Bully.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/fashion/10Cultural.html?ref=bullies

Please read the article above or check the news about bully which happened in Taiwan recently in advance.

1. Have you ever been bullied in your childhood? How did you deal with it? Tell your experience.

2. Have you ever seen any of your classmates being bullied? And how did you react then?

3. Whose fault you think it is? Who caused the seriously bad behaviors teenagers did?

4. What will you do if you were the parents of kids bullying their classmates?

5. What will you do if you were the teacher being threatened to be shot by your students?

6. How can the society and government do to prevent bully from happening in campus?

Increasing tuition fee in the UK

http://www.economist.com/node/17680864?story_id=17680864

Questions:

1. How much is your tuition fee in college? Do you think it's cheap or expensive? Did you have a loan since college(or do you know anyone who is in the similar situation)?

2.Do you think it's appropriate for the government to increase the tuition fee by 100% in order to cut the national deficit? Why?

3. If the universities in Taiwan say they have to increase the tuition because of lack of funding, do you think it makes sense? Why or why not?

4.The minister of supervision yuan Wang Jian-Hsuan said college students who take part-time jobs to earn money are a bunch of fools. What's your point of view toward his statement?

5.Many people in Taiwan are studying master's program as thought they were studying bachelor's program. What do you think about it? Does a master's degree really promise you a better job?

Entertainment

We are going to discuss about entertainment this evening. There will be no reading material, just answer the questions with your experience and feeling.

At the same time we will try to answer these questions with fast pace. It is not necessary to avoid what another person has answered, just answer like no one else has answered that question. Try to image that your are talking with one person but not in a group. Keep your answer short and express all your points of view clearly.

We may not finish all the questions this evening if we do not have enough time.

1. Please list several kinds of entertainment.
2. What is your favorite entertainment? Why is it attractive to you?
3. What kind of entertainment do you feel is boring? Why?
4. Have you ever tried any dangerous entertainments? What are they? Why are they dangerous?
5. What is the most strange entertainment you have ever seen/heard amoung your friends/family? Please describe it.
6. Do you agree that students also need entertainments? Why or why not?
7. Are there some entertainments you would like to try in the future? What are they and why do you want to try?
8. Do you have any friends/family members working in the entertainment industry? What is his/her job? Describe some of his/her experience that impressed you.

Campaigns& Elections

Hey guys, if you really don't have time, please at least watch the short clip.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7710085.stm

Obama campaign blazes to victory

http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2010/11/more-election-campaign-posters/

Here are some examples of campaign posters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA4n9QcZP10

Cute Campaign Kid - By the People: The Election of Barack Obama

1.      In your opinion, what does it take for a candidate to win an election?

What’s the key to success in an election?

2.      What do you think about the campaign activities in Taiwan?

3.      Do you think the dramatic pleading from the candidate or his/ her family work?

4.      What are some impressive campaign posters/ flags/ slogans you have ever seen?

5.      Do you vote? Based on what criteria do you decide whom to vote for?

6.      Watch the short clip of a kid who worked for Obama during the presidential election, do you think it’s necessary to cause the attention from those who are unable to vote legally?

11/26 Topic: College Students, Living a Good Life.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2010-11/22/content_11585592.htm

1. Where did you live when you were in college, in a dorm or at home? Which do you prefer?

2. Have you ever had a roommate before? Do you like to live alone or not?

3. Do you support the idea to apply a system like the article mentioned to choose your roommate?

4. Do you agree that students can keep a pet in their room? Did you have the experience of this?

5. What's the last thing you can tolerate while living with someone else? Ex. Bring friends back very often or always leave dirty dishes in the sink... etc.

6. What's the most difficult things to live with others in your opinion? And what's the best thing?

11/19 Childhood obesity v.s. fast food

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/11/09/california.fast.food.ban/index.html?iref=allsearch


1.Do you think this policy is gonna work on decreasing childhood obesity?

2.As a consumer, is this policy what you are expecting? Or do you think it's parents' reponsibility to choose balanced diet for kids, not the government?

3.If your kids ask you to take them to the McDonald’s almost every single day, how are you gonna deal with it?

4.Are you or have you been a fast food goer? What makes you fascinated with it? If you are not, what stops you eating junk food?

5.Have you had any experience of spending money on something not for the product itself, but aiming at other stuff accompanying the main product?

Muslims

Please refer to the following links for further discussion:

1. http://www.afghan-network.net/Islam
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Brunei
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Malaysia

Discussions:

1. Do you know any Muslim friends in Taiwan or other countries? How do you think about them?
2. Do you know the distribution of the Muslims? Give some example of Islam countries.
3. Have you ever tried Muslim food? What do you think is the most special?
4. Do you know some Muslim traditions? Give some example.
5. As we saw a lot news in TV that Islam countries had war with western countries, do you know the reasons of the wars? Does this affect your point of view to Muslims?

