F2F Class Notes (Nicholas)(S)(W)

In Shanghai, nowadays, do Chinese parents prefer to have sons or daughters? How is this different from the countryside? Also, why did you prefer to have a son rather than a daughter.

e.g. “When it comes to having children….”

Also for homework, review the SPEAKING SECTION.

Original

I remembered I was a well-behaved girl when I was young and I developed good habits. My mom was a teacher, my parents respected my personal choice. They were strict with me two things; one was back home early and two was spending the night at my classmate’s home. When I was a high school student, my class had a camping and needed to stay out for a night. I was so happy that I could live outside. But in the evening of that day, my dad came and took me home. So I chosen a university far from my city.

Corrected

I remember that I was a well-behaved girl when I was young, and I developed good habits. My mom was a teacher, and my parents respected my personal choices. 

e.g. What are some personal choices?

— University, boyfriends, university major, where I work, work location

They were strict with me when it came to (about) two things: one was returning home at an early time, and the second, I was not allowed to spend the night at my classmate’s home.

When I was a high school student, my class had a camping trip that required we stay out for a night. I was so happy to camp outside, but in the evening, my dad came and took me home. So this made me choose a university very far from my city.

Grammar

They didn’t want to me high grades / they didn’t require that I get high grades

they just wish me health and mind health / they just hoped that I would be healthy and have a healthy mind

**WHY DO I USE THE WORD WOULD?**

— b/c I am unsure if it will happen or not.

— will = I know it will happen

— would = maybe it will happen, maybe not

**COULD = IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU**

Vocabulary

to embarrass / to be embarrassed / 尴尬

e.g. I was embarrassed when my mother took me home from school.

e.g. My older sister always embarrasses me — she makes me feel unhappy.

e.g. I embarrassed my mother when I wore my shirt inside-out.

require / 需要 / you must do it

e.g. Shoes are required for walking.

e.g. If you want to apply to university, you are required to attend high school first.

“when it came to…” / “when it comes to…” / means what I think “about” something

e.g. When it comes to parenting, I think mothers and fathers should spend a lot of money on the best things for their child.

e.g. When it came to my personal choices, my parents let me do whatever I wanted.

Original

first…like as my parents I will respect my son but I think he’s alike a man, not like girl. I wish he will be a strong man…and do everything by himself. And I wish him yuanggwan to be a sunny boy, not very sad. And I wish he do active…play many activities/exercises, and I hope he will go to a famous university. My son very like near my home has many cats…he very likes this. I think boy require to go to famous university.

Corrected

First, like my parents, I will respect my son. I think he’s very much like a man, not like a girl. I hope for him to be a strong man, and to be very [independent]. And I wish for him to be a happy boy, not a [depressed] person. I want him to be strong, I don’t want him to feel [inferior (自卑)]. I hope he is very active, and plays many different sports and activities. I hope he goes to a famous university. My son loves a place near my home that has many cats. Actually, in China, I think boys are required to go to a famous university to [secure (以确保)] a good job.