Speak Tech: Equipping ESL Students with Language Skills for the Digital Age
This page consists of vocabulary, listening, reading and speaking exercises that encourage students to discuss the latest advances in technology.
The resources here cover an array of technological topics including Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). These are no longer subjects of science fiction but are becoming increasingly integrated into our everyday lives. From AI-powered personal assistants to immersive VR experiences, these technologies are shaping the way we live, work, and communicate.
Generative AI, for instance, is an advanced technology that uses machine learning to create new content, ranging from written text to images and music. Virtual Reality, on the other hand, offers immersive experiences that can transport users to different settings and situations. Similarly, AI is a broad term that encompasses various technologies that emulate human intelligence, with applications in nearly every industry.
As ESL teachers, it is our responsibility to equip students with the necessary linguistic tools to comprehend and discuss these technological phenomena. By doing so, we’re not only enhancing their language skills but also preparing them for a future where such technologies will be commonplace.
Understanding the language of technology helps students to engage confidently in discussions and express their opinions on these subjects, which are increasingly prevalent in academic, professional, and social settings. Furthermore, it fosters critical thinking as students learn to analyze and question the implications of these technological advances.
1 Expressing opinions about virtual reality
Students complete each opinion with the vocabulary at the bottom of the page and decide whether they agree or disagree with each opinion. Also, see the Virtual Reality post for more exercises.
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2 Dall-e: the revolution will be visual!
This is a reading listening comprehension exercise about the new artificial intelligence text to image application Dall-e.
3 Every day artificial intelligence applications
Artificial intelligence is now a part of everyday life. This is a vocabulary/listening/speaking exploring ideas about AI apps that people use everyday.
(see the video of this exercise on YouTube)
4 Gerunds and infinitives for gadgets and devices ( with audio and answers)
This is a fairly elementary gerunds and infinitives listening/speaking activity. It’s also a pretty good fluency exercise or review as gerunds and infinitives are so commonly used in everyday speech.
Gerunds and infinitives listening/speaking exercise (PDF)
5 What’s it used for? (with audio and answers)
This is a listening/speaking exercise introducing language and expressions for describing contemporary technological devices used in everyday life . Students match the vocabulary to the pictures. Then they can listen to the audio and match a use or several uses to each item. Finally, they can complete the questions at the bottom with their own ideas and ask and answer the questions with a partner.
(What’s it used for YouTube video)
6 Computing expressions and language exercise (with audio and answers)
Computing expressions listening/speaking and vocabulary exercise. Students listen to the audio and match the vocabulary to the pictures.
Computing expressions and language exercise with answers (PDF)
7 Verbs for computing (with audio and answers)
This is a listening/speaking exercise for verbs and computers (or technology) . Students listen to the audio and match the verbs (or sentences) to the appropriate pictures.
8 Computer and technology vocabulary exercise (with answers)
Click on the image or the link to download the printable PDF file.
Computer and technology vocabulary exercise with answers (PDF)
9 Brainstorming the benefits of automation and robotics (with answers)
This is an English language discussion and brainstorming exercise for the benefits of robotics and automation. Students use the pictures to give them ideas .
Brainstorming the benefits of automated devices (PDF)
Related Resources
Virtual reality language exercises
Listening and speaking exercises for ESL classes
8 Business English vocabulary exercises
5 Cool Advertising & Branding Vocabulary & Language Exercises
5 Describing Graphs Language Exercises
8 Business English Speaking Skill Worksheets
11 Classroom Debate and Discussion Language Activities
10 More useful vocabulary for computing and technology (with answers)
This is an exercise for verbs and computers. Students match the verbs to the appropriate pictures and then write short sentences for the actions taking place in each picture.
More useful computing vocabulary and expressions (PDF)
Related Computer Science Language Resources
Computers and the Internet (various language exercises)
Online Reading Comprehension Test about Google
11 Computers and the internet vocabulary and writing exercise (with possible answers)
This is an ESL writing exercise for for some common words used for discussing the internet. Students try to make sentences about the pictures using the words under the pictures.
Computer and the internet vocabulary and writing exercise (PDF)
12 Technology use survey
This is an ESL speaking and writing lesson for talking about technology. First, students write five survey questions about technology . There are some examples of questions on the first page of the PDF. When they have written five questions , they can walk around the class asking classmates their questions and noting down their answers on the worksheet. Finally, they write a short report from their survey question answers. This is a fun communicative exercise that allows students to mix freely.
Classroom technology use survey (PDF)
13 Rise of the robots and automation brainstorming and discussion worksheet (with answers)
This is an exercise to explore the vocabulary and language used to talk about new technology focusing on automation and robotics and encouraging discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of robots and automation.
Rise of the robots brainstorming and discussion worksheet (PDF)
14 Brainstorming benefits of mobile devices (with answers)
This is an English language speaking worksheet to help English language students brainstorm the benefits of smart phones, Ipads , tablets and other mobile devices .Students write down as many benefits as they can using the pictures and their own ideas.
Brainstorming the benefits of mobile devices worksheet (PDF)
15 Brainstorming disadvantages of mobile devices (with answers)
Another worksheet to help English language students brainstorm the disadvantages of mobile devices such as smart phones, Ipads and tablets. Students write down as many disadvantages as they can using the pictures and their own ideas.
Brainstorming the disadvantages of mobile devices worksheet (PDF)
16 Brainstorming the disadvantages of automation and robotics (with answers)
This is an English language exercise for brainstorming the disadvantages of robotics and automation. Students use the pictures to give them ideas .
Brainstorming the disadvantages of automated devices (PDF)
17 Talking about machines, products and services with adjectives (with answers)
This is a business English ESL exercise exploring language used to describe technology and products. Students try to match the vocabulary with the appropriate pictures. Then they write sentences describing the products. The adjectives used to describe products are:
Describing technology with adjectives (PDF)
18 Writing opinions about automated and robotic technologies (with answers)
This is another worksheet that can be used to help students improve their writing skills and express their opinions about new technologies including driverless vehicles, smartphone payments and smart watches.
Writing opinions about automated and robotic technologies (PDF)
19 Personal opinions about the internet and social trends
An English language speaking worksheet for generating discussion about the internet and social trends. Students write the benefits/disadvantages of each issue on the worksheet.
Personal opinions about the internet (PDF)
20 Personal opinions: technology & modern lifestyle
This is another worksheet that can be used to get students talking about technology in contemporary society. Students need to think of a positive and negative for each issue.
Personal opinions about the internet and modern life (PDF)
Could we have the answers to all the exercises, please?
Hi,
I’d love to do answers for all exercises. I just don’t have enough time at the moment. However, if you want answers to a specific exercise, email me at eslflow@gmail.com and I’ll get it done.
Regards, Peter Snashall
Ok. This page has now been updated with a new exercise ( with answers) and I have fixed and added answers to the second exercise in which the answers were mistakenly missing. Really appreciate any messages pointing out mistakes.
I need the answers for this please send it .
Wow. You make me work hard. Nearly all the exercises have answers now.
Thank you very much!
I just wanna say thank u so much
Great to hear the exercises are useful!
Thank you so much! your contribution to my lessons is enormous. Thank you!
Very useful, thanks!
Hello. Is there any chance to download audio files too?
Hi,
You can download the audio files after you’ve played each one first. Then you will see 3 dots on the right hand side. They allow you to download. Let me know if you have a problem.
My email is eslflow@gmail.com