This week we're going to talk about an environmental issue: Global warming. Please read the reference listed below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/04/business/energy-environment/04enviro.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=global%20warming&st=cse

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/a-cultural-barrier-to-action-on-climate-change/?scp=1&sq=A%20cultural%20barrier%20&st=cse

1. Do you believe that the increase emission of carbon dioxide causes global warming? Can you feel the threaten of global warming?
   
   
2. What do you think about the confrontation happened in the U.S. Congress, which is mainly about whether to implement green policies?
   
   
3. Someone claimed that "Copenhagen Protocol" is just a political show of the powerful developed countries. Due to the attitude of green policies of the U.S. Congress, what do you think on that point?
   
   
4. Do you think that the temperature in public places like a KTV, a department store, or an office is usually too low? How can we reduce the waste? Please use your imagination to offer some ideas.
   
   
5. Once the government tried to ban the usage of plastic bags, but it didn't work out. But we can still see many good effects left behind. 7-11 offers a kind of new plastic bags which are recyclable, will you choose to shop in 7-11 more because of the act?
   
   
6. Do you often pay attention to environmental issue? Does your company or family do anything to follow the steps to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide?

Above are the questions, if there's anything you want to discuss, please feel free to add it.

The Asian style of education

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/weekinreview/12rosenthal.html?_r=1&scp=9&sq=Asian%20education&st=cse

1.      Did you feel comfortable with the education system back when you were in the school? What bothered you most when you were a student?

2.      In your opinion, what are the best and the worst part of Asian style education?    

3.      Are you approved of testing students frequently in order to push them to study?

4.      Do you think having children learn as early as possible will do good to their development?  

5.      If you are a parent, would you let your kids go to the normal schools like others, or would you send them to some special schools (ex. the forest school/ the American school)?

6.      As a Taiwanese, do you think degree matters in our country? If yes, in what ways?

7.      Do you believe that “No children left behind” is possible in any countries?

10/22: Homosexuality and same-sex marriage

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/04/what-makes-a-family-more-americans-say-gays-count.html

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/same_sex_marriage/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=+gay+marriage&st=cse


1.What’s your point of view about homosexuality? Do you support same-sex marriage?

2.Will you change your thoughts about your friend when you discover he/she is homosexual? Will you treat them differently?

3. Do you think it is appropriate for gay/lesbian couples to have children? Why or why not?

4.If you have a homosexual friend who wants to be your kids god father or god mother, will you say yes?

5. Do you think the “partner relationship” which works in USA and Europe is feasible in Taiwan?

6. According to your own point of view, what makes a family?

10/8 Topic: Travel

Kelly mentioned a book named "不去會死" last week. The author of "不去會死" said that he chose to travel around the world by bike because it made him feel irreplaceable to arrive at the destination by bike rather than by train or by bus. Plus it enables him to contact with local people and nature better.




And it gave me an idea of talking about traveling experience with you. Everyone has his definition of an enjoyable trip, let's share it!




http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/business/14alumni.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Expatriates&st=cse




This is an article I read on New York Times. Traveling is an exciting thing, but it can also be troublesome since we always want to obtain the most in many ways while spending least money. To start a trip, you should make a plan first which can include every details from the budget to the transportation and housing.




Let's discuss the following questions:




1. Have you ever been abroad? Where have you been?
   
   
2. What was the most interesting place you've every visited? Tell us your experienc.
   
   
3. What is your favorite country or city? Or what countries would you most like to visit?
   
   
4. Which do you prefer, to travel by joining a tour group or to travel independently? (or semi-independent travel 自由行(The agency only help you book the tickets and hotel, and you plan the rest.)Why?
   
   
5. Do you prefer to live in a hotel, a hostel or a B&B(bed and breakfast) ?
   
   
6. Do you travel with a lot of baggage or do you like to travel light
   
   
7. Are you afraid to travel alone? Do you have the experience?
   
   
8. If you're traveling in a city, and you don't have enough time to visit every site in your plan, will you choose to slow down and make the most of what you can reach, or make up your mind to visit every site even if you can merely take a picture of them?

Notification

Hey guys,
Because too many of you were absent so we had a chat instead of discussion this week.
The topic will be postponed to our next discussion and I'll be the host.

Wish you have a wonderful weekend!

