Speaking June 17

Describe a person who inspired you to do something interesting

I guess a particularly inspiring person was Li, a senior volunteer I met at our environmental club’s orientation. She’s been running beach-cleanup drives since high school. During our first meeting, she walked us through planning routes, recruiting helpers, and liaising with local authorities.

Her passion got me thinking—why not organise a similar event closer to campus? So, I teamed up with her to plan a riverside cleanup for World Cleanup Day. She showed me how to draft a simple action plan, create a sign-up form, and source gloves and bags.

At the end of the day, seeing over twenty students show up and collect dozens of kilos of trash was incredibly fulfilling. Li’s hands-on approach and genuine care inspired me to take the lead and realise that, well, planning and community spirit can turn a small idea into something impactful.

I guess a particularly inspiring person was Li, a senior volunteer I met at our environmental club’s orientation.
/aɪ/ /ɡes/ /ə/ /pəˈtɪk.jʊ.lə.li/ /ɪnˈspaɪə.rɪŋ/ /ˈpɜː.sən/ /wɒz/ /liː/, /ə/ /ˈsiː.ni.ə/ /ˌvɒl.ənˈtɪə/ /aɪ/ /mɛt/ /æt/ /aʊə/ /ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl/ /klʌbz/ /ˌɔːriənˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

She’s been running beach-cleanup drives since high school.
/ʃiːz/ /bɪn/ /ˈrʌn.ɪŋ/ /biːʧ-ˈkliːn.ʌp/ /draɪvz/ /sɪns/ /haɪ/ /skuːl/

During our first meeting, she walked us through planning routes, recruiting helpers, and liaising with local authorities.
/ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ/ /aʊə/ /fɜːst/ /ˈmiː.tɪŋ/, /ʃiː/ /wɔːkt/ /ʌs/ /θruː/ /ˈplæn.ɪŋ/ /ruːts/, /rɪˈkruː.tɪŋ/ /ˈhelp.əz/, /ænd/ /liˈeɪ.zɪŋ/ /wɪð/ /ˈləʊ.kəl/ /ɔːˈθɒr.ɪ.tiz/

Her passion got me thinking—why not organise a similar event closer to campus?
/hɜː/ /ˈpæʃ.ən/ /ɡɒt/ /miː/ /ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/ — /waɪ/ /nɒt/ /ˈɔː.ɡə.naɪz/ /ə/ /ˈsɪmələ(r)/ /ɪˈvent/ /ˈkləʊ.zə/ /tuː/ /ˈkæm.pəs/

So, I teamed up with her to plan a riverside cleanup for World Cleanup Day.
/səʊ/, /aɪ/ /tiːmd/ /ʌp/ /wɪð/ /hɜː/ /tuː/ /plæn/ /ə/ /ˈrɪv.əˌsaɪd/ /ˈkliːn.ʌp/ /fə/ /wɜːld/ /ˈkliːnʌp/ /deɪ/

She showed me how to draft a simple action plan, create a sign-up form, and source gloves and bags.
/ʃiː/ /ʃəʊd/ /miː/ /haʊ/ /tuː/ /drɑːft/ /ə/ /ˈsɪm.pəl/ /ˈæk.ʃən/ /plæn/, /kriˈeɪt/ /ə/ /ˈsaɪn.ʌp/ /fɔːm/, /ænd/ /sɔːs/ /ɡlʌvz/ /ænd/ /bæɡz/

At the end of the day, seeing over twenty students show up and collect dozens of kilos of trash was incredibly fulfilling.
/æt/ /ði/ /end/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /ˈsiː.ɪŋ/ /ˈəʊ.və/ /ˈtwɛn.ti/ /ˈstjuː.dənts/ /ʃəʊ/ /ʌp/ /ænd/ /kəˈlɛkt/ /ˈdʌz.ənz/ /ɒv/ /ˈkiː.ləʊz/ /ɒv/ /træʃ/ /wɒz/ /ɪnˈkrɛd.ə.bli/ /fʊlˈfɪl.ɪŋ/

