# data[].attributes.body
Is America Really Becoming More Religious?

Warm-up Discussion (10 minutes)

Discuss the following questions:

1. Is religion important in your country?

2. Do you think younger generations are becoming more or less religious?

3. Can a person be religious without attending church, synagogue, mosque, or temple?

4. Why do people sometimes identify with a religion even if they rarely practice it?

5. What role should religion play in modern society?

Key Vocabulary

faith

strong belief in a religion

She finds comfort and guidance through her faith.

religious revival

a renewed interest in religion

Some commentators believe the country is experiencing a religious revival.

polling firm

a company that conducts surveys and gathers public opinion

The polling firm interviewed thousands of Americans.

phenomenon

an observed situation or trend

Scientists are studying this social phenomenon.

attendance

the act of being present somewhere

Church attendance has declined in recent decades.

worship service

a religious gathering

Many families attend worship services every Sunday.

identify as

to describe oneself as belonging to a group

He identifies as Christian.

secular

not connected with religion

Many Western societies have become increasingly secular.

belief without behaviour

holding religious beliefs without regularly practicing religious activities

The professor describes this trend as “belief without behaviour.”

religious affiliation

official connection with a religion

Religious affiliation remains high despite lower attendance rates.

Before Listening / Reading

Read the statement and discuss:

“A person can be deeply religious even if they never attend religious services.”

Do you agree?

Why or why not?

What makes someone truly religious: belief, behaviour, or both?

Reading Text

Is America Really Becoming More Religious?

Recent survey data has generated headlines suggesting that America may be experiencing a religious revival, particularly among young men.

According to a survey conducted by Gallup, the percentage of young American men who described religion as “very important” in their lives increased from 28 percent to 42 percent in just two years. This trend appeared across different religious traditions and attracted significant attention from journalists and religious leaders.

However, data scientist and professor Ryan Burge discovered something unexpected when he examined the numbers more closely.

Although more people were saying that religion was important to them, many of these individuals were not attending weekly religious services. In other words, their beliefs seemed to be increasing, but their religious practices were not.

Burge refers to this trend as “belief without behaviour.” People continue to identify with religious values, traditions, and beliefs, yet they do not necessarily participate in organized religious activities on a regular basis.

This finding raises important questions. Is America becoming more religious, or are people simply expressing greater interest in spirituality and faith while remaining disconnected from religious institutions?

The answer may be more complex than the headlines suggest. While personal belief appears to be growing among some groups, traditional measures of religious commitment—such as attendance at worship services—remain relatively low.

As a result, researchers continue to debate whether America is experiencing a genuine religious revival or merely a transformation in how people express their faith.

Reading Comprehension

True or False?

1. Gallup found that fewer young men considered religion important.

2. Ryan Burge agreed completely with the idea of a religious revival.

3. Many people who valued religion did not attend services regularly.

4. “Belief without behaviour” refers to people practicing religion every week.

5. The data presents a more complicated picture than many headlines suggest.

Discussion Questions

1. Why might someone consider religion important but not attend services?

2. Do you think religious institutions are losing influence?

3. Can spirituality exist independently from organized religion?

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of practicing religion privately?

5. How has religion changed in your country over the past twenty years?

Critical Thinking Section

Ryan Burge suggests that belief and behaviour should not be confused.

Discuss:

Which is more important?

A. What people believe

or

B. What people actually do

Consider examples from:

Religion

Politics

Environmental protection

Charity work

Family values

Language Focus: Hedging and Academic Language

When discussing social trends, we often avoid making absolute statements.

Strong Claim

America is becoming more religious.

Hedged Claim

America appears to be becoming more religious.

Other Useful Expressions

The data suggests that…

It seems that…

The evidence indicates that…

One possible explanation is that…

It would be inaccurate to conclude that…

The situation appears more complex than…

Practice

Rewrite these statements using hedging language:

1. Young people are becoming religious.

2. Churches are losing members.

3. Religion is making a comeback.

4. Society is becoming more secular.

Religious Reflection Section (for a religious student)

Discuss the difference between:

Faith as Belief

What a person thinks and believes.

Faith as Practice

Prayer

Worship

Service to others

Community involvement

Reflect on this quotation:

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think faith requires action?

