Technology and social media
Learn key phrases and vocabulary to help you discuss different types of technology, their uses, advantages and disadvantages, and the impact of social media.
Listening practice - Foundation
New technologies will often have both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some helpful adjectives that might be used:
| adictivo/a | addictive |
| caro/a | expensive |
| complicado/a | complicated |
| conveniente | convenient |
| fácil de usar | easy to use |
| esencial | essential |
| importante | important |
| inalámbrico/a | wireless |
| interactivo/a | interactive |
| inútil | useless |
| lento/a | slow |
| necesario/a | necessary |
| peligroso | dangerous |
| práctico/a | practical |
| seguro/a | safe/secure |
| útil | useful |
Radio forum about mobile phones
Listen to these clips from a radio programme where students from Tenerife are talking about the pros and cons of mobile phones.
In the following question, there are six statements but only four people to match to a statement; two of the statements are there to distract from the correct answers.
For each speaker, choose the correct statement.
| A | They are too expensive |
| B | Some people are addicted |
| C | They are not very practical |
| D | They are useful for emails |
| E | You can stay in touch easily |
| F | You can download music |
- Question
Mika
E. Mika says that mobile phones are practical, but statement C is there as a distractor because what he goes on to say is that he can communicate easily with his friends.
Transcript:
Sara: ¿Qué piensas de los móviles, Mika?
Mika: Mi móvil es práctico porque puedo comunicar con mis amigos fácilmente.
Translation:
Sara: What do you think of mobile phones, Mika?
Mika: My mobile is practical because I can communicate easily with my friends.
- Question
Luna
A. This is the only possible option as Luna mentions mobiles costing a lot of money.
Transcript:
Mika: ¿Qué dices tú, Luna?
Luna: Creo que los móviles cuestan mucho dinero. Son demasiado caros para la mayoría de los jóvenes.
Translation:
Mika: What do you say, Luna?
Luna: I think mobile phones cost a lot of money. They are too expensive for the majority of young people.
- Question
Dino
F. Dino doesn't use the word for music, he says he downloads songs. Don't be tricked by statement D - he says that he never sends emails.
Transcript:
Luna: ¿Qué opinas, Dino?
Dino: Para mí, lo más útil es poder descargar mis canciones favoritas. Nunca mando correos electrónicos.
Translation:
Luna: What is your opinion, Dino?
Dino: For me, the most useful thing is being able to download my favourite songs. I never send emails.
- Question
Sara
B. This is the only possible option as Sara talks about mobile phones being addictive for some people.
Transcript:
Dino: ¿Y tú, Sara?
Sara: Pienso que los teléfonos móviles pueden ser adictivos para algunas personas. Personalmente paso muchísimo tiempo en línea.
Translation:
Dino: And you, Sara?
Sara: I think that mobile phones can be addictive for some people. Personally, I spend a lot of time online.