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January 2022
New Year and new ideas! This month we want to boost our students’ creativity when
discussing a relevant topic: transport. Our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can talk about
what the transport of the future will be like while they improve their English. Our B1 Preliminary
and B2 First learners will reflect upon how transport has changed while they practise their
speaking. Finally, our young learners can put their inventors’ hat on and design the bike of the
future. Happy teaching!
1. The future of transport.....................................................................................................................2
2. Transport...........................................................................................................................................6
3. The bike of the future ......................................................................................................................8
4. References......................................................................................................................................11

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1. The future of transport
Level: B2 First / C1 Advanced
Skills: speaking, reading, writing
Interaction: whole class, in pairs, individual activity
Time: 85 minutes
Warm up (15’) – whole class activity
• How do you envision the future of transport?
• What key changes may take place in the next decades?
• The post below discusses some of the main trends in the future
of transport. What aspects do you think will be mentioned under the following
headings?
o Sustainability
o High-speed travel
o Artificial intelligence / Automation
o MaaS Revolution
Reading (10’) – individual activity
You are going to read part of a post about the future of transport. Read the text and answer
some questions.
In this data-driven-age of globalization, innovations are on the rise to change the way we
perceive and use transport. I’ll talk about the trends determining the future of transport along
with some futuristic modes in this issue.
Trends for the future
Sustainability
In general, the idea would be to get as many cars as possible off the road and switch to
mass transport systems to counter congestion and pollution by minimizing the stress of
ownership. The drive towards a sustainable future would also include promoting cycling,
changing the urban landscape to include infrastructure that is designed for walkers, bikers,
and high-speed trains.
High-Speed Travel
Throughout the history of transport, humans have developed modes that reduce the time
taken to travel from point A to point B and this trend is going to remain constant over years
to come.
It’s only now that Hyperloop and other high-speed bullet / mag-lev trains have emerged as
revolutionary concepts in the field of high-speed travel. These modes are proposed to travel
at unprecedented speeds around 600 mph!

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Among other developments are supersonic and hypersonic flights. The main problem with
these modes, apart from being super-expensive, is noise.
Artificial Intelligence/Automation
AI is driving the future of all things in tech, and autonomy is one of the core concepts that will
drive the future evolution of transport. I’m sure you have heard of self-driving cars equipped
with advanced sensors, cameras, and LiDAR technology by now.
Even if the cars are not fully autonomous, autonomous tech will still play a role. Imagine a
car equipped with a machine-learning assistant that handles automatic braking, acceleration,
and other features to assist the driver.
These assistants will also have real-time data on traffic congestion or weather forecasts to
optimize your travel experience. Additionally, they could also, for instance, sense that the
driver is tired and take him/her to the nearest cafe or just park the car on the side for a quick
nap.
The key motivation for autonomous vehicles is safety since more than 90% of accidents are
caused by human errors. Driverless cars won’t get exhausted and would be programmed to
strictly follow the traffic rules, reducing fatalities and congestion.
The challenge for autonomous tech currently is to change the perception the public has of it.
People are not comfortable with the idea of not being behind the wheel themselves. This
perception is expected to change with the development of reliable technologies and safety
demonstrations.
Moreover, AI is expected to lead to a new sector altogether: Transportality = Transport +
Hospitality. Think of self-driving vehicles that could also be your hotel room, or the option to
sleep and work while on the move.
MaaS Revolution
In the future, there will be a shift from individual ownership of vehicles to Mobility as a
Service (MaaS), i.e. a personalized and on-demand transportation service similar to what
you use in Uber and Lyft, but not just limited to cars, as the idea is to integrate different
mobility services like taxis, buses, trains, bicycles, etc. in one application.
MaaS is all about personalization, transparency, and localization. Individual cars are parked
more than 90% of the time and occupy space. The rise of mobility services will free up this
urban space that can be utilized for other purposes.
Tracking rides along with a bunch of other bits of real-time information such as crowding
levels, cleanliness, etc. are the appealing factors that the public will look forward to given the
shift in thinking that the pandemic has brought.
Adapted from Jaiswal (2020)
Questions
1. What trend is not entirely new according to the author?
2. What measures to reduce the number of privately-owned cars on the road are
mentioned?
3. How can autonomous vehicles reduce the number of accidents?
4. What is the main obstacle that artificial intelligence faces according to the author?
5. What are the main features of MaaS according to the author? Are they in your opinion
all advantages? Why?