2. Can someone be spiritually committed without belonging to a religious community?

3. Why might modern believers struggle to participate regularly in religious institutions?

4. How can faith influence daily decisions outside places of worship?

Debate Activity

Motion:

“A person can be genuinely religious without attending religious services.”

Student A: Agree

Student B: Disagree

Prepare three arguments and examples to support your position.

Advanced Speaking Task

Imagine you are a journalist interviewing Ryan Burge.

Prepare five questions you would ask him about:

Religion in America

Young people and faith

Social trends

Religious institutions

The future of spirituality

Then answer those questions as Ryan Burge might.

Homework Writing

Essay (250–300 words)

Topic:

“Is religion primarily about belief or about practice?”

Include:

Your opinion

Examples from society

Counterarguments

A conclusion

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Is America really becoming more religious?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Katty Kay and Ryan Burge on why some Americans now say religion matters more to them, without going to service.

# data[].attributes.body
Lesson Plan – Screen Time & Digital Well-being

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2)
Duration: 60 minutes
Topic: People Are Paying to Get Locked Out of Their Phones

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

Discuss the impact of smartphones on everyday life.

Express opinions about digital well-being and screen time.

Learn and use new vocabulary related to technology and habits.

Improve pronunciation through reading aloud.

Develop reading, listening, and speaking skills.

Q1. Warm-up (5–10 minutes)

footnotes

more than 60 percent of Gen Z wants to get away from technology.

there is an escapist technology/ term to use for companies to help you through your addiction.

young people are looking for better wellbeing in the future.

2. (5 minutes)

Summary of the BBC video:

"People Are Paying to Get Locked Out of Their Phones"

Data shows that more than 60% of Gen Z people wants to get away from technology, even if they have to pay for it. This video brings an important reflection about the “escapist technology” trend and what users expect from it.

Pre-teach vocabulary:

screen addiction

digital wellbeing

flip phone

notification

distraction

attention span

intentionally

boundaries

3. Listening (15 minutes)

Watch the BBC interview.

While watching, ask the student to answer:

1. Why are some people switching back to flip phones?

2. What problems do smartphones create?

3. What are "friction-inducing tools"?

4. According to the interview, is buying new technology the best solution?

5. What idea did you find the most interesting?

4. Reading (15 minutes)

Read the short article together.

Reading Tasks

Before Reading

Look at the title and predict what the article will discuss.

While Reading

Highlight unfamiliar words.

Answer:

1. Why has a new industry appeared?

2. What are some examples of products mentioned?

3. Why is Gen Z trying to disconnect?

4. What question does Katty Kay ask Christine Rosen?

5. Do you agree with the author's main idea?

5. Pronunciation Focus (10 minutes)

Practice these words:

addiction

notifications

intentionally

technology

productivity

concentration

boundaries/limitations

wellbeing

attention

distraction

summary>

the video talks about how people today try to solve everything by using digital tools or apps. But not everything needs digital tools, and improving something doesn't have the same meaning for digital, this tendency makes the people more dependent for using digital advise which you cannot do something like parking your car without using a digital solution like an app for example. So, a lot of people today recognise this digital dependency and it is not good for our lives and try to reduce digital life and have more time for real time but it isn't an easy task.

Focus on:

Word stress

Connected speech

Sentence rhythm

Intonation when expressing opinions

Have the student read one paragraph aloud and provide feedback on pronunciation and natural rhythm.

6. Discussion (10–15 minutes)

Discussion Questions:

1. Are smartphones making our lives better or worse?

2. Would you ever switch to a flip phone?

3. Do you think social media is addictive?

4. Should schools or companies limit phone use?

5. What is one habit you would like to change regarding technology?

6. Can technology solve problems created by technology?

7. What do people lose when they spend too much time online?

8. Is disconnecting becoming a luxury?

Useful Expressions

In my opinion...

From my point of view...

I completely agree because...

On the other hand...

I believe that...

One advantage is...

One drawback is...

That's a good point, but...

Homework (Optional)

Write a 150–200 word opinion paragraph answering:

"Should people reduce their screen time? Why or why not?"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
People are paying to get locked out of their phones

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Inside the growing business of paying for inconvenience, and whether you can really buy your way offline.

