
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What kind of hobby would you like to try if you wanted to spend less time online?
- Do you think doing things with your hands, like writing or drawing, can help people feel calm? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- routine /roo-TEEN/
[noun] – a regular way of doing things
Many people change their daily routine to spend less time on screens. - pen pal /PEN-pal/
[noun] – a person who writes letters to another person regularly
The teenager found a pen pal from another country and started writing letters. - reflection /ri-FLEK-shuhn/
[noun] – careful thought about something
Writing in a journal allows time for reflection after a busy day. - openness /OH-puhn-nis/
[noun] – a state of being willing to share thoughts and feelings
The manager encouraged openness during team meetings. - prioritize /prahy-AWR-i-tahyz/
[verb] – to decide what is most important
The worker had to prioritize tasks before the deadline.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Interest in old-fashioned writing tools is growing as people look for ways to reduce screen time and slow daily routines. The trend has appeared in recent years across the United States and Canada. Activities such as letter writing, scrapbooking, calligraphy, and typewriter clubs are gaining attention. In Claremont, California, Melissa Bobbitt exchanges mail with about a dozen people and previously had up to 40 pen pals. Bobbitt first joined a pen pal club as a child and later used Postcrossing, a global postcard exchange website. In October 2024, artist KiKi Klassen in Ontario, Canada, launched the Lucky Duck Mail Club. The monthly service now has more than 1,000 members in up to 36 countries. Organizers say interest continues to grow despite strong digital habits.
Participants follow different methods to stay offline and build routines around hands-on hobbies. Klassen has explained that writing letters encourages reflection and emotional openness. In Dallas, DJ Robert Owoyele organizes a monthly event called CAYA that includes letter writing, vinyl listening, and coloring. Owoyele has said that physical activities support real-world connection. Experts in digital wellness note that tactile hobbies can improve focus and reduce stress. Online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook now host large groups for calligraphy and wax seal art. However, busy schedules remain a challenge for many people who want to prioritize offline hobbies.
Participants follow different methods to stay offline and build routines around hands-on hobbies. Klassen has explained that writing letters encourages reflection and emotional openness. In Dallas, DJ Robert Owoyele organizes a monthly event called CAYA that includes letter writing, vinyl listening, and coloring. Owoyele has said that physical activities support real-world connection. Experts in digital wellness note that tactile hobbies can improve focus and reduce stress. Online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook now host large groups for calligraphy and wax seal art. However, busy schedules remain a challenge for many people who want to prioritize offline hobbies.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Why are people becoming interested in old-fashioned writing tools?
- In which two countries has this trend appeared in recent years?
- How many people does Melissa Bobbitt exchange mail with now?
- What kind of hobbies do participants use to stay offline?
- What problem do many people have when trying to prioritize offline hobbies?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever spent a long time without your phone or social media? If so, how did you feel during that time? If not, what do you think it would feel like to stay offline for a day?
- Have you ever tried a hobby like drawing, scrapbooking, or calligraphy? If so, which hobby did you try, and did you enjoy it? If not, which hobby would you like to try?
- Do you agree that people should spend less time on screens?
- Why is writing letters different from sending messages on a phone?
- Why do some people like old-fashioned hobbies instead of using phones?