The history of

mobile
communication

SPEAKING

LEVEL NUMBER LANGUAGE

Advanced C1_4044S_EN English
Goals

■ Can read, listen to and

understand a complex text
about the history of mobile
communication.

■ Can make a detailed

comparison between the
way phones were used in
the 90s and how we use
them now.

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 Most people in the modern world
would be lost without their phones.

It is fair to say that many people spend

more time with their phone than
they do with their loved ones or
partner.

This is a recent occurrence – the

explosion of mobile ownership is one
of the most significant lifestyle shifts
in human history.

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Defining technology

What technology do you think

represents the current age?
Why?

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Self-discipline

Do you follow any personal

rules when it comes to using
your smartphone?

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Why?

How have mobile phones made an impact on the situations and

activities below?

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The history of mobile communication

If one gadget or piece of technology could be

said to capture the zeitgeist of this generation,
it is the smartphone. They are our ever-present
companions, able to stave off boredom, solve
our every query and keep us transfixed by their
power.

It is difficult not to wonder if we are the true

masters of our smartphones, or if the reverse is
true. This behaviour is relatively new – look back
twenty years and the tremendous gulf between
phones then and now beggars belief.

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History of mobile communication

Mobile phones existed in the nineties, but were

not yet ubiquitous. Part of this can be attributed
to their comical size, with many sporting an
antennae and large buttons! This concept seems
laughably dated compared to the slick, pocket-
sized glass rectangles we have today.

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History of mobile communication

For most people, the phone was something

plugged into the landline at home. If you were
out and missed an important call, it was up to the
caller to either catch you at another time or leave
a message. Phone books were physical objects,
recording all relevant numbers for the caller in
one place. Patterns of behaviour regarding
phone use 20 years ago is almost unrecognisable
compared to now, when the average person
checks their phone over 100 times a day. Habits
have seemingly evolved in-kind with technology.

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 New words

debilitating Steven suffered from a rare debilitating illness.

zeitgeist Hendrix’s guitar playing captured the zeitgeist of that moment in time.

transfixed Susan transfixed me with an arresting gaze.

exacerbate We should be cautious – we don’t want to exacerbate the problem.

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Consequences

Discuss some of the consequences of mobile phone overuse.

Do you recognise any of these symptoms?

compulsion to
diminished headaches and
check phone
quality of sleep dizziness
regularly

phantom depression and

sore eyes
vibration anxiety

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Categorise

Categorise the consequences for mobile phone misuse below.

Can you think of anymore?

avoidance of
posture problems
intimacy

development of
depression and shortened less social
obsessive
anxiety compulsive disorder
attention span awareness

deteriorating
sleeping problems
eyesight

Health Social Mental/Psychological

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 Taking a break

Do you think you use your phone

too much?

Do you ever take a break from

your smartphone?

If so, why?

Are there any downsides to taking

a break from your phone?

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 connectedness

One of the greatest impacts of widespread mobile phone ownership is

greater connectedness and convenience to people, services and work.

One contradiction of the smartphone is that while we are technologically

more connected than ever before, we are also less accessible and more
easily distracted.

We live in an age of ever-increasing connectedness.

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Connectedness

How connected do you think people were in the 90s compared to now?
Do you think people might have shared a different kind of
connectedness?

1 Discuss phone habits in the 90s.

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Connectedness

How has the smartphone revolution affected the connectedness of

people?
Are people less connected in some ways?

1 Talk to the teacher about phone habits in the 90s.

2
Talk about the social changes brought about by widespread
smartphone ownership.

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Connectedness

Compare habits of phone use over time. Which generation was more
connected, in your opinion?

1
Talk to the teacher about
phone habits in the 90s.

2
Talk about the social changes
brought about by widespread
smartphone ownership.

3
In your opinion, are people more
connected now? Use evidence from the
previous steps to support your opinion.

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Big question

Would you be interested in living in a world without smartphones?

Why or why not?

What would you find appealing or unappealing about this world?

