[Clovers] 月例会 #100（後半） トピックで話す英会話(中･上級者向け)

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＜開催日時＞ 2026年11月14日（土） 後半10:15-10:55 October Discussion Topic 11月のディスカッションテーマ Reading \| A Decade of Change\, A World of Connections 10年間の変化、世界に広がるつながり クローバーズ第100回を迎え、この10年間に起きた変化と、そこから生まれた新しい可能性について考えてみたいと思います。 ＜Article＞ Ten years ago, the internet was already part of everyday life for many people. But the number of people online has grown greatly. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), about 47% of the world’s population used the internet in 2016. By 2025, the figure had reached about 74%. This growth has created more chances to communicate across borders. People can join online groups, share cultures, study languages, and meet others who live thousands of kilometers away. For many people, their community no longer needs to be limited by geography. A 2026 survey by Pew Research Center found that nearly four in ten U.S. adults were part of an online community. Among those who participated, about seven in ten said these communities added value to their lives. About six in ten said their most-visited online community offered something they could only find online. Of course, technology also brings challenges. Not everyone has reliable internet access, and some people worry about spending too much time on their screens. Online friendships can also take time and effort to develop. We can think about both the changes and the opportunities of the past ten years. How can we use online tools to learn, share small moments of happiness, and build meaningful connections in the next ten years? \| 47% → 74% World internet use: 2016 → 2025 / 世界のインターネット利用率 \| About 7 in 10 | U.S. online-community members saw value in participation (2026) /　 参加者の約7割が価値を実感 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ＜Discussion Questions＞ Choose two or three questions. Share examples from your own life. Different opinions are welcome. 1\. Looking back（10年を振り返る） What has changed the most in your daily life over the past 10 years? What has stayed the same? 2\. Connecting across borders（国境を越えたつながり） What opportunities has the internet given us to connect with people in other countries? 3\. Online experiences（オンラインでの経験） Have you ever had a happy or memorable experience through an online conversation, class, or friendship? 4\. Benefits and challenges（利点と課題） What is the biggest benefit of online communication? What is one challenge we should pay attention to? 5\. Looking ahead（10年後の未来） How do you think technology, including AI translation, will change language learning and communication over the next 10 years? Source articles \| 参考記事・資料 1. Pew Research Center (Oct. 14, 2026) — Online Community and Connection in America (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/10/14/online-community-and-connection-in-america/) 2. ITU (Nov. 22, 2016) — ICT Development Index and Internet-use figures (https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/2016-PR53.aspx) 3. ITU (Nov. 17, 2025) — Facts and Figures 2025 (https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2025-11-17-Facts-and-Figures.aspx) Note: The internet figures compare the available 2016 and 2025 estimates; the Pew survey covers U.S. adults, not the whole world. / 注：インターネット利用率は2016年と2025年の公表値の比較です。Pewの調査対象は米国の成人です。 ＜お願い・お知らせ＞ ＊申込後、ご都合が悪くなった方は、不参加への変更をお願いします。 Attention; If you cannot join the event after your applying, please change your registration status to “not going” in advance. 参加者の上限は、出席者間の交流や意見交換を活発にするため、10名までとさせていただいています。また参加申し込み後、途中からの入室は都度進行が中断されるので、できるだけ時間通りの入室をお願いします。 P.S. The number of participants is up to 10 for active exchange of opinions and discussion during the meeting. Please be on time as much as possible so we can smoothly proceed with the meeting.