Summary
Ever noticed how your favourite online platforms seem to get worse over time, becoming less user-friendly and more focused on profit? This lesson explores the concept of 'enshittification', a term coined to describe this frustrating decline in service quality. We'll watch a video explaining this phenomenon and equip you with the language to discuss it critically.
Vocabulary
Students will encounter essential terms for discussing business practices and user experience, such as to cut corners, a bait-and-switch tactic, and to degrade the user experience. You'll also learn how companies to monetize a user base and to lock someone into an ecosystem, making it harder to switch services.
Grammar
The lesson focuses on causative verbs (have, get, make), which are perfect for explaining how companies influence or cause actions in users. You'll practise constructing sentences like 'The company made me pay for a feature' to describe these situations effectively.
Practical English
You'll learn practical phrases for complaining about a decline in service quality, enabling you to express your frustrations clearly. This includes expressions like 'Am I the only one who thinks [product name] has gone completely downhill lately?' and 'It feels like they're just cutting corners to save a bit of money.'
Discussion
The lesson concludes with a stimulating discussion activity, giving you the chance to share your own experiences and opinions on platform changes and service quality with your classmates.