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Get ready to listen

The next few slides will focus on

training your listening comprehension

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Listen to the teacher and fill the gaps

Many express _______________ about the

debilitating consequences of mobile misuse.
Some users can develop an addiction to or
_______________ on their devices which eerily
mirrors that of _______________ abuse.
Excessive mobile phone use has also been
found to _______________ or even cause
health problems. Headaches, dizziness,
memory loss and a lack of concentration
can all be attributed to excessive
_______________ time. Smartphone use is also
widely known to have serious effects on
sleeping patterns, causing _______________.

Do you know anyone who suffers negative health effects from overuse
of their mobile phone?

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 New words

pervaded A somber atmosphere pervaded the room.

If you invest in those stocks now, in ten years you will be reaping the
reaping benefits.

insomnia David struggled with insomnia and fatigue.

antennae The antennae was torn off the roof in the storm last week.

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True or false?

1. Mobile phones existed in the nineties but were not

yet ubiquitous.

2. Symptoms of mobile phone dependency can surpass

those of substance abuse.

3. Instant messaging has had little impact on youth

culture.

4. People are more emotionally connected with mobile

phones.

5. The average person checks their phone over 200

times per day.

6. Health concerns about mobile phone addiction have

been overstated.

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History of mobile communication

Summarise the history of mobile. Use the three headings below to

structure your response, you can use notes to assist you with your mini
presentation.

1 Origins of mobile communication

2 The impact of smartphones

3
Mobile technology in the future

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Network providers

What new powers and influence might network providers have

now compared with before?

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 digital slang

Digital slang is a dialect popularised by internet users and spread through

the mediums of texting and instant messaging.

This type of slang originated as a way to save time and to compensate for
the limited characters available to many messaging applications. It has
since evolved into its own dialect.

Emojis and acronyms are forms of digital slang.

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Big question

Does digital slang enrich English, giving young people a wider array of
choices to express themselves?

Do you think that digital slang has a negative influence on the future of
language?

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Talk

What will mobile phones look like in ten

years’ time?

How do you think communication will

develop?

Are you excited or indifferent about the

future of the phone?

Discuss the changes in our way of communicating and the potentials

for new technology.

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Reflect on the lesson

Take a moment to review any new

vocabulary, phrases, language
structures or grammar points you have
come across for the first time in this
lesson.

Review them with your teacher one more

time to make sure you don’t forget!

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29 www.lingoda.com
Many express anxiety about the debilitating consequences of
mobile misuse. Some users can develop an addiction or
dependency to their devices which eerily mirrors that of
substance abuse. Excessive mobile phone use has also been
found to exacerbate or even cause health problems.
Headaches, dizziness, memory loss and a lack of concentration
can all be attributed to excessive screen time. Smartphone use is
also widely known to have serious effects on sleeping patterns,
causing insomnia.
Transcription
30 www.lingoda.com
Instant messaging has replaced the phone call in the majority of
circumstances. The convenience that messaging apps provide is
immeasurable, giving birth to a whole dialect of associated
language - emojis, acronyms and digital slang. It boasts speed,
ease of use and security, with the ability to share media across
the world in seconds. The proliferation of selfies and digital
sharing culture fostered by instant messaging has reshaped
youth culture and pervaded almost every strand of human life.
Telecommuncations companies have thrived off the back of this
revolution, reaping substantial profits and increasing their
influence and scope. Technological innovation looks set to
continue to evolve.
Transcription
31 www.lingoda.com
Activity p. 20 anxiety, dependency, substance, exacerbate, screen
Activity p. 22 1T, 2F, 3F, 4F, 5F, 6F
Answer key
Homework

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Important words

Update your list of important words with some vocabulary from

this lesson.

Insomnia

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Write about your knowledge of the history of the mobile
phone

Use the words from the previous slide in sentences to commit

them to your active vocabulary.

On busy days, I spend so much time on my

phone that I can’t sleep at night. I’ve never
suffered from insomnia before!

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Email task

Your friend Emma has been having some problems with

insomnia. You noticed that she is a heavy mobile phone user.
Write an email to her suggesting strategies she could follow to
improve her night’s sleep.

– □ ×

To: [email protected]

Subject: Sleeping advice

Hi Emma,

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