MONOLOGUE: THE MEDIA

Hello, my name is Maru and I’m going to talk about the media. In my opinion this is an interesting topic because “the media” plays an important role in our everyday life.  In fact, “the media” is a way of communication that reaches and influences to a large number of people. I’ll focus my monologue on three points which are advantages, disadvantages and types of media I use the most.

The main advantage of the media is that it can be used to inform about what is happening around the word. Nowadays we have several options of getting this kind of information. We can read a printed newspaper, read an online tabloid, watch the news on television, read a timeline on Facebook, etc. Thanks to the technology, the media is available for everybody at anytime.

Other important function is the entertainment. Actually, I think it is the most used function of the media. Newspaper and magazines, radio, television and online mediums are ways to entertain people and an alternative to be unaware of our own reality. However, this advantage could also become into a disadvantage if we spend too much time inactive like for example watching television because this sedentary lifestyle could affect in a negative way our health.

The last advantage I’d like to say is that it can be used to educate. For example the e-learning is very popular nowadays because it doesn’t require the physical on-site presence and allow people to study courses from any place in the world. The ways of getting education through the media are by watching documentaries, interviews, YouTube videos, serials, etc.

Regarding to the disadvantages, one of them can be the manipulation. People can be manipulated through the news, advertisement or TV programmes in order to influence their way of thinking. Other disadvantage could be the waste of time especially when we’re watching the television. This time could be used to other creative things like reading, painting, cooking or even to practise some sports outdoor.

Finally I’m going to talk about the media I use the most. I'm used to reading news on the internet because this is the media I use the most. I like having different point of view of the news and with the Internet I can read several newspapers without buying them. So, this is a cheaper and faster way of being informed of what is happening in the world. You can also search on the net whatever topic you want and with the social networking sites, you can be always in contact with friends and relatives who live abroad.

Anyway, that’s all I have to say about this topic. I hope I wasn’t too boring and thank you very much for listening to me.

MONOLOGUE: JOBS

Good morning, my name is Maru and I’m going to talk about jobs. In my opinion, this is an important topic because we need to work to have an economic stability and also for feeling useful and fulfilled. I’ll focus my monologue on talking about my current job and the things that I like and don’t like about it.

I work as a laboratory technician in The Public Health Laboratory of Valencia in the area of Food Security. I’ve been working there since I finished my vocational degree in 2008 in Environmental Chemistry. The Public Health Laboratory is divided into four departments: Veterinary drug residues, Chemical analysis, Organic contaminants and Microbiology. In particular, I work for the Veterinary drug residues department and I’m in charge of analysing residues of veterinary drugs like antibiotics and hormones that can remain in animal products that we eat.

I really like my job for several reasons. There is a great team working with me which is formed by excellent professionals and wonderful people. Actually, some of them are very close friends of mine and we’ve been on holiday together many times.

I fortunately ear a living wage that allows me to live on quite well and I also have a full month of paid vacation. In addiction, the timetable couldn’t be better. I work full-time from 8 o’clock in the morning to 3 o’clock in the afternoon and I have the weekends off.

However, there are some aspects that I don’t like pretty much. I don’t have the opportunity of promotion because I would need a higher qualification like for example a degree. I’ve been thinking of studying a Chemistry or Biology degree but nowadays I can’t afford to pay the university taxes because they are very expensive. Moreover, my job is not stable because I’m not a civil servant and I have to keep my fingers crossed every time my contract is going to finish.

Anyway, I feel very lucky to have a job because at present, who have a job has a treasure. And that’s all I have to say about this topic. Thank you very much for listening to me and have a nice day.

MONOLOGUES: EATING HABITS

Good morning, my name is Maru and I’m going to talk about eating habits. I’d like to start by quoting a famous phrase that says: “You are what you eat” and what does it mean this phrase? Well, in my opinion is a way of encouraging people to be aware of the importance of having a balance diet.

First of all, I’d like to say some of the stereotypes that people have about healthy eating. Generally speaking, many people believe that taking care about their diet is related to have an obsession with their physical appearance. This is absolutely wrong because it has more to do with keeping a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart diseases, and basically promoting our overall health.

