EN 5.

21S - Trends which affect our lives

It is very common to talk about social trends whether we are at work or socializing. The reason for this is that social trends have a
significant impact on both our private and working lives. The following activity will enable you to talk more confidently about current social
trends.

1. Let's Get Started

Look at the following photos and discuss the importance of these trends for your life and the life of your family.

2. Target Language
Trends
Completed trends: past continuous
During the 1990s more people were buying their own homes.
Trends which started in the past but are still continuing now: present perfect continuous
Unemployment levels have been rising steadily.
Trends happening now: present continuous
Rent prices are dropping as property prices fall.
Trends that will continue into the future: 'will'
Cuts in social welfare programs will continue for at least the next five years.
Trends that will be starting or happening in the future: 'will be +ing' or 'are going to'
In the next decade people will be having fewer children.

3. Let's Practice
1. Look at the key words and form sentences to tell your trainer about the trends that are happening in the US at present.
Boomerang generation
More people aged 25-34/still/living/home.
Recession/economic links between parents and children.

48 per cent children/paying rent to parents

89 per cent helping with household bills
Online photos and videos
46 per cent of Internet users/posting original photos and videos online/create themselves
41 per cent of adult Internet users/re-post photos or videos that they have found online/with many people.
Student debt
Aboutoneoutoffiveofthenationshouseholdsowedstudentdebtin2010.
There is a rise from 15 per cent that owed this debt in 2007.
In 1990 about 10 per cent of households/student debt/ therefore, the percentage/doubled

2. Look at the information charts and form sentences to tell your trainer about the trends which are happening in the US at present.

Differences between rich and average Americans

Credited source: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/08/27/yes-the-rich-are-different/

Social class

Credited source: http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/08/27/yes-the-rich-are-different/

4. Let's Speak
Social trends in your country
Look at the following social trends with your trainer.

Decide whether you think that similar trends are happening in your own country.
What do you think will happen in the future?
1. 56 per cent of men and 43 per cent of women aged 18-24 still live at home in the US.
2. Cocooning: As a result of TMT (too much technology) people will spend more and more money on their homes and gardens turning
houses into mini spa resorts and gardens into havens of relaxation.
3. By about 2025 70 per cent of European rubbish landfills will be full.
4. Less people will watch TV in the future.
5. Twenty years ago everyone seemed to be moving out of cities which were full of grime and crime. These days everyone seems to be
movingbackinbecausethatswhereeverythingseemstohappen.
6. Every electronic household gadget you own is about to become obsolete.
7. British Airways has a lot to answer for: it was the first airline to start squeezing narrow 17-inch seats into its Boeing 777 planes to get
one extra seat in every row on its leisure flights.

5. Let's Review
Feedback and error correction.