Speaking July 16-19

Describe a family member who you want to work with in the future

There’s my cousin, Li Na, who’s currently interning at an environmental NGO. We haven’t formally collaborated before, but over family dinners she’s shared insights on using big data to model air pollution. I’d love to join forces with her on a project analysing satellite and ground-station data to predict smog events in Chinese megacities.

You know, I could apply my skills in statistical mechanics to refine the models she’s building, and she could guide me through GIS mapping techniques. The idea of publishing our findings in an international journal—and then translating the results into policy recommendations for local governments—really motivates me. I admire Li Na’s dedication to sustainability, so working with her would feel both purposeful and personally rewarding.

There’s my cousin, Li Na, who’s currently interning at an environmental NGO.
/ðeəz maɪ ˈkʌz.ən liː nɑː huːz ˈkʌr.ənt.li ɪnˈtɜːn.ɪŋ æt æn ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl ˌen.dʒiːˈəʊ/

We haven’t formally collaborated before, but over family dinners she’s shared insights on using big data to model air pollution.
/wiː ˈhæv.ənt ˈfɔː.mə.li kəˈlæb.ə.reɪ.tɪd bɪˈfɔːr bʌt ˈəʊ.vər ˈfæm.əl.i ˈdɪn.əz ʃiːz ʃeəd ˈɪn.saɪts ɒn ˈjuː.zɪŋ bɪɡ ˈdeɪ.tə tuː ˈmɒd.əl eər pəˈluː.ʃən/

I’d love to join forces with her on a project analysing satellite and ground-station data to predict smog events in Chinese megacities.
/aɪd lʌv tuː dʒɔɪn ˈfɔː.sɪz wɪð hɜːr ɒn ə ˈprɒdʒ.ekt ˈæn.ə.laɪz.ɪŋ ˈsæt.ə.laɪt ənd ˈɡraʊnd ˌsteɪ.ʃən ˈdeɪ.tə tuː prɪˈdɪkt smɒɡ ɪˈvents ɪn ˌtʃaɪˈniːz ˈmeɡ.əˌsɪt.iz/

You know, I could apply my skills in statistical mechanics to refine the models she’s building, and she could guide me through GIS mapping techniques.
/juː nəʊ aɪ kʊd əˈplaɪ maɪ skɪlz ɪn stəˈtɪs.tɪ.kəl mɪˈkæn.ɪks tuː rɪˈfaɪn ðə ˈmɒd.əlz ʃiːz ˈbɪl.dɪŋ ənd ʃiː kʊd ɡaɪd miː θruː ˌdʒiː.aɪˈes ˈmæp.ɪŋ tekˈniːks/

The idea of publishing our findings in an international journal—and then translating the results into policy recommendations for local governments—really motivates me.
/ðə aɪˈdɪə əv ˈpʌb.lɪ.ʃɪŋ aʊər ˈfaɪn.dɪŋz ɪn ən ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ən.əl ˈdʒɜː.nəl ənd ðen trænsˈleɪt.ɪŋ ðə rɪˈzʌlts ˈɪn.tuː ˈpɒl.ɪ.si ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃənz fɔːr ˈləʊ.kəl ˈɡʌv.ən.mənts ˈrɪə.li ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪts miː/

I admire Li Na’s dedication to sustainability, so working with her would feel both purposeful and personally rewarding.
/aɪ ədˈmaɪər liː nɑːz ˌded.ɪˈkeɪ.ʃən tuː səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti səʊ ˈwɜː.kɪŋ wɪð hɜːr wʊd fiːl bəʊθ ˈpɜː.pəs.fəl ənd ˈpɜː.sən.əl.i rɪˈwɔː.dɪŋ/

Part 3

What kinds of family business are common in China?

I think the most ubiquitous family businesses in China are small retail shops and eateries. You know, it’s common to see a mother-and-father team running a neighbourhood grocery stall, stocking daily necessities and fresh produce. Noodle shops or dumpling restaurants passed down through generations also pepper city alleys. Although the profit margins can be thin, these ventures thrive on loyal local customers and low start-up costs. In a way, family members share every role—procurement, cooking, cashiering—so operational expenses stay manageable and trust remains high.

I think the most ubiquitous family businesses in China are small retail shops and eateries.
/aɪ θɪŋk ðə məʊst juːˈbɪkwɪtəs ˈfæməli ˈbɪznəsɪz ɪn ˈʧaɪnə ə smɔːl ˈriːteɪl ʃɒps ənd ˈiːtəriz/

You know, it’s common to see a mother-and-father team running a neighbourhood grocery stall, stocking daily necessities and fresh produce.
/juː nəʊ ɪts ˈkɒmən tə siː ə ˈmʌðər ənd ˈfɑːðə tiːm ˈrʌnɪŋ ə ˈneɪbəhʊd ˈɡrəʊsəri stɔːl ˈstɒkɪŋ ˈdeɪli nəˈsesətiz ənd freʃ ˈprɒdjuːs/

Noodle shops or dumpling restaurants passed down through generations also pepper city alleys.
/ˈnuːdl ʃɒps ɔː ˈdʌmplɪŋ ˈrestrɒnts pɑːst daʊn θruː ˌʤenəˈreɪʃənz ˈɔːlsəʊ ˈpepə ˈsɪti ˈæliz/

Although the profit margins can be thin, these ventures thrive on loyal local customers and low start-up costs.
/ɔːlˈðəʊ ðə ˈprɒfɪt ˈmɑːʤɪnz kæn biː θɪn ðiːz ˈvenʧəz θraɪv ɒn ˈlɔɪəl ˈləʊkəl ˈkʌstəməz ənd ləʊ stɑːt-ʌp kɒsts/

In a way, family members share every role—procurement, cooking, cashiering—so operational expenses stay manageable and trust remains high.
/ɪn ə weɪ ˈfæməli ˈmembəz ʃeər ˈevri rəʊl prəˈkjʊəmənt ˈkʊkɪŋ kæˈʃɪərɪŋ səʊ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəl ɪkˈspensɪz steɪ ˈmænɪʤəbəl ənd trʌst rɪˈmeɪnz haɪ/

Is it good to work with family members? Why?

To be honest, I suppose working with relatives isn’t always ideal because personal disagreements can spill over into professional life. For example, a heated debate about experiment design might turn into a family argument at home. On the other hand, navigating those conflicts can actually strengthen both family bonds and professional skills—learning conflict-resolution and emotional resilience. So, basically, while there’s a risk of tension, overcoming it together can foster personal growth and deeper trust in the long run.

To be honest, I suppose working with relatives isn’t always ideal because personal disagreements can spill over into professional life.
/tə biː ˈɒnɪst aɪ səˈpəʊz ˈwɜːkɪŋ wɪð ˈrelətɪvz ˈɪzənt ˈɔːlweɪz aɪˈdɪəl bɪˈkɒz ˈpɜːsənəl ˌdɪsəˈɡriːmənts kæn spɪl ˈəʊvə ˈɪntuː prəˈfeʃənəl laɪf/

For example, a heated debate about experiment design might turn into a family argument at home.
/fɔːr ɪɡˈzɑːmpl ə ˈhiːtɪd dɪˈbeɪt əˈbaʊt ɪkˈspɪərɪmənt dɪˈzaɪn maɪt tɜːn ˈɪntuː ə ˈfæməli ˈɑːɡjʊmənt æt həʊm/

On the other hand, navigating those conflicts can actually strengthen both family bonds and professional skills—learning conflict-resolution and emotional resilience.
/ɒn ðə ˈʌðə hænd ˈnævɪɡeɪtɪŋ ðəʊz ˈkɒnflɪkts kæn ˈæktʃuəli ˈstreŋθən bəʊθ ˈfæməli bɒndz ənd prəˈfeʃənəl skɪlz ˈlɜːnɪŋ ˈkɒnflɪkt ˌrezəˈluːʃən ənd ɪˈməʊʃənəl rɪˈzɪliəns/

So, basically, while there’s a risk of tension, overcoming it together can foster personal growth and deeper trust in the long run.
/səʊ ˈbeɪsɪkli waɪl ðeəz ə rɪsk əv ˈtenʃən ˌəʊvəˈkʌmɪŋ ɪt təˈɡeðə kæn ˈfɒstə ˈpɜːsənəl ɡrəʊθ ənd ˈdiːpə trʌst ɪn ðə lɒŋ rʌn/

Why do people want to do family business?

To be honest, running a family business often demands lower upfront investment compared to solo ventures. Maybe parents can provide initial capital or a workspace at home, and siblings can contribute complementary skills without hefty salaries. In other words, pooling resources—whether it’s money, time or know-how—reduces financial risk and operational overhead. So, basically, people gravitate towards family enterprises because they offer a kind of safety net during those precarious early days.

