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Lesson 07

Current News (Non-controversial Topics)

Small Talk

Learning Objectives

 By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:​

​​

  • Identify the main point in a message.

  • Organize ideas in a logical order (main idea → supporting points → example).

  • Communicate clearly using structured examples.

Exercise 1
Useful Expressions

Direction: Read the useful expressions with your tutor. 

Exercise 2

Vocabulary

Direction:  Listen and repeat after your teacher

Hot off the press

/hɒt ɔf ðə prɛs/
Meaning:

Very recent news

    The news about the park is hot off the press!

In the loop

/ɪn ðə luːp/
Meaning:

Being informed about what’s happening

    I like to stay in the loop about community events.

Spread like wildfire

sprɛd laɪk ˈwaɪldˌfaɪər/
Meaning:

Information spreading very quickly

    The news about the park opening spread like wildfire.

The word on the street

/ðə wɜːrd ɒn ðə striːt/
Meaning:

What people are saying informally

    The word on the street is that the park will be amazing.
Exercise 3
Practice

Exercise 4

Business Dialogue

Direction:  Read the conversation aloud with your teacher and fill in the blanks. 

Word Bank:

The word on the street

In the loop

Spread like wildfire

Hot off the press

Two coworkers discuss recent company news.

Student 1

Gary

Did you hear about the new ________ opening downtown?

Hello! (2)_edited.png

Meli

Yes! That news is hot off the ________.

Student 1

Gary

I like to stay in the ________ about local events.

Student 2

Meli

Me too. The news spread like ________ yesterday!

Student 1

Gary

The word on the ________ is that the park will have a great playground.

Student 2

Meli

And some nice walking ________.

Student 1

Gary

It’s nice to see good news in the neighborhood.

Student 2

Meli

Definitely, it brings the community closer.

Exercise 5

Study Guide

Direction:  Read the study manual aloud 


How to Talk About Local News

1. Ask Friendly Questions

Start chats with questions such as “Did you hear about the new park opening downtown?” or “What’s the latest news you’ve heard?” to engage others.

2. Share What You Heard

Use idioms to describe how fresh or widely shared the news is. For example, “That story was hot off the press!” or “The news spread like wildfire.”

3. Listen to Local News

Watch community news programs or listen to radio updates to hear how these idioms are used in real-life conversations.

Listening Practice 
00:00 / 01:04
Exercise 6
Discussion

Discuss these questions to practice speaking and share experiences.

    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">1. Did you hear about any recent company news?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">2. How do you usually find out about news at work?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">3. What’s the latest good news you’ve heard here?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">4. Do you like to stay in the loop about workplace updates?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">5. Have you ever spread news like wildfire at work? What was it?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">6. How do you share news with your coworkers?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">7. Do you prefer getting news by email, meetings, or chatting?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
    <p class="font_8">8. How do you feel when you hear positive news about the company?</p>
    <p class="font_8"><br></p>
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