English Lesson (Listening, B1): "Preserving Memories – Changing from Digital to Physical Photo Albums"

Vocabulary
A. Last (verb) [durer]: Continue for a period. Example: The meeting will last two hours.

B. Hard drive [disque dur]: Device for storing computer files. Example: I saved all my photos on the hard drive.

C. Come with [venir avec]: Be included with something. Example: The laptop comes with a charger.

D. Hacking [piratage]: Breaking into computer systems. Example: The company warned about hacking threats.

E. Social media platforms [plateformes de médias sociaux]: Websites for sharing content. Example: She posts daily on social media platforms.

F. Reliable [fiable]: Trustworthy and consistent. Example: This phone is very reliable in emergencies.

G. Storage [stockage]: Space for keeping things. Example: We need more storage for clothes.

H. Preservation [preservation]: Keeping something in good condition. Example: They worked on the preservation of old books.

I. Tangible [tangible]: Able to be touched or felt. Example: The sculpture is large and tangible.

J. Meaningful [significative]: Having importance or value. Example: Her gift was very meaningful to me.

Guide Questions
1. What happened to an American man?
2. What did he realize and what did he do later?
3. What do experts say?
4. What does the speaker say about iCloud, Google Photos and social media platforms? 
5. What are many people doing now with their pictures?
6. What are the risks and benefits of physical copies of photos?
7. What does the speaker say about “digital dark age”?

TRANSCRIPT

An American man lost thousands of personal photos when a transfer to his new phone failed. This loss made him realize that digital photos might not last forever, so he began creating physical photo albums for his daughter to preserve family memories. Experts agree on the importance of keeping three copies of valuable photos — one on a phone, one online, and one on a hard drive. While cloud services like iCloud and Google Photos are popular, they come with risks such as hacking or forgotten passwords. Social media platforms also aren't reliable for long-term storage. Many people are now returning to physical copies, printing photos to ensure their preservation. Although there are risks, like fire or water damage, printed albums offer a tangible way to preserve memories, making them more meaningful for future generations. (134 words)