# data[].attributes.body
Why Are People Going Back to Flip Phones?

For many years, smartphones have been an essential part of everyday life. They help us communicate, work, study, shop, and find information in seconds. However, many people are beginning to question whether being connected all the time is actually good for them.

Some people are now choosing to replace their smartphones with simple flip phones. These devices allow users to make calls and send text messages, but they do not offer easy access to social media, games, or endless notifications. As a result, people often spend less time looking at screens and more time paying attention to the world around them.

This change has also created a new market. Some companies sell boxes that lock smartphones away for several hours, while others offer services that temporarily replace a smartphone with a basic phone. Although these products may seem unusual, they are becoming more popular among people who want to improve their focus and reduce digital distractions.

Research shows that many members of Generation Z are intentionally trying to spend less time on their devices. They say that constant notifications can make it difficult to concentrate, sleep well, or enjoy face-to-face conversations. Instead of feeling connected, they often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive every day.

Still, not everyone believes that buying new technology is the answer. Some experts argue that people should develop healthier digital habits instead of depending on another product to solve the problem. They suggest setting limits on screen time, turning off unnecessary notifications, and creating moments during the day when phones are not allowed.

Whether people choose a flip phone or simply change their daily habits, one thing is becoming clear: many of us are searching for better ways to balance technology with real life.

Comprehension Questions

1. Why are some people replacing their smartphones with flip phones?

2. What are two examples of products or services mentioned in the article?

3. Why are many Gen Z users trying to reduce their screen time?

4. According to some experts, what is a better solution than buying new technology?

5. Do you think you could use a flip phone for one month? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Match the words with their meanings.

1. Essential

2. Notifications

3. Distractions

4. Overwhelmed

5. Balance

a. Feeling that you have too much to deal with
b. Things that take your attention away from what you're doing
c. Messages or alerts from your phone
d. Very important or necessary
e. A healthy combination of different parts of life

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Is a four-day week the future of work? - What in the World podcast, BBC World Service

# data[].attributes.body
🎯 Argumentation Builder

Ask the student to expand every opinion using this structure.

Claim

"I believe a four-day workweek would improve productivity."

↓

Reason

"Employees would have more time to recover physically and mentally."

↓

Evidence

"Several pilot projects reported lower burnout and higher employee satisfaction."

↓

Limitation

"However, these results may not apply to every sector."

↓

Conclusion

"So, while the model has potential, it should probably be implemented gradually."

🧩 Idioms Related to Work

Introduce naturally during discussion.

burn the candle at both ends

climb the corporate ladder

keep your nose to the grindstone

call it a day

learn the ropes

think outside the box

pull your weight

go the extra mile

strike while the iron is hot

Ask the student to use at least three.

📰 Mini Case Study

Present this scenario.

A Brazilian technology company decides to introduce a four-day workweek with no salary reduction. After one year, productivity increases by 12%, but customer complaints rise because employees are unavailable on Fridays.

Discussion:

Was the experiment successful? The experiment wasn't successful, because customers aren't satisfied with this.

Which metric matters most? In this case, I believe there isn't only one metric that matters. In my opinion, an experiment like that requires a balance between productivity and customer success.

Should customer satisfaction outweigh employee well-being? No, it shouldn't. Actually, the balance between customer satisfaction and employee well-being is the most important (and challenging) thing at a company.

What compromises could the company make? The company could continue with the four-day workweek, but with availability on every day of the week through shifts policy.

🌍 Critical Thinking

Move beyond the article.

Is the future of work fewer hours or smarter hours? With technology development and regulations about mental health, I believe that the future of work is fewer hours.

Should governments regulate working hours or should companies decide? Both. The governments should regulate until certain point, making sure that companies are taking this seriously.

Could AI make a four-day workweek inevitable? Yes, definitely.

Is productivity ultimately measurable? Yes, it is.

Are humans naturally designed to work forty hours every week? I don't think so.

🎤 Final Speaking Task

Scenario

It is 2030.

Brazil has officially adopted a four-day workweek for most industries.

You are being interviewed on an international news program.

Discuss:

economic consequences;

effects on businesses;

workers' quality of life;

education and healthcare;

remote work;

AI and automation;

whether the reform was ultimately successful.

