A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: What do you think students do during the phone-free hour?
a) They watch videos together.
b) They talk to people around them.
c) They take an online test.
Ask: (1) How much time do you spend on your phone each day? (2) When was the last time you were away from your phone? How long were you apart?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
On many college campuses, students almost always carry their phones. They text while walking to class and scroll through social media as they wait for lectures. Silence often becomes screen time, and conversation stops.
One student, Seán Killingsworth, felt worried about this habit. "It was just like I'm talking to a bunch of zombies," he said. He missed real conversation and wanted fewer distractions.
In 2023, Killingsworth started the Reconnect Movement. Students hand over their phones at the door and spend an hour socializing without screens.
During these phone-free meetups, students sit together, listen to music, and talk. At first it can feel awkward, said one club leader. Many people use their phone as a digital pacifier when they feel nervous. After a few minutes, they relax and enjoy the conversation.
Experts still debate how smartphones affect mental health. Some studies say taking a break helps people feel calmer and happier. Other research says social media can support students who want to express themselves and stay connected.
Students say the meetings help them reconnect with friends and classmates. Killingsworth calls them "human connection habitats," places where people can remember how natural conversation feels.
The group hopes that practicing this habit makes students notice how often they reach for a distraction. By being present together, they learn to balance technology with real people.
Can College Students Put Down Their Phones for an Hour?
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: What do you think students do during the phone-free hour?
a) They watch videos together.
b) They talk to people around them.
c) They take an online test.
Ask: (1) How much time do you spend on your phone each day? (2) When was the last time you were away from your phone? How long were you apart?
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Habit (n.)
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Distraction (n.)
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Reconnect (v.)
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Movement (n.)
-
Awkward (adj.)
-
Pacifier (n.)
-
Present (adj.)
-
Conversation (n.)
-
Hour (n.)
On many college campuses, students almost always carry their phones. They text while walking to class and scroll through social media as they wait for lectures. Silence often becomes screen time, and conversation stops.
One student, Seán Killingsworth, felt worried about this habit. "It was just like I'm talking to a bunch of zombies," he said. He missed real conversation and wanted fewer distractions.
In 2023, Killingsworth started the Reconnect Movement. Students hand over their phones at the door and spend an hour socializing without screens.
During these phone-free meetups, students sit together, listen to music, and talk. At first it can feel awkward, said one club leader. Many people use their phone as a digital pacifier when they feel nervous. After a few minutes, they relax and enjoy the conversation.
Experts still debate how smartphones affect mental health. Some studies say taking a break helps people feel calmer and happier. Other research says social media can support students who want to express themselves and stay connected.
Students say the meetings help them reconnect with friends and classmates. Killingsworth calls them "human connection habitats," places where people can remember how natural conversation feels.
The group hopes that practicing this habit makes students notice how often they reach for a distraction. By being present together, they learn to balance technology with real people.
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
On many college campuses, students almost always carry their (1) . They text while walking to class and scroll through social media as they wait for lectures. Silence often becomes screen time, and conversation stops.
One student, Seán Killingsworth, felt worried about this (2) . "It was just like I'm talking to a bunch of zombies," he said. He missed real conversation and wanted fewer distractions.
In 2023, Killingsworth started the Reconnect (3) . Students hand over their phones at the door and spend an hour socializing without screens.
During these phone-free meetups, students sit together, listen to music, and talk. At first it can feel awkward, said one club leader. Many people use their phone as a digital (4) when they feel nervous. After a few minutes, they relax and enjoy the conversation.
Experts still debate how smartphones affect mental health. Some studies say taking a break helps people feel calmer and happier. Other research says social media can support students who want to express themselves and stay connected.
Students say the meetings help them reconnect with friends and classmates. Killingsworth calls them "human connection habitats," places where people can remember how natural conversation feels.
The group hopes that practicing this habit makes students notice how often they reach for a distraction. By being (5) together, they learn to balance technology with real people.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Students in the Reconnect Movement keep their phones in their pockets. TRUEFALSE False
2. Some students feel nervous at first during the meetups. TRUEFALSE True
3. Some experts think social media can help students. TRUEFALSE True
4. The goal of the Reconnect Movement is to stop using technology forever. TRUEFALSE False
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Habite) Something you do often, usually without thinking about it.
2. Distractiond) Something that takes your attention away from what you want to do.
3. Reconnectc) To link or communicate with someone again after a break.
4. Awkwardb) Feeling uncomfortable or unsure in a social situation.
5. Conversationa) A talk between two or more people.
a) A talk between two or more people.
b) Feeling uncomfortable or unsure in a social situation.
c) To link or communicate with someone again after a break.
d) Something that takes your attention away from what you want to do.
e) Something you do often, usually without thinking about it.
Discussion Questions
- Would you join a phone-free meetup? Why or why not?
- Do phones make it difficult to concentrate on other things?
- Do you ever get the feeling that you are surrounded by zombies?
- What are some of the problems we have because of technology?
- What are some of the problems that technology has solved for us?
- When was the last time you felt awkward in a conversation? What happened?
- How can being present help you listen better to other people?
- What distractions make it hard to stay focused when you study?
- A pacifier helps babies feel calm. Does your phone work like that for you?
- What changes could help you have a better balance? For example, more time outside or less homework?
Discussion Questions
- Would you join a phone-free meetup? Why or why not?
- Do phones make it difficult to concentrate on other things?
- Do you ever get the feeling that you are surrounded by zombies?
- What are some of the problems we have because of technology?
- What are some of the problems that technology has solved for us?
- When was the last time you felt awkward in a conversation? What happened?
- How can being present help you listen better to other people?
- What distractions make it hard to stay focused when you study?
- A pacifier helps babies feel calm. Does your phone work like that for you?
- What changes could help you have a better balance? For example, more time outside or less homework?
Answers
Think Ahead: b
Listening: (1) phones, (2) habit, (3) Movement, (4) pacifier, (5) present
True or False:
- False. Participants hand over their phones before the meeting begins.
- True. Leaders say the first minutes can feel awkward without a phone.
- True. Researchers note that online spaces can support students who want to express themselves.
- False. Killingsworth says the goal is to build spaces for human connection, not to quit technology.
Vocabulary:
- Habit: Something you do often, usually without thinking about it.
- Distraction: Something that takes your attention away from what you want to do.
- Reconnect: To link or communicate with someone again after a break.
- Awkward: Feeling uncomfortable or unsure in a social situation.
- Conversation: A talk between two or more people.