Speaking June 26

Describe a person you have met who you want to work/study with

Well, there’s this guy named Li Wei whom I really hope to study with next semester. We first met about eight months ago in an advanced machine-learning course. Actually, I was struggling with one of the programming assignments and he came over after class to offer some pointers on debugging our neural-net code.

Since then, we’ve chatted in the lab almost every week—he’s also a teaching assistant for the course—so I’ve known him long enough to see how he works under pressure. Come to think of it, he’s incredibly organised, always sketching out detailed flowcharts before he writes a single line of code. Believe it or not, that kind of meticulous planning shaved hours off my own workflow when he showed me his approach.

What really makes me want to team up with him is his balance of creativity and discipline. He’s full of clever ideas for data-augmentation techniques, yet he never skips the basics of testing and documentation. To be honest, collaborating with someone like Li Wei feels like the perfect way to learn best practices and push each other to higher standards. At the end of the day, I’m convinced that working alongside him will not only boost my technical skills but also make the whole project more enjoyable.

Well, there’s this guy named Li Wei whom I really hope to study with next semester.
/wel, ðeəz ðɪs ɡaɪ neɪmd liː weɪ huːm aɪ ˈrɪəli həʊp tuː ˈstʌdi wɪð nɛkst səˈmɛstə/

We first met about eight months ago in an advanced machine-learning course.
/wiː fɜːst mɛt əˈbaʊt eɪt mʌnθs əˈɡəʊ ɪn ən ədˈvɑːnst məˌʃiːn ˈlɜːnɪŋ kɔːs/

Actually, I was struggling with one of the programming assignments and he came over after class to offer some pointers on debugging our neural-net code.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, aɪ wɒz ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ wɪð wʌn əv ðə ˈprəʊɡræmɪŋ əˈsaɪnmənts ænd hiː keɪm ˈəʊvə ˈɑːftə klɑːs tuː ˈɒfə sʌm ˈpɔɪntəz ɒn dɪˈbʌɡɪŋ aʊə ˈnjʊərəl nɛt kəʊd/

Since then, we’ve chatted in the lab almost every week—he’s also a teaching assistant for the course—so I’ve known him long enough to see how he works under pressure.
/sɪns ðɛn wiːv ˈtʃætɪd ɪn ðə læb ˈɔːlməʊst ˈɛvri wiːk—hiːz ˈɔːlsəʊ ə ˈtiːtʃɪŋ əˈsɪstənt fə ðə kɔːs—səʊ aɪv nəʊn hɪm lɒŋ ɪˈnʌf tuː siː haʊ hiː wɜːks ˈʌndə ˈprɛʃə/

Come to think of it, he’s incredibly organised, always sketching out detailed flowcharts before he writes a single line of code.
/kʌm tuː θɪŋk əv ɪt, hiːz ɪnˈkrɛdɪbli ˈɔːɡənaɪzd, ˈɔːlweɪz ˈskɛtʃɪŋ aʊt dɪˈteɪld ˈfləʊˌtʃɑːts bɪˈfɔː hiː raɪts ə ˈsɪŋɡəl laɪn əv kəʊd/

Believe it or not, that kind of meticulous planning shaved hours off my own workflow when he showed me his approach.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, ðæt kaɪnd əv məˈtɪkjʊləs ˈplænɪŋ ʃeɪvd ˈaʊəz ɒf maɪ əʊn ˈwɜːkfləʊ wɛn hiː ʃəʊd miː hɪz əˈprəʊtʃ/

What really makes me want to team up with him is his balance of creativity and discipline.
/wɒt ˈrɪəli meɪks miː wɒnt tuː tiːm ʌp wɪð hɪm ɪz hɪz ˈbæl.əns əv kriːeɪˈtɪvəti ænd ˈdɪsəplɪn/

He’s full of clever ideas for data-augmentation techniques, yet he never skips the basics of testing and documentation.
/hiːz fʊl əv ˈklɛvə aɪˈdɪəz fə ˌdeɪtə-ɔːɡmɛnˈteɪʃən tɛkˈniːks, jɛt hiː ˈnɛvə skɪps ðə ˈbeɪsɪks əv ˈtɛstɪŋ ænd ˌdɒkjʊmenˈteɪʃən/

