English Learning Guide

ADSO
Unit 1: HARDWARE
Workshop 4
Centro de Servicios Financieros – CSF

Name: Cohort: Date:

Training program: Instructor:

HARDWARE

Learning outcomes Can do statements

• Understands systems theories, business processes • I can talk about the concept of hardware in a
and basic concepts on IT. presentation.
• Create a map of processes that allows identifying • I can describe in a simple way what computer
areas in an information system, using IT tools to hardware includes.
generate reports based on the company's needs. • I can exemplify system units, peripheral devices,
input and output devices.

Target words

This is a list of words to take into account and learn.

Wonder (verb): To ask to yourself.

e.g. I can see that many of you are wondering about the components we can find in most
computer system units.
Storage (noun): The capacity to save information for later use.
e.g. Those data storage units save all the important data and information of the system.
Manage (verb): To control; to manipulate.
e.g. And this sound card over here, manages all the sound.
Circuit (noun): An electric system.
e.g. That is to say that all the internal circuits and components that make a computer work
are basically its hardware.
Upgrade (verb): To make something better by changing some of its parts.
e.g. Plus, as these are elements that we can physically touch, we can change and upgrade
them at any time to have a better computer.

WHAT IS HARDWARE?

The hardware in a computer is the group of physical components that form the system. We can define
hardware as the important physical parts of any system. Some of the common hardware components of any
computer system are the motherboard, monitor, keyboard, hard disk drive (HDD), graphic cards, sound cards,
and memory (RAM), among others.
The hardware is the collection of all the parts that you can physically touch, change, or manipulate. Let’s check
the functions of some of the hardware components we checked above:
Let’s get started!

A. Look at the picture, what do you see in it?

B. Individual work. Answer the questions below:

1. Do you know the difference between hardware and software?

2. Do you use any external devices in your computer? Which ones?

Chris is making a presentation about hardware.

C. Now, read the text below.

Hello class, this week we are learning about computer systems, so today I am making this
presentation to you about a very important topic, which is hardware. When we talk about hardware,
we are referring to all the electrical, mechanical, and electronic components of a computer system.
That is to say that all the internal circuits and components that make a computer work are basically
its hardware. Plus, as these are elements that we can physically touch, we can change and upgrade
them at any time to have a better computer.
I can see that many of you are wondering about the components we can find in most computer
system units. Well, today many companies are producing a series of different computer systems, like
laptops, tablets or desktop computers. However, these all have some basic components in common.
Let’s check some of them. This motherboard contains all the important circuits of the system; those
data storage units save all the important data and information of the system; that graphic card
controls all the graphics of the system; and this sound card over here, manages all the sound.
Now, there is something that complements the computer system and that we need to include so it
works properly. We are talking about the peripheral devices, which we divide into two different
categories. One of them is input devices, which we use to enter information into the system. For
example, I am writing on this keyboard to type in letters, symbols, and numbers. We also have output
devices, which project or reproduce information to the user; check, for example, this projector that
we are using over here.

A. Now, answer these questions:

1. What is the main topic of the presentation?

2. How is hardware defined in the context of computer systems?

3. What can we do with hardware components?

4. What are some common components found in most computer systems?

 5. What are peripheral devices, and how are they classified?

Let’s listen!

A. Pre-listening questions. Answer the questions which follow:

1. Do you prefer internal hardware or external hardware when it comes to computer systems?

2. What is the most important component of a computer system in your opinion?

3. How do you think advancements in computer hardware have impacted society?

4. Have you ever had to troubleshoot any hardware issues with your computer system?

5. What type of input device do you find most useful in your daily computer usage?

B. Now, watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSnNY8GfZig

C. It is now time to answer the questions below.

1. What is computer hardware?

2. How is computer hardware divided?

3. What are some examples of internal hardware components?

4. How does the power supply function in a computer system?

5. What is the purpose of a graphics card in a computer?

6. How does a fan contribute to the functioning of a computer?

7. Can you provide examples of external hardware components?

Let’s Practice!

A. Indirect speech.
Instructions: Read the statements below and correct the mistakes.

1. The teacher said that hardwares are important for computers to works.

2. He explained that the motherboard contain all the circuits of the system.

3. She mentioned that graphic cards controls all the graphics of the system.

4. They claimed that data storage units saves the important data and informations of the system.

5. The presenter stated that peripherals devices aren't necessary for computer systems to works properly.

B. True / False exercise

Instructions: Read the statements and choose the best choice T (true) or F (false).

T F
1. Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system.
2. The motherboard is responsible for controlling all the graphics of a computer
system.
3. Data storage units are essential for saving important data and information in a
computer system.
4. Peripheral devices are not necessary for a computer system to function properly.
5. Hardware components cannot be changed or upgraded to improve computer
performance.

Let’s talk!
A. Speaking exercise. Record a 2-minute video of yourself in which you answer the following question:

"What are the essential hardware components of a desktop computer, and how do they contribute to its
overall functionality?"