Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. affective
    • ex. The teacher noticed that music had an affective impact on the students, making them feel calm and happy.
  2. a disorder
    • ex. Mark has a sleeping disorder, which makes it hard for him to rest at night.
  3. dread
    • ex. The boy felt a strong sense of dread about going to the doctor.
  4. react
    • ex. Plants react to sunlight by turning their leaves toward it.
  5. antidepressant
    • ex. The doctor gave the patient some antidepressant pills to help him feel better.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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As winter comes and the days get shorter, many people experience a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Germaine Pataki from Canada describes it as “panic, fear, anxiety, and dread all in one.” She is one of millions affected by this condition. People with SAD often begin feeling unhappy in the autumn and start to feel better in the spring or summer.

What causes SAD? Scientists are discovering that special cells in our eyes react to blue light from the sun. This blue light can help us feel more awake and happier. When we do not get enough sunlight, we may feel sad or tired. Doctors suggest some treatments for SAD, with light therapy being one of the most common. 

In light therapy, people use a special light box for 30 minutes every morning. This light is 20 times brighter than normal light. In addition to light therapy, doctors may give antidepressant medicines to people with SAD. They also suggest keeping a regular sleep schedule and walking outside, even when it is cloudy.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Seasons and People’s Health

  • What is your general mood during the winter season? Discuss.
  • The article says that when people do not get enough sunlight, they may feel sad or tired. In your opinion, how important is sunlight for a person’s physical and mental health? Discuss.
  • Imagine you are living in an area that has a long winter season and limited sunlight. What would you do to improve your mental health? Discuss.

Treatment for SAD

  • One of the treatments for SAD is light therapy. Do you think artificial light can effectively replace sunlight? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • To treat SAD, doctors also suggest keeping a regular sleep schedule and walking outside. In your opinion, how important are these activities? Discuss.
  • Imagine that a person you know is experiencing SAD. What would you do to help him/her improve his/her mood? Discuss.