1st Session

1. Introduce yourself.

2. What is your major? How could you explain your major in one sentence?

3. If you could choose your major again, which one would you pick?

4. Could you tell me about the courses you are taking this semester?

Writing by Hand May Improve Brain Connectivity   

When you need to remember something, do you write it down on paper?

Probably not ― it's a lot more likely you'd just type a note on your phone, right?

For years, new technology from computers to tablets has been replacing writing by hand. In 2016, Finland even stopped teaching cursive writing in schools to teach typing instead.

But is our move away from writing by hand affecting our brains?

A new study says it might be. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology asked 36 university students to write down information using either a digital pen or a keyboard.

They also looked at the students' electrical brain activity, and found that their brain connectivity patterns were much more elaborate when writing by hand than when using a keyboard. Past research has found that this connectivity is key to helping the brain make memories and record new information.

The researchers say the combination of both seeing information and feeling the movement of the body may encourage brain connectivity, and help us learn.

One of the researchers, Audrey van der Meer, told PsyPost that forming letters by hand also helps children learn the difference between very similar letters like "b" and "d," because their bodies get to feel what it's like to make the shapes.

The researchers say that although it's important to teach children how to use new technology, it's also important for them to keep learning how to write by hand.

Do you use a tablet PC when taking classes?

2. How often do you write by hand these days?

3. Do you know anyone who enjoys handwriting?

4. Is your handwriting neat?

5. How fast can you type?

2nd session

1. Introduce yourself.

2. How was your week after the semester started?

3. What are your goals for this semester (or this year)?

4. Is there something you want to learn or try?

Greece Combats Labor Shortage with 6-Day Week

Workers in many countries have been sending a clear message in recent years: they want to work less ― not more. A four-day working week has been trialed in some places, with positive results.

But one European country has made a move in the opposite direction. At the start of July, Greece introduced a six-day working week for some industries.

So why has the country made the change, and what will it mean for its workers?

The government says one of its aims is to address the country's labor shortage ― Greeks often move abroad in search of better opportunities. So instead of having to hire more workers, some businesses will be able to ask their employees to do more. That could mean people working a 48-hour week, although they will be paid 40% more for their sixth day of work. The government argues that making a six-day week official should help make sure that people are fairly paid for their extra work.

However, labor unions and workers are not happy. Thousands of people took part in protests the day before the change to the law was passed last fall.

Greek law professor Aris Kazakos told DW that the new law gives employers all of the power. He said employees will not be allowed to refuse if their boss asks them to do the extra day of work, or if they're asked to work extra hours over the other five days of the week. He added that increased working hours could have a negative effect on the safety of workers in some industries.

According to recent data, employees in Greece already work more hours each week than those in the US and most of Europe. And some European politicians have suggested that the new law goes against the European Union's principles, which aim to make workplaces better and safer, and to give more rights to workers.

1. In Korea, labor laws regulate working hours to 40 per week (with a maximum of 52).

Do you think this is appropriate?

2. How do you imagine people in your country would react if the government tried to introduce a six-day work week?

3. Do you think a four-day work week will be commonplace in your lifetime?

4. If you had a four-day work week, which weekday would you choose as your extra day off? How would you spend it?