Clocks go back this weekend: should we finally scrap the time change?
Should we stop changing the clocks twice a year, or does the switch serve a real purpose in our daily lives?
A radio-style debate on a real news story, written for A2 learners of English (elementary): simple sentences about familiar topics: prices, travel, work, food, plans.
Hear the whole debate in the app Free every day: today's episode at your level, with a synced transcript and the key vocabulary.
Get it on Google Play iPhone: join the waitlistThe debate in brief
The panel debates whether countries should stop changing clocks twice yearly. Margaret argues for permanent standard time to protect sleep and health; David wants any permanent time to simplify scheduling; Elena prioritizes evening daylight so children can play outside and sleep well.
Key vocabulary
| English | Meaning and example from the episode |
|---|---|
| permanent | lasting forever; not changing“And keep permanent standard time.” |
| clock | device that shows the time of day“The data shows our body clock follows morning light.” |
| daylight | natural light from the sun during the day“As a parent, I just want evening daylight.” |
| scrap | to get rid of something; to stop doing something“We should scrap the change.” |
Who's talking
- Host
- Margaret Chen
sleep scientist and chronobiologist who has
Keep permanent standard time. Spring clock changes cause heart problems and bad sleep for weeks because our body clock needs morning light, not evening light. - David Okonkwo
small business owner who manages shift
Pick one permanent time, any time. The clock change itself creates payroll and scheduling chaos twice yearly; permanence matters far more than which time is chosen. - Elena Rossi
outdoor enthusiast and parent of young
Permanent standard time harms families. Children need evening daylight to play outside after school; dark at five keeps them indoors and prevents the activity they need to sleep well.
The panelists are fictional characters, and their voices are generated with AI.
What they debate
- Has the clock change ever ruined your sleep or your week—and should that matter to lawmakers?
- If your country locked in one time forever, would you adapt in a month or fight it for years?
- Does permanent daylight saving time feel natural to you, or does permanent standard time feel right?
- Which time should we pick: the one that feels natural to you?
Transcript (beginning)
Welcome to RoundTalk. Clocks go back this weekend in the US. Europe changed already. Should we stop changing time twice a year? Margaret studies sleep. David runs a business. Elena is a parent.
Margaret, what does your research show happens to our sleep when clocks change?
We should scrap the change. And keep permanent standard time. The data shows our body clock follows morning light. After the spring switch, I see more heart problems. Bad sleep too, for weeks.
David, your business changes the clocks too. What happens in your office that weekend?
Oh, that weekend is a mess for me. Last spring one driver came an hour late. Our payroll system paid him wrong. I fixed it by hand, Monday morning. Twice a year, same thing.
Elena, you have kids. Does the clock change affect your family's evenings and mornings?
Oh, it changes everything. Last week my son's football practice ended in the dark. Six o'clock, and we walked home with phone lights. As a parent, I just want evening daylight.
No, wait. Evening daylight is not the real problem. The problem is the change itself. My drivers start at six in winter dark anyway. Pick one time, permanent, and my schedule finally works.
No, no, wait. Which time you pick matters too. Permanent daylight time means your drivers start in deeper dark all winter. Dark mornings hurt the body clock. Standard time, please.
Elena, David says pick one time and you adapt. But which one matters, right?
Any permanent time is not the same for me. Standard time steals my evening. My kids play outside after school, not at seven in the morning.
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