Encourage the student to use:

hedging ("It seems that...")

contrast ("Although... however...")

conditionals ("If companies had..., they would have...")

persuasive language ("One could argue that...")

✍️ Homework

Essay (200–250 words)

Topic:

Does working fewer hours necessarily lead to a better society?

Requirements:

State a clear opinion.

Present two supporting arguments.

Include one counterargument and rebuttal.

Use at least:

5 advanced collocations;

3 hedging expressions;

2 conditionals;

2 linking devices (e.g., Nevertheless, Furthermore, On the other hand, Consequently)

# data[].attributes.body
🇧🇷 Advanced Conversation Class

The Four-Day Workweek: A Solution or an Illusion?

Level: Advanced (B2+/C1)
Duration: 60–90 minutes

🎯 Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the student will be able to:

discuss the four-day workweek using sophisticated vocabulary;

defend and challenge opinions with evidence;

use persuasive language and hedging naturally;

compare Brazil with other countries regarding labor policies;

express agreement and disagreement diplomatically.

🔥 Warm-up (5–8 minutes)

Opening Questions

How would you describe your relationship with work?

Do you think people work to live or live to work?

Is being busy the same as being productive?

Have you ever worked long hours without actually accomplishing much?

Follow-up Questions

Why do some people equate long working hours with success?

Is burnout becoming normalized in modern society?

Can technology make us more productive—or simply more available?

💡 Advanced Vocabulary

Encourage the student to explain each expression instead of translating it.

Burnout

Meaning: physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.

Examples

Burnout has become increasingly common among young professionals.

Many employees don't realize they're burning out until it's too late.

Work-life balance

Examples

Younger generations tend to prioritize work-life balance over salary.

A healthy work-life balance often leads to greater job satisfaction.

Productivity

Useful collocations

boost productivity

improve productivity

measure productivity

maintain productivity

Challenge

Can productivity really be measured fairly?

Output vs. Input

Input = time, effort, resources

Output = results

Question

Should companies measure employees by their input or their output?

Flexible working arrangements

Examples

remote work

hybrid work

flexible hours

compressed workweek

White-collar / Blue-collar workers

Discuss which professions could realistically adopt a four-day week.

Labor market

Examples

The labor market is constantly evolving.

Brazil's labor market presents unique challenges.

Workforce

Difference

workforce = all workers

workplace = the place where people work

Employee well-being

Ask

Should companies be responsible for employee well-being?

Staff retention

Examples

Flexible schedules improve staff retention.

Companies are struggling to retain skilled workers.

Job satisfaction

Question

Is job satisfaction more important than salary?

🗣️ Useful Expressions for Discussion

Giving opinions

From my perspective...

As far as I'm concerned...

I tend to believe that...

I would argue that...

One could argue that...

Hedging

Instead of sounding too certain:

It seems that...

There is growing evidence that...

It appears that...

It could be argued that...

To some extent...

In many cases...

Challenging an idea politely

I'm not entirely convinced that...

That's a valid point; however...

I see where you're coming from, but...

I would question whether...

That assumption overlooks...

Adding nuance

It depends on the industry.

The issue isn't as straightforward as it seems.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

The reality is far more complex.

🧠 Natural Collocations

Instead of isolated vocabulary, teach combinations.

meet deadlines

increase efficiency

reduce absenteeism

improve morale

enhance performance

maintain competitiveness

attract skilled workers

reduce turnover

face resistance

implement a policy

conduct a trial

gather evidence

assess the results

strike a balance

shoulder more responsibilities

clock in / clock out

put in long hours

be on call

Ask the student to create original sentences with at least five.

💬 Discussion Questions

Productivity

Are people truly productive for eight hours a day?

Is presenteeism still a problem in many companies?

What's the difference between being busy and being effective?

Society

Has work become part of people's identity?

Why do many people feel guilty when they aren't working?

Is hustle culture losing popularity?

Technology

Has technology made work easier or simply more invasive?

Are we ever truly disconnected from work?

Brazil

Without focusing on politics, encourage analysis.

Which industries in Brazil could successfully adopt a four-day week?

Which professions couldn't?

Would this widen social inequalities?

Would smaller businesses benefit or suffer?

Could productivity actually increase in Brazil?