Warm-up

Answer quickly. No right or wrong answers.

Do you use AI tools in your daily life or work?

Do you think AI will change most jobs in the future?

Which human skill do you think technology can never replace?

Vocabulary

Essential (A1–B1)

care – attention and kindness shown to someone
Example: Nurses provide care to patients every day.

relationship – a connection between people
Example: Good relationships help teams work better together.

decision – a choice that you make
Example: Managers make important decisions every day.

problem-solving – finding solutions to difficulties
Example: Employers value strong problem-solving skills.

trust – confidence in someone or something
Example: Successful leaders build trust with their teams.

Developed (B2–C2)

empathy – the ability to understand and share another person's feelings
Example: Empathy helps professionals communicate effectively during difficult situations.

indispensable – absolutely necessary or essential
Example: Strong leadership remains indispensable in many workplaces.

interpersonal – relating to communication and relationships between people
Example: Effective interpersonal skills improve teamwork and collaboration.

discernment – the ability to judge situations well and recognize important differences
Example: Human discernment is often required when information is incomplete.

nuance – a subtle difference in meaning, feeling, or understanding
Example: AI often struggles to understand emotional nuance.

judgement – the ability to make sensible decisions based on experience and knowledge
Example: Complex business situations require careful judgement.

Reading

Introduction

"Artificial intelligence is becoming more powerful every year. However, experts believe certain human skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. This text explores the abilities that continue to make people valuable in the workplace."

(Read at your level. Do not translate every word.)

Article (All Levels)

Many people worry that AI will replace human workers. However, experts say some skills are still better performed by people.

Skills like empathy, communication, and building relationships are important in many jobs. Workers also use experience and judgement to make difficult decisions.

AI can help with information and routine tasks, but people still provide understanding, trust, and creativity.

Developed Article (B1–C2)

As AI adoption accelerates across industries, experts argue that uniquely human capabilities are becoming increasingly valuable. While AI can process information quickly, it often struggles with emotional understanding, contextual awareness, and complex judgement.

Skills such as empathy, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and relationship-building remain highly sought after. In professions such as healthcare, management, and sales, these abilities are often considered indispensable.

Experts also emphasize the importance of critical thinking and discernment when evaluating AI-generated information. Since AI can produce inaccurate or biased responses, professionals must apply experience and understand nuance in order to make effective decisions in ambiguous situations.

Comprehension Check

(Answer based on your level.)

A1–A2

1. What technology is discussed in the article?

2. Name one skill that humans do better than AI.

3. Can AI replace all human skills today?

B1–B2

1. Why are soft skills becoming more valuable in the workplace?

2. How can AI help workers in their jobs?

3. Why is critical thinking important when using AI?

C1–C2

1. Why do experts consider empathy and judgement difficult for AI to replicate?

2. How does human discernment complement AI-generated information?

3. To what extent will uniquely human skills remain valuable in an AI-driven economy?

Speaking

(Choose a question level.)

A1–A2 — Foundation

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Answer + 1 reason)

"I think ___ because ___."

"One important skill is ___."

"I use AI for ___ because ___."

"This helps people ___."

Personal Questions

1. Do you use AI tools regularly?

2. What do you usually use AI for?

3. Do you think AI is useful? Why?

4. Which human skill is most important?

5. Are communication skills important at work?

6. Do you enjoy working with other people?

7. Do you find it easy to solve problems?

8. Have you ever used AI for learning?

9. Do you trust AI information completely?

10. What skills would you like to improve?

11. Do you think AI will replace some jobs?

12. Is empathy important in daily life?

13. What makes a good manager?

14. Do you prefer talking to people or machines?

15. What skill makes you valuable at work?

B1–B2 — Expansion

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Answer + reason + 2 details)

"I feel ___ because ___; for example, ___ and ___."

"One challenge is ___, which affects ___ and ___."

"I am concerned about ___ because ___; in particular, ___ and ___."

"This situation makes people feel ___, especially when ___ and ___."

Personal Questions

1. Why are soft skills becoming more important in the age of AI?

2. How does empathy improve workplace relationships?

3. What tasks should AI handle and why?

4. How can AI improve productivity at work?

5. Why is critical thinking important when using AI tools?

6. How can managers use interpersonal skills effectively?

7. What role does trust play in professional relationships?

8. How does technology affect teamwork?

9. Which industries will benefit most from AI?

10. What professional skills will become more valuable in the future?

11. How can workers adapt to AI-driven changes?

12. What risks come from relying too heavily on AI?

13. Can AI improve customer service effectively?

14. How does human creativity differ from AI-generated ideas?

15. Do the benefits of AI outweigh the risks? Why?

C1–C2 — Depth & Reflection

Tip: Use sentence starters for all personal questions. It encourages structured, fluent speech.

(Reason + multiple details + consequence or reflection)

"I feel ___ because ___; for instance, ___, ___, and ___; as a result, ___."

"One significant issue is ___, which influences ___ and ___; however, ___."

"I am concerned about ___ because ___, including ___ and ___; this leads me to ___."

"I think the future is ___ because ___, especially considering ___ and ___; ultimately, ___."

Personal Questions

1. Which human qualities are most resistant to automation and why?

2. To what extent can AI genuinely replicate empathy?

3. How important will interpersonal skills be in future workplaces?

4. Does widespread AI adoption make human judgement more valuable or less valuable?

5. How can organizations balance efficiency with human connection?

6. What are the dangers of overreliance on AI-generated information?

7. How should education systems prepare students for an AI-driven economy?

8. Can AI ever truly understand nuance and context? Why or why not?

9. How might leadership evolve as AI becomes more capable?

10. Should companies prioritize technical skills or soft skills when hiring?

11. How can professionals develop stronger discernment in the age of AI?

12. What ethical concerns arise when AI participates in decision-making?

13. Could AI eventually challenge human creativity and innovation?

14. How might AI reshape the meaning of expertise in the future?

15. In your view, what will remain uniquely human even as AI continues to advance?