SPEAKING SHEET – AI & CYBERSECURITY (B1)
Part A – Warm-up (whole class or pairs)
- How often do you use the internet every day?
- Which apps or websites do you use the most? Why?
- Do you use any AI tools (for example chatbots, translation tools, image generators)? Which ones?
- Have you ever had a problem with your phone or computer (virus, hacked account, lost data)? What happened?
(These questions activate personal experience and basic tech vocabulary.)[twinkl]
Part B – Talking about AI (pair work)
Student A and Student B take turns asking and answering.
- What is artificial intelligence in your own words?
- Can you give some examples of AI that people use every day?
- How can AI help in education, health, or transport? Give one example.
- Do you think AI can replace some jobs? Which jobs and why?
- What are some advantages of AI for society?
- What are some dangers or risks of AI?
- How do you feel when you know that an AI system is making decisions about you (for example, in banking or hiring)?
(Questions adapted from common ESL AI conversation prompts.)[study]
Part C – Talking about cybersecurity (pair or small groups)
- What is cybersecurity? Why is it important for normal users, not only for companies?[englishdiary]
- Can you name some common cyber threats (for example, phishing, malware, ransomware)? Explain one of them in simple English.[englishdiary]
- How can a cyberattack affect:
- a student,
- a small business,
- a government office?
- What basic rules do you follow to stay safe online (passwords, Wi‑Fi, downloads, social media)?
- Have you ever received a suspicious email or message? What did you do?
- In your opinion, what is the biggest cyber risk in Burundi or East Africa today? Why?
(These questions follow standard cybersecurity ESL discussion patterns.)[yourenglishpal]
Part D – AI + cybersecurity (linking the two topics)
Discuss in pairs or groups of three.
- How can AI help improve cybersecurity? Give one real or possible example.[proofpoint]
- Do you think hackers also use AI? How?
- Imagine a “smart city” in Burundi with cameras, sensors, and AI traffic control.
- What are the benefits?
- What are the security and privacy risks?
- Should students learn about AI and cybersecurity at school? Which skills are the most important for them?
- Do you trust AI tools with your personal data? Why or why not?
(These questions are inspired by current discussions on AI in security.)[proofpoint]
Part E – Role-play: IT help desk
Work in pairs. Student A is the user; Student B is the IT support / cybersecurity officer.
Situation 1 – Suspicious email
- Student A: You received an email asking you to “confirm your bank account” with a link. You are not sure if it is real.
- Student B: Ask questions to check if it is a phishing email and give clear advice.
Include expressions like:
- “I think this might be…”
- “You should / shouldn’t…”
- “Next time, you must…”
Situation 2 – Lost smartphone
- Student A: You lost your smartphone on the bus. You had many apps (email, banking, social media).
- Student B: Explain what security steps the user must take now and in the future.
(These practical scenarios mirror typical technology role‑plays for B1 learners.)[superenglishesl]
Part F – Mini-presentation (3–4 minutes)
Ask students to prepare a short talk (alone or in pairs). Give them 5–10 minutes to write notes, then present.
Choose ONE topic:
- “How AI is changing education in my country.”
- “Five simple rules for good cybersecurity at school or at work.”
- “The advantages and risks of AI in everyday life.”
- “Why passwords are not enough: better ways to protect your accounts.”
Their talk should:
- have a short introduction,
- include at least three main points with examples,
- end with a short conclusion and personal opinion.
This follows common speaking-task formats in B1 lesson plans.[eslbrains]
Teacher tips (for you)
- For large classes, turn Parts B–D into rotating stations: groups move between AI questions, cybersecurity questions, and AI+security questions.
- You can pre-teach 8–10 key words on the board (AI, algorithm, data, privacy, password manager, phishing, malware, hacker, firewall) based on typical tech vocabulary lists.[test-english]
