Course Material
ESL Reading Course: A Story of Business, Drama & Finance

ESL Lesson: Business, Self-Discovery & Finance Part 5 (繁體)

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ESL Lesson: Business, Self-Discovery & Finance Part 5

Objective:

Students will continue to improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills through the story “Business, Self-Discovery & Finance.”

Duration:

45 minutes


ESL課程計畫：商海浮沉、自我探索與金融人生(第五部分)

學習目標：

透過本故事〈商海浮沉、自我探索與金融人生〉，學生能夠繼續提升閱讀理解能力、詞彙量以及批判思考能力。

花費時間：

45分鐘


Pre-Reading Vocabulary (10 minutes)

Key Vocabulary:

  1. Vibrant (adj): full of energy and life * "The vibrant city was full of exciting things to see and do."

  2. Encounter (n): unexpected meeting * "His encounter with an old friend changed his plans."

  3. Recounting (v): telling a story * "He was recounting his adventures to his family."

  4. Self-discovery (n): the process of learning about yourself * "She took a year off for self-discovery and travel."

  5. Enlightening (adj): giving you new knowledge or understanding * "The conversation was enlightening and changed his perspective."

  6. Camaraderie (n): a feeling of friendship and trust * "The team had a strong sense of camaraderie."

  7. Infectious (adj): easily spread to others * "Her laughter was infectious, and soon everyone was smiling."

  8. Entrepreneur (n): someone who starts their own business * "The entrepreneur had a great idea for a new company."

  9. Transformative (adj): causing a major change * "The trip was a transformative experience."

  10. Fulfillment (n): a feeling of satisfaction and happiness * "He found fulfillment in his work and hobbies."

閱讀前的準備 (10分鐘)

重要單字：

  1. Vibrant (adjective)：充滿活力和生命力的。* "這座活力十足的城市到處都有精彩的地方值得看、值得體驗。"

  2. Encounter (noun)：意外的相遇。* "他與老朋友的相遇改變了他的計劃。"

  3. Recounting (verb)：說故事。* "他正在向家人訴說自己的冒險故事。"

  4. Self-discovery (noun)：認識自己的過程。* "她休了一年的假，一邊旅行一邊探索自我。"

  5. Enlightening (adjective)：帶來新知或新的啟發。* "他從這次的談話中獲得啟發，改變了他的看法。"

  6. Camaraderie (noun)：一種夥伴間互相信任的感覺。* "這個團隊擁有深刻的夥伴情誼。"

  7. Infectious (adjective)：容易傳染給他人。* "她的笑聲很有感染力，很快地大家都一起笑了起來。"

  8. Entrepreneur (noun)：建立自己事業的人。* "針對新公司這位企業家有一個很棒的點子。"

  9. Transformative (adjective)：帶來重大轉變的。* "這次的旅行是一場改變人生的體驗。"

  10. Fulfillment (noun)：滿足與幸福的感覺。* "他在工作和興趣中找到了滿足感。"

Reading Activity: (20 Minutes)

Chapter 5: The Unexpected Encounter (20 minutes)

Jonathan Blake’s journey took him next to the vibrant city of Bangkok, Thailand. The city’s blend of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers fascinated him. He spent his days exploring the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and the bustling markets of Chatuchak. Each new experience added another layer to his understanding of the world and himself.

One evening, while enjoying a quiet dinner at a riverside restaurant, Jonathan noticed a familiar face across the room. It was David, an old colleague from Citigroup. They had worked together on several high-profile deals, and seeing him here, thousands of miles from London, was a surprise.

“David?” Jonathan called out, waving him over.

David looked up, his eyes widening in recognition. “Jonathan! What are the odds?” He walked over and they embraced, both laughing at the unexpected encounter.

They sat down together, catching up on old times. David had left Citigroup a few months before Jonathan, taking a position with a boutique investment firm in Hong Kong. He was in Bangkok for a conference and had decided to stay a few extra days to explore the city.