Li’s hands-on approach and genuine care inspired me to take the lead and realise that, well, planning and community spirit can turn a small idea into something impactful.
/liːz/ /ˈhændz-ɒn/ /əˈprəʊtʃ/ /ænd/ /ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn/ /keə/ /ɪnˈspaɪəd/ /miː/ /tuː/ /teɪk/ /ðə/ /liːd/ /ænd/ /ˈrɪə.laɪz/ /ðæt/, /wel/, /ˈplæn.ɪŋ/ /ænd/ /kəˈmjuː.nə.ti/ /ˈspɪr.ɪt/ /kæn/ /tɜːn/ /ə/ /smɔːl/ /aɪˈdɪə/ /ˈɪn.tuː/ /ˈsʌm.θɪŋ/ /ɪmˈpækt.fʊl/

part3

What qualities make someone a role model？

Let me think, when I consider someone who really stands out as a role model, their honesty and moral compass come to mind first. Truth be told, people look up to those who walk the talk—who stick to their principles even when it’s tough. You know, authenticity breeds trust; if a person owns up to mistakes and treats others fairly, that genuine integrity inspires others to act the same way.

Let me think, when I consider someone who really stands out as a role model, their honesty and moral compass come to mind first.
/lɛt/ /miː/ /θɪŋk/, /wɛn/ /aɪ/ /kənˈsɪd.ər/ /ˈsʌm.wʌn/ /huː/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /ˈstændz/ /aʊt/ /æz/ /ə/ /rəʊl/ /ˈmɒd.əl/, /ðeə/ /ˈɒn.ə.sti/ /ənd/ /ˈmɒr.əl/ /ˈkʌm.pəs/ /kʌm/ /tuː/ /maɪnd/ /fɜːst/

Truth be told, people look up to those who walk the talk—who stick to their principles even when it’s tough.
/truːθ/ /biː/ /təʊld/, /ˈpiː.pl̩/ /lʊk/ /ʌp/ /tuː/ /ðəʊz/ /huː/ /wɔːk/ /ðə/ /tɔːk/ — /huː/ /stɪk/ /tuː/ /ðeə/ /ˈprɪn.sə.pəlz/ /ˈiː.vən/ /wɛn/ /ɪts/ /tʌf/

You know, authenticity breeds trust; if a person owns up to mistakes and treats others fairly, that genuine integrity inspires others to act the same way.
/juː/ /nəʊ/, /ˌɔː.θenˈtɪs.ə.ti/ /briːdz/ /trʌst/; /ɪf/ /ə/ /ˈpɜː.sən/ /əʊnz/ /ʌp/ /tuː/ /mɪˈsteɪks/ /ænd/ /triːts/ /ˈʌð.əz/ /ˈfeə.li/, /ðæt/ /ˈdʒen.ju.ɪn/ /ɪnˈteɡ.rə.ti/ /ɪnˈspaɪəz/ /ˈʌð.əz/ /tuː/ /ækt/ /ðə/ /seɪm/ /weɪ/

Why should children learn from role models？

Well, you know, kids are like sponges when it comes to picking up habits and attitudes. To be honest, having a role model who demonstrates kindness, honesty, or perseverance gives them a concrete example to emulate. If a child sees someone they admire owning up to mistakes and treating others with respect, they’re more likely to internalise those moral values themselves instead of just hearing about them in theory.

Well, you know, kids are like sponges when it comes to picking up habits and attitudes.
/wel/ /juː/ /nəʊ/ /kɪdz/ /ɑː/ /laɪk/ /ˈspʌn.dʒɪz/ /wen/ /ɪt/ /kʌmz/ /tə/ /ˈpɪk.ɪŋ/ /ʌp/ /ˈhæb.ɪts/ /ænd/ /ˈæt.ɪ.tʃuːdz/

To be honest, having a role model who demonstrates kindness, honesty, or perseverance gives them a concrete example to emulate.
/ tə/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/, /ˈhæv.ɪŋ/ /ə/ /rəʊl/ /ˈmɒd.əl/ /huː/ /ˈdem.ən.streɪts/ /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/, /ˈɒn.ɪs.ti/, /ɔː/ /ˌpɜːsəˈvɪərəns/ /ɡɪvz/ /ðəm/ /ə/ /ˈkɒŋ.kriːt/ /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/ /tə/ /ˈem.jʊ.leɪt/

If a child sees someone they admire owning up to mistakes and treating others with respect, they’re more likely to internalise those moral values themselves instead of just hearing about them in theory.
/ɪf/ /ə/ /tʃaɪld/ /siːz/ /ˈsʌm.wʌn/ /ðeɪ/ /ədˈmaɪər/ /ˈəʊ.nɪŋ/ /ʌp/ /tə/ /mɪˈsteɪks/ /ænd/ /ˈtriː.tɪŋ/ /ˈʌð.əz/ /wɪð/ /rɪˈspekt/, /ðeə/ /mɔː/ /ˈlaɪ.kli/ /tə/ /ɪnˈtɜː.nəl.aɪz/ /ðəʊz/ /ˈmɒr.əl/ /ˈvæl.juːz/ /ðəmˈselvz/ /ɪnˈsted/ /ɒv/ /dʒʌst/ /ˈhɪə.rɪŋ/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ðəm/ /ɪn/ /ˈθɪə.ri/

Who can influence children more，teachers or parents？

Frankly speaking, it really depends on the child’s age and the context. Come to think of it, parents lay the groundwork in early childhood—instilling core values and emotional security—while teachers become increasingly important during school years, shaping study habits and social norms. At the end of the day, the strongest influence often comes from the synergy between home and school: when parents and teachers share expectations and communicate well, children benefit from a consistent support network.

Frankly speaking, it really depends on the child’s age and the context.
/ˈfræŋk.li/ /ˈspiː.kɪŋ/, /ɪt/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /dɪˈpendz/ /ɒn/ /ðə/ /tʃaɪldz/ /eɪdʒ/ /ænd/ /ðə/ /ˈkɒn.tɛkst/

Come to think of it, parents lay the groundwork in early childhood—instilling core values and emotional security—
/kʌm/ /tuː/ /θɪŋk/ /ɒv/ /ɪt/, /ˈpeə.rənts/ /leɪ/ /ðə/ /ˈɡraʊnd.wɜːk/ /ɪn/ /ˈɜː.li/ /ˈtʃaɪld.hʊd/ — /ɪnˈstɪl.ɪŋ/ /kɔː/ /ˈvæl.juːz/ /ænd/ /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl/ /sɪˈkjʊərəti/

while teachers become increasingly important during school years, shaping study habits and social norms.
/waɪl/ /ˈtiː.tʃəz/ /bɪˈkʌm/ /ɪnˈkriː.sɪŋ.li/ /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt/ /ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ/ /skuːl/ /jɪəz/, /ˈʃeɪ.pɪŋ/ /ˈstʌd.i/ /ˈhæb.ɪts/ /ænd/ /ˈsəʊ.ʃəl/ /nɔːmz/

At the end of the day, the strongest influence often comes from the synergy between home and school:
/æt/ /ði/ /end/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /ðə/ /ˈstrɒŋ.ɡəst/ /ˈɪn.flu.əns/ /ˈɒf.ən/ /kʌmz/ /frɒm/ /ðə/ /ˈsɪn.ə.dʒi/ /bɪˈtwiːn/ /həʊm/ /ænd/ /skuːl/:

when parents and teachers share expectations and communicate well, children benefit from a consistent support network.
/wɛn/ /ˈpeə.rənts/ /ænd/ /ˈtiː.tʃəz/ /ʃeər/ /ˌeks.pekˈteɪ.ʃənz/ /ænd/ /kəˈmjuː.nɪ.keɪt/ /wel/, /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ /ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/ /frɒm/ /ə/ /kənˈsɪs.tənt/ /səˈpɔːt/ /ˈnet.wɜːk/

What kind of international news inspires people？

Actually, stories about nations coming together to tackle global crises—like coordinating disaster relief after a major earthquake or pooling resources to fight a pandemic—often resonate deeply. I mean, when you see countries setting aside political differences to send medical teams, food aid, or vaccines, it reminds us of our shared humanity. Believe it or not, these collaborative efforts can spark hope and motivate ordinary people to volunteer or donate themselves. At the end of the day, international solidarity in the face of tragedy shows how much we can achieve when we work together.

