學英文不用背單字 EP-37 Unlocking Confidence on the Basketball Court

Podcast Title: More Than a Game – Basketball at the Special School Host: Duncan Focus: Cause-and-effect structures (because of this, it allows them to), expressing empathy, and community service. [Script] "Welcome back, everyone. Today I want to share a story that is very close to my heart. Recently, I started a new teaching journey that has really made me reflect on what kids truly need to grow up happy and healthy. Once a week, I travel to a special residential school. The students who go here stay at the school during the entire week from Monday to Friday. Many of these young people come from difficult backgrounds. They haven't had an easy life, and unfortunately, they are often lacking two very important things: discipline and love. I was hired to teach them basketball for an hour every week. When I first stepped onto the court, I wasn't sure what to expect. Some of the kids looked tough or angry, and some sat on the bench with their arms crossed, looking at the ground. It didn't take me long to realize that these kids don't need a strict coach shouting plays at them. They don't need someone to judge them. What they really need... is someone who shows up, someone who listens, and someone who genuinely cares about them. They just need love and company. Basketball is a fantastic sport for these students. On the court, when they run fast, pass the ball, and sweat, it gives them a healthy outlet. They use basketball to release all the negative energy, stress, and anger that builds up inside them during the week. When they shoot a basket and everyone cheers, you can see their faces light up with joy. Teaching at this school has been a wonderful experience for me so far. It reminds me that sports are not just about winning trophies or scoring points. Sometimes, a basketball is just a tool to help heal a heart and show a child that they matter." [Script]

Podcast Title: Where Are All the Dads? Host: Duncan Guest: Yolanda Focus: Equal Parenting, Gender Roles, and Father Involvement [Script] Host: Welcome back! Today we are discussing modern parenting roles and a confusing phenomenon I observe every single week. Whenever I visit local children's play centers or parks, I look around and see moms everywhere—and almost no dads. Yolanda: I notice the exact same thing! Whether it is a weekday morning playgroup or a Saturday afternoon at the indoor playground, 90 percent of the adults supervising children are mothers. It really makes you wonder: where are all the fathers? Host: Exactly! Even on weekends when men are off work, moms are the ones carrying the diaper bags, pushing strollers, feeding snacks, and calming down upset kids. Are dads working overtime, resting on the couch, or just leaving family duties entirely to their wives? Yolanda: Traditionally in Taiwan, the societal expectation was clear: the husband earns the money outside, and the wife handles the home and children. But in modern society, most mothers also work full-time jobs. If both parents contribute financially, household duties and parenting should be shared equally. Host: Absolutely. Being a dad isn't just about paying bills or playing video games with the kids for ten minutes before bed. Being present at the children's center, managing tantrums, and actively participating in their daily routine is essential for a child's confidence and emotional development. Yolanda: Some dads claim they feel uncomfortable in child-centered spaces because they feel judged or don't know how to play with young toddlers. But parenting is a skill you learn by doing, not something you are born knowing automatically. Host: That is no excuse! You only get better by spending hands-on time with your children. When fathers withdraw from daily caregiving, they miss out on forming deep emotional bonds with their children, and mothers burn out from carrying the entire mental and physical workload alone. Yolanda: A balanced family responsibility means partners act as a team. If mom manages Saturday morning, dad should take over Saturday afternoon—not just act like a helper who needs explicit instructions for every task. Host: Well said! Let us hope we start seeing more active, confident fathers showing up at children's centers, playgrounds, and school events every weekend. [Script]

Podcast Title: A Very Different Mid-Autumn Festival Host: Duncan Focus: Expressing likes and dislikes (I'm not a big fan of..., I prefer...), social nuances, and personal boundaries. [Script] "Hello everyone! Welcome back to the podcast. I’m Teacher Duncan. If you walk outside in Taiwan around this time of year, what do you smell? You smell charcoal, grilled meat, and sweet pomelos. That’s right—it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival! Most people in Taiwan celebrate by gathering on the sidewalk with big groups of people, eating piles of barbecue, and staying out until midnight. But today, I have a confession to make: I am a bit unusual when it comes to the Mid-Autumn Festival. In fact, I don't really like most of the typical traditions! First of all, I don't eat meat, so traditional barbecue isn't very exciting for me. Second, I really dislike crowded, noisy places. If there are fifty people shouting over loud music on a hot street, my brain gets tired very quickly. And as you know from my morning routine, I definitely don't like staying out late! By 9:00 PM, my body is ready for sleep. There is another social thing that happens here in Taiwan sometimes. Have you ever been invited to a gathering, you walk in, and nobody introduces you to anyone? You just stand there awkwardly with a cup of tea, wondering who everyone is, while people chat in their own little groups! It feels a bit strange and uncomfortable, doesn't it? So, does this mean I hate the festival? Not at all! What I do love is the true spirit of the holiday: genuine company. I love spending quiet, quality time with good friends. My ideal Mid-Autumn Festival is very simple. I like sitting on a quiet balcony or in a cozy living room with a few close friends. We can drink hot tea, eat some fresh pomelo, talk about life, and look at the bright full moon. No loud crowds, no smoke, no meat, and everyone goes home early! You don't have to follow every single tradition just because everyone else is doing it. It’s okay to celebrate holidays in a way that fits your own personality. How do you like to spend your Moon Festival?" [Script]