“It’s great to see you, Jonathan. What brings you to this part of the world?” David asked, genuinely curious.

Jonathan smiled, recounting his journey of self-discovery. “I needed a break, a chance to find myself again. So, I’ve been traveling, exploring new places, and meeting incredible people.”

David nodded, understanding. “I get it. Sometimes, we need to step away to see things clearly. How’s it been so far?”

“It’s been enlightening,” Jonathan replied. “I’ve learned a lot about life as well as what truly motivates me. It’s not just about the next big deal anymore.”

David raised his glass. “To new beginnings and finding what truly matters.”

They clinked glasses, and the conversation shifted to their shared experiences in the finance world. As the night wore on, Jonathan felt a sense of camaraderie with David. It was comforting to reconnect with someone who understood the pressures and rewards of their profession.

The next day, David invited Jonathan to join him at the conference. It was a gathering of some of the brightest minds in finance, discussing the future of the industry. Jonathan was hesitant at first, but David’s enthusiasm was infectious.

“Come on, Jonathan. It’ll be good for you. Plus, you never know who you might meet,” David urged.

Jonathan agreed, and they headed to the conference together. The event was held at a luxurious hotel, with delegates from all over the world. As they mingled with other attendees, Jonathan felt a familiar thrill. The discussions were stimulating, and he found himself engaging in debates about market trends and investment strategies.

During one of the sessions, Jonathan was introduced to Emma, a dynamic entrepreneur who had recently launched a successful fintech startup. They hit it off immediately, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Emma’s passion for innovation and her vision for the future of finance were inspiring.

“Your journey is fascinating, Jonathan,” Emma said. “It’s rare to meet someone who has the courage to step away and find their true path.”

Jonathan smiled. “It’s been a transformative experience. And meeting people like you makes it all the more worthwhile.”

As the conference came to an end, Emma extended an invitation. “We’re hosting a networking event tonight. I’d love for you to join us. There will be some interesting people there, and it could be a great opportunity for you.”

Jonathan accepted, feeling a sense of excitement. The event was held at a chic rooftop bar, offering stunning views of the Bangkok skyline. As he mingled with the guests, he realized that this was exactly what he needed. The connections he was making, the ideas being exchanged – it was all invigorating.

By the end of the night, Jonathan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had found a balance between his passion for finance and his desire for personal fulfillment. The journey was far from over, but he was on the right path, surrounded by people who inspired and challenged him.

閱讀時間 (20 minutes)

閱讀：第五篇〈意料之外的困難〉

Jonathan Blake的旅行的下一站來到了活力十足的城市──泰國曼谷。他被這座融合了古老的寺廟與現代摩天大樓的城市給迷住了。他花了幾天參觀大皇宮、鄭王廟與熱鬧的恰圖恰市集。每一個全新的體驗都讓他對自己、對世界有了更深一層的認識。

某個夜晚，當他在河岸景觀餐廳享受燭光晚餐時，他突然注意到餐廳另一側有張熟悉的面孔。那是David，之前他在花旗銀行的同事。他們曾經一起合作過，完成多項備受矚目的交易，此時在距離倫敦數千英里遠的地方見到他，對Jonathan來說是個意料之外的驚喜。

「David？」Jonathan喊道，一邊向對方招手。

David抬起頭，睜大眼睛，認出了他。「Jonathan！這也太巧了吧？」他走過來說。兩人擁抱了一下，相視而笑，為這場意外的相遇感到開心。

他們一起坐下，開始聊起往事的種種。David比Jonathan早幾個月離開花旗，去了香港的一家精品投資銀行工作。他這次來曼谷是為了參加一場會議，順便多待幾天來探索這座城市。

Jonathan笑了，開始說起他自我探索的旅程。「我知道我得休息一段時間，我需要一個可以再一次找到自我的機會，所以我開始旅行，不斷地探索新地方和認識一些了不起的人。」