Actually, stories about nations coming together to tackle global crises—like coordinating disaster relief after a major earthquake or pooling resources to fight a pandemic—often resonate deeply.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/, /ˈstɔː.riːz/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ˈneɪ.ʃənz/ /ˈkʌm.ɪŋ/ /təˈɡeð.ər/ /tuː/ /ˈtæk.əl/ /ˈɡləʊ.bəl/ /ˈkraɪ.siːz/ — /laɪk/ /kəʊˈɔː.dɪ.neɪ.tɪŋ/ /dɪˈzɑː.stər/ /rɪˈliːf/ /ˈɑːf.tə/ /ə/ /ˈmeɪ.dʒər/ /ˈɜːθ.kweɪk/ /ɔː/ /ˈpuː.lɪŋ/ /rɪˈzɔː.sɪz/ /tuː/ /faɪt/ /ə/ /pænˈdɛm.ɪk/ — /ˈɒf.ən/ /ˈrezəneɪt/ /ˈdiːp.li/

I mean, when you see countries setting aside political differences to send medical teams, food aid, or vaccines, it reminds us of our shared humanity.
/aɪ/ /miːn/, /wɛn/ /juː/ /siː/ /ˈkʌn.triz/ /ˈsɛt.ɪŋ/ /əˈsaɪd/ /pəˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/ /ˈdɪf.ər.əns.ɪz/ /tuː/ /sɛnd/ /ˈmɛd.ɪ.kəl/ /tiːmz/, /fuːd/ /eɪd/, /ɔː/ /vækˈsiːnz/, /ɪt/ /rɪˈmaɪndz/ /əs/ /ɒv/ /aʊə/ /ʃeəd/ /hjuːˈmæn.ə.ti/

Believe it or not, these collaborative efforts can spark hope and motivate ordinary people to volunteer or donate themselves.
/bɪˈliːv/ /ɪt/ /ɔː/ /nɒt/, /ðiːz/ /kəˈlæb.ə.rə.tɪv/ /ˈef.əts/ /kæn/ /spɑːk/ /həʊp/ /ænd/ /ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ /ˈɔː.dɪ.nər.i/ /ˈpiː.pl̩/ /tuː/ /ˌvɒl.ənˈtɪər/ /ɔː/ /dəʊˈneɪt/ /ðəmˈselvz/

At the end of the day, international solidarity in the face of tragedy shows how much we can achieve when we work together.
/æt/ /ði/ /end/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /deɪ/, /ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.ə.nəl/ /ˌsɒ.lɪˈdær.ə.ti/ /ɪn/ /ðə/ /feɪs/ /ɒv/ /ˈtrædʒ.ə.di/ /ʃəʊz/ /haʊ/ /mʌtʃ/ /wiː/ /kæn/ /əˈtʃiːv/ /wɛn/ /wiː/ /wɜːk/ /təˈɡeð.ər/

Besides parents and teachers，who else can motivate children？

Actually, media figures—whether it’s a scientist like Witten on TV or a popular young vlogger sharing study tips on youtube—can really motivate children. Oddly enough, seeing someone from outside your family or school achieve something meaningful makes kids think, “Hey, I could do that too.” In a way, those wider role models expand their horizons beyond the immediate circle.

