Hello Future IB Communicators! Welcome to Technology!

Hey everyone! Welcome to the section on Technology (Tecnología), a fascinating topic within the core theme of Human Ingenuity (Creativity and Innovation).

Don't worry if this sounds complex! In Language ab initio, we focus on how to discuss technology and media using simple, functional language. This chapter is all about describing the ways human innovation affects our daily lives—from the phone in your hand to the computer you use for school.

Mastering this topic will prepare you perfectly for talking about your routine, giving simple opinions, and connecting with other cultures!

Key Takeaway from the Syllabus

The goal is to answer questions like: How do science and technology affect my life? and How do I use media in my daily life? We need the vocabulary and grammar to hold these basic conversations.

1. Identifying and Naming Basic Technology (The Nouns)

Before we can talk about using tech, we need to know what it is! Memorizing these basic nouns is your first step. Use articles (like el, la, un, una) when you learn them to remember the gender.

Essential Devices and Tools
  • The Smartphone: el móvil (Spain) / el celular (LatAm)
  • The Computer: la computadora / el ordenador
  • The Laptop: el portátil
  • The Tablet: la tableta
  • The Internet: el internet / la red (the net)
  • The App: la aplicación (often shortened to la app)
  • The Screen: la pantalla
  • The Headphones/Earbuds: los auriculares
Media and Digital Life Vocabulary
  • Social Media: las redes sociales
  • The Message: el mensaje
  • The Website: el sitio web / la página web
  • A Photo: una foto
  • A Video: un video
  • The News: las noticias

Quick Review: Gender Check!

Remember, Spanish nouns have gender. Most words ending in -ción (like aplicación) are feminine (la). Most words ending in -l or -r (like móvil or internet) are masculine (el).

2. Actions and Routines (The Verbs)

Technology is defined by what we *do* with it. This section focuses on the essential verbs needed to describe your daily tech interactions.

Key Technology Verbs
  • To use: usar / utilizar
    (I use my phone: Yo uso mi móvil.)
  • To send: enviar
    (I send a message: Yo envío un mensaje.)
  • To write/Text: escribir
    (I write an email: Yo escribo un correo electrónico.)
  • To call: llamar
    (I call my friend: Yo llamo a mi amigo.)
  • To browse/Surf (the internet): navegar
    (I surf the net: Yo navego en la red.)
  • To upload: subir
    (I upload a photo: Yo subo una foto.)
  • To download: descargar
    (I download music: Yo descargo música.)
  • To watch: mirar / ver
    (I watch a movie: Yo veo una película.)
Describing Frequency and Time

We often discuss *how often* we use technology. Combine your verbs with these adverbs:

  • Always: siempre
  • Often: a menudo
  • Sometimes: a veces
  • Rarely: raramente
  • Never: nunca
  • Every day: todos los días

Example Sentence Structure:

Yo (always) (use) (my phone) (for) (to send) messages.
Yo siempre uso mi móvil para enviar mensajes.

Quick Tip for Struggling Students

When you are preparing for your Individual Oral Assessment (IOA), practice linking two ideas using para (in order to). This shows complex thought, even with simple language: "Uso mi portátil para hacer mis deberes." (I use my laptop in order to do my homework.)

3. Expressing Opinions and Impact (Evaluation)

A key part of the Human Ingenuity theme is evaluating the *effect* that technology has. For ab initio, this means stating a simple opinion and giving a simple reason (cause and effect).

Essential Opinion Vocabulary (Adjectives)

Use these adjectives to describe technology (remember to change the ending, -o/-a, if describing a feminine noun):

  • Useful: útil
  • Fast: rápido/a
  • Slow: lento/a
  • Necessary: necesario/a
  • Harmful/Dangerous: peligroso/a
  • Addictive: adicto/a
Sentence Frames for Opinions (Must-Know)

These frames are perfect for the written task (Paper 1) and the oral assessment (IOA).

  1. Stating Opinion: Pienso que... (I think that...) / En mi opinión... (In my opinion...)
  2. Stating Preference: Prefiero... (I prefer...) / Me gusta... (I like...) / No me gusta... (I don't like...)
  3. Giving Reason: porque... (because...) / pero... (but...) / por ejemplo... (for example...)

Example: The Pros of Tech

En mi opinión, el internet es muy útil, porque puedo comunicarme con mis abuelos. (In my opinion, the internet is very useful, because I can communicate with my grandparents.)

Example: The Cons of Tech

Pienso que las redes sociales son adictivas, pero son necesarias para mi trabajo. (I think that social media is addictive, but it is necessary for my work.)

Common Mistake to Avoid

Do not confuse es (is) and está (is). When describing a characteristic that is generally true about technology (like being useful or addictive), use es.
Example: La tecnología es fantástica. (Technology is fantastic.)

4. Technology and Intercultural Communication

The IB curriculum emphasizes International-Mindedness. We must link technology not just to our personal lives, but to the world around us. How does tech help us understand other cultures?

Tech as a Bridge (Connecting to "Sharing the Planet")

Technology allows us to share and access information instantly, which helps us learn about other countries and perspectives.

  • Learning about culture: Aprender sobre otras culturas
  • Watching foreign films/shows: Ver películas o series extranjeras
  • Following news from other countries: Seguir noticias de otros países
  • Video calling friends abroad: Hacer videollamadas a amigos en el extranjero
Sample Phrases for Intercultural Connection

Uso mi tableta para ver documentales sobre la cultura española. Es muy interesante. (I use my tablet to watch documentaries about Spanish culture. It is very interesting.)

Las redes sociales me permiten hablar con personas de todo el mundo. (Social media allows me to speak with people from all over the world.)

Gracias a la tecnología, puedo interactuar con diferentes perspectivas. (Thanks to technology, I can interact with different perspectives.)

Did You Know?

The rise of streaming services (Netflix, Spotify) is a perfect example of Human Ingenuity because it completely changed how we access and consume entertainment (a prescribed topic under this theme!). This allows for massive cultural sharing.

5. Final Review: Key Communication Goals

For success in the "Technology" topic, ensure you can handle these communication tasks:

A. Receptive Skills (Reading/Listening)

You should be able to understand short texts (emails, simple news articles, forum comments) about daily tech use, device problems (mi móvil no funciona), and opinions on social media.

B. Productive Skills (Writing/Speaking)
  • Describe: Describe your favourite device and what you use it for (e.g., Mi portátil es negro y rápido. Lo uso para estudiar y jugar.)
  • Compare: State if you prefer one device over another (e.g., Prefiero el móvil al ordenador porque es más portátil.)
  • Explain: Give simple reasons for your opinions on the positive or negative impact of tech on daily life.

Quick Summary Box

Theme: Human Ingenuity (Innovation)
Key Topic: Technology and Media
Core Vocabulary: el móvil, la red, las redes sociales, usar, descargar.
Core Function: Expressing simple opinions using Pienso que... porque...
IB Link: Technology facilitates intercultural communication and access to global issues.