ESL Lesson: A Story of Business, Drama & Finance Part 6

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、金融與戲劇化的人生(第六部分)

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. Invigorated (v, past participle) - Filled with energy and enthusiasm. * “The morning jog invigorated me for the rest of the day.”

2. Proposition (n) - A suggested plan or offer. * “The business partners presented a proposition for a new marketing campaign.”

3. Quaint (adj) - Attractively unusual or old-fashioned. * “We stayed in a quaint little cottage in the countryside.”

4. Infectious (adj) - Likely to spread or influence others. * “Her laughter was infectious, and soon everyone was smiling.”

5. Invaluable (adj) - Extremely useful; indispensable. * “His experience proved invaluable to the team's success.

6. Dynamic (adj) - Characterized by constant change, activity, or progress. * “The city has a dynamic and ever-changing skyline.”

7. Thrived (v, past tense) - To grow or develop well; to flourish. * “The plants thrived in the sunny window.”

8. Potential (n) - The possibility of something developing or happening in the future. * “The young athlete showed great potential for a successful career.”

9. Embrace (v) - To accept or support something willingly. * “She decided to embrace the new opportunity with open arms.”

10. Clarity (n) - The quality of being clear and easy to understand. * “The lawyer explained the legal terms with great clarity.”

閱讀前的準備 (10分鐘)

重要單字:

  1. Invigorated (v, past participle):充滿活力和熱情的。* "在早上慢跑可以讓我充滿活力地度過一整天。"

  2. Proposition (n):一個提案或錄取通知。* "合作夥伴提了一個新的行銷企劃案。"

  3. Quaint (adj):獨特而迷人的或古色古香的。* "我們住在一間古色古香的鄉村小屋裡。"

  4. 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。"

  5. Invaluable (adj):非常有用的;不可或缺的。* "這個團隊的成功證明了他的經驗是不可或缺的。"

  6. Dynamic (adj):不斷變化的、動態的或持續進步的。* "這座城市有一道瞬息萬變的天際線。"

  7. Thrived (v, past tense):成長或發展得很好;蓬勃發展。* "這些植物在窗邊的陽光下成長茁壯。"

  8. Potential (n):某件事即將在未來發生或持續發展的可能性。* "這位年輕的運動員展現出極大的潛力,很可能在職業發展上獲得成功。"

  9. Embrace (v):接受或心甘情願地支持。* "她決定張開雙臂去擁抱新的機會。"

  10. Clarity (n):清晰且容易理解的品質。* "律師把法律專有名詞解釋得很清楚。"

Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash

Reading Activity: (20 Minutes)

Chapter 6: A New Beginning

Jonathan Blake stood on the rooftop terrace, the Bangkok skyline glittering around him. The networking event had been a success, and he felt invigorated by the conversations and connections he had made. As the night drew to a close, he found himself reflecting on his journey over the past few months.

He had traveled across continents, met incredible people, and rediscovered his passion for life and work. The experiences had changed him, giving him a new perspective on what truly mattered. He realized that his journey was not just about finding a new job, but about finding a new way of living.

As he gazed out at the city, his phone buzzed with a message. It was from Emma, the entrepreneur he had met at the conference.

“Jonathan, it was great meeting you tonight. I have a proposition for you. Let’s discuss over breakfast tomorrow?”

Jonathan felt excitement. He was genuinely intrigued by the prospect. He replied, agreeing to meet her the next morning. As he put his phone away, he felt a sense of adrenaline. The future was full of possibilities, and he was ready to embrace them.

The next morning, Jonathan met Emma at a quaint café by the river. They ordered breakfast and settled into a comfortable conversation. Emma’s enthusiasm was infectious, and Jonathan found himself drawn to her vision for the future of finance.

“Jonathan, I’ve been thinking about our conversation last night,” Emma began. “Your experience and insights could be invaluable to my startup. We’re looking to expand, and I believe you could help us take it to the next level.”

Jonathan considered her words. The idea of joining a dynamic, innovative company was appealing. It was a chance to apply his skills in a new and exciting way, while also maintaining the balance he had found during his travels.

“Emma, I’m intrigued,” he said. “Tell me more about your vision and how I can contribute.”

They spent the next hour discussing ideas and strategies. Jonathan felt a renewed sense of purpose, excited by the challenge and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. By the end of their meeting, he knew he had found his next step.

“Count me in,” Jonathan said, extending his hand. “Let’s make this happen.”

Emma smiled, shaking his hand. “Welcome aboard, Jonathan. I have a feeling this is the beginning of something great.”

As they parted ways, Jonathan felt the rush of fulfillment. He had found a new path, one that combined his passion for finance with his desire for personal growth and balance. The journey had been long and challenging, but it had led him to a place of clarity and purpose.

Jonathan spent the next few weeks in Bangkok, working closely with Emma and her team. The startup was a hive of activity, filled with talented individuals who shared a common goal. Jonathan thrived in the dynamic environment, bringing his expertise and experience to the table.

As the days turned into weeks, Jonathan felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He had found a new home, a place where he could grow and contribute in meaningful ways. The journey of self-discovery had led him to a new beginning, one that was filled with promise and potential.

