Reading Workshop

Follow the next steps in order to develop the corresponding activity requirements

1) Go to Breaking News English Lessons: Easy English World News Materials - ESL and select
one piece of news of your interest.

The Reading / Listening - Video-conferencing - Level 6

A new study from Stanford University has investigated the effects on our health of extended spells of
video-conferencing. Researcher and communications expert Jeremy Bailenson dubbed the phenomenon
"Zoom fatigue," but acknowledged the condition is not restricted to just that platform. In the past year,
most of us have spent extended periods of time online using an array of video-conferencing platforms.
The coronavirus pandemic has meant tools like Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and Google Hangouts have been
the only way we have been able to see and chat to loved ones. Many companies have relied heavily on
video-conferencing for meetings, and educators have used them to teach their lessons online.

Mr Bailenson outlined several factors that make video-conferencing so fatigue-inducing. He said it is not
just tiredness and eye-strain from staring at a computer screen for hours and hours. It is also brought
about by "cognitive overload" and feeling pressure to be perpetually switched on. We constantly feel we
need to be in touch with friends or available for bosses, customers or students. Bailenson cautioned this
leads to burnout and stress and can heighten your chance of developing moderate to severe depression.
He said this anxiety can adversely affect your self-confidence. This is because of the large number of
faces staring at you in meetings. Bailenson likens this to the stresses of public speaking.

2) Read the selected piece of news and listen to the respective audio of the chosen news.

3) When you finish reading, do the three following

A) Record an audio in which you read the news (if you work in pairs, both need to read a
segment).

Audio is attached with the readings Paragraph # 1 and 2

B) Write down a short conversation that represents what is treated in the piece of news:
make sure not to use incorrect spelling or expressions. Pay attention to punctuation
(about punctuation: Punctuation | English Grammar | EF). This conversation needs to
be like those used in theater scripts. (The conversation length must evidence the news
in all its treated facts, but you decide if you do it in a humorous, dramatic, romantic, etc.
mode).
Conversation
 Yuliana Hello! Vivi, how are you?
Viviana Very good Yuliana!
Yuliana Happy ... I already started my face-to-face work
Viviana I'm glad - You've heard of "zoom fatigue"
Yuliana With the name it only makes me tired
Viviana Ha, ha, yes.
Yuliana Spending hours sitting watching the same screen for hours and hours
Viviana Yes, I miss leaving home, getting to work, and then going to college.
Yuliana I would love to see all my Friends
Viviana Videoconferencing brings us closer ... be patient, the day will come when we return to
the university.
Yuliana Have you noticed that anxiety and depression increased
Viviana Yes, Mr. Bailenson compares this to the stress of public speaking
Yuliana Now I understand why going back to the office has decreased my anxiety
Viviana I'm glad Yuliana, everything is returning to normal
Yuliana Thanks Vivi, take care

C) Write down a glossary with at least the 15 most unknown words found in the news,
writing their meanings, grammar categories. Besides, give an example of every word.

MEANING EXAMPLE
WORD GRAM

Manifestation of an activity that occurs Gravity is a natural phenomenon

1 Phenomenon n in nature and is perceived through the
senses.

Limited or reduced the passage of people Building in this area of town is restrict.
2 Restricted Adj or things

Physical or mental breakdown caused by Mark overloaded the wheelbarrow and

3 Overload overwork or stress then could not lift it.

Enduring, forever, eternally She is perpetually asking me for money

4 Perpetually Adv

Weakness or lack of physical strength, The players were suffering from fatigue
5 Fatigue n generally caused by exertion or work. during the overtime
 Surface of a television set, a computer I got a new 21-inch screen. Looking at
6 Screen n the TV screen too long can cause
headaches
Fix your attention on something, repair, He warned me that the train might be
7 Warned vtr observe late.

Physical tiredness The workers complained of exhaustion

8 Exhaustion n and the project was halted.

Make something greater in quantity House prices have increased by 5%.

9 Increase vtr

That it is subject to measure or it is not The winters in the area are moderate
10 Moderate Adj extreme.

Safety, especially when taking a difficult I trust my brother.

11 Trust vtr or compromising action.

known or accepted by many people Ruth is an acknowledged expert in

12 acknowledged Adj ancient Greek history.

The main shape or edge of something, The outlined figure of a man can be
13 outlined Adj without any details seen in the background of the painting.

he feeling that you are in need of rest or Tiredness can cause people to overlook
14 tiredness n sleep small mistakes.

The state of having no energy or We have found there is much more

enthusiasm because of working too hard, burnout and sickness among those who
15 burnout fig or someone who shows the effects of this don't get help.
state

A developing country or area of the the developing world/countries/nations

world is poorer and has.less advanced
16 developing Adj industries, especially in Africa, Latin
America, or Asia: