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BBC Learning English
People and Places
Girl Geek Dinners
bbclearningenglish.com

Amber: Hello, I’m Amber and you’re listening to bbclearningenglish.com.
In People and Places today, we go to a London bar with a group of people who
are all passionate about technology – you know, the kind of people who have
an in-depth knowledge of computers, the internet, electronics and, well,
anything ‘techie’ – anything technical. (We also have the noun ‘a techie’ –
meaning someone who is good at technical subjects.)
The meeting is organised by a group of women called Girl Geek Dinners. (A
‘geek’ is an informal word for someone who thoroughly understands a
particular subject area – very often it’s a technical subject, but not always.)
We hear first from software developer Sarah Blow. She’s the founder of Girl
Geek Dinners, which is now one of the most popular technical events for
women in England. (Men are allowed to attend but they have to be invited by a
woman!) The dinner begins, and then Sarah defines the word ‘geek’ for us. She
says it’s now ‘cool’, it’s fashionable, to be a geek.
As you listen, try to catch when Sarah became a geek – before or after it
became cool?
Sarah Blow
MC: Hello and welcome to London Girl Geek Dinners. This is London Girl Geek
Dinner number eleven and I’d like to introduce 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 a passion for their subject area, be that
technology or something else, and has a depth of knowledge in that subject area. And I do
think it has become cool to become a geek. And I was a geek before it became cool,
unfortunately!
Amber: So Sarah says she became a geek before it was fashionable!
But now, Girl Geek Dinners is thriving. Any woman interested in technology
or the internet can sign up online and join in.
Here’s journalist Angela Saini reporting from the dinner. She says the idea of
women who work in technology getting together ‘has blossomed’ – it’s
developed in a pleasing way. The women come from ‘diverse’, very different,
backgrounds.
As you listen, try to catch the noun Angela uses to describe the latest small,
clever devices.
Angela Saini
Now, the idea has blossomed and regularly attracts dozens of women from a diverse
background - from glamorous PR women who market the latest gadgets, to video game
designers and the most technical software developers. They come to discuss anything ‘techie’,
whether it’s a new internet development or how to get ahead in their careers.
Amber: So the word for a small, clever device is a ‘gadget’. Listen again.
Angela Saini
Now, the idea has blossomed and regularly attracts dozens of women from a diverse
background - from glamorous PR women who market the latest gadgets, to video game
designers and the most technical software developers. They come to discuss anything ‘techie’,
whether it’s a new internet development or how to get ahead in their careers.
Amber: Now, Eileen Brown, who works for Microsoft, talks about the value of the Girl
Geek Dinners. She says ‘female networking’ is very important, it’s a powerful
tool for women in technical ‘roles’, or jobs. ‘Networking’ means building up
relationships with people whose friendship could bring advantages, such as job
or business opportunities.
She says many women work ‘right at the heart of’ technology – in the most
important part of technology. And Girl Geek Dinners stop them from feeling
‘isolated’ – or alone – surrounded by men! And it gives them ‘role models’ –
people they can admire and copy. And it creates an opportunity for ‘peer
mentoring’ – for helping each other.
Eileen Brown
We really believe in the power of female networking. There are about 12 percent of women in
technical roles, deeply technical women, operating right at the heart of our software
environment in the UK. Quite

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