English for Academic Purposes II
Lesson 1: Business & Technology
Business & Technology News: A New Product: Google
Okay Glass, Record a Video!
Welcome to the world of



Skills Focus - skimming and scanning; describing form and function.
Language Focus – present simple active and passive; expressing ability and needs.
Vocabulary Development – talking about technology and innovation.
Pre-reading: work in groups. Look at the KWL chart on the next page.
What do already know about Google Glass? What do you want to know?
Write FOUR things on the chart that you already know about this product.
If you are not sure, you can say, “I think it is…..”
Then write FOUR things that you want to know.
Remember to write your questions using complete sentences.

Here are some ideas to help you.
I want to buy it!
Where? When?
New product or
old product?
Technology?
Which country?
Comfortable to wear?
Heavy? light?
And the price!
Expensive or cheap?
Easy to use?
Touch screen?
contains what?
1
English for Academic Purposes II
Lesson 1: Business & Technology
KWL
Know….. Want to know…… Learn
What do you know (or think you know!) about Google Glass? Write your information here:
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
_
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Google
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
What do you want to know about Google Glass? Write FOUR questions here:
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Google
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
What did you learn about Google Glass?
Now let’s watch a video and then read,
so that we can learn about Google Glass!
Watch the video. Is your information correct?
Can you answer any of your questions?
Complete this sentence to describe Google Glass:
Google Glass is a headset that __________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
2
English for Academic Purposes II
Lesson 1: Business & Technology
Language Focus: present simple active and passive, with ‘can’
Active:
 Google Glass uses a small battery.
It needs the battery to work; It always uses it, so ‘can’ is not correct.
 Google Glass takes pictures OR Google Glass can take pictures
This shows it has the ability to take photos. It is possible.
Passive:
 Google Glass is powered by a small battery.
It needs the battery to work. It always uses it, so ‘can’ is not correct.
People can wear Google Glass easily OR The headset can be worn easily.
This shows we have the ability to wear it easily, when we want. It is possible.
Remember:
The present simple passive = ‘be’ (is/am/are) + past participle (wear, wore, worn)
The headset is worn
In a passive sentence the subject (the headset) does not do the action.
When we use ‘can’, we add ‘be’:
The headset can be worn
Write these sentences with ‘can’, if it is suitable/correct.
(It is not correct for TWO of the sentences)
Then change the ‘can’ sentences from active to passive.
Example: Google Glass records videos
Google Glass can record videos
Videos can be recorded
1) Google Glass downloads information.
____________________________
____________________________.
2) Google Glass recognizes your voice.
____________________________
____________________________.
3) Google Glass weighs about 35 grams.
____________________________
____________________________.
4) Google Glass displays texts.
____________________________
____________________________.
5) Google Glass has the latest technology.
____________________________
____________________________.
3
English for Academic Purposes II
Lesson 1: Business & Technology
Skills Focus: describing form and function.
We can use present simple sentences in active and passive sentences to describe things.
Example: A tablet is a type of small computer.
A tablet can be carried easily.
We can use a tablet to download information.
OR: A Tablet can be used to download information.
We can use a tablet to send emails
OR: A Tablet can be used to send emails.
We can put these sentences together to make longer descriptions:
Examples:
A tablet is a type of small
computer that we can
What is a tablet?
carry and can use to
download information
and send emails.
Or…
A tablet is a type of small computer that can be carried and
can be used to download information and send emails.
Vocabulary Development: Talking About Technology and Innovation
Draw lines to match the words and their definitions:
1
A display
A Contact; bring together.
2
Translate
B Something new.
3
An innovation
C
4
Contain
D An electronic device that shows data.
5
Connect
E Change from one language to another.
Have as part of something; have inside, include.
Use the sentences about on page 3 to write a description of Google Glass.
Google Glass is a/an ____________________that _______________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
4
English for Academic Purposes II
Lesson 1: Business & Technology
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Welcome to a world through

What is it?
In a word: amazing. Essentially, Google Glass is a wearable computer built into a set of
spectacle frames. It looks and feels like a pair of glasses, but it does a whole lot more. It’s a
light, easy-to-wear headset - weighing only about as much as a pair of sunglasses - which
shows information on a miniature screen in the corner of a user's vision. The result is that
you can use the brain of the internet while you do other things. Glass was created, according
to Google, to "be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don't."

What can it do?
It can show text messages, emails and maps whenever you need them. It can record video
and take and share pictures at your command. It can even search the internet as you move.
Spending time abroad and you can’t speak the language? Ask Glass and it will translate for
you. Glass can also connect to a phone using the My Glass app, so that you can make and
accept calls. It will work with an iPhone and other smartphones, enabling you to enjoy the
full range of features.

How does it work?
It’s powered by a tiny battery that sits behind your right ear, and a there’s a touchsensitive bar that runs along the frame. To operate it manually, you simply tap the frame.
However, one of the most innovative and exciting features of Glass, is that it responds to
voice commands. You can start an application with "Ok Glass…" and then take a photo or
record a video with a command phrase. So, “Ok Glass, record a video”, is all you need to say
to capture the magic moments without having to stop what you’re doing.

How much does it cost?
Right now, Google Glass is only available to a limit number of people – testers and
developers – who purchased the product for QR 6,000. However, when it goes on general
sale to the public, probably later in 2014, it will cost around QR 2,400. Indeed, many people
in the business believe that it will eventually be on sale for half that amount.
5
English for Academic Purposes II
Lesson 1: Business & Technology
What kind of text is this? ( the correct one)
a) Informative __
b) Informative and persuasive __
c) Persuasive __
Are these statements True, False or Not Given (There is no information)?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Google Glass is uncomfortable to wear. ___
Google made Glass so that you can use it fully and completely all the time. ___
You don’t have to touch glass to make it work. ___
You can use Glass to phone people. ____
It is very unlikely that Google Glass will ever cost less than QR 2,000. ____
Work in pairs. Without looking at the text on page 5, complete the chart .
Write FOUR sentences about the things you like most about Google Glass.
What did you learn about Google Glass?
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_
Google
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Work in groups. Prepare a 3-minute presentation about Google Glass,
Informing your audience about its benefits and persuading them to buy it.
Your presentation can include:
 A poster
 A short role-play (perhaps between a customer and a salesman)
One of the groups can give a presentation against Google Glass, pointing out
its dangers, disadvantages and the problems it may cause.
I’m not so sure! It’s quite
expensive and it might
cause accidents.
What do you think?
I think it’s amazing!
I’m going to get one
as soon as they come
to Qatar!
6