One evening, as he stood on the rooftop terrace once more, Jonathan reflected on the path that had brought him here. He had left behind the familiar to embrace the unknown, and in doing so, he had found himself. The future was bright, and he was ready to face it with confidence and excitement.

With a final glance at the city below, Jonathan smiled. He had found his place in the world, and he was ready for whatever came next.

The End!

閱讀時間 (20 minutes)

閱讀:第六篇〈全新的開始〉

Jonathan Blake站在屋頂的露臺上,曼谷的天際線在周圍閃耀著。這場社交活動很成功,與人交談和建立人脈讓他感覺充滿活力。隨著夜色漸深,他不由得回顧起他過去幾個月的旅程。

他遊歷各大洲的這段時間,遇見了一些很了不起的人,並且重新找回對人生和工作的熱情。這個經驗改變了他,讓他用全新的角度重新看待真正重視的事物。他意識到,開始旅行不僅僅是為了找到一份新工作,而是為了找到全新的生活方式。

當他靜靜地凝視這座城市的時候,他的手機突然震動起來,收到一則訊息。是Emma傳來的──在那個大型會議中遇見的企業家。

「Jonathan,今晚很高興認識你。我有一個提案想與你聊聊。明天的早餐時間方便討論嗎?」

Jonathan感到非常興奮,他的確對這個機會很感興趣。他馬上回覆了訊息,答應明天早上與她見面。放下手機後,他感受到腎上腺素激增,未來充滿無限可能,而他已準備好接受一切。

隔天早上,Jonathan和Emma約在一間古色古香的河畔咖啡廳。他們點了早餐,隨即進行了一段輕鬆愉快的談話。Emma的熱情很有感染力,Jonathan不禁被她對金融界未來的願景給迷住了。

「Jonathan,我一直想著我們昨晚聊到的事。」Emma開口道:「你的經驗和獨到的見解很可能可以成為我新公司的珍貴養分。我們剛好計畫擴張業務,而我相信你可以幫助我們的事業邁向更高的層次。」

Jonathan思考著她說的話。加入一家不斷成長且堅持創新的公司,這個想法很吸引人。這是一個機會,可以讓他的專業能力以嶄新且令人期待的面貌,發揮在新的地方,同時也能維持他在旅程中找到的生活平衡。

「Emma,我很有興趣。」他說。「我想更了解你的理想以及我能為團隊做什麼。」

接下來的一小時他們討論著各種新點子和商業策略。Jonathan的心中浮現了更嶄新清晰的人生方向,並因挑戰和有機會對社會做出有意義的影響而感到興奮,當這次的談話接近尾聲,他已經十分肯定,他找到了下一步該走的路。

「算我一份。」Jonathan向Emma伸手說:「我們一起讓這一切實現吧。」

Emma笑了,握了他的手,說:「歡迎加入,Jonathan。我有一種預感,這會是某件偉大之事的開端。」

當他們道別時,Jonathan感覺到幸福且滿足。他找到了一條全新的路,結合了他對金融領域的熱情,和對個人成長的渴望。這趟旅程雖然很漫長且充滿挑戰,但已經默默地帶領他找到人生的目標和方向。

接下來幾週Jonathan待在曼谷和Emma與她的團隊一起工作。這間新創公司就像一個活力十足的大蜂巢,裡面聚集了懷抱著共同理想的優秀人才。Jonathan在這個不斷成長的環境中如魚得水,充分發揮自己的專業知識,並貢獻自身經驗為團隊帶來價值。

隨著日子一天天過去,Jonathan覺得有一股深深的滿足感刻進心裡,他找到了一個新的歸宿、一個能讓他成長並做出貢獻的地方,這份工作很有意義。這場自我探索的旅程最終帶領他走向了嶄新的開始──一個充滿期待與無限可能的未來。

某個夜晚,當他再次站在屋頂的露臺上,Jonathan回顧起他走過的路,他拋開了熟悉的事物,選擇擁抱未知,而在旅途中找到了自己。未來一片光明,他已經準備好帶著滿滿的自信和熱情去迎接它。

Jonathan再一次望向腳下的城市,露出了微笑。他已經在這個世界找到了自己的容身之處,不論接下來會發生什麼事,他已經做好了十足的準備。

完結!

Post-Reading Activity (15 minutes)

Comprehension Questions:

Warm-up (True or False)

  1. True or False? Jonathan felt energized and excited after the networking event in Bangkok.

  2. True or False? Emma contacted Jonathan through a phone call to discuss her proposition. 

  3. True or False? Jonathan was hesitant about Emma's offer and needed a lot of convincing. 

  4. True or False?Jonathan's new position allows him to combine his passion for finance with a balanced lifestyle. 

Short Response

  1. How did Jonathan's travels change his perspective on life and work?

  2. What specific qualities about Emma and her startup appealed to Jonathan?

  3. Describe the environment of the startup and how Jonathan felt working there.

Long Form Discussion

  1. The story emphasizes the idea of "finding your place in the world." What does this mean to you? How do you think people go about finding their place in the world?

