Speaking June 3

Describe an interesting decision that you and your friend made together

answer

Original version

Well, one of the most interesting decisions my friend and I ever made was actually a very spontaneous one. It happened last year, during the winter break, when both of us were feeling pretty burnt out from our coursework and research. We were having coffee after submitting our final papers, and, kind of jokingly, one of us said, “What if we just took a train somewhere remote for a few days?”

Surprisingly, we both got really excited about the idea. After a bit of discussion, we ended up booking a last-minute trip to a quiet town in the mountains — no itinerary, no plans, just the two of us and our backpacks. I guess the decision was about taking a short break from academic pressure and digital overload, and just letting ourselves breathe a little.

We made the decision together because, well, we were both in the same boat — tired, overwhelmed, and craving a bit of peace and nature. It wasn’t a carefully calculated decision or anything. In fact, that’s what made it interesting — the randomness of it, and how we both just said yes without overthinking.

Looking back, I think it was one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had during my postgraduate life. We explored small villages, had long conversations, and even went a whole day without checking our phones — which, for two grad students, is kind of a big deal. It showed me how valuable spontaneity can be, especially when shared with someone who understands where you’re coming from.

You know, one of the most interesting decisions my friend and I ever made was actually a very spontaneous one. /juː/ /nəʊ/ /wʌn/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /məʊst/ /ˈɪn.trə.stɪŋ/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ənz/ /maɪ/ /frend/ /ənd/ /aɪ/ /ˈev.ə/ /meɪd/ /wɒz/ /ˈæk.tʃu.əli/ /ə/ /ˈve.rɪ/ /spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs/ /wʌn/

It happened last year, during the winter break, when both of us were feeling pretty burnt out from our coursework and research. /ɪt/ /ˈhæp.ənd/ /lɑːst/ /jɪə/ /ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ/ /ðə/ /ˈwɪn.tə/ /breɪk/ /wen/ /bəʊθ/ /ɒv/ /əs/ /wɜː/ /ˈfiː.lɪŋ/ /ˈprɪt.i/ /bɜːnt/ /aʊt/ /frɒm/ /aʊə/ /ˈkɔːs.wɜːk/ /ənd/ /rɪˈsɜːtʃ/

We were having coffee after submitting our final papers, and, kind of jokingly, one of us said, “What if we just took a train somewhere remote for a few days?” /wiː/ /wɜː/ /ˈhæv.ɪŋ/ /ˈkɒf.i/ /ˈɑːf.tə/ /səbˈmɪt.ɪŋ/ /aʊə/ /ˈfaɪ.nəl/ /ˈpeɪ.pəz/ /ənd/ /kaɪnd/ /ɒv/ /ˈdʒəʊ.kɪŋ.li/ /wʌn/ /ɒv/ /əs/ /sed/ “/wɒt/ /ɪf/ /wiː/ /dʒʌst/ /tʊk/ /ə/ /treɪn/ /ˈsʌm.weə/ /rɪˈməʊt/ /fɔː/ /ə/ /fjuː/ /deɪz/?”

Surprisingly, we both got really excited about the idea. /səˈpraɪ.zɪŋ.li/ /wiː/ /bəʊθ/ /ɡɒt/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪd/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ði/ /aɪˈdɪə/

After a bit of discussion, we ended up booking a last-minute trip to a quiet town in the mountains — no itinerary, no plans, just the two of us and our backpacks. /ˈɑːf.tə/ /ə/ /bɪt/ /ɒv/ /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/ /wiː/ /ˈen.dɪd/ /ʌp/ /ˈbʊk.ɪŋ/ /ə/ /lɑːst/ˈmɪn.ɪt/ /trɪp/ /tuː/ /ə/ /ˈkwaɪ.ət/ /taʊn/ /ɪn/ /ðə/ /ˈmaʊn.tɪnz/ — /nəʊ/ /aɪˈtɪn.ər.əri/ /nəʊ/ /plænz/ /dʒʌst/ /ðə/ /tuː/ /ɒv/ /əs/ /ənd/ /aʊə/ /ˈbæk.pæks/

I guess the decision was about taking a short break from academic pressure and digital overload, and just letting ourselves breathe a little. /aɪ/ /ɡes/ /ðə/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ /wɒz/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ˈteɪ.kɪŋ/ /ə/ /ʃɔːt/ /breɪk/ /frɒm/ /ˌæk.əˈdem.ɪk/ /ˈpreʃ.ə/ /ənd/ /ˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.təl/ /ˈəʊ.və.ləʊd/ /ənd/ /dʒʌst/ /ˈlet.ɪŋ/ /aʊəˈselvz/ /briːð/ /ə/ /ˈlɪt.l̩/

We made the decision together because, well, we were both in the same boat — tired, overwhelmed, and craving a bit of peace and nature. /wiː/ /meɪd/ /ðə/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ /təˈɡeð.ə/ /bɪˈkɒz/ /wel/ /wiː/ /wɜː/ /bəʊθ/ /ɪn/ /ðə/ /seɪm/ /bəʊt/ — /ˈtaɪəd/ /ˌəʊ.vəˈwelmd/ /ənd/ /ˈkreɪ.vɪŋ/ /ə/ /bɪt/ /ɒv/ /piːs/ /ənd/ /ˈneɪ.tʃə/