Kelly

9/24 topic: buying a home

Hi guys,
Buying a home is a must to many people in our society; however, with the house price soaring, it is quite difficult to get an perfect sweet home nowaday. Let's share our ideas on this issue this week.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/money101/lesson8/index.htm

1. Regardless of the reality, what does your “dream house” look like?
2. Are you satisfied with your neighborhood right now?
    Talk about the ideal neighborhood in your mind.
3. Do you want to own a house currently? Why or why not?
4. What is your biggest concern when it comes to buying a house?
5. Do you believe in “feng shui”? If there’s a house which is exactly what you want but you are told its feng   shui is bad, will you give up the house? 
6. What will you choose, living in a regular apartment without worrying about mortgage or having a big house on your own and pay mortgage for 20 years?

The host will change this week.

Hello everyone,

I'm afraid I can't attend the discussion this week due to work,

so Kelly kindly exchanged with me.

Hope you enjoy your week.

Cindy

9/17 Personal genetic-testing industry

Let's talk about gene business. Medical research often creats new treatment to improve people's welfare. However, it seems moral standard becomes more ambiguous. Scientists tried to complete the DNA sequence in order to find out some specific hereditary disease. But is it a possible source of discrimination in the future?


http://www.economist.com/node/16791936

Questions:
1. To what extend can you accept genetic experiment?

2. Will you take the test in order to gain the early possible warning of "high risk of cancer"?

3. Do you agree that employers should ask employees to conduct Physical Examination or health examination? What if they ask you to conduct genetic examination?

4. Do you trust the business module that sends the genetic sample to the lab which you can download the result from?

5. Are you persuaded of DNA test or genetic test that demonstrates your expertise of every aspect? Is it more persuasive than fortunetelling?

Notification

Dear all:
Amy postponed the meeting yesterday since many of you were absent.
Therefore, Amy will be hosting the meeting with the same topic next Friday.
See ya! ^^

9/3 Topic gender discrimination

Hello guys,

Let discuss something relates to “differences” between male & female.
Basically, discrimination based on gender is defined as adverse action against another person that would not have occurred had the person been of another sex. This is considered a form of prejudice and is illegal in certain enumerated circumstances in most countries.

Here are some questions that I would like to discuss with you.
1.How do you feel about gender discrimination? Did you ever see any phenomenon about gender
discrimination in Taiwan or other countries? (In educational settings, employee, interviews
or any behavior…)
2.If you could choose, which gender you want to be? If you could choose, you want to have a
girl baby or a boy baby?
3.Let’s list some advantages and disadvantages of being female and male. What do you think?
Please at least list one item for each question.(good point and bad point of being male and
female)
4.Do you think female/male should wear more conservative at night for safety? Who should be
responsible for the safety of female/male at night?
5.Some (maybe lots of) females don’t feel well when they have a period. During the time, they
may not have good performance as usually due to physical situation. For female, how do you
overcome this problem? If you don’t feel well but there are a pile of work on your desk, how
to handle this? And your boss is a male.

8/27 competition law (antitrust law)

Hi everyone:

Did you noticed that there was a big news this week? Several big LCD manufacturers were accused to violate antitrust law in the U.S., 3 AU Optic senior managers went there for the hearing but they were restricted to leave. LCD stocks dropt to the floor.

Do you know what is “antitrust law”? Do you know its origin and effect? We're going to discuss it this evening. Please read the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antitrust

Below is the agenda:

Warm up chatting:
1. Please tell us what have you done, where have you been in the past week. Do you have any plan for the coming week?

Facts of the topic (look it up in the article):
2. When and where was the most ancient competition law practiced?
3. What organization is responsible for executing international competition law now?
4. What are the 3 elements of this law?
5. What is the penalty for the violation?
6. What is this law intended to control?
7. Why this law is call “antitrust law” in the U.S.?
8. What else did you notice in the article?

What do you think about the topic:
9. Why are the 3 elements important to the competition law?
10. Do you know any cases that are possible to (or already) violate antitrust law? Tell us the story.
11. Do you agree that competition is important so the government must protect it?
12. Will this law affect your industry? What does your company usually do to prevent from possible sanction?
13. Do you believe this law really fair? Why or why not?

Natural Beauty

Hey guys,
    I would like to discuss the topic of "natural beauty" with you. It seems most people are not satisfied with what they are born to look like. You can always hear people around you complaining about their face or figure ex. “I am so fat” or “My eyes are too small”. Nobody is flawless, that’s for sure, but what is the exact reason that we are always not happy with our own appearance? That's the question I'm curious about and I am interested to know what you think. Here is a super short clip that I hope all of you can watch before the discussion.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtGt_XzBEbI

And these are questions we will discuss on this Friday.

1. Have you ever heard people complaining about their appearance? How often and what is the complaint most about?

2. Have you ever tried to change your look? It can be anything like losing weight or dying your hair. Share with us the reason why you want to do the change if you want.