David表示理解地點點頭。「我懂。有時候我們需要跳脫現況才能看得更清楚。目前為止還好嗎？」

「這段旅程讓我大開眼界。」Jonathan回答：「我領悟到很多人生道理，也學到哪些事情可以讓我真正充滿動力。現在，生活對我來說已經不單單是下一筆重要的交易而已。」

David舉起他的酒杯說：「慶祝你的新開始，慶祝你找到對你來說真正重要的事情。」

他們乾杯，接著話題轉向他們在金融界的共同經歷。當夜色漸深，Jonathan感覺自己與David之間產生了深刻的夥伴情誼。能與一個非常了解這份職業的人再次相遇，特別是一位能夠了解金融工作帶來的壓力與成就感的人，讓他感到十分安慰。

隔天，David邀請Jonathan跟他一起參加一個大型會議。這是一場聚集了金融界頂尖人才的盛會，盛會中將討論金融產業的未來。Jonathan一開始有些猶豫，但David的熱情感染了他。

「來啦，Jonathan，你會獲益良多的。況且你永遠不知道你在那裡會遇到誰。」David鼓勵道。

Jonathan答應了，當天他們一起前往會議現場。這場大型會議在一家豪華酒店舉行，與會者來自世界各地。當他們與其他參與者交流時，Jonathan有種熟悉的感覺，既緊張又興奮。整個討論非常緊湊有趣，不斷迸發出新的想法，他發現自己不知不覺地參與了幾場市場趨勢與投資策略的辯論。

在其中一個專題討論的場次中，Jonathan被介紹給Emma認識，她是一位充滿活力的企業家，最近剛創辦了一家很賺錢的金融科技新創公司。他們一拍即合，聊得十分暢快。Emma對創造新事物的熱情，以及她對未來金融界的願景讓Jonathan深受感動。

「Jonathan，你的旅程真是太精彩了！」Emma說：「很少有人有勇氣放下一切去尋找自己真正想走的路。」

Jonathan笑了。「這是一段改變人生的旅程，而與像你這樣的人相遇，讓一切更加值得。」

隨著會議進入尾聲，Emma進一步對Jonathan提出邀約。「今晚我們將舉辦一場社交活動，我很希望你能來參加。會有一些有趣的人來，這對你來說可能會是個很好的機會。」

Jonathan興奮地答應了。活動在一家時尚的屋頂酒吧舉行，從酒吧能遠眺曼谷壯麗的天際線。當他和來賓交流時，他了解到這就是他所需要的。與人建立連結、交流彼此的想法──這一切都使他充滿活力。

當夜色落幕，Jonathan的心中浮現了更嶄新清晰的人生方向。在對金融領域的熱情以及對個人幸福的渴望之間，他找到了一個平衡點。他的自我探索旅程還要很久才會結束，但他已經踏上了正確的道路，與能夠激勵他、給予他新挑戰的人們結伴同行。

Post-Reading Activity (15 minutes)

Comprehension Questions:

Warm-Up True or False

  1. Jonathan and David worked together at a company called Citigroup. (True/False)

  2. David currently works in London. (True/False)

  3. Jonathan attended the conference in Bangkok because he was invited by Emma. (True/False)

  4. Emma is an entrepreneur who started a successful technology company. (True/False)

Short Answer

  1. Why did Jonathan decide to travel the world?

  2. What was David doing in Bangkok?

  3. What kind of event did Emma invite Jonathan to?

Discussion

  1. Jonathan's journey is about self-discovery and finding new purpose. Have you ever experienced a period of significant change or transition in your life? How did you navigate it, and what did you learn about yourself?

  2. Jonathan found value in reconnecting with someone from his past and making new connections in a field he thought he had left behind. How do relationships with others contribute to our sense of self and purpose?

