We discussed how communication, routines, and daily life have changed over the years.
We started with a conversation about traditional letter writing.
One student said they almost never post letters anymore. Instead, they use email, WeChat, text messages, and e-signatures for communication. We talked about how, in the past, everyone had to be in the same room to sign a contract. A notary would verify the signatures. Now, people can securely sign documents online using links or apps.
We also talked about utility bills. One participant said their family still receives bills by post for water, gas, and electricity. We clarified that these are called utility bills. For things like garbage pickup, many cities don’t send bills—this is usually paid through annual taxes.
We discussed which services still send paper bills, such as cable, internet, mortgage, and insurance. Someone noted that even insurance is often handled through secure PDF documents now.
In one image, a woman was reading in a library. The library was described as a quiet, comfortable place.
Dialog example: “I take my daughters to the library to study.”
We discussed how libraries provide free newspapers, computers, and other resources—even for those who don’t own their own. Printing costs around ten cents per page.
Another picture showed children climbing trees. We shared childhood memories.
Dialog example: “I fell out of a tree and broke my arm when I was twelve.”
We agreed that climbing trees is a natural skill for children, like monkeys. One student remarked that people used to be more primitive, and this agility may come from our earlier history.
Next, we looked at a photo of a film camera. We mentioned how film cameras, especially from Japan (Canon, Nikon), were replaced by smartphones like the iPhone, which now do everything.
We examined a picture of a magazine and talked about hard copies. A hard copy is anything printed on paper. We compared that to digital or online formats, which aren’t tangible.
Another image showed children playing jump rope at school. We discussed how this is still popular. Someone mentioned the world record:
Dialog example: “A boy from Guangzhou did 230 jumps in 30 seconds and broke the world record!”
We then practiced pronunciation:
- Talking vs. Taking
- Present routines — paying attention to the stop between consonants
- Past tense -ed endings: “started,” “wanted” (pronounced) vs. “stopped,” “talked” (unvoiced)
Grammar review included:
- “I used to write letters.”
- “He used to live in the city but now lives in the countryside.”
- “He will live there next year. He lived there last year. He lives there now.”
We practiced using “used to” and “would” to describe past habits: Dialog example:
“I used to love rock music, but now it’s too loud for me.”
“I would spend hours playing outside with my friends.”
We discussed the idea that people used to be happier in childhood.
Dialog example:
“Children didn’t use to worry because their parents supported them.”
One student said they still dream about their father, and that these dreams feel real and comforting.
Dialog example:
“You never get over missing your parents. It stays with you forever.”
Later, we talked about how things change with age.
Dialog example:
“Year by year, the world goes on, but we grow older.”
We shared more reflections:
- “I used to like loud music, but now I only listen to soft, quiet music—classical music, for example.”
- “Soft music helps you sleep.”
We also recalled school memories: Dialog example:
“When I was at school, I studied hard to gain knowledge—even though I was sometimes noisy and playful.”
We discussed China’s three school stages: primary, middle, and high school, and the Gaokao (college entrance exam).
In the U.S., students take the SAT. A perfect score is 1600 (800 in math, 800 in reading and writing). High scores are needed for top schools like Harvard or MIT.
We also touched on IQ:
- Most people score between 120–130.
- Above 140 is exceptional.
- Some people are brilliant but struggle socially.
The lesson ended with scheduling the next class. George confirmed he would like to book two sessions for next time.
Advanced Vocabulary from the Lesson
Utility (yu-TIL-i-ty) – a basic service like water, gas, or electricity
Notarize (NO-ta-rize) – to make a document official with a signature
E-signature (EE-sig-na-ture) – signing a document electronically
Tangible (TAN-gi-ble) – something you can touch or feel
Primitive (PRIM-i-tiv) – very old or basic in development
Coordination (co-or-di-NA-tion) – the ability to move parts of your body smoothly
Consonant (CON-so-nant) – a speech sound that is not a vowel
Dream (DREAM) – a sequence of thoughts or images during sleep
Support (su-PORT) – help or assistance
Memorable (MEM-or-a-ble) – easy to remember or meaningful
