Pre-reading questions:
- Do you find smartphones more advantageous or more disadvantageous?
- What would your life be like without smartphones?
Vocabulary:
- effortless – easy; natural
English is not her first language but her speech is effortless. - instantly – immediately
I was so tired that when I got home, I fell asleep instantly. - extend – increase in scope; to include more
Please extend the scope of your research to cover environmental issues in the countryside. - mere – no more than; only
I want nothing more than mere friendship. - accessible – reachable; attainable
The Internet has made information more accessible.
Communication has been made effortless by smartphones. Through smartphones, people can instantly exchange messages and share pictures with their family and friends. However, smartphones’ features and conveniences have extended beyond mere communication. Smartphones have made learning more accessible and easy. A lot of learners of English as a second language usually use smartphone applications to study.
There are numerous applications available on Android and iOS now. The uses of the apps can range from connecting English learners to tutors from around the globe to bringing new vocabulary words to users every day. A lot of applications have quizzes, which learners can take at their convenience. There are also those that can help improve learners’ listening skills.
Comprehension Questions:
- What has made communication effortless?
- What can people instantly do now?
- How have smartphones affected learning?
- Who usually use smartphone applications to study?
- What are some of the things that smartphone applications offer their users?
Express Your Opinion:
- Smartphones are more useful than personal computers.
- It is still better to learn another language in a traditional way (not using smartphones).
- Kids as young as 10 years old should be allowed to own smartphones.