Secondly, I’d like to talk about my personal experience. I think I have good eating habits. I try to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits and fish and I try to cut down on red meat and ready-made food.

I am really keen on Mediterranean diet because is full of vitamins, minerals, and good fats and of course full of wonderfully delicious meals. My favourite dish is “Paella”. It is a typical Valencian dish made with rice, vegetables, rabbit and chicken.

Moreover, I always try to eat home-made food and when I don’t have enough time to cook I prepare healthy fast food such as salads with grilled fish or meat. I don’t usually eat out but when I do, I prefer to eat Spanish or Japanese food because they are my favourite.

Finally I want to talk about young people eating habits. Children and teenagers have really bad eating habits. Most of them don’t get enough food at breakfast or don’t have breakfast. They also love sweets and bakery which are full of sugar and saturated fats. When they eat out with friends they usually go to fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King because they consider this type of food very tasty and cheaper. In general, they don’t like fruits and vegetables so that’s why it is so important to teach them to eat healthily from an earlier age.

Anyway, for concluding I’d like to point out that everybody should be worry about their diet not only to have a good appearance but also to feel good and healthy. If we keep an eye on what we eat and follow a balance diet, we’ll live longer and happier. And that’s all I can say about this topic in three minutes. Thank you very much for listening to me and have a nice day.

MONOLOGUE: HOUSING

Hello my name is Maru and I’m going to talk about housing. I think this is a good opportunity to talk about the place where I live and my dream house so I’ll try to give some of my ideas in three minutes.

I’ll start talking about my house. I live in a small cosy flat near to the Valencia football stadium. It has one double bedroom and a well equipped small kitchen. The dining-living room has a lot of natural light and is ideal for having meals with friends. It is not exactly in the city centre but it is in a good area of Valencia because I have everything I need: shops, supermarkets, cafes, a hospital, public transport and other several things. Apart from that, the most important thing for me is I’m quite near to my job and I can go to work by foot every day.

I’ve been living there with my boyfriend and my dog for two years. Currently, I’m renting the house because we can’t afford to buy a flat. Fortunately is not very expensive so we can live on quite well and also save some money every month.

The next point I’d like to talk about is my dream house. If I had to choose living in the countryside or in the city, I would choose the countryside. I know living in the city has some advantages but I prefer the quietness and the fresh air of the countryside. If I won the lottery, I would buy an enormous house with at least 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. My dream house would have a huge garden where I will be able to grow my own vegetables and where my dogs and children run and play every day.

Moreover, I would buy another house next to me for my parents because I know they also like the idea of living in the countryside and because I will need somebody who takes care of my dogs and children.

Anyway, I know dreaming is free but who knows, maybe someday I will win the lottery and I will be able to live in my dream house. Thank you very much for listening to me and have a nice day.

MONOLOGUE: APPEARANCE

Good morning, my name is Maru and I’m going to talk about appearance. In my opinion this is a difficult topic but I’ll try to explain some ideas in three minutes.

First of all, I’ll talk about the importance of appearance. Everybody knows that the first impression really counts because it’s what you see when you don’t know a person. However, we don’t have to judge a book for its cover, what in other words means; we have to give the opportunity to get to know other aspects apart from the physical ones.

On the other hand, if you are applying for a job that requires dealing with people face to face or you are going to a model casting, I think having a good appearance will be the first priority in order to get the job.

Secondly, I want to talk about people’s obsession with looking good. I believe that nowadays people care about their appearance more than they used to in the past. We live in a material world where having a perfect body or looking younger is more important than being a good person. The reason why this is happening is because the influence of the mass media, advertisement and fashion. In addition, this problem gets worse when are the young people who are really worried about their body because in some cases, this obsession can turn into some illnesses like anorexia or bulimia.

Finally I’ll give my opinion on plastic surgery. For the moment I’ve never needed a plastic surgery. I’m really afraid of hospitals and operating theatres so if it wasn’t absolutely necessary for my heath, I would never go there. I don’t like being judging so I don’t judge people who decide to have a plastic surgery to look better. I think they are free to do with their body and money whatever they want.

Anyway, that’s all I have to say about this topic. I hope I was clear and thank you very much for listening to me.