Lesson 47
Reputation and Social Capital
1. Listen
Just listen. Let the ideas settle.
2. Listen and Read Along
Play the audio again and follow the text.
Reputation and Social Capital
In modern environments, reputation functions as currency. Social capital refers to trust accumulated over time through consistent behavior.
Opportunities are often extended not only based on skill, but on reliability. When others perceive you as dependable, they are more likely to collaborate with you.
Reputation forms slowly and can deteriorate quickly. Small patterns — punctuality, honesty, follow-through — compound over time.
In professional spaces, social capital influences hiring, partnerships, and leadership opportunities. In community spaces, it influences trust and inclusion.
Unlike financial capital, social capital cannot be transferred easily. It must be earned through behavior.
Modern awareness includes understanding that character is visible through repetition.
Trust is built quietly and lost suddenly.
3. Speak and Record
You may listen again, then speak and record.
🧠 Vocabulary Upgrade
- reputation → public perception
- capital → accumulated resource
- deteriorate → decline
- dependable → reliable
- collaborate → work together
💬 Idioms & Expressions
- build trust — create reliability through consistent behavior
- word gets around — reputation spreads through others
- earn respect — gain regard through actions over time
- protect your name — guard your reputation
- first impressions — initial perception others form
4. Reflect and Consolidate
- How would others describe your reliability?
- What small behaviors strengthen reputation?
- Have you seen trust lost quickly?
- Did your voice sound steady and firm?
5. Pronunciation Focus
Focus on stress, rhythm, and linking — not individual sounds.
Word stress:
- reputation (rep-yuh-TAY-shun)
- collaborate (kuh-LAB-uh-rate)
- deteriorate (di-TEER-ee-uh-rate)
Sentence stress:
"Trust compounds over time."
→ Stress trust, compounds, time.
Linking & reduction:
- have to follow through → hav-tuh follow-through
- want to build trust → wan-tuh build trust
- going to protect → gonna protect
- build over time → build-over time
Flow practice:
"You have to protect your reputation."
→ You hav-tuh protect-yer reputation.
🎧 Listen again if needed, then record one final time focusing only on rhythm and meaning.
6. Vocabulary & idioms flashcards
Click the card for a new word or idiom. Click the icon to see the definition.