To be honest, running a family business often demands lower upfront investment compared to solo ventures.
/tə biː ˈɒnɪst ˈrʌnɪŋ ə ˈfæməli ˈbɪznɪs ˈɒfən dɪˈmɑːndz ˈləʊə ˌʌpˈfrʌnt ɪnˈvestmənt kəmˈpeəd tə ˈsəʊləʊ ˈvenʧəz/

Maybe parents can provide initial capital or a workspace at home, and siblings can contribute complementary skills without hefty salaries.
/ˈmeɪbi ˈpeərənts kæn prəˈvaɪd ɪˈnɪʃəl ˈkæpɪtəl ɔː ə ˈwɜːkspeɪs æt həʊm ənd ˈsɪblɪŋz kæn kənˈtrɪbjuːt ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri skɪlz wɪˈðaʊt ˈhefti ˈsæləriz/

In other words, pooling resources—whether it’s money, time or know-how—reduces financial risk and operational overhead.
/ɪn ˈʌðə wɜːdz ˈpuːlɪŋ rɪˈzɔːsɪz ˈweðə ɪts ˈmʌni taɪm ɔː ˈnəʊhaʊ rɪˈdjuːsɪz faɪˈnænʃəl rɪsk ənd ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəl ˈəʊvəhed/

So, basically, people gravitate towards family enterprises because they offer a kind of safety net during those precarious early days.
/səʊ ˈbeɪsɪkli ˈpiːpəl ˈɡrævɪteɪt təˈwɔːdz ˈfæməli ˈentəpraɪzɪz bɪˈkɒz ðeɪ ˈɒfə ə kaɪnd əv ˈseɪfti net ˈdjʊərɪŋ ðəʊz prɪˈkeəriəs ˈɜːli deɪz/

What benefits are there when working for big companies?

Well, I think one major advantage is the robust career-development framework large firms offer. During my internship at a leading telecommunications company, I experienced their formal mentorship scheme—each junior researcher was paired with a senior engineer for quarterly reviews and goal-setting sessions. They also funded specialised workshops and covered fees for professional certifications, which kind of fast-tracked my technical skills. Moreover, big companies often rotate staff through different departments—even overseas branches—so you gain a broad perspective. At the end of the day, that structured support and exposure make career progression more predictable and rewarding.

Well, I think one major advantage is the robust career-development framework large firms offer.
/wel aɪ θɪŋk wʌn ˈmeɪdʒər ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ ɪz ðə rəʊˈbʌst kəˈrɪə dɪˈveləpmənt ˈfreɪmwɜːk lɑːdʒ fɜːmz ˈɒfə/

During my internship at a leading telecommunications company, I experienced their formal mentorship scheme—each junior researcher was paired with a senior engineer for quarterly reviews and goal-setting sessions.
/ˈdjʊərɪŋ maɪ ɪnˈtɜːnʃɪp æt ə ˈliːdɪŋ ˌtelɪkəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃənz ˈkʌmpəni aɪ ɪkˈspɪəriənst ðeə ˈfɔːməl ˈmentəʃɪp skiːm iːʧ ˈʤuːniə rɪˈsɜːʧə wɒz peəd wɪð ə ˈsiːniə ˌenʤɪˈnɪə fə ˈkwɔːtəli rɪˈvjuːz ənd ɡəʊl ˈsetɪŋ ˈseʃənz/

They also funded specialised workshops and covered fees for professional certifications, which kind of fast-tracked my technical skills.
/ðeɪ ˈɔːlsəʊ ˈfʌndɪd ˈspeʃəlaɪzd ˈwɜːkʃɒps ənd ˈkʌvəd fiːz fə prəˈfeʃənəl ˌsɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz wɪʧ kaɪnd əv ˈfɑːst trækt maɪ ˈteknɪkəl skɪlz/

Moreover, big companies often rotate staff through different departments—even overseas branches—so you gain a broad perspective.
/mɔːˈrəʊvə bɪɡ ˈkʌmpəniz ˈɒfən rəʊˈteɪt stɑːf θruː ˈdɪfrənt dɪˈpɑːtmənts ˈiːvən ˌəʊvəˈsiːz ˈbrɑːnʧɪz səʊ juː ɡeɪn ə brɔːd pəˈspektɪv/

At the end of the day, that structured support and exposure make career progression more predictable and rewarding.
/æt ði end əv ðə deɪ ðæt ˈstrʌkʧəd səˈpɔːt ənd ɪkˈspəʊʒə meɪk kəˈrɪə prəˈɡreʃən mɔː prɪˈdɪktəbəl ənd rɪˈwɔːdɪŋ/

Words