English Lessons (Listening and Speaking): "Mistakes"

LESSON: GENERAL ENGLISH
Topic: “Mistakes”

Vocabulary

A. DISTRACTED (adj):- Unable to focus because of other thoughts or events. Example: She was distracted by her phone during the meeting.

• French: Incapable de se concentrer à cause de distractions. / Elle était distraite par son téléphone pendant la réunion.  
• Chinese: 因为其他事情无法集中注意力。/她在会议期间被手机分心了。
• Korean: 다른 생각이나 사건 때문에 집중할 수 없는. / 그녀는 회의 중에 휴대폰 때문에 산만해졌다.
• Japanese: 他のことに気を取られて集中できない。/彼女は会議中に携帯電話に気を取られていました。

B. OCCUR (verb): To happen or take place. Example: Accidents can occur if you are not careful.

• French: Se produire ou avoir lieu. / Les accidents peuvent se produire si vous n'êtes pas prudent. 
• Chinese: 发生或出现。/如果不小心，事故可能会发生。
• Korean: 발생하거나 일어나다. / 조심하지 않으면 사고가 발생할 수 있다.
• Japanese: 起こる、または発生する。/注意しないと事故が発生することがあります。

C. LACK (noun): The absence of something needed. Example: The lack of sleep made him feel tired all day.

• French: L'absence de quelque chose de nécessaire. / Le manque de sommeil l'a fatigué toute la journée.  
• Chinese: 缺乏某种需要的东西。/ 缺乏睡眠让他一整天都很累。
• Korean: 필요한 것이 없는 상태. / 수면 부족으로 하루 종일 피곤했다.
• Japanese: 必要なものが欠けている状態。/ 睡眠不足で彼は一日中疲れていました。

D. PLACE A STRONGER EMPHASIS ON (phrase): To give more importance to something. Example: This school places a stronger emphasis on science and math.

• French: Donner plus d'importance à quelque chose. / Cette école met davantage l'accent sur les sciences et les mathématiques. 
• Chinese: 更加重视某事。/ 这所学校更加重视科学和数学。
• Korean: 어떤 것에 더 많은 중요성을 부여하다. / 이 학교는 과학과 수학에 더 큰 비중을 둔다.
• Japanese: 何かにより重要性を置く。/ この学校は科学と数学により重点を置いています。

E. HARMONY (noun): A peaceful and balanced state. Example: The team worked in harmony to complete the project.

• French: Un état paisible et équilibré. / L'équipe a travaillé en harmonie pour terminer le projet.  
• Chinese: 和平且平衡的状态。/ 团队和谐合作完成了项目。
• Korean: 평화롭고 균형 잡힌 상태. / 팀은 프로젝트를 완료하기 위해 조화롭게 일했다.
• Japanese: 平和でバランスの取れた状態。/ チームはプロジェクトを完成させるために調和して作業しました。

Guide Questions
1. What does the speaker say about mistakes?
2. What are the examples of personal and work mistakes?
3. How do different cultures view mistakes: Western culture, East Asia, the U.S., and Japan?
4. What is the speaker’s conclusion?

 

American Accent

British Accent

For the complete transcript, click this.

Discussion

1. How does your culture view mistakes?

2. Can you describe a time when you made a mistake at work? (Pouvez-vous décrire un moment où vous avez fait une erreur au travail ?)

Sample Answer: I once forgot to send an important email to a client. It caused a delay in the project, but I apologized and quickly fixed the issue by contacting them directly. This taught me to double-check my tasks before the end of the day.

3. How do you react when someone else makes a mistake? (Comment réagissez-vous lorsque quelqu'un d'autre fait une erreur ?)

Sample Answer: I try to be understanding because I know how it feels to make mistakes. I usually offer help or suggest a solution if I can.

4. How do you handle mistakes made by your team members? (Comment gérez-vous les erreurs commises par les membres de votre équipe ?)

Sample Answer: I try to discuss the issue calmly and find a solution together. I believe it’s better to focus on fixing the problem than blaming someone.

5. Can you share an example of a mistake you corrected at work? (Pouvez-vous partager un exemple d'une erreur que vous avez corrigée au travail ?)

Sample Answer: Once, I noticed that an invoice had the wrong amount before sending it to the client. I informed my manager and we fixed it before it caused any problems.

6. What steps do you take to avoid repeating the same mistakes at work? (Quelles mesures prenez-vous pour éviter de répéter les mêmes erreurs au travail?)

Sample Answer: I write down my tasks and double-check my work. I also ask for feedback from my manager to see if I can improve.

7. How can companies help employees reduce mistakes? (Comment les entreprises peuvent-elles aider les employés à réduire les erreurs ?)

Sample Answer: Companies can provide proper training and clear instructions. Regular meetings to discuss challenges and solutions also help reduce mistakes.

8. Can you describe a mistake you made in your personal life? (Pouvez-vous décrire une erreur que vous avez faite dans votre vie personnelle ?)

Sample Answer: I once forgot my best friend’s birthday. I felt very bad and apologized by writing a letter and planning a small surprise for her later.

9. How do you apologize when you make a mistake with friends or family? (Comment vous excusez-vous lorsque vous faites une erreur avec des amis ou de la famille ?)

Sample Answer: I sincerely apologize and try to make up for it. For example, if I’m late, I explain why and offer to do something nice for them.

10. Do you find it harder to admit mistakes to family or at work? Why? (Trouvez-vous plus difficile d’admettre vos erreurs à la famille ou au travail ? Pourquoi ?)

Sample Answer: I find it harder at work because I don’t want to look unprofessional. At home, my family is more forgiving.

11. Can you think of a lesson you learned from a personal mistake? (Pouvez-vous penser à une leçon que vous avez apprise d’une erreur personnelle ?)

Sample Answer: I learned to plan better after missing an important appointment. Now, I use a calendar to keep track of all my meetings and events.

12. What advice would you give to someone afraid of making mistakes? (Quel conseil donneriez-vous à quelqu’un qui a peur de faire des erreurs ?)

Sample Answer: I would tell them that mistakes are normal and part of learning. Instead of fearing them, focus on what you can learn and improve. [end]