  2. Jonathan takes a leap of faith by leaving his old life and accepting a job at a startup in a new country. Discuss the theme of taking risks to pursue personal and professional growth. What are the potential rewards and challenges of such decisions?

閱讀後的討論 (15 minutes)

促進閱讀理解的問題:

暖身是非題:

  1. True or False: 當曼谷的社交活動結束後,Jonathan覺得整個人非常興奮且充滿能量。

  2. True or False: Emma打電話聯絡Jonathan來討論她的提案。

  3. True or False: Jonathan不確定是否該接受Emma的提案,他需要更有說服力的理由和說明。

  4. True or False: Jonathan的新工作讓他得以結合他對金融領域的熱情和更加平衡的生活方式。

簡答題:

  1. Jonathan的旅行如何改變他對人生和工作的看法?

  2. Emma和她的新創公司有哪些特點吸引Jonathan?

  3. 請描述一下這間新創公司的環境以及Jonathan在那裡工作的感受。

討論問題:

  1. 貫穿本文的觀點:「找到你在世界的位置」這句話對你來說是什麼意思?你認為人是如何找到自己在這個世界的容身之處?

  2. Jonathan憑著直覺與自信離開原本的生活,來到新的國家,接受了一間新創公司工作。請以「勇於冒險追求個人成長和職涯發展」為主題進行討論。請問做出這樣的決定有哪些可能的收穫與挑戰?

Answer Key

Warm-up (True or False)

  1. Jonathan felt energized and excited after the networking event in Bangkok. (True)

  2. Emma contacted Jonathan through a phone call to discuss her proposition. (False)

  3. Jonathan was hesitant about Emma's offer and needed a lot of convincing. (False)

  4. Jonathan's new position allows him to combine his passion for finance with a balanced lifestyle. (True)

Short Response

  • How did Jonathan's travels change his perspective on life and work?

    • Jonathan's travels exposed him to new cultures, ideas, and people, which broadened his horizons. It helped him realize that there was more to life than just his corporate job and that work could be fulfilling and balanced with personal life.

  • What specific qualities about Emma and her startup appealed to Jonathan?

    • Emma's enthusiasm, vision, and the innovative nature of her startup appealed to Jonathan. He saw it as an opportunity to use his skills in a new and exciting way while maintaining the work-life balance he desired.

  • Describe the environment of the startup and how Jonathan felt working there.

    • The startup environment was dynamic and filled with talented individuals working towards a shared goal. Jonathan thrived in this setting, feeling a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Long Form Discussion

  1. Finding your place in the world can mean different things to different people. It could be about discovering your passion, purpose, or a sense of belonging and community. People go about finding their place through self-reflection, exploration, trying new things, traveling, and connecting with others. It can be a lifelong journey with ups and downs.

  2. Taking risks for personal and professional growth involves stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing uncertainty.

    Potential rewards:

  • Discovering new passions and talents.

  • Personal and professional growth.

  • Increased self-confidence and resilience.

  • New opportunities and experiences.

    Potential challenges:

  • Fear of failure or the unknown.

  • Financial instability or loss.

  • Strained relationships or isolation.

  • The need to adapt to new environments and cultures.

解答

暖身是非題:

  • 正確

  • 錯誤

  • 錯誤

  • 正確

簡答題:

  • Jonathan的旅行如何改變他對人生和工作的看法?

    • Jonathan的旅行讓他接觸了很多新的文化、新的想法和新的人,這拓展了他的視野,同時也幫助他理解到生活還有很多可能性,不僅僅只是工作而已,以及工作也可以令人感到滿足並且與生活保持平衡。

  • Emma和她的新創公司有哪些特點吸引Jonathan?

    • Emma的熱情、理想和她的新創公司的創新特質吸引了Jonathan。他看到了這是能讓他的專業能力以嶄新且令人期待的面貌發揮在新地方的機會,同時也能維持他渴望的生活平衡。

  • 請描述這間新創公司的環境以及Jonathan在那裡工作的感受。

    • 這間新創公司不斷成長,聚集了懷抱著共同理想的優秀人才。Jonathan在這樣的環境中如魚得水,感到滿足且充滿意義。

討論問題

  1. 「找到你在世界的位置」這句話對不同的人可能有不同的意涵。這可能是關於探索自己的熱情、目標或社群歸屬感。人常會透過自我反思、冒險、嘗試新事物、旅行以及與他人建立關係來尋找自己的定位。這也可能是代表一輩子的功課,有挑戰也有收穫。

  2. 勇於冒險追求個人成長和職涯發展,包含跨出你的舒適圈與面對未知的未來。


可能的收穫:

  • 發現新的熱情和才華。

  • 個人成長和職涯發展。

  • 提升自信與韌性。

  • 新的機會和經驗。

    可能的挑戰:

  • 害怕失敗或恐懼未知的未來。

  • 財務不穩定或產生金錢損失。

  • 人際關係緊張或感到孤獨。

  • 需要適應新的環境與文化。

Credits:

Story and lesson material by… Tyler Golec

Mandarin Translations by… Rosy Lien

Media contributions by… Polina Kuzovkova, Joshua Kettle, Geoff Greenwood, and Frida Aguilar Estrada