It wasn’t a carefully calculated decision or anything. /ɪt/ /ˈwɒ.zənt/ /ə/ /ˈkeə.fəl.i/ /ˈkæl.kjʊ.leɪ.tɪd/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ /ɔː/ /ˈen.i.θɪŋ/

In fact, that’s what made it interesting — the randomness of it, and how we both just said yes without overthinking. /ɪn/ /fækt/ /ðæts/ /wɒt/ /meɪd/ /ɪt/ /ˈɪn.trə.stɪŋ/ — /ðə/ /ˈræn.dəm.nəs/ /ɒv/ /ɪt/ /ənd/ /haʊ/ /wiː/ /bəʊθ/ /dʒʌst/ /sed/ /jes/ /wɪˈðaʊt/ /ˌəʊ.vəˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/

Looking back, I think it was one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had during my postgraduate life. /ˈlʊk.ɪŋ/ /bæk/ /aɪ/ /θɪŋk/ /ɪt/ /wɒz/ /wʌn/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /məʊst/ /rɪˈfreʃ.ɪŋ/ /ɪkˈspɪə.ri.əns.ɪz/ /aɪv/ /hæd/ /ˈdjʊə.rɪŋ/ /maɪ/ /ˌpəʊstˈɡræd.jʊ.ət/ /laɪf/

We explored small villages, had long conversations, and even went a whole day without checking our phones — which, for two grad students, is kind of a big deal. /wiː/ /ɪkˈsplɔːd/ /smɔːl/ /ˈvɪ.lɪ.dʒɪz/ /hæd/ /lɒŋ/ /ˌkɒn.vəˈseɪ.ʃənz/ /ənd/ /ˈiː.vən/ /went/ /ə/ /həʊl/ /deɪ/ /wɪˈðaʊt/ /ˈtʃek.ɪŋ/ /aʊə/ /fəʊnz/ — /wɪtʃ/ /fə/ /tuː/ /ɡræd/ /ˈstjuː.dənts/ /ɪz/ /kaɪnd/ /ɒv/ /ə/ /bɪɡ/ /diːl/

It showed me how valuable spontaneity can be, especially when shared with someone who understands where you’re coming from. /ɪt/ /ʃəʊd/ /miː/ /haʊ/ /ˈvæl.ju.ə.bəl/ /ˌspɒn.təˈneɪ.ə.ti/ /kæn/ /biː/ /ɪˈspeʃ.əl.i/ /wen/ /ʃeəd/ /wɪð/ /ˈsʌm.wʌn/ /huː/ /ˌʌn.dəˈstændz/ /weə/ /jɔː/ /ˈkʌm.ɪŋ/ /frɒm/

answer

1. At what age do you think children can make decisions by themselves?

Hmm, that’s an interesting question. I’d say it really depends on the type of decision, but in general, I think children start developing a basic sense of independence around the age of 6 or 7. At that point, they can probably make small choices — like what to wear, or which toy to play with.

But if we're talking about more serious decisions, like managing money, choosing what to study, or making long-term plans, I’d say that doesn’t really happen until they’re teenagers — maybe around 14 or 15. Of course, even then, they still need guidance.

So yeah, I guess it’s not about one specific age, but more about the kind of decision and the child’s emotional maturity.

Hmm, that’s an interesting question. /hm/ /ðæts/ /ən/ /ˈɪn.trə.stɪŋ/ /ˈkwes.tʃən/

I’d say it really depends on the type of decision, but in general, I think children start developing a basic sense of independence around the age of 6 or 7. /aɪd/ /seɪ/ /ɪt/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /dɪˈpendz/ /ɒn/ /ðə/ /taɪp/ /ɒv/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ /bət/ /ɪn/ /ˈdʒen.rəl/ /aɪ/ /θɪŋk/ /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ /stɑːt/ /dɪˈvel.ə.pɪŋ/ /ə/ /ˈbeɪ.sɪk/ /sens/ /ɒv/ /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dəns/ /əˈraʊnd/ /ðiː/ /eɪdʒ/ /ɒv/ /sɪks/ /ɔː/ /ˈsev.ən/

At that point, they can probably make small choices — like what to wear, or which toy to play with. /ət/ /ðæt/ /pɔɪnt/ /ðeɪ/ /kən/ /ˈprɒb.ə.bli/ /meɪk/ /smɔːl/ /ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz/ — /laɪk/ /wɒt/ /tə/ /weə/ /ɔː/ /wɪtʃ/ /tɔɪ/ /tə/ /pleɪ/ /wɪð/

