TRANSCRIPT
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISODE
Host Brian: Hello and welcome to English on the Go, where you can learn English anywhere and speak it everywhere! I’m your host, Brian, and I’m excited to be with you today for another great episode.
Host Brian: Learning English is more important than ever in our globally connected world. It opens doors to opportunities, helps you communicate with people from different cultures, and allows you to express your thoughts clearly on important issues.
Host Brian: By improving your English, you’ll be able to take part in meaningful conversations, whether at work, school, or even online.
Host Brian: Now, let’s dive into today’s topic—IS BEING FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA GOOD OR BAD?
Host Brian: Social media has become a huge platform for people to express themselves and even build careers. Some influencers with millions of followers make a living just by sharing content, but fame comes with pressure and responsibility.
Host Brian: On one hand, social media fame offers opportunities like sponsorships and personal branding. However, it also brings challenges like constant pressure to create content, loss of privacy, and negative comments.
Host Brian: Many influencers struggle with burnout and anxiety.
Host Brian: In today’s conversation, we’ll explore both the positives and negatives of social media fame, helping you understand its true impact.
2. PRE-LISTENING QUESTIONS
Host Brian: : Before we dive into the conversation, let’s think about some important questions to get you ready.
Host Brian: These questions will help you reflect on the topic and get the most out of today’s episode.
Have you ever thought about becoming famous on social media? Why or why not?
What do you think would be the best part of being famous online?
What challenges do you think someone famous on social media might face?
Do you follow any social media influencers? What makes them stand out to you?
How do you think social media fame affects someone's personal life?
Host Brian: Keep these questions in mind as you listen to the conversation. They’ll help you connect with the topic and think more critically about it.
3. MAIN CONVERSATION
Host Brian: Now, let’s move on to the conversation. In this dialogue, you’ll hear from two friends, Sarah and Jake, who are discussing whether being famous on social media is truly worth it. Pay attention to the vocabulary and phrases they use to describe the ups and downs of social media fame.
Sarah: You know, Jake, I’ve been thinking about how some people make a career out of being famous on social media. It sounds like a dream job, doesn’t it? You get paid to post pictures and videos, and people recognize you everywhere!
Jake: Yeah, it does sound amazing at first. But I’m not sure if it’s all that great. There’s a lot of pressure to keep up appearances, you know? You always have to look perfect and come up with new content. That sounds exhausting.
Sarah: True, but imagine the perks! You could work with big brands, travel the world for free, and even have millions of followers. Plus, you’d never have to worry about a regular 9-to-5 job again. You’d have so much freedom.
Jake: Sure, but what about the downsides? People can be really harsh online. One wrong post, and you could be dealing with haters or even getting canceled. That would be stressful! Not to mention the lack of privacy—people expect to know everything about your life.
Sarah: Yeah, I guess you're right. The pressure to stay relevant and handle criticism would definitely be tough. But some influencers make it look so easy, you know? They’re always smiling, traveling, and living their best lives.
Jake: I think that’s part of the problem. We only see the highlights of their lives, not the hard work behind the scenes. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some influencers talk about feeling burnt out or even dealing with mental health issues because of the constant stress.
Sarah: Oh, I’ve heard about that. Some influencers have to post every single day just to stay relevant. That’s intense! I don’t know if I could handle that. But then again, with fame comes a lot of opportunities. You could meet celebrities, attend exclusive events, and even launch your own brand.
Jake: Yeah, the opportunities are huge, but you’re always under the spotlight. Every little thing you do is judged. Imagine not being able to go out without people recognizing you or asking for selfies. And then there’s the trolls. You have to have thick skin to deal with the negativity. I don’t know if the fame is worth all that.
Sarah: You’re right. The online hate can get really bad. I’ve seen some influencers quit social media altogether because they couldn’t handle it anymore. But for some, the rewards are greater than the risks. If you play your cards right, you can really build something special.
Jake: That’s true, but I think it depends on your personality. Some people thrive on attention and are good at handling the stress, while others might crumble under the pressure. You’ve got to know yourself before you dive into that kind of lifestyle.
Sarah: Yeah, it takes a lot of self-awareness to survive in the spotlight. And I think people don’t realize that it’s a full-time job. It’s not just posting pictures; there’s planning, editing, dealing with brands, and managing your image. It’s a lot of work!
