Level 4 - Rank E - Lesson 13: Aversion to Technology
Warm up
COPY & PASTE
Hi, I’m ____. Looking
forward to seeing you.
See
1. Greet the student and introduce yourself if necessary.
Introduce the goal of the lesson.
• Today we will do Level 4 - Rank E - Lesson 13: Aversion to Technology
2. Reinforce the goal of the lesson by asking a few questions like:
• How many e-mails do you get on average in a day?
• How would you feel if you got an email from someone sitting next to you?
3. Have the student read one paragraph at a time. After each paragraph:
• Make sure that the student is following the story
• Check the student’s understanding of the highlighted texts or unfamiliar words/phrases
• OPTIONAL: Ask the questions below to reinforce the student’s comprehension
How do you feel when proper use of something in English finally clicks?
Do you regain your composure immediately after a heated argument with someone?
What is something that is not your forte?
Do you feel you need to get with the times when you see people you using new gadgets?
Do you have an aversion to any types of food?
Try
Act
Wrap up
COPY & PASTE
Thank you for studying at
Bizmates. (bow)
See
Words & phrases
• click – to become
understandable
• regain one’s composure – to
become calm after being
angry or shocked
• not one’s forte –
(Pronounced: For-Tay) not
someone’s strong area
• get with the times – move
into the modern era
• aversion – strong dislike for
something
4. Have the student answer the questions.
1. Thomas had his laptop opened during the meeting and used tech terms that Sam couldn’t
understand.
2. Sam found it rude to e-mail him when he was sitting right next to him.
3. Sam didn’t want to interrupt what he was doing. He also thought it would be easier for Sam if he
could read the email in his own time.
4. He thinks that Sam has an aversion to technology.
5. As a Baby Boomer, Sam may be more used to communicating face-to-face where as Thomas
may see email as an effective means of communication. Also, the tech terms used by Thomas
may be creating a barrier between them. (Communication style); In Sam’s mind, Thomas is a
youngster relying too much on technology while Thomas has labeled Sam as an old timer with
an aversion to technology. However, the main issue just may be a difference in communication
styles. (Trust)
5. Complete the final activity.
• Engage in a conversation with the student
• Try to build on the information the student gives you and exchange ideas
• Give feedback by REFINING the student's English
Read the case study and pause after each paragraph.
Thomas had now been with Pinnacle for 3 months and everything that his boss, Chris,
had been trying to teach him started to finally click. Thomas became more receptive to
Chris’ feedback and a layer of mutual respect began to form. Then finally, Chris gave
Thomas the chance he was waiting for. Chris assigned Thomas to a project team to
develop a marketing plan for a new product. This 3-person team included Greg, a 25year-old Generation Yer, Sam, a 52-year-old Baby Boomer, and Thomas.
In their first brainstorming meeting, Thomas opened up his laptop ready to show the
PowerPoint slides of his ideas. Before Thomas could say a word, Sam told him to put his
laptop away. Stunned at first, Thomas regained his composure and did his best to
verbalize his ideas. One of Thomas’ ideas was to create a buzz in the market through
social media before launching the product. Greg approved ecstatically and the two of
them began a dialogue filled with tech terms. When Sam couldn’t follow the
conversation, he cut them off and ended the meeting. After the meeting, Thomas put
together a summary of his idea in simple language and e-mailed it Sam who sat right
next to him. Two minutes later, Sam turned to Thomas and said in an irritated tone,
“Wouldn’t it have been easier if you had just tapped me on the shoulder and explained
your idea?”, and then turned away.
Sam was annoyed by Thomas’ overreliance on technology. Marketing is about
understanding people’s needs. How did Thomas expect to be a good marketer if he
needed his computer to communicate his thoughts? Furthermore, Sam thought it was
absolutely unprofessional to e-mail him when Thomas could have easily talked to him in
person. Sam felt that this was the biggest problem with youngsters these days. They just
don’t have very good communication skills.
Thomas knew that technology was not Sam’s forte, but he felt that Sam had to get with
the times. Web marketing was an area that Pinnacle had been underutilizing and
Thomas’ idea would be a new direction for the company. To help Sam with his aversion
to technology, Thomas kindly explained his idea in writing using simple English so that
Sam could read it when he had time instead of interrupting him. Thomas couldn’t
understand how a simple e-mail could be taken as a personal attack.
Try
6. Give the student feedback.
• Review key points of the lesson
• Give student feedback/ study tips
• Tell the student there will be a review
• Paste "Thank you" message in the chat box after ending the call
Act
Answer these questions.
1. What were some of the things that Thomas did in the meeting that Sam found
annoying?
2. Why did Sam get angry when Thomas e-mailed him?
3. Why did Thomas e-mail Sam instead of explaining the idea in person?
4. What does Thomas think of Sam?
5. What generational differences might have been the cause of the miscommunication
between Sam and Thomas?
Discuss these questions.
1. Who do you support in this case, Thomas or Sam?
2. What would you do if you were Thomas? If you were Sam?
3. Does the older generation in your company have an aversion to technology?
4. What are the pros and cons of communicating face-to-face? By e-mail?
393