But if we're talking about more serious decisions, like managing money, choosing what to study, or making long-term plans, I’d say that doesn’t really happen until they’re teenagers — maybe around 14 or 15. /bət/ /ɪf/ /wɜː/ /ˈtɔː.kɪŋ/ /əˈbaʊt/ /mɔː/ /ˈsɪə.ri.əs/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ənz/ /laɪk/ /ˈmæn.ɪ.dʒɪŋ/ /ˈmʌn.i/ /ˈtʃuː.zɪŋ/ /wɒt/ /tə/ /ˈstʌd.i/ /ɔː/ /ˈmeɪ.kɪŋ/ /ˌlɒŋˈtɜːm/ /plænz/ /aɪd/ /seɪ/ /ðæt/ /ˈdʌz.ənt/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /ˈhæp.ən/ /ʌnˈtɪl/ /ðeə/ /ˈtiːnˌeɪ.dʒəz/ — /ˈmeɪ.bi/ /əˈraʊnd/ /ˌfɔːˈtiːn/ /ɔː/ /ˌfɪfˈtiːn/

Of course, even then, they still need guidance. /ɒv/ /kɔːs/ /ˈiː.vən/ /ðen/ /ðeɪ/ /stɪl/ /niːd/ /ˈɡaɪ.dəns/

So yeah, I guess it’s not about one specific age, but more about the kind of decision and the child’s emotional maturity. /səʊ/ /jeə/ /aɪ/ /ɡes/ /ɪts/ /nɒt/ /əˈbaʊt/ /wʌn/ /spəˈsɪf.ɪk/ /eɪdʒ/ /bət/ /mɔː/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ðə/ /kaɪnd/ /ɒv/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ /ənd/ /ðə/ /tʃaɪldz/ /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.l̩/ /məˈtjʊə.rə.ti/

2. What decisions can children make by themselves?

Well, I think younger children can usually make simple, everyday decisions — like what snacks they want, what games to play, or which clothes they prefer. These decisions help them develop confidence and a sense of control over their lives.

As they grow older, say in their early teens, they might start deciding how to manage their time, which hobbies to pursue, or even who to be friends with. Of course, they might not always make the best choices, but that’s part of the learning process.

To be honest, I think it’s important for parents and teachers to give children enough space to make age-appropriate decisions. That way, they gradually learn to take responsibility and think critically.

Well, I think younger children can usually make simple, everyday decisions — like what snacks they want, what games to play, or which clothes they prefer. /wel/ /aɪ/ /θɪŋk/ /ˈjʌŋ.ɡə/ /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ /kən/ /ˈjuː.ʒu.ə.li/ /meɪk/ /ˈsɪm.pəl/ /ˈev.ri.deɪ/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ənz/ — /laɪk/ /wɒt/ /snæks/ /ðeɪ/ /wɒnt/ /wɒt/ /ɡeɪmz/ /tə/ /pleɪ/ /ɔː/ /wɪtʃ/ /kləʊðz/ /ðeɪ/ /prɪˈfɜː/

These decisions help them develop confidence and a sense of control over their lives. /ðiːz/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ənz/ /help/ /ðəm/ /dɪˈvel.əp/ /ˈkɒn.fɪ.dəns/ /ənd/ /ə/ /sens/ /ɒv/ /kənˈtrəʊl/ /ˈəʊ.və/ /ðeə/ /laɪvz/

As they grow older, say in their early teens, they might start deciding how to manage their time, which hobbies to pursue, or even who to be friends with. /æz/ /ðeɪ/ /ɡrəʊ/ /ˈəʊl.də/ /seɪ/ /ɪn/ /ðeə/ /ˈɜː.li/ /tiːnz/ /ðeɪ/ /maɪt/ /stɑːt/ /dɪˈsaɪ.dɪŋ/ /haʊ/ /tə/ /ˈmæn.ɪdʒ/ /ðeə/ /taɪm/ /wɪtʃ/ /ˈhɒb.iz/ /tə/ /pəˈsjuː/ /ɔː/ /ˈiː.vən/ /huː/ /tə/ /biː/ /frendz/ /wɪð/

Of course, they might not always make the best choices, but that’s part of the learning process. /ɒv/ /kɔːs/ /ðeɪ/ /maɪt/ /nɒt/ /ˈɔːl.weɪz/ /meɪk/ /ðə/ /best/ /ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz/ /bət/ /ðæts/ /pɑːt/ /ɒv/ /ðə/ /ˈlɜː.nɪŋ/ /ˈprəʊ.ses/

To be honest, I think it’s important for parents and teachers to give children enough space to make age-appropriate decisions. /tuː/ /biː/ /ˈɒn.ɪst/ /aɪ/ /θɪŋk/ /ɪts/ /ɪmˈpɔː.tənt/ /fə/ /ˈpeə.rənts/ /ənd/ /ˈtiː.tʃəz/ /tə/ /ɡɪv/ /ˈtʃɪl.drən/ /ɪˈnʌf/ /speɪs/ /tə/ /meɪk/ /ˌeɪdʒ.əˈprəʊ.pri.ət/ /dɪˈsɪʒ.ənz/

That way, they gradually learn to take responsibility and think critically. /ðæt/ /weɪ/ /ðeɪ/ /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/ /lɜːn/ /tə/ /teɪk/ /rɪˌspɒn.sɪˈbɪ.lə.ti/ /ənd/ /θɪŋk/ /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl.i/