To be honest, collaborating with someone like Li Wei feels like the perfect way to learn best practices and push each other to higher standards.
/tə biː ˈɒnɪst, kəˈlæbəreɪtɪŋ wɪð ˈsʌmwʌn laɪk liː weɪ fiːlz laɪk ðə ˈpɜːfɪkt weɪ tuː lɜːn bɛst ˈpræktɪsɪz ænd pʊʃ iːʧ ˈʌðə tuː ˈhaɪə ˈstændədz/

At the end of the day, I’m convinced that working alongside him will not only boost my technical skills but also make the whole project more enjoyable.
/æt ði ˈɛnd ɒv ðə deɪ, aɪm kənˈvɪnst ðæt ˈwɜːkɪŋ əˌlɒŋˈsaɪd hɪm wɪl nɒt ˈəʊnli buːst maɪ ˈtɛknɪkəl skɪlz bʌt ˈɔːlsəʊ meɪk ðə həʊl ˈprɒʤɛkt mɔːr ɪnˈʤɔɪəbl/

part 3

Can children choose their deskmates?

Well, I’d say allowing kids to pick their own deskmates can boost their motivation and social comfort. Actually, working alongside a friend often makes classwork more engaging and reduces anxiety, especially for younger students. Believe it or not, when children feel at ease, they’re more likely to participate and ask questions. On the flip side, though, it can also lead to excessive chatter. At the end of the day, a balance—occasional choice combined with teacher oversight—might be the best approach.

Well, I’d say allowing kids to pick their own deskmates can boost their motivation and social comfort.
/wel, aɪd seɪ əˈlaʊɪŋ kɪdz tuː pɪk ðeə əʊn ˈdɛsk.meɪts kæn buːst ðeə ˌməʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən ænd ˈsəʊ.ʃəl ˈkʌm.fət/

Actually, working alongside a friend often makes classwork more engaging and reduces anxiety, especially for younger students.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, ˈwɜː.kɪŋ əˌlɒŋˈsaɪd ə frɛnd ˈɒf.ən meɪks ˈklɑːs.wɜːk mɔː ɪnˈɡeɪ.dʒɪŋ ænd rɪˈdjuː.sɪz æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti, ɪˈspɛʃ.əli fə ˈjʌŋ.ɡə ˈstjuː.dənts/

Believe it or not, when children feel at ease, they’re more likely to participate and ask questions.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, wɛn ˈtʃɪl.drən fiːl æt iːz, ðeə mɔː ˈlaɪ.kli tuː pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt ænd ɑːsk ˈkwes.tʃənz/

On the flip side, though, it can also lead to excessive chatter.
/ɒn ðə flɪp saɪd, ðəʊ, ɪt kæn ˈɔːl.səʊ liːd tuː ɪkˈsɛs.ɪv ˈtʃæt.ər/

At the end of the day, a balance—occasional choice combined with teacher oversight—might be the best approach.
/æt ði end ɒv ðə deɪ, ə ˈbæl.əns — əˈkeɪ.ʒən.əl ʧɔɪs kəmˈbaɪnd wɪð ˈtiː.tʃə ˈəʊ.və.saɪt — maɪt biː ðə bɛst əˈprəʊʧ/

Why should children be kind to their classmates?

Actually, being kind to peers teaches valuable interpersonal skills. Believe it or not, children who practice empathy—listening attentively when a friend is upset or offering a comforting word—grow into adults who communicate and collaborate effectively. Frankly speaking, these early acts of kindness lay the foundation for healthy relationships in school and beyond.