3. What do you think about the girl in the clip? Which do you prefer, her natural look or look with heavy makeup and is “photoshopped”?

4. What do you think about plastic surgery? Do you approve of it? Why or why not?

5. Followed by the previous question, if you just know a person (let’s say it’s your friend) who has gone through a plastic surgery, will that fact affect your opinion about him/ her?

6. What’s your idea of “beauty”? How do you set your standard?

7. If you can choose your appearance, do you want to be a good-looking (by good-looking I mean as good as a supermodel) person? Why or why not?

All about Valentine's (guys, sorry for the delay )

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

1. What is the origin of Valentine's Day? (Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?)
2. How do you celebrate Valentine's Day back in high school?
3. What do you usually do for Valentine's Day?
4. What do you plan on doing the next Valentine's Day?
5. Do you make any special food for Valentine's Day?
6. On Valentine's Day, is it more common for men to give gifts to women or for women to give gifts to men?
7. What are common gifts that people give on Valentne's Day?
8. What is your favorite Valentine's Day memory?
9. What is your Valentine's dream? If you could do anything or receive anything on Valentine's Day, what would it be?
10. Would you want to get engaged or married on a holiday? Why or why not?
11. What is Valentine's Day like for singles? (What do single people do on Valentine's Day?)
12. Do you think Valentine's Day makes single people feel lonely?
13. Do you think Valentine's Day is too commercial or consumerist?
14. What is your favorite kind of Valentine's Day chocolate?

• Do you prefer milk, dark, or white chocolate?
• Do you like nuts or caramels in your chocolates?

8/6 Topic

Hey, everyone,
I'd like to talk about multi-tasking with you this week.
Please read these two articles.

Yes, People Still Read, But Now It's Social.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/business/20unbox.html?hpw

Tweet Less, Kiss More
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/opinion/17herbert.html?_r=1

Here are the questions,

1.Do you have an experience of multi-tasking while you're driving, using the computers, or waiting on a line?

2.Do you think multi-tasking is more efficient?

3.How often do you check your mailbox or facebook or blog a day? In your opinion, is multi-tasking an admirable talent or a nervous disorder?

3.Do you own a device like Kindle, ipod touch, or iphone? Talk about your experience using it. If you don't have one, will you consider buying one?

4.Accessible devices mentioned above are springing up, what do you think about people crazy about using these products rather than experiencing lives or exploring the world themselves?For example, we contact with our friends on Facebook or through MSN, or better, talking to them on the phone, rather than meeting them in person.

5.Have you ever been annoyed by a person around you who is multi-tasking? For example, a man who talk on the phone all the time. How did you deal with that?

6.Do you think multitasking can undermine relationships between families and friends?

7.What level of a multi-tasking person do you think you are? Do you enjoy being like this?

Cindy

7/30 Robots

Read the article and watch the clips if you have sufficient time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/science/11robots.html?scp=4&sq=social%20machines&st=cse

Questions:
1.If a robot can do anything for you, what do you want it to do the most?
2.If you were able to afford an English-teaching robot which can correct your bad pronunciation, solve your confusion, would you like to purchase one? Why or why not?
3.In the period of time that severe disparity of education resources prevails, do you think robots can probably be a way to mitigate the problem?
4.In one of the videos, the old ladies regard the seal robot as a pet, stroking its body and coaxing it with tenderness. Do you think humans can ever develop this kind of relationship with robots as they do with pets and other living creatures?
5.With the advantage of technology, do you think human beings are able to overcome any difficulties? Or do you think too much technology only brings catastrophes to the earth?
6.Taking all the advantages and disadvantages of Hi-tech into consideration, do you still support the improvement of technology or do you want to step back to the era when the earth has not been damaged so badly.

7/16 discussion

Dear all:
Sorry for late posting, I'm really short of ideas about discussion topics...><

We have not read an article for a long time.
So let's read the article below and discuss some questions.

"In an era of austerity, reasons to fund the arts"

http://0rz.tw/mreOK

Here are the questions:

1. What art (music, architecture, cultures, etc) do you like?

2. In your opinion, do you think the government should continue funding the art industries even when it's in an economic recession?

3. If your were a politicians, would you keep funding the art industries when the society is in a financial crisis?

4. Do you think art is the privilege for the wealthy?

5. How much are you willing to pay for an artistic or cultural feast?

Any more questions are welcome :)

Kevin

7/9 topics : superstition

Dear all:
The fllowing 2 news are so funny. That’s discuss something about “superstition”. Here are the qustions.
1. Do you ever consult any fortuneteller by any kind of form before? (Tarot cards, astrology, date of birth, ask the gods for a prophecy and so on)
2. Do you ever play anyfortunetelling game via internet? What do you want to know from it?
3. Do you believe that your horoscope (star signs) influences your character?