Jake: Exactly! And let’s not forget about the constant comparisons. Everyone’s trying to one-up each other with better content, more followers, or bigger deals. That kind of competition can mess with your head if you’re not careful.
Sarah: I hadn’t really thought about that, but you’re right. I guess social media fame comes with a lot of responsibility—and not everyone is prepared for it. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and forget that there’s a real person behind the screen.
Jake: Yeah, that’s what I’ve been saying. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I mean, sure, it looks glamorous, but at what cost? If it starts affecting your mental health, is it really worth it?
Sarah: That’s a great point. Maybe fame isn’t all that after all. You have to weigh the pros and cons carefully before jumping into it.
Jake: Definitely. In the end, it’s about finding balance. If you can handle the fame and stay grounded, then maybe it’s a good thing. But if it starts to take over your life, that’s when it becomes a problem.
4. VOCABULARY ANALYSIS
Host Brian: "Let’s break down some key words, phrases, and idioms from the conversation. These will help you understand the topic better and add to your vocabulary.
Host Brian: Listen closely, and try to use them in your own conversations!
Host Brian: First up, we have the phrase 'keep up appearances.' This means to maintain an outward show of something, even if it’s not true. For example, influencers often feel pressured to keep up appearances, even when they’re exhausted.
Host Brian: Next, we talked about 'sunshine and rainbows.' This idiom refers to a situation that seems entirely positive, without any problems. So, when Jake said that being famous on social media isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, he was highlighting the challenges that come with it.
Host Brian: Another important phrase is 'burnt out.' This means to become very tired or sick from working too hard. Many social media influencers feel burnt out from constantly creating content, which is a real issue in their line of work.
Host Brian: Then there's the phrase 'stay relevant.' This is about remaining important or interesting to others. Influencers need to post regularly to stay relevant on social media, or they risk losing their audience.
Host Brian: The idiom 'thick skin' refers to the ability to handle criticism and negative comments without being upset. To be successful online, you really need thick skin to deal with trolls and haters.
Host Brian: Another phrase to note is 'jump into.' This means to begin something quickly without careful consideration. Before jumping into social media fame, it’s essential to weigh both the positive and negative aspects.
Host Brian: You might have also heard the expression 'play your cards right.' This means making the right decisions to achieve success. For example, if you play your cards right, social media fame can open doors to exciting opportunities.
Host Brian: We also mentioned being 'under the spotlight.' This means to be the center of attention or constantly observed by others. Being under the spotlight all the time can be overwhelming, as Sarah and Jake discussed.
Host Brian: The phrase 'one-up' means to try to outdo someone by doing something better or more impressive. Influencers often feel pressured to one-up each other with bigger and better content, which can lead to stress.
Host Brian: Lastly, we used the idiom 'cracked up to be.' This is used when something isn’t as good as people say or expect. Fame isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be; it can come with many hidden challenges.
Host Brian: Now that we’ve explored these vocabulary words and phrases, think about how you can incorporate them into your own discussions about social media and fame!"
5. POST-LISTENING QUESTIONS
Host Brian: Now that you've listened to the conversation, it’s time to reflect on what you’ve heard. Here are some questions to think about.
Host Brian: Take a moment to consider your answers, and maybe even discuss them with a friend!
Host Brian: After hearing Sarah and Jake's conversation, what is your opinion on social media fame? Do you think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
Host Brian: Can you relate to any of the challenges they mentioned, like the pressure to appear perfect or dealing with criticism? How would you handle that kind of stress?
Host Brian: If you had the chance to become famous on social media, what kind of content would you create? Why does that interest you?
Host Brian: How do you think being famous on social media affects a person's mental health? What steps can influencers take to protect their well-being?
Host Brian: Reflecting on the discussion about comparisons in the influencer world, how do you feel about comparing yourself to others on social media? Does it motivate you or make you feel insecure?
Host Brian: Think about your responses to these questions, as they will help you connect more deeply with the topic. It's essential to reflect on both the positive and negative aspects of social media fame.
6. CONCLUSION
Host Brian: Thank you for tuning in to this episode of English on the Go! Today, we explored the topic of social media fame and discussed both the benefits and challenges that come with it.
Host Brian: We learned that while being famous on social media can provide exciting opportunities, it also comes with significant pressure and scrutiny.
Host Brian: Understanding these dynamics can help us navigate our own experiences with social media, whether we’re just casual users or aspiring influencers.