Actually, being kind to peers teaches valuable interpersonal skills.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, ˈbiː.ɪŋ kaɪnd tuː pɪəz ˈtiː.tʃɪz ˈvæl.jʊ.ə.bəl ˌɪn.təˈpɜː.sən.əl skɪlz/

Believe it or not, children who practice empathy—listening attentively when a friend is upset or offering a comforting word—grow into adults who communicate and collaborate effectively.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, ˈtʃɪl.drən huː ˈpræk.tɪs ˈɛm.pə.θi — ˈlɪs.ən.ɪŋ əˈtɛn.tɪv.li wɛn ə frɛnd ɪz ʌpˈsɛt ɔː ˈɒf.ər.ɪŋ ə ˈkʌm.fə.tɪŋ wɜːd — ɡrəʊ ˈɪn.tuː əˈdʌlts huː kəˈmjuː.nɪ.keɪt ænd kəˈlæb.ə.reɪt ɪˈfɛk.tɪv.li/

Frankly speaking, these early acts of kindness lay the foundation for healthy relationships in school and beyond.
/ˈfræŋk.li ˈspiː.kɪŋ, ðiːz ˈɜː.li ækts ɒv ˈkaɪnd.nəs leɪ ðə faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən fə ˈhɛl.θi rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪps ɪn skuːl ænd bɪˈjɒnd/

What matters most about a colleague's personality?

To be honest, strong communication skills rank high in my book. Believe it or not, clear and respectful dialogue—whether it’s giving feedback or asking for help—prevents misunderstandings and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Frankly speaking, a colleague who listens actively and shares ideas openly elevates the entire team’s performance.

To be honest, strong communication skills rank high in my book.
/tə biː ˈɒn.ɪst, strɒŋ kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən skɪlz ræŋk haɪ ɪn maɪ bʊk/

Believe it or not, clear and respectful dialogue—whether it’s giving feedback or asking for help—prevents misunderstandings and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, klɪə ænd rɪˈspɛktfəl ˈdaɪəˌlɒɡ — ˈwɛðə ɪts ˈɡɪvɪŋ ˈfiːdbæk ɔː ˈɑːskɪŋ fə hɛlp — prɪˈvɛnts ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋz ænd ˈfɒstəz ə kəˈlæbərətɪv ˈætməsfɪə/

Frankly speaking, a colleague who listens actively and shares ideas openly elevates the entire team’s performance.
/ˈfræŋkli ˈspiːkɪŋ, ə ˈkɒliːɡ huː ˈlɪsənz ˈæktɪvli ænd ʃɛəz aɪˈdɪəz ˈəʊpənli ˈɛlɪveɪts ði ɛnˈtaɪə tiːmz pəˈfɔːməns/

Are good colleagues important at work?

Well, you know, having good colleagues really boosts overall productivity. I mean, when team members communicate openly and share expertise, tasks get done faster and with higher quality. Honestly, if someone’s always willing to lend a hand—whether it’s reviewing your report or brainstorming solutions—it prevents bottlenecks and keeps projects on schedule. At the end of the day, smooth collaboration hinges on reliable coworkers.

Well, you know, having good colleagues really boosts overall productivity.
/wel, juː nəʊ, ˈhæv.ɪŋ ɡʊd kəˈliːɡz ˈrɪə.li buːsts ˌəʊ.vəˈrɔːl ˌprəʊ.dʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

I mean, when team members communicate openly and share expertise, tasks get done faster and with higher quality.
/aɪ miːn, wen tiːm ˈmɛm.bəz kəˈmjuː.nɪ.keɪt ˈəʊ.pən.li ænd ʃeə ˌɛk.spɜːˈtiːz, tɑːsks ɡɛt dʌn ˈfɑː.stə ænd wɪð ˈhaɪə ˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti/

Honestly, if someone’s always willing to lend a hand—whether it’s reviewing your report or brainstorming solutions—it prevents bottlenecks and keeps projects on schedule.
/ˈɒn.ɪst.li, ɪf ˈsʌm.wʌnz ˈɔːl.weɪz ˈwɪl.ɪŋ tuː lɛnd ə hænd—ˈwɛð.əz ɪts rɪˈvjuː.ɪŋ jɔː rɪˈpɔːt ɔː ˈbreɪnˌstɔː.mɪŋ səˈluː.ʃənz—ɪt prɪˈvɛnts ˈbɒt.əl.nɛks ænd kiːps ˈprɒdʒ.ɛkts ɒn ˈsked.juːl/

At the end of the day, smooth collaboration hinges on reliable coworkers.
/æt ði ɛnd ɒv ðə deɪ, smuːð kəˌlæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən ˈhɪn.dʒɪz ɒn rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl kəʊˈwɜː.kəz/

What kind of people are popular at work?

