Mobile phones are everywhere these days, and students are no exception.

But should they be

allowed to use them at school? Some people think they are a useful learning tool, while others
believe that they are a distraction and should be banned.

Many schools have a policy on mobile phone use. They usually say that students must not use
their phones in the classroom or during lessons. This is because teachers want their students
to concentrate on their studies and not be distracted by their phones. If students do use their
phones, they may be taken away for a short time, and if they continue to break the rules, they
might be banned from bringing their phone to school altogether.

There are some good reasons for allowing mobile phones at school. For example, they can help
students with their education. Students can use them to look up information quickly, or check
the meaning of a word they don't understand. They can also use them to take photos of the
whiteboard, so they don't need to write everything down. In addition to this, many parents like
their children to have a phone, as it means they can contact them easily in case of an
emergency.

However, there are also strong arguments against using mobile phones at school. Even if
students use their phones responsibly, they can still be a big distraction. Just having a phone
on the desk can stop a student from paying attention in class. What's more, if a student
receives a message or a call during a lesson, it's very difficult for them to ignore it. Finally,
some people worry that students spend too much time on their phones already, and that they
should have a 'digital detox' during the school day.

In conclusion, I believe that mobile phones should be banned in schools, except in special
cases. There should be phone-free zones, such as classrooms and libraries, where students can
keep distractions away and focus on their learning.

Definitions:

a. to concentrate on academic work and learning.

b. to handle mobile devices with care and consideration for others.

c. putting effort into studying or completing tasks diligently.

d. paying attention to the instructor during a lesson or class.

e. an area where the use of mobile phones is not allowed.

f. taking a break from using electronic devices like smartphones and computers.

g. the process of receiving knowledge and skills through teaching and learning.
h. a device that allows you to make calls, send messages, and access the internet.

i. a set of rules or guidelines that govern behavior or decision-making in an organization.

j. specific rules or regulations that must be adhered to strictly.

k. a place where students go to learn and receive education.

l. acquiring new knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught.

m. a rule or limitation that controls what you can do or how you can behave.

n. to prevent things from diverting your attention or focus.

o. to carry out tasks as directed by someone else.

p. to follow instructions or guidelines set by authority figures.

Words:

1. keep distractions away

2. learning

3. eyes on the teacher

4. mobile phone

5. to use phones responsibly

6. to obey the rules

7. school

8. education

9. to follow instructions

10. restriction

11. to focus on studies

12. policy

13. phone-free zone

14. digital detox

15. strict guidelines

16. heads down and work hard

Correct matches:

1. n

2. l
3. d

4. h

5. b

6. p

7. k

8. g

9. o

10. m

11. a

12. i

13. e

14. f

15. j

16. c

Statements:

1. All schools worldwide have strict policies on mobile phone use.

2. School policies always allow students to use their phones during lessons.

3. Allowing mobile phones at school has its benefits.

4. In the future, there will be no arguments against using mobile phones at school.

5. The author believes that mobile phones should be allowed in schools.

6. Creating phone-free zones in schools can help students focus on learning.

7. Having a phone on the desk can improve a student's focus in class.

8. No one is concerned about students spending too much time on their phones.

9. Even with responsible use, phones can still distract students.

10. In the future, students will easily ignore messages and calls during lessons.

Correct answers:

1. Not Given (There is no information in the text to either prove or disprove this statement.)

2. False (Exaggerates the restrictions mentioned in the text, misrepresenting the factual data.)

3. True
4. Not Given (This might be a very logical prediction but there is no information in the text to
prove this.)

5. False (This statement implies the opposite of what the author believes.)

6. True

7. Not Given (There is no information in the text to either prove or disprove this statement.)

8. False (This statement contradicts the factual information provided in the text - the text
mentions people worrying about students' phone usage.)

9. True

10. Not Given (This might be a very logical prediction but there is no information in the text to
prove this.)

Advantages:

1. Helps students focus on learning without distractions.

2. Encourages face-to-face interaction and communication among classmates.

3. Reduces cyberbullying and inappropriate use of phones during school hours.

4. Improves academic performance by minimizing disruptions in the classroom.

5. Teaches responsibility and self-control regarding phone usage.

Disadvantages:

1. Limits access to important information or emergency communication.

2. Hinders students' ability to research or fact-check quickly during class time.

3. Can cause anxiety or discomfort for students who rely on their phones for comfort.

4. Restricts opportunities for educational apps or resources that could enhance learning.

5. Makes it difficult for students to coordinate plans or communicate with parents after school.

Teacher: Alright class, I have an important announcement to make. Due to the increase in
distractions caused by mobile phones, our school has implemented a strict policy on phone use
during lessons.

Student 1 (Daniel): Does that mean we can't use our phones at all?

Teacher: No, you can still bring your phones to school, but they must be kept away during
lessons.

Student 2 (Emily): But why? Our phones can actually help us learn!
Teacher: I understand that perspective, Emily. However, research shows that having a phone
visible or even just having it on the desk can greatly decrease your ability to concentrate and
retain information during a lesson.

Student 3 (Jack): So what will happen if we get caught using our phones during class?

Teacher: If it happens once, your phone will be taken away for the rest of the lesson. If it
continues to happen, we may have to restrict phone use altogether.

Student 4 (Mia): That's not fair! What about emergencies? Don't our parents need to be able
to reach us?

Teacher: Of course. We have designated phone-free zones, such as classrooms and libraries,
where students can safely keep their phones in case of an emergency. Other than those
instances, we expect our students to keep their phones put away and focus on their studies.

Student 1 (Daniel): I guess that makes sense. It's like a digital detox during school hours.

Teacher: Exactly, Daniel. We want you to keep your eyes on the teacher, heads down, and
work hard without any outside distractions. Are we all clear on the guidelines?

Class: Yes, Mr./Mrs. <teacher_name>.

Teacher: Great. Let's begin our lesson then.