Actually, media figures—whether it’s a scientist like Witten on TV or a popular young vlogger sharing study tips on youtube—can really motivate children.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/ /ˈmiː.di.ə/ /ˈfɪɡ.ərz/ — /ˈweð.ər/ /ɪts/ /ə/ /ˈsaɪ.ən.tɪst/ /laɪk/ /dʒʊŋ/ /nænˈʃæn/ /ɒn/ /ˌtiːˈviː/ /ɔː/ /ə/ /ˈpɒp.jʊ.lə/ /jʌŋ/ /ˈvlɒɡ.ər/ /ˈʃeə.rɪŋ/ /ˈstʌd.i/ /tɪps/ /ɒn/ /ˌbɪl.ɪˈbɪl.i/ — /kæn/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /ˈməʊ.tɪ.veɪt/ /ˈtʃɪl.drən/

Oddly enough, seeing someone from outside your family or school achieve something meaningful makes kids think, “Hey, I could do that too.”
/ˈɒd.li/ /ɪˈnʌf/, /ˈsiː.ɪŋ/ /ˈsʌm.wʌn/ /frɒm/ /ˌaʊtˈsaɪd/ /jɔː/ /ˈfæm.əl.i/ /ɔː/ /skuːl/ /əˈtʃiːv/ /ˈsʌm.θɪŋ/ /ˈmiː.nɪŋ.fəl/ /meɪks/ /kɪdz/ /θɪŋk/, “/heɪ/, /aɪ/ /kʊd/ /duː/ /ðæt/ /tuː/.”

In a way, those wider role models expand their horizons beyond the immediate circle.
/ɪn/ /ə/ /weɪ/, /ðəʊz/ /ˈwaɪ.də/ /rəʊl/ /ˈmɒd.əlz/ /ɪkˈspænd/ /ðeə/ /həˈraɪ.zənz/ /bɪˈjɒnd/ /ðə/ /ɪˈmiː.di.ət/ /ˈsɜː.kəl/

Can online teaching motivate students to learn？How？

Well, online teaching can really boost motivation through interactive tools. You know, features like live polls, quizzes, and virtual breakout rooms make lessons feel more engaging than a one-way lecture. I mean, when students compete in a real-time quiz or collaborate on a shared whiteboard, they’re actively participating instead of just passively listening. Ultimately, that sense of play and instant feedback keeps energy high and encourages learners to stay focused.

Well, online teaching can really boost motivation through interactive tools.
/wel/ /ˈɒn.laɪn/ /ˈtiː.tʃɪŋ/ /kæn/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /buːst/ /ˌməʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/ /θruː/ /ˌɪn.təˈræk.tɪv/ /tuːlz/

You know, features like live polls, quizzes, and virtual breakout rooms make lessons feel more engaging than a one-way lecture.
/juː/ /nəʊ/, /ˈfiː.tʃəz/ /laɪk/ /laɪv/ /pəʊlz/, /ˈkwɪz.ɪz/, /ænd/ /ˈvɜː.tʃu.əl/ /ˈbreɪk.aʊt/ /ruːmz/ /meɪk/ /ˈles.ənz/ /fiːl/ /mɔː/ /ɪnˈɡeɪ.dʒɪŋ/ /ðæn/ /ə/ /ˈwʌn.weɪ/ /ˈlek.tʃər/

I mean, when students compete in a real-time quiz or collaborate on a shared whiteboard, they’re actively participating instead of just passively listening.
/aɪ/ /miːn/, /wɛn/ /ˈstjuː.dənts/ /kəmˈpiːt/ /ɪn/ /ə/ /ˈriːəl.taɪm/ /kwɪz/ /ɔː/ /kəˈlæb.ə.reɪt/ /ɒn/ /ə/ /ʃeəd/ /ˈwaɪt.bɔːd/, /ðeə/ /ɑː/ /ˈæk.tɪv.li/ /pɑːˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪ.tɪŋ/ /ɪnˈsted/ /ɒv/ /dʒʌst/ /ˈpæs.ɪv.li/ /ˈlɪs.ən.ɪŋ/

Ultimately, that sense of play and instant feedback keeps energy high and encourages learners to stay focused.
/ˈʌl.tɪ.mət.li/, /ðæt/ /sens/ /ɒv/ /pleɪ/ /ænd/ /ˈɪn.stənt/ /ˈfiːd.bæk/ /kiːps/ /ˈɛn.ə.dʒi/ /haɪ/ /ænd/ /ɪnˈkʌr.ɪdʒ.ɪz/ /ˈlɜː.nəz/ /tuː/ /steɪ/ /ˈfəʊ.kəst/