Host Brian: As always, I hope you found this episode insightful and that it sparked some reflections on your own thoughts about fame and its implications.
Host Brian: Don’t forget to check out our special free PDF with useful tips and vocabulary from today’s episode. If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out!
Host Brian: Until next time, remember: learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities. Keep practicing!"
EXERCISE
EXERCISE 1: Fill in the Blanks
Instruction: Listen to the conversation and fill in the blanks with the appropriate words
Sarah: You know, Jake, I’ve been (1)_______ about how some people make a (2)_______ out of being famous on social (3)_______. It sounds like a dream job, (4)_______ it? You get paid to post (5)_______ and videos, and people recognize you (6)_______!
Jake: Yeah, it does (7)_______ amazing at first. But I’m not (8)_______ if it’s all that great. There’s (9)_______ lot of pressure to keep up (10)_______, you know? You always have to (11)_______ perfect and come up with new (12)_______. That sounds exhausting.
Sarah: True, but (13)_______ the perks! You could work with (14)_______ brands, travel the world for free, (15)_______ even have millions of followers. Plus, (16)_______ never have to worry about a (17)_______ 9-to-5 job again. You’d have so (18)_______ freedom.
Jake: Sure, but (19)_______ about the downsides? People can be (20)_______ harsh online. One wrong post, and (21)_______ could be dealing with haters or (22)_______ getting canceled. That would be stressful! (23)_______ to mention the lack of privacy—people (24)_______ to know everything about your life.
Sarah: Yeah, I (25)_______ you're right. The pressure to stay (26)_______ and handle criticism would definitely be (27)_______. But some influencers make it look (28)_______ easy, you know? They’re always smiling, (29)_______, and living their best lives.
Jake: I (30)_______ that’s part of the problem. We (31)_______ see the highlights of their lives, (32)_______ the hard work behind the scenes. (33)_______ not all sunshine and rainbows. Some (34)_______ talk about feeling burnt out or (35)_______ dealing with mental health issues because (36)_______ the constant stress.
Sarah: Oh, I’ve (37)_______ about that. Some influencers have to (38)_______ every single day just to stay (39)_______. That’s intense! I don’t know if (40)_______ could handle that. But then again, (41)_______ fame comes a lot of opportunities. (42)_______ could meet celebrities, attend exclusive events, (43)_______ even launch your own brand.
Jake: Yeah, the (44)_______ are huge, but you’re always under (45)_______ spotlight. Every little thing you do (46)_______ judged. Imagine not being able to (47)_______ out without people recognizing you or (48)_______ for selfies. And then there’s the (49)_______. You have to have thick skin (50)_______ deal with the negativity. I don’t (51)_______ if the fame is worth all (52)_______.
Sarah: You’re right. The (53)_______ hate can get really bad. I’ve (54)_______ some influencers quit social media altogether (55)_______ they couldn’t handle it anymore. But (56)_______ some, the rewards are greater than (57)_______ risks. If you play your cards (58)_______, you can really build something special.
Jake: That’s true, but (59)_______ think it depends on your personality. (60)_______ people thrive on attention and are (61)_______ at handling the stress, while others (62)_______ crumble under the pressure. You’ve got (63)_______ know yourself before you dive into (64)_______ kind of lifestyle.
Sarah: Yeah, it (65)_______ a lot of self-awareness to survive (66)_______ the spotlight. And I think people (67)_______ realize that it’s a full-time job. (68)_______ not just posting pictures; there’s planning, (69)_______, dealing with brands, and managing your (70)_______. It’s a lot of work!
Jake: Exactly! And (71)_______ not forget about the constant comparisons. (72)_______ trying to one-up each other with (73)_______ content, more followers, or bigger deals. (74)_______ kind of competition can mess with (75)_______ head if you’re not careful.
Sarah: I hadn’t (76)_______ thought about that, but you’re right. (77)_______ guess social media fame comes with (78)_______ lot of responsibility—and not everyone is (79)_______ for it. It’s easy to get (80)_______ up in the hype and forget (81)_______ there’s a real person behind the (82)_______.
Jake: Yeah, that’s (83)_______ I’ve been saying. It’s not all (84)_______ cracked up to be. I mean, (85)_______, it looks glamorous, but at what (86)_______? If it starts affecting your mental (87)_______, is it really worth it?
Sarah: That’s a (88)_______ point. Maybe fame isn’t all that (89)_______ all. You have to weigh the (90)_______ and cons carefully before jumping into (91)_______.