Well, I’d say people who are always ready to lend a hand tend to be really popular at work. I mean, someone who jumps in when a teammate is swamped or offers clear guidance on a tricky task quickly earns respect. Actually, those who listen patiently to others’ problems—and follow through with support—build strong camaraderie. At the end of the day, being approachable and helpful makes you the go-to person everyone appreciates.

Well, I’d say people who are always ready to lend a hand tend to be really popular at work.
/wɛl, aɪd seɪ ˈpiːpəl huː ɑː ˈɔːl.weɪz ˈrɛdi tuː lɛnd ə hænd tɛnd tuː biː ˈrɪəli ˈpɒpjʊlə æt wɜːk/

I mean, someone who jumps in when a teammate is swamped or offers clear guidance on a tricky task quickly earns respect.
/aɪ miːn, ˈsʌmwʌn huː ʤʌmps ɪn wɛn ə ˈtiːm.meɪt ɪz swɒmpt ɔː ˈɒfəz klɪə ˈɡaɪdəns ɒn ə ˈtrɪki tɑːsk ˈkwɪkli ɜːnz rɪˈspɛkt/

Actually, those who listen patiently to others’ problems—and follow through with support—build strong camaraderie.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li, ðəʊz huː ˈlɪs.ən ˈpeɪ.ʃənt.li tuː ˈʌð.əz ˈprɒb.ləmz ænd ˈfɒləʊ θruː wɪð səˈpɔːt bɪld strɒŋ ˌkæməˈrɑːdəri/

At the end of the day, being approachable and helpful makes you the go-to person everyone appreciates.
/æt ði end ɒv ðə ˈdeɪ, ˈbiː.ɪŋ əˈprəʊ.ʧəbl ænd ˈhɛlp.fəl meɪks juː ðə ˈɡəʊ.tuː ˈpɜː.sən ˈɛv.ri.wʌn əˈpriːʃieɪts/

Are knowledgeable people popular at work?

To be honest, being smart alone isn’t enough to win hearts. Believe it or not, I’ve seen experts who come off as arrogant or condescending and end up isolated despite their know-how. Frankly speaking, it’s the combination of expertise with approachability—like patiently explaining concepts and listening to others—that truly makes knowledgeable folks popular at work.

To be honest, being smart alone isn’t enough to win hearts.
/tə biː ˈɒn.ɪst, ˈbiː.ɪŋ smɑːt əˈləʊn ˈɪzənt ɪˈnʌf tə wɪn hɑːts/

Believe it or not, I’ve seen experts who come off as arrogant or condescending and end up isolated despite their know-how.
/bɪˈliːv ɪt ɔː nɒt, aɪv siːn ˈɛk.spɜːts huː kʌm ɒf æz ˈær.ə.ɡənt ɔː ˌkɒn.dɪˈsɛn.dɪŋ ænd ˈɛnd ʌp ˈaɪ.sə.leɪ.tɪd dɪˈspaɪt ðeə ˈnəʊ.haʊ/

Frankly speaking, it’s the combination of expertise with approachability—like patiently explaining concepts and listening to others—that truly makes knowledgeable folks popular at work.
/ˈfræŋk.li ˈspiː.kɪŋ, ɪts ðə ˌkɒm.bɪˈneɪ.ʃən ɒv ˌɛk.spəˈtiːz wɪð əˌprəʊ.tʃəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti — laɪk ˈpeɪ.ʃənt.li ɪkˈspleɪ.nɪŋ ˈkɒn.sɛpts ænd ˈlɪs.ən.ɪŋ tə ˈʌð.əz — ðæt ˈtruː.li meɪks ˈnɒl.ɪ.dʒə.bəl fəʊks ˈpɒp.jʊ.lə æt wɜːk/