New 1:German 'psychic' octopus predicts Spanish win
A "psychic" octopus in Germany, which appears to have correctly predicted every World Cup game involving the national team so far, has picked Spain over Germany in the semi-final.
Paul, from the Sea Life Aquarium in the western city of Oberhausen, chose a mussel from a jar with the Spanish flag instead of one with a German flag.
The creature has a record of predicting German victories, although during Euro 2008 he wrongly picked Germany as the victor against Spain.
New 2:'People want to eat' Paul the octopus
Germany face Spain in the World Cup semi-final later today - will the team's spectacular winning run come to an end? According to Paul the psychic octopus, it will.
Paul, who lives in an aquarium in western Germany, has correctly predicted the results of all their matches so far.

Cindy's problem

Dear Amy:
Cindy's got a problem getting into the blog.
Could you fix it?
Thanks!

6/18 discussions

Dear all:

I didn't find any articles that are interesting to me. So I just come up with some questions.

Let's talk about this: Why do people like superficial things?
Superficial things appear in our daily lives, and usually, there are too many.
TV programs, newspapers, magazines, movies, gossip, how many of them can truly give us some profound meanings?
If they are not that useful or important, why are our lives flooded with these things?

Here are the questions:

1. In your opinion, why do people like superficial things?

2. Could you give a example (or counter-example) about your own experience?

3. To what extent do you think of yourself as superficial?

4. How much do you think of yourself as a conspicuous consumer?

5. What things will you use to judge somebody before you even know them?


Please feel free to add more questions.

Kevin

Take a leave this week.

Dear all

I will be absent this week.
My thesis presentation time has been decided.
So I have to work on it. Besides, I get an interview on Sat.

So see u next week. ^^

Hello John & Cindy

Can u see this page?
If yes, please say yes.
haha

6/11 Discussion Topic- Rising salary~

Dear all

We are going to talk about the hitting issue regarding salary rising for Blue-collar labor in China.
As you may know that China has been claimed as the world factory because of its low labor cost and manufacture cost. Cost issue has been emphasized by every modern business. For some, cost concern is even more important due to their low gross profit rate. However, the pressure of inflation is lurking across every corner of the Mainland China while the same measure of cost-down is still on the way. The consequence could be contradictorily devastating. Hence, the result is cystar clear, isn’t it?

Wages are on the rise!
Pls refer to the attached report from NY times and do some thinking over the following questions as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/business/global/08wages.html?WT.mc_id=BU-SM-E-YT-SM-LIN-IOP-060710-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click

Q1. Do you believe that rising salary standard is good way to go for Foxconn? Would there be any impact on other competitors and followers in similar ind.? What would you do to cope with such dilemma if you were one of those manufacture owner?
Q2. Since the new salary reaches the recorded high level, which even surpasses the TW restricted monthly salary standard in term of NT dollars, is it a good idea for those Taiwanese companies to go back Tw for their production investment?
Q3. "Made in China" has been labeled as products with poor quality and low cost. A few weeks ago, Franz collection, a Tw-based porcelain company, met up with the setback when the French well-known company, Chanel, canceled the orders of Franz ' products due to the fact that the company's products were produced in China, and since Chanel is prestigious for its luxurious allure over its brand, such "Made in China" items will link Chanel's Products to a negative image, which may deter Chanel ‘Customers from purchasing its products. Perhaps for low-bottom tech and manufacture companies, cost-down strategy can be attributed to its successful mode of business formula. As for companies selling luxurious products, would it still be wise for them to follow the same rule? Pls state your reasons and opinions over this question.
Q4. In recent years, Taiwan has been facing the same issue as well. Usually the salary goes up as the price level is up. However, here in Tw, indication of the entry-level salary has shrunk years by years although the inflation grows each year. Pls inform your views on this phenomenon.

Q5. Property gap is widening across the whole world. For instant, in Taiwan, 20% of people hold over 80% of money. What is your perspective over this subject?

As for more discussion for such topic, you may check out the following link on u-tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akVL7QY0S8A
Professor Warren of Harvard law school is expressing her research over the collapse of middle class. Her study is rather neutral but also depressive.
Find some time to go over the speech!
Bless you all

Best Wishes
Duke

6/4 Pressure

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/india.student.suicides/index.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/world/asia/24test.html


Tests, scores, peer pressure, competition…are those things we can’t be more familiar with in school. You might be under lots of pressure when struggling with your studies. On the other hand, you were probably always on top of your classes and regarded the school things as easy as pie. Whatever you have experienced, share your points of view with us.