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Speaking (15’) – in pairs
I’d like you to talk about something together for about two minutes.
A leading company in the sector is organising a two-week course in New York to gather ideas
about the future of transport. The course is free and includes free accommodation and travel.
Participants must have at least a B2 level of English and must be younger than 18. They must
submit an article about the future of transport in 140 – 190 words. Your school is offering
students who are interested some support. Your teacher has asked you to do some
brainstorming in pairs to come up with some suggestions. Think about 5 key features that may
shape the future of transport and discuss their main pros and cons. You have about 10 minutes
for this.
Then, choose two which you think will have the greatest impact. You have about a minute for
this.
Writing (45’) – individual activity
Now write an article about the future of transport including the ideas mentioned during the
lesson as well as your own ideas. Write your article in 140 – 190 words.
KEY
In this data-driven-age of globalization, innovations are on the rise to change the way we
perceive and use transport. I’ll talk about the trends determining the future of transport along
with some futuristic modes in this issue.
Trends for the future
Sustainability
In general, the idea would be to get as many cars as possible off the road and (2) switch to
mass transport systems to counter congestion and pollution by minimizing the stress of
ownership. The drive towards a sustainable future would also include (2) promoting cycling,
What does the future
of transport look like?

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changing the urban landscape to include infrastructure that is designed for walkers, bikers,
and high-speed trains.
High-Speed Travel
(1) Throughout the history of transport, humans have developed modes that reduce the time
taken to travel from point A to point B and this trend is going to remain constant over years
to come.
It’s only now that Hyperloop and other high-speed bullet / mag-lev trains have emerged as
revolutionary concepts in the field of high-speed travel. These modes are proposed to travel
at unprecedented speeds around 600 mph!
Among other developments are supersonic and hypersonic flights. The main problem with
these modes, apart from being super-expensive, is noise.
Artificial Intelligence/Automation
AI is driving the future of all things in tech, and autonomy is one of the core concepts that will
drive the future evolution of transport. I’m sure you have heard of self-driving cars equipped
with advanced sensors, cameras, and LiDAR technology by now.
Even if the cars are not fully autonomous, autonomous tech will still play a role. Imagine a
car equipped with a machine-learning assistant that handles automatic braking, acceleration,
and other features to assist the driver.
These assistants will also have real-time data on traffic congestion or weather forecasts to
optimize your travel experience. Additionally, (3) they could also, for instance, sense that the
driver is tired and take him/her to the nearest cafe or just park the car on the side for a quick
nap.
The key motivation for autonomous vehicles is (3) safety since more than 90% of accidents
are caused by human errors. Driverless cars won’t get exhausted and would be programmed
to strictly follow the traffic rules, reducing fatalities and congestion.
(4) The challenge for autonomous tech currently is to change the perception the public has
of it. People are not comfortable with the idea of not being behind the wheel themselves.
This perception is expected to change with the development of reliable technologies and
safety demonstrations.
Moreover, AI is expected to lead to a new sector altogether: Transportality = Transport +
Hospitality. Think of self-driving vehicles that could also be your hotel room, or the option to
sleep and work while on the move.
MaaS Revolution
In the future, (2) there will be a shift from individual ownership of vehicles to Mobility as a
Service (MaaS), i.e. a personalized and on-demand transportation service similar to what
you use in Uber and Lyft, but not just limited to cars, as the idea is to integrate different
mobility services like taxis, buses, trains, bicycles, etc. in one application.
(5) MaaS is all about personalization, transparency, and localization. Individual cars are
parked more than 90% of the time and occupy space. (5) The rise of mobility services will
free up this urban space that can be utilized for other purposes.
(5) Tracking rides along with a bunch of other bits of real-time information such as crowding
levels, cleanliness, etc. are the appealing factors that the public will look forward to given the
shift in thinking that the pandemic has brought.
Adapted from Jaiswal (2020)

