We spend hours every day scrolling through social media, watching videos, and reading news online. But have you ever stopped to ask: Is this real? Who created this? Why are they showing it to me?

This is what we call Media Literacy. In a world full of information, being media literate is like having a superpower. It helps you understand the difference between facts and opinions, and it protects you from being "tricked" by fake news.

There is No Failure, Only Feedback
As language learners and digital citizens, we often make mistakes. We might share a story that isn't true or believe an edited photo. In the world of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), we say: "There is no failure, only feedback." If you realize you believed something false, don't feel bad! Use it as feedback. It’s a sign that you need to sharpen your "critical thinking" tools.

The 3 Questions You Must Ask
To become a pro at media literacy, ask these three questions every time you see a post:
1. Who is the Author?
Is the person an expert? Are they a professional journalist, or just someone with an opinion? If there is no name or source, be careful.
2. What is the Purpose?
Every piece of media has a goal. Is it to:

• Inform you with facts?
• Persuade you to change your mind?
• Sell you a product (even if it looks like a regular post)?
• Entertain you?

3. What is Missing?
Media often shows only one side of a story. A photo might be cropped, or a video might be edited to make someone look bad. Always ask: What aren't they showing me?

The "Right Kind of Wrong"
Sometimes, we get things wrong because the internet is designed to confuse us. Algorithms show us things that make us angry or excited because that keeps us clicking. Learning to spot these "traps" is part of the science of failing well. When you catch a mistake in your thinking, you are actually getting smarter!

Quick Tips:

• Check the Date: Old news is often shared as if it happened today.
• Reverse Image Search: Use Google to see where a photo really came from.
• Read Past the Headline: Headlines are often "clickbait"—they are designed to be shocking, but the article might say something different.

Final Thought: Next time you are online, be a detective, not just a consumer. Your brain is the best filter you have!

In today’s hyper-connected world, we have developed a peculiar habit: doing almost everything with "one hand on the phone." Whether we are having dinner with friends, attending a lecture, or even working on a complex project, a part of our brain is constantly tethered to the digital world. This state of continuous partial attention has profound implications for our productivity and mental well-being.

The Illusion of Multitasking
Many people pride themselves on being able to multitask. However, cognitive science suggests that the human brain isn't actually wired to perform two high-level tasks simultaneously. Instead, we are "context switching" — rapidly jumping back and forth between our work and our notifications. This mental gymnastics comes with a "switching cost," reducing our efficiency by up to 40%. When we keep one hand on the phone, we are never fully present in the task at hand.

Deep Work vs. Shallow Work
Cal Newport, a well-known author on productivity, distinguishes between "Deep Work" and "Shallow Work." Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It is in this state that we produce our best results and experience "flow." On the other hand, shallow work is logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. By constantly checking our devices, we train our brains to crave distraction, making it increasingly difficult to achieve the depth required for true mastery or innovation.

Finding the Balance
To reclaim our focus, we don't necessarily need to abandon technology. Instead, we need to set boundaries. This might include "phone-free zones," scheduled deep work sessions, or practicing mindfulness. By putting the phone away and engaging with both hands—and our whole mind—we can transition from being busy to being truly productive.

Vocabulary Focus

1. Tethered to: Tied or connected to something (быть постоянно зависимым от чего-то или не иметь возможности отойти).
2. Implications: The possible results or effects of an action (последствия).
3. Context switching: The process of shifting focus from one task to another (процесс переноса внимания с одной задачи на другую).
4. Cognitively demanding: Requiring a lot of mental effort and thought (требующий больших умственных усилий).
5. Crave: To have a strong desire for something (иметь сильную потребность в чем-либо).
6. Subtle cues: Small, indirect signals or hints (тонкие намеки).
7. To reclaim: To take back something that was lost (восстановить контроль).

