January 23rd · Cultural Insight

National Handwriting Day

The death of the ink. Celebrating the birthday of John Hancock, this day is a debate on cognitive connection. We explore whether our brains are losing a vital link by typing instead of writing and if your signature is the last piece of unique identity you have left.

SPEAKING LESSONB1 / B2Discussion · Vocabulary · Activities

01 / LET’S TALK

Speaking Discussion

Is handwriting an essential life skill, or is it as obsolete as riding a horse to work?
What does your handwriting say about your personality? Is it messy, precise, or artistic?
Should schools stop teaching cursive (joined-up writing) to make more time for coding?
How does the speed of a keyboard change the depth of our thoughts?
If you received a hand-written letter today, would you value it more than an email? Why?

02 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Activity 1: The Graphologist

The Task: Write the sentence: the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Look at your writing. Is it slanted, upright, or mixed? What does this vibe suggest about your mood today?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Is efficiency destroying personality?

Key Vocabulary

Obsolete (Adj) No longer produced or used; out of date.
Cognitive (Adj) Relating to cognition (the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge).
Signature (N) A person's name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification or authorisation.
Retention (N) The continued possession, use, or control of something; also, the fact of keeping something in one's memory.
Distinctive (Adj) Characteristic of one person or thing, and so serving to distinguish it from others.

Fluency Catalyst

Native Phrase: When discussing impact, use: "To put pen to paper."

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