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

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

Complete & Continue Next Lesson Learn More

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 课程计划：商海浮沉、自我探索与金融人生 (第五部分)

学习目标：

通过本故事《商海浮沉、自我探索与金融人生》，学生能够继续提升阅读理解能力、词汇量以及批判思考能力。

花费时间：

45 分钟


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.

阅读时间 (20 分钟)

阅读：第五篇《意料之外的困难》

Jonathan Blake 的旅行的下一站来到了活力十足的城市——泰国曼谷。他被这座融合了古老的寺庙与现代摩天大楼的城市给迷住了。他花了几天参观大皇宫、郑王庙与热闹的恰图恰市集。每一个全新的体验都让他对自己、对世界有了更深一层的认识。

某个夜晚，当他在河岸景观餐厅享受烛光晚餐时，他突然注意到餐厅另一侧有张熟悉的面孔。那是 David，之前他在花旗银行的同事。他们曾经一起合作过，完成多项备受瞩目的交易，此时在距离伦敦数千英里远的地方见到他，对 Jonathan 来说是个意料之外的惊喜。

“David？”Jonathan 喊道，一边向对方招手。

David 抬起头，睁大眼睛，认出了他。“Jonathan！这也太巧了吧？”他走过来说。两人拥抱了一下，相视而笑，为这场意外的相遇感到开心。

他们一起坐下，开始聊起往事的种种。David 比 Jonathan 早几个月离开花旗，去了香港的一家精品投资银行工作。他这次来曼谷是为了参加一场会议，顺便多待几天来探索这座城市。

Jonathan 笑了，开始说起他自我探索的旅程。“我知道我得休息一段时间，我需要一个可以再一次找到自我的机会，所以我开始旅行，不断地探索新地方和认识一些了不起的人。”

David 表示理解地点点头。“我懂。有时候我们需要跳脱现状才能看得更清楚。目前为止还好吗？”

“这段旅程让我大开眼界。”Jonathan 回答：“我领悟到很多人生道理，也学到哪些事情可以让我真正充满动力。现在，生活对我来说已经不单单是下一笔重要的交易而已。”

David 举起他的酒杯说：“庆祝你的新开始，庆祝你找到对你来说真正重要的事情。”

他们干杯，接着话题转向他们在金融界的共同经历。当夜色渐深，Jonathan 感觉自己与 David 之间产生了深刻的伙伴情谊。能与一个非常了解这份职业的人再次相遇，特别是一位能够了解金融工作带来的压力与成就感的人，让他感到十分安慰。

隔天，David 邀请 Jonathan 跟着他一起参加一个大型会议。这是一场聚集了金融界顶尖人才的盛会，盛会中将讨论金融产业的未来。Jonathan 一开始有些犹豫，但 David 的热情感染了他。

“来啦，Jonathan，你会获益良多的。况且你永远不知道你在那里会遇到谁。”David 鼓励道。

Jonathan 答应了，当天他们一起前往会议现场。这场大型会议在一家豪华酒店举行，与会者来自世界各地。当他们与其他参与者交流时，Jonathan 有种熟悉的感觉，既紧张又兴奋。整个讨论非常紧凑有趣，不断迸发出新的想法，他发现自己不知不觉地参与了几场市场趋势与投资策略的辩论。

在其中一个专题讨论的场次中，Jonathan 被介绍给 Emma 认识，她是一位充满活力的企业家，最近刚创办了一家很赚钱的金融科技新创公司。他们一拍即合，聊得十分畅快。Emma 对创造新事物的热情，以及她对未来金融界的愿景让 Jonathan 深受感动。

“Jonathan，你的旅程真是太精彩了！”Emma 说：“很少有人有勇气放下一切去寻找自己真正想走的路。”

Jonathan 笑了。“这是一段改变人生的旅程，而与像你这样的人相遇，让一切更加值得。”

随着会议进入尾声，Emma 进一步对 Jonathan 提出邀约。“今晚我们将举办一场社交活动，我很希望你能来参加。会有些有趣的人来，这对你来说可能会是个很好的机会。”

Jonathan 兴奋地答应了。活动在一家时尚的屋顶酒吧举行，从酒吧能远眺曼谷壮丽的天际线。当他和来宾交流时，他了解到这就是他所需要的。与人建立连结、交流彼此的想法——这一切都使他充满活力。

当夜色落幕，Jonathan 的心中浮现了更新崭新清晰的人生方向。在对金融领域的热情以及对个人幸福的渴望之间，他找到了一个平衡点。他的自我探索旅程还要很久才会结束，但他已经踏上了正确的道路，与能够激励他、给予他新挑战的人们结伴同行。

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?

阅读后的讨论 (15 分钟)

促进阅读理解的问题：

暖身是非题：

  • 对 (True) 或 错 (False): Jonathan 和 David 曾经一起在一家叫花旗的公司工作。

  • 对 (True) 或 错 (False): David 现在在伦敦工作。

  • 对 (True) 或 错 (False): Jonathan 参加了在曼谷的大型会议，因为他收到了 Emma 的邀请。

  • 对 (True) 或 错 (False): Emma 是一位企业家，创办了一家很赚钱的科技新创公司。

简答题：

  • 为什么 Jonathan 决定去旅行、环游世界？

  • David 在曼谷做什么？

  • Emma 邀请 Jonathan 参加什么活动？

讨论问题：

  1. Jonathan 的旅行与自我探索和找到新目标有关。你在人生中有经历过重大的变化或转折吗？你是如何应对的？在这段过程中你对自己有什么新的认识？

  2. Jonathan 发现与过去熟悉的人重新联系上，以及在以为自己已经离开的领域中建立新的人际关系，对他而言是很重要的。你认为人际关系如何帮助我们建立自我认同和找到方向？

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.

好的，这是转换为简体中文字符的答案：

解答

暖身是非题：

  • 正确

  • 错误

  • 错误

  • 正确

简答题：

  • 为什么 Jonathan 决定去旅行、环游世界？

    • 可能的答案：他决定环游世界休息一下，找回自己并探索新地方和认识新的人。

  • David 在曼谷做什么？

    • 可能的答案：David 在曼谷有一场会议并决定多待几天来探索城市。

  • Emma 邀请 Jonathan 参加什么活动？

    • 可能的答案：Emma 邀请 Jonathan 去她的社交活动。

讨论问题：

  • Jonathan 的旅行与自我探索和找到新目标有关。你在人生中有经历过重大的变化或转折吗？你是如何应对的？在这段过程中你对自己有什么新的认识？

    • 可能的答案：有，我人生中一个很大的转折，是我刚搬到新的国家工作的那段时间。我试着保持开放的心态去接受各式各样的新体验，认识新的人，我发现我比我想象得更快融入。

    • 几年前我经历了一个重大的职涯转变。过程充满挑战，但是我深刻了解到自己的优势与劣势，以及我在工作中最重视什么。

  • Jonathan 发现与过去熟悉的人重新联系上，以及在以为自己已经离开的领域中建立新的人际关系，对他而言是很重要的。你认为人际关系如何帮助我们建立自我认同和找到方向？

    • 可能的答案：人际关系可以帮助我们从不同的角度看自己，并在探索自我和人生方向时提供支持和鼓励。

    • 与人交流可以为我们带来新的想法与机会，帮助我们探索新的热情和找到方向。

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