Translate:

1. Many employees feel tethered to their desks even during lunch breaks.
2. Our brains are not wired to multitask efficiently.
3. The implications of this decision are huge.
4. I'm not sure you understand the implications of what you're saying.
5. Constant context switching is the main reason why you feel exhausted at the end of the day.
6. I try to group similar tasks to avoid context switching.
7. Learning a new language is one of the most cognitively demanding activities.
8. I do my most cognitively demanding work in the morning.
9. When I'm stressed, I crave sugary snacks.
10. Introverts often crave solitude after a long party.
11. Pay attention to subtle cues.
12. He didn't say he was angry, but I picked up on some subtle cues.
13. It's time to reclaim your focus from social media.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you agree that "multitasking is a myth"? Why or why not?
2. How often do you find yourself with "one hand on the phone" during important meetings or study sessions?
3. How does distraction prevent us from learning properly?
4. What strategies can a person use to build their "focus muscle"?

Exercise: Fill in the blanks
Use the vocabulary words above to complete the sentences.
tethered to, subtle cues, crave, reclaim, cognitively demanding

1. Constant notifications mean we are always __________ our digital lives.
2. Learning a new language is a __________ task that requires full concentration.
3. If you aren't paying attention, you might miss the __________ that your family member is unhappy.
4. It’s hard to __________ your focus once you have been interrupted by a phone call.
5. Many people __________ social validation in the form of likes and comments.

encoding: converting sensory information into a storable form
storage: maintaining encoded information over time
retrieval: accessing and recalling stored information
synapses: connections between neurons that strengthen with use
elaboration: connecting new information to existing knowledge
neurons: fundamental units of the brain and nervous system; specialized cells designed to transmit information
to consolidate: to strengthen the memory traces of recently learned information, moving it from short-term to long-term storage
to impair: to damage, weaken, or spoil something so that it becomes less effective or functional

The retrieval of information from a computer is the process of getting it back.
The retrieval of the lost documents took hours.
The retrieval of the stolen art was a major success for the police.

Exercise 1. Complete the paragraph using the following words:
retrieval, synapses, encoding, storage, neurons

When you encounter new information, your brain begins the process of (1)__, turning sights and sounds into a storable format.
For this information to last, it must move into long-term (2)__.
Physically, your brain is changing: it forms new (3)__ between (4)__.
The real test of learning, however, is (5)__ — the ability to pull that information back into your conscious mind when you need it most.

Exercise 2. Odd One Out
Identify the word that does not belong in the group and explain why:
1. short-term memory / scratchpad / library / 20-30 seconds
2. mnemonic / acronym / rhyme / nutrition
3. omega-3 / chronic stress / hydration / balanced diet

Exercise 3. Replace the underlined simple words with more academic/technical terms:

When you sleep, your brain makes memories stronger.
Your brain c_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _s memories.

High levels of worry can hurt your ability to focus.
Chronic stress can i_ _ _ _r your ability to focus.

You need to get the information back from your brain.
You need to r_ _ _ _ _ _e the information.

Try to link new facts to things you already know.
Use e_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _n to connect information.

Exercise 4. Transform the base word in brackets to fit the sentence correctly.

(CONSOLIDATE) Sleep is essential for the __ of memories.

(COGNITION) Physical activity is proven to improve __ performance.

(RETRIEVE) Using flashcards makes the __ of facts much faster.

(MEANING) If you connect info to your life, it becomes more __.

(CONSISTENCY) You should maintain a __ sleep schedule.

Exercise 5. Alphabet
A
a type of abbreviation formed from the initial letters of a phrase or multi-word name that is pronounced as a single word

C
to strengthen the memory traces of recently learned information

E
1. involves explaining a concept in your own words or connecting it to a personal experience
2. converting sensory information into a storable form

I
to damage, weaken, or spoil something so that it becomes less effective or functional

L
the brain's system for storing, managing, and retrieving information over extended periods, ranging from several minutes to an entire lifetime

M
a memory aid or technique used to help you retain and recall information

S
maintaining encoded information over time