 Which ones do you use?
 Why do you use them?
 What are some things to think about when using them?
 Why can these be dangerous for you and your kids?
 What do you do when your computer doesn't work properly?
 Do you have more than one computer?
 Can you do everything you need to do when your computer is
broken?
 Do you have a webpage?
 Did you make your own webpage?
 What is on this webpage?
 Why do you think people have webpages?
 What would you like to add to your webpage?
 Do you know what a blog is?
 Do you have one? Why/ why not?
 Why do people have blogs?
 What do you think about file sharing?
 On the Internet, you can say whatever you want. Is that true?
 Is it a good or a bad thing? Why?
 What is artificial intelligence?