Sample Response
Modern
Bad Habits
Learn the modern slang and natural phrases native speakers use to talk about screen time, ignoring texts, and digital addictions.
I was doomscrolling until 3 AM.
Are you phubbing me right now?
I binge-watched the whole season.
Warm-up Questions
How much screen time do you honestly average a day?
Have you ever accidentally ignored someone because you were looking at your phone?
Do you feel anxious or bored if you don’t have your phone with you?
Other Ways to Say It
I read bad news on my phone for hours.
I was doomscrolling.
I ignored my friend to look at my phone.
I was phubbing them.
(Phone + Snubbing)
I stopped replying to their messages forever.
I completely ghosted them.
I watched the entire TV show in one day.
I binge-watched the whole season.
I clicked on one video and couldn’t stop watching more.
I fell down a rabbit hole.
I can’t stop looking at my phone screen.
I’m glued to my screen.
Natural Dialogue
So anyway, the meeting was a total disaster and… hey, are you even listening to me?
Huh? Oh, yeah, sorry. I just fell down a TikTok rabbit hole.
Seriously? We’re at dinner and you’re just glued to your screen.
My bad! I didn’t mean to phub you. I’m putting it away right now.
Thank you. You really need to work on your screen time, you know.
Hey, whatever happened to that guy you went on a date with last month?
Oh, him? I totally ghosted him.
You ghosted him?! Why didn’t you just tell him you weren’t interested?
I don’t know, it was just easier! I feel bad, but I just couldn’t deal with the awkward text.
That’s such a bad habit. You’re going to get some bad karma for that.
Scenario Practice
Let’s Chat
Is “ghosting” ever acceptable? In what situations?
Why do we “doomscroll” even when the news makes us feel bad?
Do you think social media apps are designed to keep us “glued”?
What’s the longest you’ve gone without checking your phone?
Is binge-watching a harmless way to relax or a modern bad habit?
How can we break the habit of checking our phones constantly?
Podcast Recap
Lesson Summary
Listen to a quick recap of today’s lesson, featuring real-life examples on how to talk about our modern digital habits.