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2. Transport
Level: B1 Preliminary / B2 First
Skills: speaking
Interaction: in pairs and whole class activity
Time: 30 minutes
Warm up (15’) – whole class activity
• How has transport changed over the last centuries?
• What are the main problems of today’s means of transport?
• What will transport be like in 50 years’ time?
• Do you use any means of transport on a daily basis? If so, which one?
• Is traffic a problem in your city? Why (not)? If so, what measures could be taken to
reduce the problem?
Speaking (15’) – in pairs
I’d like each of you to talk on your own about something. I’m going to give each of you a
photograph and I’d like you to talk about it.
Student A, here is your photograph. It shows an animal used as a means of transport. Please
tell us what you can see in the photograph.
Student B, here is your photograph. It shows a means of transport. Please tell us what you
can see in your photograph.
Student B
Student A

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B1 Preliminary Speaking Success Criteria
Discourse Management Yes No Comments / Examples
Did your partner use longer sentences?
Were there long pauses when your partner spoke?
Did your partner talk about the task?
Did your partner repeat their ideas?
Did your partner use connectors such as and, but,
so, because?

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3. The bike of the future
Level: Pre-A1 Starters / A1 Movers / A2 Flyers
Skills: speaking, writing and reading
Interaction: individual and whole class activity
Time: 45 minutes
Warm up (10’) – whole class activity
 What is your favourite transport?
 Do you enjoy travelling by car?
 What do you usually do when you are travelling by car?
 Can you ride a bike? Do you have a bike? What colour is it?
 Look at the poster, what air transport can you see? What water transport can you
see? What land transport can you see? Do you know any other air / water / land
transport?

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Listening and speaking (10’) – whole class activity (Pre-A1 Starters, A1 Movers)
Look at the poster.
Point to the green car. Where is it?
Point to the red and yellow boat. How many boats are there?
Point to the bus. What number can you see on it?
Point to the helicopter. What colour is it?
Point to the plane. Do you like travelling by plane?
Point to the train. Is it long or short?
Point to the lorry. Where is it?
Vocabulary (10’) – individual activity (Pre-A1 Starters, A1 Movers)
Find the words below in the word search.

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Writing (15’) – individual activity (Pre-A1 Starters to A2 Flyers)
Tell us about the bike of the future. Draw it and write about it.
The bike of the future can … (fly, travel to space…)
_____________________.
The bike of the future is … (big, small, fast,
light…) _____________________.
The bike of the future has … (colourful lights,
automatic brakes to stop before you crash, air-con
and heating…) ______________________.
You can park the bike of the future… (in your
pocket, in a bag, in the air…) ____________________.

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4. References
Bergmanis, A. (2017). Aerial Photo of Buildings and Roads. [image/ jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-photo-of-buildings-and-roads-681335/ [23rd
November 2021].
BunKat LLC (2011). Flippity Word Search. Available at
https://flippity.net/ws.php?c=bike,boat,bus,car,helicopter,lorry%20,plane,ship,train,tru
ck [17th
November 2021].
Deshkar, H. (2019). White and Brown Dog Standing Atop Brown Donkey Carrying Basket.
[image/ jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-brown-dog-
standing-atop-brown-donkey-carrying-basket-3304975/ [23rd
November 2021].
Jaiswal, A. (2020). What does the future of transport look like? [online]. Linkedin. Available at:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-does-future-transport-look-like-ayush-jaiswal
[17th
November 2021].
Jeshoots.com (2017). People at Train Station. [image/ jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-at-train-station-442600/ [23rd
November 2021].
Kindel Media (2021). A Boy Holding a Toy Spaceship Jumping on Air [image/ jpeg]. Available
at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-boy-holding-a-toy-spaceship-jumping-on-air-
7105873/ [23rd
November 2021].
Kindel Media (2021). Man in Gray Crew Neck T-shirt Standing Beside Woman in Purple Long
Sleeve Shirt. [image/ jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sky-man-
people-woman-7105847/ [23rd
November 2021].
Miroshnichenko, T. (2021). No title. [image/ jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/fashion-man-people-woman-6499172/ [23rd
November
2021].
UCLES (2018). Pre-A1 Starters Word list picture book. Available at:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/starters-word-list-picture-book.pdf [17th
November 2021].