Jake: Definitely. In the (92)_______, it’s about finding balance. If you (93)_______ handle the fame and stay grounded, (94)_______ maybe it’s a good thing. But (95)_______ it starts to take over your (96)_______, that’s when it becomes a problem.
EXERCISE 2: True, False, Not Given
Instruction: Read each statement carefully and mark it as True, False, or Not Given based on the conversation.
Sarah believes being famous on social media is like having a dream job.
Jake thinks influencers don’t face much pressure in their work.
Sarah mentions that influencers never have to deal with online criticism.
Jake states that influencers often experience burnout due to constant posting.
Sarah believes all influencers live glamorous, stress-free lives.
Jake highlights the importance of self-awareness in handling social media fame.
Sarah mentions that trolls can sometimes be supportive instead of hateful.
Jake says influencers don’t have to worry about managing their public image.
Sarah agrees that social media fame can lead to unique opportunities like attending exclusive events.
Jake concludes that finding balance is crucial to dealing with social media fame
EXERCISE 3: Multiple Choice Questions
Instruction: Choose the correct answer for each question based on the information from the conversation.
Why does Sarah think social media fame sounds appealing?
A. It allows people to stay private.
B. It offers perks like brand deals and travel.
C. It requires less effort than a regular job.
D. It guarantees mental peace.What does Jake believe is one of the biggest downsides of social media fame?
A. Lack of opportunities.
B. Pressure to stay perfect and create content.
C. No chance to meet celebrities.
D. Always having a stable routine.According to the conversation, what can happen after a wrong post?
A. You gain more followers.
B. You may face harsh criticism or even get canceled.
C. You build stronger connections.
D. You lose brand deals immediately.What does Jake say about influencers’ lives?
A. It’s always sunshine and rainbows.
B. They face no mental health issues.
C. Their highlights often hide the hard work behind the scenes.
D. They never feel burnt out.What does Sarah admit about influencers?
A. They don’t inspire others.
B. Posting every day is easy for them.
C. The fame and rewards can outweigh the risks.
D. They have no privacy issues.Why does Jake think some influencers quit social media?
A. They can’t manage their image.
B. They are overwhelmed by online hate and negativity.
C. They fail to collaborate with brands.
D. They don’t want fame anymore.What does Jake suggest is important before pursuing social media fame?
A. Having millions of followers.
B. Knowing your personality and ability to handle stress.
C. Being extremely competitive.
D. Ignoring criticism completely.What does Sarah think people forget about influencers?
A. They don’t need to put in much effort.
B. They have the easiest jobs.
C. They are real people with challenges.
D. They don’t face any comparisons.According to Jake, what is a key issue influencers face?
A. Being unnoticed by the public.
B. Constant comparisons and competition.
C. No opportunities to collaborate with brands.
D. A lack of social engagement.What does Jake conclude about handling social media fame?
A. It requires ignoring both the pros and cons.
B. Staying grounded is crucial to maintaining balance.
C. Fame can’t affect mental health.
D. It’s easy to manage if you work hard.
EXERCISE 4: Matching Information
Instruction: Match each phrase to the correct point made by the speakers (Sarah or Jake).
EXERCISE 5: Sentence Rearrangement
Instruction: Rearrange the jumbled sentences to form coherent statements related to the conversation.
a) Social media fame can bring both opportunities and challenges.
b) For some, the rewards are worth the risks.
c) However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before pursuing it.a) Some influencers seem to live perfect lives.
b) But behind the scenes, they face stress and burnout.
c) The pressure to stay relevant is intense.a) Fame might offer perks like free travel and brand deals.
b) But it can also lead to online hate and loss of privacy.
c) Managing fame requires thick skin and self-awareness.a) Jake believes influencers' lives aren’t always glamorous.
b) He thinks they face constant judgment and criticism.
c) He highlights the mental health challenges they endure.a) Sarah acknowledges the hard work behind social media success.
b) She points out that it’s a full-time job involving planning and managing brands.
c) She realizes it’s not as easy as it looks.
EXERCISE 6: Choose the Correct Word
Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the options provided.
Social media influencers often need to stay _______ to keep their followers engaged.
(a) famous (b) relevant (c) luxuriousOne downside of fame is the loss of _______.
(a) freedom (b) privacy (c) workSarah points out the _______ influencers face when handling criticism.
