Speaking June 19

Describe a person who persuaded you to do something

Actually, last spring I had a brief but impactful chat with Professor Zhang, who supervised my environmental science project. I’d just finished my pilot study and was feeling unsure about sharing preliminary results. He invited me to his office and insisted I submit an abstract to the campus undergraduate research forum.

He gave me a few examples of students whose early presentations led to conference invitations and even publication opportunities. He said, “It’s better to get feedback now than regret not trying later.” Frankly, his confidence in my research made me reconsider my hesitation.

In the end, I did prepare a ten-minute talk. Standing at that podium — nervous as I was — I received constructive feedback that improved my final paper. Looking back, I’m really glad I followed his advice, since it accelerated my growth as a researcher.

Actually, last spring I had a brief but impactful chat with Professor Zhang, who supervised my environmental science project.
/ˈæk.tʃu.ə.li/, /lɑːst/ /sprɪŋ/ /aɪ/ /hæd/ /ə/ /briːf/ /bət/ /ɪmˈpækt.fəl/ /ʧæt/ /wɪð/ /prəˈfɛs.ə(r)/ /ʒɑːŋ/, /huː/ /ˈsuː.pə.vaɪzd/ /maɪ/ /ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl/ /ˈsaɪ.əns/ /ˈprɒʤ.ɛkt/.

I’d just finished my pilot study and was feeling unsure about sharing preliminary results.
/aɪd/ /ʤʌst/ /ˈfɪn.ɪʃt/ /maɪ/ /ˈpaɪ.lət/ /ˈstʌd.i/ /ænd/ /wɒz/ /ˈfiː.lɪŋ/ /ʌnˈʃɔː(r)/ /əˈbaʊt/ /ˈʃeər.ɪŋ/ /prɪˈlɪm.ɪ.nər.i/ /rɪˈzʌlts/.

He invited me to his office and insisted I submit an abstract to the campus undergraduate research forum.
/hiː/ /ɪnˈvaɪ.tɪd/ /miː/ /tuː/ /hɪz/ /ˈɒf.ɪs/ /ænd/ /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/ /aɪ/ /səbˈmɪt/ /ən/ /ˈæb.strækt/ /tuː/ /ðə/ /ˈkæm.pəs/ /ˌʌn.dəˈɡræd.ju.ət/ /rɪˈsɜː.ʧər/ /ˈfɔː.rəm/.

He gave me a few examples of students whose early presentations led to conference invitations and even publication opportunities.
/hiː/ /ɡeɪv/ /miː/ /ə/ /fjuː/ /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəlz/ /ɒv/ /ˈstjuː.dənts/ /huːz/ /ˈɜː.li/ /ˌprɛz.ənˈteɪ.ʃənz/ /lɛd/ /tuː/ /ˈkɒn.fər.əns/ /ˌɪn.vɪˈteɪ.ʃənz/ /ænd/ /ˈiː.vən/ /ˌpʌb.lɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/ /ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.tiz/.

He said, “It’s better to get feedback now than regret not trying later.”
/hiː/ /sɛd/, “/ɪts/ /ˈbɛt.ər/ /tuː/ /ɡɛt/ /ˈfiːd.bæk/ /naʊ/ /ðæn/ /rɪˈɡrɛt/ /nɒt/ /ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ/ /ˈleɪ.tə/.”

Frankly, his confidence in my research made me reconsider my hesitation.
/ˈfræŋ.kli/, /hɪz/ /ˈkɒn.fɪ.dəns/ /ɪn/ /maɪ/ /rɪˈsɜː.ʧər/ /meɪd/ /miː/ /ˌriː.kənˈsɪd.ər/ /maɪ/ /ˌhɛz.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/.

In the end, I did prepare a ten-minute talk.
/ɪn/ /ðə/ /end/, /aɪ/ /dɪd/ /prɪˈpeər/ /ə/ /tɛnˈmɪn.ɪt/ /tɔːk/.

Standing at that podium — nervous as I was — I received constructive feedback that improved my final paper.
/ˈstæn.dɪŋ/ /æt/ /ðæt/ /ˈpəʊ.di.əm/ — /ˈnɜː.vəs/ /æz/ /aɪ/ /wɒz/ — /aɪ/ /rɪˈsiːvd/ /kənˈstrʌk.tɪv/ /ˈfiːd.bæk/ /ðæt/ /ɪmˈpruːvd/ /maɪ/ /ˈfaɪ.nəl/ /ˈpeɪ.pə/.

Looking back, I’m really glad I followed his advice, since it accelerated my growth as a researcher.
/ˈlʊk.ɪŋ/ /bæk/, /aɪm/ /ˈrɪə.li/ /ɡlæd/ /aɪ/ /ˈfɒl.əʊd/ /hɪz/ /ədˈvaɪs/, /sɪns/ /ɪt/ /əkˈsel.əˌreɪ.tɪd/ /maɪ/ /ɡrəʊθ/ /æz/ /ə/ /rɪˈsɜː.ʧər/.

part 3

What impact does advertising have on children and their parents?

Well, advertising aimed at kids often triggers what marketers call “pester power”—you know, when children insistently nag parents for toys or snacks they’ve seen on TV or online. Actually, this can significantly increase a family’s impulse purchases, as parents give in to avoid tantrums. To be honest, that dynamic sometimes leads to budget stress, with mums and dads trying to balance parenting peace and household expenses.

What do parents often persuade their children to do?

Well, you know, parents often nudge their kids to focus more on schoolwork—whether it’s completing homework on time or attending extra tutoring sessions. Actually, in China it’s quite common for mums and dads to encourage enrolment in weekend cram classes for subjects like English or math. To be honest, they see academic success as the cornerstone of future opportunities, so they’ll gently, or sometimes not so gently, persuade children to hit the books before any leisure activities.

Who do children listen to more, their parents or their teachers? Why?

I guess it really depends on the context and the child’s age. For young kids under ten, parents’ guidance on daily life prevails. At the end of the day, they’re still at home most of the time and look to their parents for approval. But for teenagers, teachers and coaches—people who represent wider society—can sometimes have a stronger pull, especially on topics like career advice or teamwork. Frankly speaking, children listen to whoever they perceive as most credible for that particular issue.

What are some good ways to persuade children?

Well, using positive reinforcement is often surprisingly effective. You know, praising specific actions—like “Great job finishing your homework so quickly”—or offering small rewards, such as stickers or extra playtime, makes kids feel recognised. Actually, in many Chinese households, parents give a red star chart for daily tasks, which motivates children to keep up good habits. At the end of the day, celebrating progress rather than focusing on mistakes encourages kids to cooperate without feeling pressured.

What advice should young people follow?

Well, you know, I’d advise young people to keep learning, even after formal education ends. Actually, in today’s fast-changing world, skills become outdated quickly, so picking up new languages or tech know-how through online courses really pays off. To be honest, cultivating adaptability and a growth mindset helps you stay relevant and seize unexpected opportunities.

How do advertisements persuade people?

Well, you know, many adverts first try to pull on our heartstrings. They’ll weave a short story—maybe a family reunited over dinner or a pet rescued from a shelter—to trigger feelings like warmth or compassion. Actually, once viewers connect emotionally, they’re far more likely to remember the brand. To be honest, this narrative approach makes us feel we’re part of something meaningful, not just buying a product.