Read the NEWS in English 🌐 Advanced Vocabulary and Grammar from CNN

Summary

In this advanced English lesson, the instructor guides students through a CNN article detailing Sony's decision to lay off 900 employees amid challenging times in the video game industry. Key vocabulary and grammar, such as the phrasal verb 'lay off' and various tenses, are analyzed to enhance comprehension and cultural understanding. The lesson highlights the significance of workforce reductions in the tech sector and includes practical discussion questions to encourage critical thinking. Students are also invited to download supplementary notes for further study, making this lesson both educational and interactive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sony is laying off 900 employees at PlayStation, representing 8% of its global workforce.
• 📉 The layoffs are a response to ongoing challenges in the video game industry, which is experiencing tough economic times.
• 📝 The term 'lay off' refers to terminating employees due to a lack of work, unlike being fired for wrongdoing.
• 🔍 News headlines often omit the verb 'be,' making them sound more formal, as seen in 'Sony to lay off 900.'
• 💼 A 'workforce' is the total group of employees in a company, and layoffs are referred to as a 'reduction' in workforce.
• 🌐 Sony's in-house studio in London, responsible for the game SingStar, will also be closing down.
• 🔄 Jim Ryan, the CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, emphasized the need to become 'future-ready' amid industry changes.
• 🚀 The video game sector is undergoing significant upheaval, with major companies announcing substantial job cuts.
• 📈 'Sales forecasts' are estimates predicting future sales based on current data, which have been slashed by Sony.
• 🔗 The article highlights the importance of 'long-term sustainability' for companies adapting to shifting market conditions.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of today's English lesson?

The primary focus of today's English lesson is to read and analyze a CNN news article about Sony laying off 900 employees from its PlayStation division.

What does the phrasal verb 'lay off' mean?

'Lay off' means to stop employing someone because there is no work for them, often due to company decisions like downsizing.

What is meant by the phrase 'tough times' in the context of the article?

Tough times refer to difficult economic conditions that affect many companies in the video game industry.

How does the article describe the use of the phrase 'Sony to lay off 900'?

The phrase 'Sony to lay off 900' omits the verb 'be' to create a more formal announcement, which can be interpreted as 'Sony is to lay off 900.'

What does the term 'future-ready' imply regarding Sony's strategy?

'Future-ready' implies that Sony is planning to adapt quickly to upcoming challenges and changes in the industry to ensure long-term success.

How does the script explain the word 'hemorrhage' in relation to job loss?

In the context of job loss, 'hemorrhage' means to lose a significant number of jobs quickly and uncontrollably, drawing a comparison to a medical condition.

What is the significance of the phrase 'take the reins'?

'Take the reins' signifies assuming control or leadership over an organization, in this case, the new CEO taking over responsibilities.

What is the role of a 'press release' in a company's communication?

A 'press release' is an official statement from a company that provides information to the media about important news or developments.

Why does the speaker mention the importance of the past perfect tense in the script?

The speaker mentions the past perfect tense to highlight its use in formal writing to show the relationship between two past events, emphasizing when Ryan announced his retirement compared to the layoffs.

What are the expected impacts of the layoffs on Sony's stock, as mentioned in the article?

The article mentions that Sony Group Corporation's stock fell less than 1% following the layoff announcement, indicating a slight negative reaction in the market.