Girl Geek Dinners

BBC Learning EnglishPeople and PlacesGirl Geek DinnersAmber: Hello, I’m Amber 1 and you’re listening tobbclearningenglish.com.
　　In People and Places today, we go to a London bar with agroup of people who are all passionate 2 about technology –you know, the kind of people who have an in-depth knowledgeof computers, the internet, electronics and, well, anything‘techie’ – anything technical. (We also have the noun ‘a techie’ – meaning someone who is good at technicalsubjects.)The meeting is organised by a group of women called GirlGeek Dinners. (A‘geek’ is an informal word for someone who thoroughlyunderstands a particular subject area – very often it’s atechnical subject, but not always.)We hear first from software developer Sarah Blow. She’sthe founder 3 of Girl Geek Dinners, which is now one of themost popular technical events for women in England. (Menare allowed to attend but they have to be invited by awoman!) The dinner begins, and then Sarah defines the word‘geek’ for us. She says it’s now ‘cool’, it’sfashionable, to be a geek.
　　As you listen, try to catch when Sarah became a geek –before or after it became cool?
　　Sarah BlowMC: Hello and welcome to London Girl Geek Dinners. Thisis London Girl Geek Dinner number eleven and I’d like tointroduce you to our first speaker. [APPLAUSE] Voice: I’
　　ve been involved in Wikipedia since the start of 2003 and[FADE]
　　Sarah Blow: I define ‘a geek’ as someone that has apassion for their subject area, be that technology orsomething else, and has a depth of knowledge in thatsubject area. And I do think it has become cool to become ageek. And I was a geek before it became cool,unfortunately!
　　Amber: So Sarah says she became a geek before it wasfashionable!
　　But now, Girl Geek Dinners is thriving. Any womaninterested in technology or the internet can sign up onlineand join in.
　　Here’s journalist Angela Saini reporting from the dinner.
　　She says the idea of women who work in technology gettingtogether ‘has blossomed’ – it’s developed in a pleasingway. The women come from ‘diverse’, very different,backgrounds.
　　As you listen, try to catch the noun Angela uses todescribe the latest small, clever devices.
　　Angela SainiNow, the idea has blossomed and regularly attracts dozensof women from a diverse background - from glamorous 4 PRwomen who market the latest gadgets 5, to video gamedesigners and the most technical software developers. Theycome to discuss anything ‘techie’, whether it’s a newinternet development or how to get ahead in their careers.
　　Amber: So the word for a small, clever device is a‘gadget’. Listen again.
　　Angela SainiNow, the idea has blossomed and regularly attracts dozensof women from a diverse background - from glamorous PRwomen who market the latest gadgets, to video gamedesigners and the most technical software developers. Theycome to discuss anything ‘techie’, whether it’s a newinternet development or how to get ahead in their careers.
　　Amber: Now, Eileen Brown, who works for Microsoft, talksabout the value of the Girl Geek Dinners. She says ‘femalenetworking’ is very important, it’s a powerful tool forwomen in technical ‘roles’, or jobs. ‘Networking’ meansbuilding up relationships with people whose friendshipcould bring advantages, such as job or businessopportunities.
　　She says many women work ‘right at the heart of’
　　technology – in the most important part of technology. AndGirl Geek Dinners stop them from feeling‘isolated 6’ – or alone – surrounded by men! And it givesthem ‘role models’ – people they can admire and copy.
　　And it creates an opportunity for ‘peer mentoring 7’ – forhelping each other.
　　Eileen BrownWe really believe in the power of female networking. Thereare about 12 percent of women in technical roles, deeplytechnical women, operating right at the heart of oursoftware environment in the UK. Quite often women workingin technology feel very isolated, so the opportunity tofind role models and peer mentoring is something we reallybelieve in at Microsoft.
　　Amber: Now let’s recap the language we focused on. atechie – someone competent in technologya geek – someone who thoroughly understands a particularsubject area – very often it’s a technical subject, butnot alwaysblossomed – developed in a pleasing way diverse – verydifferentgadgets – small, clever devicesnetworking – building up relationships with people whosefriendship could bring advantages, such as job or businessopportunitiestechnical roles – technical jobs isolated – alonerole models – people you can admire and copy