(a) support (b) stress (c) fameJake emphasizes the importance of _______ before entering the spotlight.
(a) self-awareness (b) education (c) styleSome influencers _______ on social media due to intense pressure.
(a) thrive (b) quit (c) improveSarah mentions that fame can bring exciting _______ like meeting celebrities.
(a) opportunities (b) distractions (c) risksJake believes that constant _______ can affect influencers' mental health.
(a) comparisons (b) compliments (c) relaxationInfluencers often work with big _______ to promote products.
(a) families (b) brands (c) friendsSarah thinks that some influencers make their lifestyle look _______.
(a) easy (b) tiring (c) complicatedJake concludes that fame requires finding a _______ between the benefits and challenges.
(a) solution (b) balance (c) decision
EXERCISE 7: Sentence Reordering
Instruction: Put the sentences in the correct order to recreate a summary of the conversation.
Jake and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of being famous on social media.
Sarah highlights the perks, like brand deals, free travel, and a flexible lifestyle.
Jake points out the downsides, such as criticism, lack of privacy, and constant pressure.
They agree that the lifestyle requires thick skin and self-awareness.
Jake emphasizes the mental health challenges and the competition among influencers.
Sarah acknowledges that fame looks glamorous but involves significant hard work.
They discuss the importance of weighing the pros and cons before pursuing fame.
Jake concludes that balance is key to handling the spotlight successfully.
EXERCISE 8: Opinion Writing
Instruction: Based on the conversation, write a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) sharing your own opinion on how to make a good first impression. Support your response with reasonsANSWER KEY
EXERCISE 1
thinking
career
media
doesn't
pictures
everywhere
sound
sure
a
appearances
look
content
imagine
big
and
you'd
regular
much
what
really
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even
Not
expect
guess
relevant
tough
so
traveling
think
only
not
It's
influencers
even
of
heard
post
relevant
I
with
You
and
opportunities
the
is
go
asking
trolls
to
know
that
online
seen
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the
right
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Some
good
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that
takes
in
don't
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editing
image
let's
Everyone's
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That
your
really
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a
prepared
caught
that
screen
what
it's
sure
cost
health
great
after
pros
it
end
can
then
if
life
EXERCISE 2: True, False, Not Given
True
False
False
True
False
True
Not Given
False
True
True
EXERCISE 3: Multiple Choice Questions
B
B
B
C
C
B
B
C
B
B
EXERCISE 4: Matching Information
Sarah
Jake
Jake
Sarah
Jake
Jake
Sarah
Jake
Jake
Jake
EXERCISE 5: Sentence Rearrangement
Social media fame can bring both opportunities and challenges. For some, the rewards are worth the risks. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before pursuing it.
Some influencers seem to live perfect lives. But behind the scenes, they face stress and burnout. The pressure to stay relevant is intense.
Fame might offer perks like free travel and brand deals. But it can also lead to online hate and loss of privacy. Managing fame requires thick skin and self-awareness.
Jake believes influencers' lives aren’t always glamorous. He thinks they face constant judgment and criticism. He highlights the mental health challenges they endure.
Sarah acknowledges the hard work behind social media success. She points out that it’s a full-time job involving planning and managing brands. She realizes it’s not as easy as it looks.
EXERCISE 6: Choose the Correct Word
(b) relevant
(b) privacy
(b) stress
(a) self-awareness
(b) quit
(a) opportunities
(a) comparisons
(b) brands
(a) easy
(b) balance
EXERCISE 7: Sentence Reordering
Correct order:
Jake and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of being famous on social media.
Sarah highlights the perks, like brand deals, free travel, and a flexible lifestyle.
Jake points out the downsides, such as criticism, lack of privacy, and constant pressure.
They agree that the lifestyle requires thick skin and self-awareness.
Jake emphasizes the mental health challenges and the competition among influencers.
Sarah acknowledges that fame looks glamorous but involves significant hard work.
They discuss the importance of weighing the pros and cons before pursuing fame.
Jake concludes that balance is key to handling the spotlight successfully.
EXERCISE 8: Opinion Writing
Sample Answer:
In my opinion, being famous on social media might seem appealing, but it comes with many challenges. While the perks like brand deals and travel are exciting, the constant judgment and lack of privacy can be overwhelming. I think mental health should be a priority, and not everyone is equipped to handle the pressure. Balancing the rewards and the stress is essential for anyone pursuing this career path.