Questions:
1.When you were a student, have you ever felt overpressure? Where was the pressure from?(parents, peer groups, financial problems, teachers….?) How did you deal with it?
2.If not, do you think not being under pressure is good for your future?
3.Have you ever heard that students were under too much stress to commit suicide? Who is responsible for that? (the government, education policy, parents, teachers, exams, children themselves..?) Where do you think the fundamental problem lies in?
4.If you were the president of a school, what will you do to help students release their pressure?
5.If you were the parents, would you let your children receive “Taiwanese education” (so-called spoon-fed education)? If not, what kind of education do you think is the most ideal for students?

5/28 Topics

Hello
Let’s discuss some topics about students. I am going to graduating from school, but you guys are going to become student again. At the end or the beginning of school, lots of things are worth to think about.

1. Since three of you are going to U.S, let’s discuss some things about foreign life.
a. What are the first three things you will do after arriving in U.S.?
(sleep? familiar with the new environment? Shopping?)

b. What do you most expect in U.S?

c. What are the “must do” things in U.S for you?

2.
The graduation ceremony, graduation party and Teacher appreciation banquet are all relative to this season. Although those activities are a little bit far away from our memory, was there any special thing happened to you?
a. Do you have a good time with your family or classmates at the graduation ceremony?
What did you do that day? Is graduation ceremony meaningful to you or it is just the form. Which activity excites you more among those graduation activities (graduation ceremony, graduation party or Teacher appreciation banquet…)?

b. Do you think that Teacher appreciation banquet is necessary? What do you think about that
students wear formal clothes at the banquet?

c. From kindergarten to university, which graduation ceremony impressed you more? Why?

5/21 Discussion

Dear all

Let's have some easy topics tonite, We are going to talking about traveling and pls pondering the following questions as well.

Q1. Do you like traveling? If so, do you have any traveling plan in mind rite now?
Q2. Have you tried backpacking before? Will you like to backpack any other country in the days ahead?
Q3. What countries have you been to? Which country you would like to visit the most in the future?
Q4. Do you prefer to travel alone or with your friends or family?
Q5. Do you have any good or bad memory about your past traveling experience that you would like to share
with us? If so, what is it?

Best Regards
Duke

5/14 discussion

Taiwan's heroine:

http://0rz.tw/PpBgq



Here are the questions:

1. Do you have any heroes in your mind? If yes, could you share with us? If
no, why not?

2. Leadership or professional skills, which one would you focus on more?

3. Among the celebrities worldwide, who has the attributes you admire?

4. Among the characters in the literature, drama, or movie, who has the
attributes you admire?

5. If you were selected the hero of the year by the public, which type of
hero you think you are?

6.Politicians, entrepreneurs, economists or scientists, whose words you
believe most?



More questions are welcome~

See you on then ^^

5/7 discussion

Hello everyone ~~
I would like to discuss some questions with you this week. I hope we won’t be too tired this time. ^^ After all, Friday night is a golden night and thank you for share your time.

1. Let talk about something relate to our daily life.
a. Please share your daily life for 2-3 minute. (We did this before, but not recent days.)
b. What do you plan to do on Mother’s Day?
c. Do you have some things really want to do before 30, 40 or 50? Please name at least two items and share with us?

2. The price of property is higher and higher, especially in the big city. Many citizens complain about it. Here are some questions about property.
a. Do you want to own your private departments or buildings?
b. If yes, when will you do it? What are the plans or the type of your dream house? (Location, type, budget….)
c. Car is more important or property? What is the order you could buy?
d. Is it a good timing to buy a department in Taiwan now?
e. Do you feel that you want a department belong to you before getting married?

3. Let discuss a little bit about ideal job.
a. What are the important factors of your ideal job? (salary, challenge, value, their building, office, coworker, promotion…..?)
b. How many years do you want to work?
c. Do you want to have your own business in the future or you prefer to become a super manager at company?

4/30 What comes after technology?

Besides the environment issue, technology also has many impacts to human ourselves.
Here are two articles: one is about kids, and the other is about adult.
I was interested to their titles, because they were lying next with each other on the first page of CNN's tech.

Parents using smartphones to entertaine bored kids.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/26/smartphones.kids/index.html

In the tech world, porn quietly leads the way
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/23/porn.technology/index.html

Please don't feel pressure to read 2 articles. It's okay to read briefly, or if you are running out of time, just read the STORY HIGHLIGHTS on the left column. I'll prepare some general questions. Also, don't forget to share your presentation:)

See you on Friday.

4/23 Dr. Death

Hey, guys, I cover for Amy's turn this Friday. This is what we are gonna talk about.

Recently, I’ve watched an interview of Jack Kevorkian who is a former doctor and pathologist in America. Kevorkian offered the service of euthanasia for 130 people which caused him to be convicted of second-degree murder and spent eight and a half years in prison. His life now became the subject of HBO’s film called “You don’t know Jack.” (Al Pacino played Kevorkian in this film). What he did is quite controversial, so I think we can have some discussion over it.