________________________ Vocabulary Highlights Incompetent / 無能的 / 不合格的 Lacking the necessary skills, knowledge, or ability to do something well. Dilemma / 兩難處境 / 困境 A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two options. Commute / 通勤 / 往返路程 The daily journey between one's home and place of work or school. ________________________________________________ Focus: Education Choices, Local Schools, and Parental Stress Title: School Quality and Parental Anxiety Format: Dialogue Episode (Host & Yolanda) [Script] Host: Welcome back, everyone! Today, Yolanda is sharing a personal worry that keeps her up at night. Her daughter Rainie is graduating from kindergarten in a year, and the big question of elementary school is right around the corner. Yolanda: Yes, I am genuinely stressed about this. Education is my top priority for Rainie, but living here in Erlin, I feel very discouraged about our local public elementary school options. Host: What specifically makes you feel uneasy about the local schools in Erlin? Yolanda: To be frank, I have heard many stories from local neighbors and friends. Some teachers in these rural schools seem incompetent and lazy. They rely on old teaching methods, lack enthusiasm, and just wait for their retirement without caring about individual student progress. Host: That is a serious concern. Primary school sets the entire foundation for a child's learning attitude, reading habits, and social confidence. If a teacher lacks passion, students pick up on that energy very quickly. Yolanda: Exactly! I want Rainie to be curious, active, and excited about learning every day. If her teacher treats teaching as just an easy paycheck, she won't be challenged or supported properly. I keep asking myself if I should relocate, drive her to a private school far away, or try to push for change locally. Host: Relocating or commuting an hour each way every morning brings a whole new set of challenges. Long daily commutes can make young children tired and grumpy before their first morning class even begins. Yolanda: That is my dilemma! Do I sacrifice our daily lifestyle and extra commuting time for a better school outside Erlin, or do I stay local and risk a poor learning environment? Host: Have you considered visiting the local schools yourself rather than relying solely on rumors? Sometimes specific teachers within a school are fantastic even if the school’s general reputation isn't great. Also, a parent's active involvement at home makes a massive difference regardless of the school environment. Yolanda: I definitely plan to observe classes and talk to the principals directly this year. But as a mother, feeling helpless about local education resources is very frustrating. Every child deserves quality teaching regardless of where they live. Host: I completely agree. Let us hope local education authorities invest more energy into teacher training and accountability so parents like you don't feel forced to move away. [Script] Outro: That is the end of our story. Good job! Now, can you answer the three questions? Listen again if you need to. ________________________ Comprehension Questions: 1. Why is Yolanda worried about her daughter Rainie entering elementary school next year? （為什麼 Yolanda 對女兒 Rainie 去年升國小感到擔心？） 2. What negative traits does Yolanda mention regarding some teachers in local Erlin schools? （Yolanda 提到二林當地部分老師有哪些負面特質？） 3. What tradeoff does the Host mention regarding sending a child to a far-away school? （主持人提到把孩子送到遠方學校就讀有什麼缺點/權衡？） *This is the conclusion of this episode. Please give this podcast a 5-star rating on Apple podcast. Your feedback is appreciated. If you feel this podcast gives you value, please consider donating by clicking the link in the show notes. Your donation will cover hosting cost and support this podcast. Thank you very much and have a great day.* 「本集節目到這裡就結束了。如果你喜歡我們的內容，請在 Apple Podcasts 給我們 5 顆星。如果你覺得這個節目對你有所幫助，歡迎你們的支持和贊助我們。你的支持會用於平台的費用並讓節目變更好。非常感謝你的收聽，祝你有美好的一天！」 _______

Podcast Title: You Are Ready: Overcoming the Fear of Moving Abroad Host: Duncan Topic: Studying Abroad, Language Anxiety, and Building Self-Confidence [Script] "Welcome back to the podcast! Today, I want to share a story about a conversation I had with one of my students earlier this week. He sat down in class, looked at me with a worried expression, and told me that his family is officially immigrating to the United States next year. You would think he might be super excited about this giant adventure, but instead, he was feeling overwhelmed with stress. When I asked him what was troubling him the most, he admitted that he is terrified about his English skills. He kept saying, 'Teacher, what if I go to school and cannot understand my classmates? What if I speak and everyone laughs at my accent or my grammar?' Listening to him break down his fears really made my heart ache, but it also made me realize something important. As his teacher, I have watched him practice and study for a long time. The reality is that his English is actually fantastic! He can express complex thoughts, understand difficult listening passages, and communicate fluently. So why was he so afraid? Because fear distorts how we see our own capabilities. When we face a major life change—like moving across the world to a brand-new culture—our brain tries to protect us by amplifying our doubts. We focus entirely on what we don't know instead of what we have already mastered. I told him directly: 'You do not need perfect English to move to America. Nobody expects you to speak like a native speaker on day one. What you have right now is more than enough to make friends, ask for help, and thrive.' If you are listening today and preparing for a big test, an interview, or a trip abroad, remember this: language is a tool for connection, not a contest for perfection. You are far more ready than your anxiety lets you believe!" [Script]