LESSON 5
1. Could you tell me something about your family?
Yes, I come from a nuclear family which consists of my parents, one older sibling and me. We get on well with each other and have interests in common. For example, we all like Korean movies so we usually gather at night and watch TV together, or reading is our cup of tea so we now have a big bookshelf with thousands of books.
2. How much time do you spend with your family?
I really love spending time with my family, however, my present job, which is a host for a show with fox traveler, requires me to travel a lot, so I am not able spend that much time with them. However, whenever I do get time I either call them to wherever I am or go to meet them at home.
3. What is your personal contribution to your family?
Towards my family, I make sure that I spend at least 2 days a month with my parents and my brother. So, most of the time we all make plans to make sure that we do spend those two days together, no matter where we are. Other than this, I give 5% of whatever my earnings are to my family.
4. What type of task do you do to assist your family members?
Well, most of the time I am doing the work that requires me to move out of house, like paying bills, buying grocery or going to bank.
5. Whom do you like most in your family? Why?
I love both my parents a lot. For me, nothing comes before them, so they are the first priority. To an extent this is because, I believe that who I am now is because of them. They have supported me through the toughest phase of my life and have enjoyed every moment of my success with me. They have given me so much that I don’t even find myself capable enough to say that I will return your love. So, for sure they are the ones that I love the most.
6. Is it difficult to communicate with your grandparents?
So so. I won’t say that they’re like my classmates, whom I can talk nonsense with. They are forgetful and my grandma is hard of hearing. But they do care about me. So sometimes I will sit down with them; they’ll ask me about school and I’ll answer slowly to the questions which are almost the same.
7. Do you have a large or small family?
I come from a large family. Now, I just have my mom, an older brother and three younger brothers. My father passed away 17 years ago. I am the only daughter in the family.
8. What do you like to do together as a family?
My family enjoys cooking together and having special meals together. We catch up and talk about our lives. We look back and share memories especially when we were still young. We enjoy music as well. So, when we get together, we play several musical instruments and sing along.
9. Do you get along well with your family?
Sure. We are really close to each other. I am happy that I could tell them anything. They are always there to listen when I have problems.
10. Who are you close to in your family?
Honestly, I really get on with my father most. Firstly because we share some interests in common such as reading books or watching TV and we all enjoy other’s company. Secondly, he also has a good sense of humor and always has positive attitude about life which helps me a lot when I am in trouble.
11. In what ways have families in your country changed in recent?
The roles of husbands and wives changed in recent years. Both spouses have been more open to perform different roles such as working outside the home or pitching-in with the household duties. Another change I think is limiting the number of children in the family. Parents nowadays think of having smaller families due to high cost of living.
12. Should husbands and wives have different roles within the family? Why (not)?
Traditionally, husbands and wives had clear-cut roles in the society. Husbands used to provide the financial need of the family, while women were expected to take care of the house. Changes had occurred over time and both husbands and wives started to take part in each of these roles. I think this change is good. It is not necessary to define each role. I think whatever role each husband or wife takes, as long as it is good for the family, it is okay.
13. Which are more important to you: your family or your friends?
Both are important but family is more important for me than friends. Friends may come and go but I know that my family is always there and will always be there no matter what happens in my life and no matter what decisions I take.
14. Do you prefer spending time with your friends or family?
Well I think it quite depends on what I want to do at that time. If I like hitting the town and mingling with the busy life, I would choose to go with my friends who are mostly at the same age with me. We can go shopping, eat out, catch the latest movies on big screen or whatever I like. However, home is where my heart belongs when I’m exhausted. I mean I will spend time with my family when I am in bad mood and just want a warm and tranquil atmosphere to slow me down.
15. Is family important to you?
It is obvious that family is the most important thing in my life. They are my beloved people who bring me up and care about me most even sometimes we have conflicts. They will sacrifice everything for my sake, and their love is unconditional. They never expect anything from me except for my presence in their lives to support them to overcome ups and downs in life. Thus, I really love my family and I think it is a warmest place to welcome me back every day.
16. How are you getting well with your parents?
If you ask me that question when I was at schools, my answer would be totally different from my view now. I mean when I was a student, I had many conflicts with them because what they wanted me to do was different from what I liked. However when now I get mature, I realize that they are really kind – hearted and just want the best things for me. Therefore, I now live in harmony with my parents.
17. Would you prefer to live in a small or large family?
Actually I prefer my family remains unchanged. Although I also want to live in a large family with many relatives in which people can support others, I’m a bit worried about generation gaps which normally lead to unnecessary conflicts and arguments. And of course it is harder to find privacy due to too many people. Thus, I want to live in a nuclear family as I am doing now.
1. Lê Nhật Hiền Nhi @Hiền Còi
2. Đặng Lê Huyền Trân @Mictin
3. Đỗ Lê Long Ấn @Tony Time
4. Trần Lê Quỳnh Anh @tienganh220403@gmail.com
5. Đỗ Thùy Linh @Một Nửa Của Sự Thật
6. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Tâm @Perona03
7. Nguyễn Như @Snowball fan ken
8. Nguyễn Ngọc Minh Châu @ngchau2001
9. Đỗ Anh Kỳ (2004 ) @Kyanhdo
10. Đỗ Phương Thảo (2001) @phuongthao1910@gmail.com
11. Bùi Nguyễn minh Hảo ( 2004 ) @Narumi04
12. Trần Minh Phương ( 2004 ) @Kyungsoo Do
13. Nguyễn Bảo Châu (2000) @baochau15
14. Vũ Minh Thúy (2000) @Băng Tâm Như Ngọc
15. Nguyễn Ngọc Anh Thư (2003 ) @jiiseong
16. Lê Phương Đài (2001 ) @kongosuzuki