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Multitasking

How to Use the Second Conditional

Date: Mar 02 2012

Themes: Tech

Grammar: Second Conditional

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Intro

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halfhearted

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Right now, as you read this lesson, what else are you doing at the same time? You might be checking Facebook, chatting with a friend, shopping, and maybe even trying to get some work or studying done. In the 21st century, nearly everyone multitasks. But it’s hard to say if that means we actually get more done.

Amy is a proud multitasker who believes she can easily do many different things at the same time, and do them well. But Marni is more skeptical of multitasking, and the technology that makes it seem so easy and irresistible. Find out if either of them can convince the other to change her mind.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Amy

Marni: Hey Amy, I wanted you to look at this article that I’m reading. There’re some really fascinating points here. Would you take a look at it.

Amy: Uh-huh. Uh…just…wha…Oh, sorry. I was sending a text.

Marni: Yeah, I know. I see that. But I really need your attention.

Amy: Well, I’m paying attention. I mean, I can listen and send a text at the same time. I know how to multitask.

Marni: Yeah, that’s just it. You know, our society, we’re so obsessed with multitasking. We think we’re getting everything done simultaneously, when really we’re just doing everything in a halfhearted way.

Amy: I don’t think that’s true. I mean, I just sent a text, I’m updating my relationship status on Facebook right now, and we’re having a pretty deep conversation.

Marni: Are we? Are we having a deep conversation? Do I really have your attention, or are you more focused on your status update, and the response you’re gonna get?

Amy: Well, I think that’s just human nature. I mean, even if there weren’t cell phones and smart phones and all that kind of stuff, we would still be thinking about different things at the same time. You know? I think that’s just how it is.

Marni: Perhaps, but I think that technology is really causing this huge divide in our culture, I really think that what’s gonna help us is if we take some real intentional time to focus on what we’re doing in the present moment.

Amy: Just don’t take my cell phone away.

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Marni tries to tell Amy about an article she’s reading. But Amy is distracted by the text she’s sending. Marni gets annoyed, but Amy says she can talk and text at the same time. She thinks she is a good multi-tasker.

In Marni’s opinion, people try to do too many things at once and are often distracted by technology. She thinks that we’re so distracted, we don’t do anything well. We need to focus on the present and try to reconnect with those around us.

Do you think you are good at multitasking? Is multitasking a problem, or does it help us get more done in less time?

Comments

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husenjan

China

About this dialoge, i prefer concentrating more than multitasking,because if you do some thing i a halfhearted way,you may do it wrong(possibility).do one thing very great is better than doing 100 things at the same time with careless.

husenjan

China

recently,the smart phones are becoming an important piece of our life. I think if you use it in the right way, it will be the assistant of you.

qualmpaw56

United States

I find myself always mutitasking, and wsih i could give my self a break from it.

for some reason I need to feel the accomplishments, and cant sit still with out them.

doa'a

Yemen

i think it dpends on the time that i have and on my power in holding those tasks, so id i have a great power in consintrting about more than one task so its better

Mohammed_999

Sudan

I think i am good at multitasking, as you said it is the 21st century multitasking is really important now

Christine_1989

Malaysia

i just can focus one thing only…

qualmpaw56

United States

Irene ForEver, you are always multitasking in other ways by helping other not siding any one story.

That an act of multitasking kindness with compassion.

Speaking for myself:

To multitask you must have all your priories in order;

First multi task through preparation ensuring all you need are available needs to multi task your goal. If others live with you be certain they have not used sources needed for your plan.

So see the end results. first then process all that’s needed.

We need to distinguish how much we can chew before we bite into a plan, Process of elimination will optimize your plan to recognize your limitations.

Platform multitasking has team players there we just simply need to show up.

So when you multitask , be in no one hurry, plan you work and work you plan.

I’m multitasking now with my arrangement of words as I speak

I’m aware only few may understand for I’m self identifying how I ended up mending my sails because I cant fish (research what I begin multitasking) today.

We set our goals , we adjust them to the conditions and follow the order. There we accomplish 10 to 100 steps all in one step (your : your own team). Versatility, agility, and strategically., filing in all the pot holes for superior performance So then your motto is ::“ONCE” .[(meaning no corners have been cut , all task are done)

( (no loose ends)]

“ONCE “ = precisely with careful ingenuity. Premeditating the concept that preparations also requires being prepared for the unexpected

Even though what we do daily has no guarantees that the results of our actions may have Consequences changing our common expectations .

We do it on the fly…

John

PS Butterfly , perhaps God is more yin then yang?

farid1390

Afghanistan

Thank you for sharing…

emi0808

Philippines

I love multitasking … I used to this almost everyday while i’m having conversation with my students though phone at the same time I’m reading the books for them, I do web browsing to find their concerns at the same time I am also typing their pronunciation and grammar lapses. and I am also doing their assessments. sometimes while I’m doing all those things in one time I am also eating breakfast or drinking my coffee… I think its not that hard being a mutitasker but itsvery cool… :)

cheer manal

Morocco

I´m a multitasker girl, but only when it comes to uncomplicated things. I easily get distracted when doing things that really needs focus and clear mind especialy at work.

I have friends that i get impressed when seeing them doing lots of things at once and in high speed. i just see it as an uncanny knack ..woow!

ghaffarihamed67

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

wow its so nice discussion …

we can’t focus on a thing in the same time i think there are small groups of people that can do it but its need to a speacial talent that every one cant have it

snoopyboy

Antarctica

oops, the goddess… Shiva : ) thanks

” In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God and has five important works: creator, preserver, destroyer, concealer, and revealer (to bless). ” (wikipedia)

speaking of multitasking, ; )

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Yeah right, Sheeva is more real than that woman

snoopyboy

Antarctica

Butta where’s the “slap-the-hubby” hand?

snoopyboy

Antarctica

wow it’s nice to see some vintage picture of a woman doing some woman work,

that’s where you belong in the kitchen, stay there and don’t spit in my broth.

nowadays women spend more time on the catwalk than on the kitchen.

What have our world came to be?

snoopyboy

Antarctica

The myth originates from the fact that women, can’t stop talking while they tend to other duties

always talking, blah blah, Gee!

: )

Fernandinha

Brazil

I’m good at multitasking, but only at home, with home chores. :)

Some time ago, I tried to be multitask at work, and it didn’t work. I lost focus, concentration and I got stressed. It was very complicated, because I’m perfeccionist and I wanted to do all the tasks well-done. Since then, I do one task at a time at work.