閱讀後的討論 (15 minutes)

促進閱讀理解的問題：

暖身是非題：

True or False: Jonathan和David曾經一起在一家叫花旗的公司工作。

True or False: David現在在倫敦工作。

True or False: Jonathan參加了在曼谷的大型會議，因為他收到了Emma的邀請。

True or False: Emma是一位企業家，創辦了一家很賺錢的科技新創公司。

簡答題：

為什麼Jonathan決定去旅行、環遊世界？

David在曼谷做什麼？

Emma邀請Jonathan參加什麼活動？

討論問題：

Jonathan的旅行與自我探索和找到新目標有關。你在人生中有經歷過重大的變化或轉折嗎？你是如何應對的？在這段過程中你對自己有什麼新的認識？

2. Jonathan發現與過去熟悉的人重新連繫上，以及在以為自己已經離開的領域中建立新的人際關係，對他而言是很重要的。你認為人際關係如何幫助我們建立自我認同和找到方向？

Answer Key

Warm-Up True or False

  1. True

  2. False

  3. False

  4. True

Short Answer

  • Why did Jonathan decide to travel the world?

    • Answer: He decided to travel the world to take a break, find himself again, and explore new places and people.

  • What was David doing in Bangkok?

    • Answer: David was in Bangkok for a conference and decided to stay a few extra days to explore the city.

  • What kind of event did Emma invite Jonathan to?

    • Answer: Emma invited Jonathan to a networking event.

Discussion

  • Jonathan's journey is about self-discovery and finding new purpose. Have you ever experienced a period of significant change or transition in your life? How did you navigate it, and what did you learn about yourself?

    • Answer: (Example answers)

    • Yes, I experienced a significant change when I moved to a new country for work. I navigated it by being open to new experiences and meeting new people, and I learned that I am more adaptable than I thought.

    • I went through a major career change a few years ago. It was challenging, but I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses and what I truly value in a job.

  • Jonathan found value in reconnecting with someone from his past and making new connections in a field he thought he had left behind. How do relationships with others contribute to our sense of self and purpose?

    • Answer: (Example answers)

    • Relationships with others can help us see ourselves from a different perspective and provide support and encouragement as we explore our sense of self and purpose.

    • Our connections with others can introduce us to new ideas and opportunities, which can help us discover new passions and find our purpose.

解答

暖身是非題：

  • 正確

  • 錯誤

  • 錯誤

  • 正確

簡答題：

  • 為什麼Jonathan決定去旅行、環遊世界？

    • 可能的答案：他決定環遊世界休息一下，找回自己並探索新地方和認識新的人。

  • David在曼谷做什麼？

    • 可能的答案：David在曼谷有一場會議並決定多待幾天來探索城市。

  • Emma邀請Jonathan參加什麼活動？

    • 可能的答案： Emma邀請Jonathan去她的社交活動。

討論問題：

  • Jonathan的旅行與自我探索和找到新目標有關。你在人生中有經歷過重大的變化或轉折嗎？你是如何應對的？在這段過程中你對自己有什麼新的認識？

    • 可能的答案：有，我人生中一個很大的轉折，是我剛搬到新的國家工作的那段時間。我試著保持開放的心態去接受各式各樣的新體驗，認識新的人，我發現我比我想得更快融入。

    • 幾年前我經歷了一個重大的職涯轉變。過程充滿挑戰，但是我深刻了解到自己的優勢與劣勢，以及我在工作中最重視什麼。

  • Jonathan發現與過去熟悉的人重新連繫上，以及在以為自己已經離開的領域中建立新的人際關係，對他而言是很重要的。你認為人際關係如何幫助我們建立自我認同和找到方向？

    • 可能的答案： 人際關係可以幫助我們從不同的角度看自己，並在探索自我和人生方向時提供支持和鼓勵。

    • 與人交流可以為我們帶來新的想法與機會，幫助我們探索新的熱情和找到方向。

Credits:

Story and lesson material by… Tyler Golec

Mandarin Translations by… Rosy Lien

Media Contributions by… Dan Freeman, Evan Krause, Mos Sukjaroenkraisri and Andreas Brücker