What did Jack do?
http://www.nndb.com/people/272/000023203/

The clip of the interview (with Anderson Cooper)
http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/16/dr-kevorkian-responds-to-question-about-playing-god/

More about Jack
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kevorkian

“You don’t know Jack”
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/gives+life+Death/2921257/story.html

Questions
1. What do you think about mercy killing?
2. If you were too ill to bear the pain any longer, would you want to end your life?
3. If one of your family were in the same situation, would you think the same way?
4. Do you think Kevorkian’s verdict was fair? Please state the reasons why.
5. What do you think about Kevorkian’s comment on euthanasia?
6. Do you think Kevorkian’s service of euthanasia is kinda playing the God?
7. If you were Kevorkian, would you give your patients mercy killing when they ask you to do so?

about 4/23 discussion

Hello

Sorry for being absence on Fri. because I got an interview on Sat. accidently.
And, I have to say sorry again.
I may not be able to be your host this week (4/23). I have made appointments with some companies next week. (Interviews are really exhausted, haha….
Would you mind having your own discussion topic or someone could be the host this Fri.? or maybe everyone offers one question that night ?
Sorry for the inconvenience. ><

4/16 discussion topic!

Dear all
we are going to talk about the problem of low-birthr ate, which is on the rise and crouching every corner of developed world right now.
pls refer to the attached articles and ponder the following questions as well!
Thank you very much!

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/02/28/2003403167
http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/censusstatistic/a/aabirthrate.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/13/world/europe/13iht-spain.4.6652189.html
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20061109d1.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7096092.stm

Q1. Would you want to have a baby right now? Why?
Q2. If not, why giving you the second thought about having a child?
Q3. If you had a child, how much money did you expect to spend in order to raise your kid properly? What kind of way did you come up with to help you deal with financial stress?
Q4. If you don't want to marry and have a child right now, then when is the appropriate timing to carry out this plan? or never?
Q5. Even though you were married, would you think it is a must to give birth to a child?

4/9 discussion topics

Let's have an easy discussion:

1. Do you agree to live together before getting married?

2. Do you like fashion industry? Why or why not?

More questions are welcome :)

3/26 National Issues Night

This week will be more serious than previously relaxed Friday night :( sorry..

Let’s pay attention to the national top stories.

I only attach some links for you. More information is available on the Internet.

1. Civil servant evaluation reform

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2010/03/20/2003468499

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/03/22/2003468630

a. Please summarize what the reform is.

b. Do you agree or disagree with the reform? Why or why not?

c. What advantages and disadvantages does the reform probably has? (does it really enhance the work efficiency, or just improve the skills of flattery?? And so forth…)

d. Do you have any experiences that made you feel the civil servants are inefficient in work?(or the positive experience that made you have a good impression on civil service.)

e. If you work or have worked in the private enterprise, please share your experience with us on how your firm evaluates your work results.

2. Abolition of death penalty.

(Ma has already signed the UN treaty of abolition of death penalty.)

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2010/03/23/2003468718

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2010/03/22/2003468619

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2010/03/22/2003468619

a. Do you agree or disagree with the proposal?

b. Please state your reasons why you are for or against it. (ex: human rights, the pain of victims’ family, international concept, retribution, crime deterrence.. )

c. If you are the victim’s family or friend, do you hope the convict can be sentenced to death or you will forgive him?

d. If it becomes a law, what impact will it make on Taiwan? (the increase of the crime rate, people become more tolerant..?)

P.S. These issues are under much debate now. Everyone has his/her own points of view. Please feel free to express them even though we may conflict with each other. Dispute may be a good way to improve speaking.

**More questions are welcomed!**

3/19 discussion

I'm sooooo sorry that I forgot to post our topic this week. And I am sorry for the excuse is crazy..... I got limit time to use internet this week, because two of three PCs in my house crashed and then I had to share using my own nb, the only one still working, with my mom and sis. However, my nb is going to crash, TOO. In the meantime, our home internet went down yesterday. So I have a bad luck in using computer recently, I guess.

Anyway, let's talk about TRAVEL!!! Here are two topics and several questions related~

1. Introduce your home town
How would you intro. your hometown to a foreigner?
Where will you recomend a foreingner who come to TW for the first time must go/ What...must do?

2. Travel in Taiwan & around the world
Do you like to travel? By yourself or group?
What's your travel style: excited/ relaxing/ historical/ shopping/ gourmet....
Where is your favorite place in Taiwan?
What's your favorite country? Have you ever been there?
Where do you want to go in the future?
Most of us are plaining to (will) stay at a foreign country for quite a long time, what kind of experience you're expecting to enjoy/ have? (Do any wild things that u aren't dare to do in TW? Having an exotic lover?)


