My Path to Success

ð  For Kenny:

You could study more and help yourself with a grammar book.

You must listen very carefully in class.

You should have a look at the grammar section at the end of your textbook.

You should try the Spelling Bee Contest to work on your grammar.

You could take some private classes.

ð  For Brenda:

There is no secret, you should practice speaking in front of a public.

You should imagine you are speaking to a group of people you know.

You could hire an elocution coach.

You should try drama classes.

You should try to speak in front of your parents.

You should practice your communication skills with your classmates.

ð  For Joshua:

You must isolate the word you understand and go from there to make your sentences.

You could train often with a partner who/that is good at making sentences.

You must go to English speaking countries to improve your oral skills.

You could manage to practice every day.

You should read more books.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Science or Fantasy: Uploading the mind

The document under study is a press article published in 2023 in Daze magazine. It deals with the possibility to upload one’s mind into a computer to extend life digitally/ to achieve digital immortality.

The method used to extend life is digitalization of the human into a computer, humanoid or avatar. The benefits of such breakthrough are that one can live forever digitally and one can choose a new shell to keep on living in. Nevertheless, the risks are that it could be difficult to adapt in a non-human body. Indeed, we would lose our human senses and therefore our humanity. Eventually, scientists cannot achieve a perfect replica of the human brain.

This innovation seems to be a fantasy because they are not sure they could do it even if they wish it could become possible in the future.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Science or Fantasy: Uploading the Mind

The document under study is a press article published in Dazed magazine in 2023. It is about a scientific breakthrough that can make possible the uploading of the mind into a computer.  The method to upload a brain in a computer is to upload a replica of a brain that has its minimal functions. Then, the scientists will have to create hardware to give the subject the ability to think or imagine. Nevertheless, the potential risks could be that we do not know how the human brain will adapt to no physical form. One benefit could be to be able to choose another “shell” as a body (a robot for instance).

Nonetheless, this method does not seem realistic because we  would not have the same way of thinking and the same emotions as we can feel in our human body. Eventually, this type of innovation looks more like a fantasy than science.

Homework: Laarn the lesson.

 (At the fllowing of what we did last time)

Jesse Karmazin tried to turn the ancient myth of the “fountain of youth” into a modern business  by selling expensive young blood to old people (the name “Ambrosia” came from the Greek and Roman mythology. It was the name of the drink drunk by the gods). Eventually, his project was a failure and banished by the US government because it was potentially dangerous and fraudulent.

Indeed, this project raised ethical questions, on one hand, for donors: were they forced to give their blood? Could it be considered as child abuse? Could poor young people be pressured to sell their blood to the rich? Would they be ready to put their health in danger for money? On the other hand, for society: Does it create inequalities between people (the rich and the poor)?  Is it legal?

To finish with the medicine sector: Should we really use a cure that is not scientifically proven? Are the benefits worth the risk of dying? Should medicine be a luxury or fundamental rights?

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Over to you!

Ambrosia in the news

You're a journalist who's been commissioned by The Guardian to report on Jesse Karmazin's company, Ambrosia. Write a short newspaper article, summarizing what he promised and what happened. Add a catchy headline to attract readers.

250 Years of America

The document under study is a video from the US Department of State, published for the 250^th Anniversary of America on July 4^th, 2026. America is fighting and strong nation with a powerful military system. Moreover, it is depicted as a country in advance in technology and innovations. It is seen as a creative country with brave people ready to sacrifice themselves for the well-being of the country and its population. Besides, America is depicted as a united nation where people are described as being lucky to live there. The tone of the voiceover highlights a strong patriotism. On top of that, the country is depicted as being better than any other countries in the world.

To build the country, they were inspired of England from which they picked out the common laws and the importance of freedom. Moreover, from Rome they picked out the Republican virtues. They also took some Christian values. In  addition, they also took democracy values from Athens.  

Americans like to describe themselves as a “Frontier Nation” because it has always liked to go beyond any limits to expand their sphere of influence in any fields (the conquest of the West, the Space Race, the Silicon Valley…)

250 Years America

The document under study is a video from the US Department of State, published on their YouTube channel on July 4^th 2026, to celebrate the Semiquincentennial of America.

America is depicted as a strong country that has always fought for its freedom. Moreover, it is showed as a united nation with a people dedicated to their nation. Furthermore, the tone of the voiceover sounds patriotic which emphasizes the notion of strong patriotism among the people. On top of that, it is also represented as a country being superior than other countries. Indeed, it is described as a country being extremely in advance in science, astronomy, technology and military. In addition, they are shedding light on great American figures such as artists, athletes, scientists and politicians.

To write their constitution, they were inspired by different nations, such as Greece for democracy, Italy for power and bravery in wars and building new things. Besides, obviously Great Britain for some values add to their constitution as they were former British.

Being a “Frontier nation” means that Americans have always been innovative and not afraid to cross any limits (the West conquest and the Space race).

 Homework: Learn the lesson.

Be ready for the Written Production that you will have to take on Friday, September 25th, 2026

Similarities and differences with the French school system.

French and British students go to school with their backpacks on whereas American students are not allowed to have backpacks.

In French schools, 100% of the final grade are based on your exams unlike in American schools, 50-60% of your final grade are based on doing your homework or being present.

Regarding/Concerning summer holidays, French students have 2 months of vacation, as opposed to the British who have 6 weeks and the Americans have 3 months.

In French schools, all your grades in PE are based on your abilities contrary to American students’ grades, 30% of their grade are based on their outfits.

My Qualities