Websites
What kind of websites do you visit? What's your favourite website? What websites are popular in your country? Are there any changes to the websites you use?
Vocabulary
  • Shortlist (noun) - a list of information.
  • Salient (adj.) - most noticeable or important.
  • Keep abreast of sth - to make sure you know all the most recent facts about a subject or situation.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) - the use of computer programs that have some of the qualities of the human mind, such as the ability to understand language, recognize pictures, and learn from experience.
  • Simulator (noun) - a simulator is a device which artificially creates the effect of being in conditions of some kind.
  • Social network (noun) - a website or computer program that allows people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone.
  • Site (noun) - a website.
  • Layout (noun) - the way that something is arranged.
Questions and answers
M: Rory, what kind of websites do you visit?

R: I suppose the same as everyone else, really. When I think about my daily shortlist, though, the most salient ones are like email and news and language sites, which keep me abreast of various kinds of information, whether it's about the world my life or language. I think that's what most websites are basically for, isn't it?

M: What's your favourite website?

R: To be honest, I don't have one. I suppose the one thing all the major ones have in common is that they're worth spending my time on, so I can learn a new skill or get better at doing something. Actually, what I find quite useful as an English teacher who works with English learners and sees their struggles to get better at speaking is called SmallTalk. It's basically a free virtual AI, like a speaking assistant, that helps students improve their spoken English. One thing that I particularly like about it is that it has an IELTS speaking simulator, which helps predict students IELTS scores.

M: What websites are popular in your country?

R: I imagine the same ones that are popular elsewhere. Everyone loves social networks and has a favourite news site. I'd also imagine people who play a lot of games have a preference. And I can't think of anyone who hasn't done a bit of online shopping, or at least online window shopping.
M: Are there any changes to the websites you use?

R: Not recently. Though, they do get updated from time to time. It's usually a change in the layout or an addition of functions based on their analytics. At least, that is allegedly the case. It always takes me ages to get used to anything new like that.
Make sure to subscribe to our social media to see some of the “behind the scenes” stuff!

Our Instagram: bit.ly/instagramswi
Our Telegram: bit.ly/telegramswi
Did you like this episode?
Show more
Study with us
PODCOURSES LLP
2ND FLOOR COLLEGE HOUSE 17 KING EDWARDS ROAD, RUISLIP, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM HA4 7AE