Sorry again for posting it so late. Hope you guys like this topic.

Vickie

3/12 meeting

Dear all

Sorry about the lateness of posting meeting information.
I was really busy those days because of my family.
I am the host this week. But, I really have no idea about this session.
(I think I can’t think right now.)
So, would you mind having an easy conversation this week without any article.
Let's just talk what we want to share and increase the time of presentation individually.
If anyone of you could offer some questions to discuss, I would be thankful. (help ~

am I the host next week?

3/5 Movie night!!!

Hi, there

This week we are going to talk about cinema! Yeah, the motion pics, films, or movies whatever you name it. Movies have come to play a major part in our daily entertainment these days. Surely every one of you must have some beloved ones to recommend to the rest of members.
Here pls prepare at least 3-5 movies (no genre and language limitation) and short note the synopsis of these movies, meanwhile pondering the following questions as well.

Q1. What and why you select the movies you like to share with others?
Q2. Which genre of movie you enjoy so much? Why?
Q3. Have you ever been crazy about any actor or actress? Who are they? Why make you like them so much?
Q4.If you don’t watch movies so much or at all, then what you usually do for the purpose of your own recreation?

Take a leave of absence next Friday (3/5)

Dear all

Sorry for leaving earlier yesterday.
Thank you for Kevin’s pleasant topic last night.
However, I have to take a leave of absence next Friday due to my family.
So, see you the week after next week.

2/26 Article

Host: Kevin

Topic: Geopolitics: Facing up to China

Link: http://0rz.tw/arJDk


Discussion questions:

1. How do you think about this article?

2. China, Taiwan, or the U.S.?
Which one you think should be blamed for the turmoil across Taiwan Strait?

3. National sovereignty or economic growth?
If you were a country leader, let's say, Taiwan's President, which one would you care about more?

4. Do you think authoritarianism is able to supplant democracy?


Please feel free to post it if you have any related question. :)

2/19 minutes

Host: Ariel

Topic: Shall we dance

Questions:

1. Do you like this movie, why or why not??

2. If you were John, would you go to the dance school? or just forget it?

3. why doesn't John tell her wife about dancing?

4. Do you think John has an crush on Paulina?(even a little)

5. If one day you were in the same situation like John, (feel life is tedious or something like that),what would you do?

6. How do you strike a balance between your job and life?

7. If one day your marriage is in crisis, what would you do to save it?

8. In your view, what is happiness of life?

Related resource:

the comparisons between the Japanese version and the American one

Shall We Dansu, 1996	Shall We Dance, 2004	Comments
Shohei Sugiyama (Kōji Yakusho), an accountant	John Clark (Richard Gere), a lawyer	In the original, Sugiyama's secrecy is partly due to cultural ideas about dancing. In the remake, John's secrecy is because he doesn't want to hurt his wife. He loves her, but feels a need to dance.
Mai Kishikawa (Tamiyo Kusakari)	Paulina (Jennifer Lopez)	In the original, Mai's father is a dance instructor who owns the Kishikawa school. In the remake, Paulina's father is a dry-cleaner.
Tomio Aoki (Naoto Takenaka)	Link Peterson (Stanley Tucci)	In the original, Aoki's shame was based upon cultural fears related to ballroom dancing. In the remake, Link's shame was based upon cultural fears which connect dancing with homosexuality.
Toyoko Takahashi (Eriko Watanabe)	Bobbie (Lisa Ann Walter)	There is not much of a difference between the original and the remake. Bobbie is actually very much the American version of the loud dance addict Toyoko.
Tokichi Hattori (Yū Tokui)	Chic (Bobby Cannavale)	In the original, Hattori is a proud and self-proclaimed dance enthusiast who wanted to please his wife, who herself is into ballroom dancing. In the remake, Chic wanted to dance to pick up women but later found out otherwise.
Masahiro Tanaka (Hiromasa Taguchi)	Vern (Omar Benson Miller)	In the original, Tanaka did not begin with a girlfriend. In the remake, Vern states that he wants to learn to dance to impress his fiance.
Tamako Tamura (Reiko Kusamura)	Miss Mitzi (Anita Gillette)	In the original Tamako was a senior instructor. In the remake, Miss Mitzi is the owner of the school.
Masako Sugiyama (Hideko Hara)	Beverly Clark (Susan Sarandon)	In the original, Masako is the typical devoted and soft-spoken wife of a Japanese salary man. The remake made sure that Beverly Clark would be the typical working mom that American audiences would relate to and with much sympathy for her romanticism.