Discussion Questions Answers from different perspectivesfor reference
Tariffs (關稅)
Q1. If Taiwan’s exports face higher tariffs and become more expensive abroad, which industries or jobs do you think will be most affected? Perspective: Optimistic Innovator Even if tariffs rise, I think Taiwan can adapt by focusing on innovation instead of price. For example, chips from TSMC are so advanced that buyers may still need them, no matter the cost. Tariffs might push local companies to upgrade technology faster and create niche products that other countries cannot easily replace. Of course, some industries like agriculture may suffer, but this challenge could encourage farmers to build strong brands or find new regional markets. For me, I see tariffs as tough but also a chance for creativity.
Q2. Would you prefer to work for a company that serves mainly the local market, or one that relies on exports? Why?ompanies… Perspective: Practical Risk Manager If I think about my own career, I would probably choose a company that mainly serves the local market. Export companies face too many risks: tariffs, currency changes, and global politics. Local-focused companies, like those in healthcare, food, or services, are more stable because people always need them. Of course, the salary may be smaller compared to international companies, but stability is more important for me. If I can build my skills in a safe environment, maybe later I can consider working in an international firm.
Currency Value (幣值)
Q3. If the Taiwan dollar becomes stronger, what changes would you notice in your daily life (shopping, studying abroad, or traveling)? Perspective: Young Traveler If the Taiwan dollar becomes stronger, the first thing I would notice is traveling. Suddenly, flights, hotels, and even shopping abroad become cheaper. Studying overseas would also be easier, because tuition and rent cost less when converted into NTD. I think my daily life in Taiwan may not change much, but my opportunities to go abroad would definitely improve. For me, a stronger currency means more freedom to see the world and learn new things outside of Taiwan. That is very exciting for young people like me.
Q4.Do you think it is important for young Taiwanese to understand currency changes? How could this knowledge help in real life? Perspective: Skeptical Youth Honestly, I don’t think every young person needs to learn about currency. Most of us will not trade stocks or work in finance. As long as our salaries are stable and we can pay for daily expenses, exchange rates don’t matter much. If I travel abroad, I can just use an app to check the best time to exchange money. For me, understanding currency feels too technical and far away from my daily life. Instead of studying exchange rates, I’d rather focus on improving my work skills.
Domestic Issues (國內議題：政治與司法)
Q5. Do you think Taiwan is politically stable today? How might political stability (or instability) affect your future career? Perspective: Critical Observer I don’t think Taiwan is very politically stable. There are too many conflicts between parties, and sometimes the government spends more time fighting than solving problems. For young people, this makes the job market uncertain, because investors may not trust a country with constant political drama. Even if the economy is strong, instability in politics can ruin opportunities. For me, political stability is very important. If I feel the system is chaotic, I may even consider working abroad. I want to focus on my career, not on endless political news.
Q6. Can you think of a system in Taiwan that feels unfair? How do you think it affects society and young people? Perspective: Socially Concerned Student I think the education system in Taiwan is unfair. There is too much pressure on exams, and many students from poor families cannot afford expensive tutoring. This creates a big gap between rich and poor. For young people, it feels like your future depends not only on effort but also on family background. Some talented students give up because they feel the system is not fair. In the long run, this affects society because we lose potential talent and creativity. I think education should give more equal opportunities to everyone.
Economic Trends (經濟發展趨勢：AI、半導體等)
Q7. Are you worried that AI might replace your future job? Why or why not? Perspective: Tech Optimist I am not really worried about AI. Yes, it may take away some repetitive jobs, but it also creates new industries that never existed before. For example, who thought about AI ethics or AI trainers ten years ago? Also, AI can reduce boring tasks, so people can focus on creative or strategic work. For me, AI is like electricity in the past—it changes everything, but it also makes life better. If I keep learning, I can use AI as a tool to grow my career, not as a competitor.
Q8. Why do you think TSMC is building factories in the US? What challenges or concerns might it face there? Perspective: Strategic Thinker I think TSMC is building factories in the US mainly because of politics, not business. The US wants to reduce dependence on Taiwan, in case of conflict with China. But TSMC faces challenges: higher costs, fewer skilled engineers, and slower efficiency. For Taiwan, the concern is bigger—if too much technology moves abroad, Taiwan may lose its “silicon shield.” As a young person, this worries me, because Taiwan’s economy depends heavily on semiconductors. I hope TSMC can balance between keeping its most advanced technologies in Taiwan and satisfying US demands.
知識英語工作坊報告寫作架構
自訂標題：How Global Trends Shape My Daughters’ Future
1. 介紹 Introduction (around 50 words)
開頭語例子：The world is changing quickly, and Taiwan is deeply connected to these changes.
提示作者視角：Mention being a 64-year-old father with two daughters.
主題論述 (Thesis Statement)：I think less about my own career and more about how these changes will shape their future opportunities.
2. 主體(1) Economic/Trade Trend (80–90 words)
重點：Tariffs and currency changes.
說明：Higher tariffs or a stronger Taiwan dollar make exports less competitive, reducing job opportunities in electronics, machinery, and agriculture.
連結主題論述：For my daughters, this means traditional career paths may not be reliable.
舉例或證明：They need flexibility and awareness of global trade and currency issues.
3. 主體(2) Technology Trend (around 100 words)
重點：AI and semiconductors.
說明：Taiwan’s strength in chips faces global competition and political pressures; AI is transforming jobs.
連結主題論述：Some jobs may disappear, but new ones will appear if they combine human skills with digital tools.
舉例或證明：my daughters should learn digital skills, improve English, and develop creativity, empathy, and cross-cultural communication.
4. Conclusion (around 100 words)
回到我的論述：Global trends are powerful forces that directly shape young people’s futures.
宏觀結束：For my daughters, these trends are both challenges and opportunities. With preparation, they can build meaningful and resilient careers.
範本：How Global Trends Shape My Daughters’ Future
(起頭帶讀者進入文境中)The world is changing quickly, and Taiwan is deeply connected to these changes. From tariffs and currency values to the rise of artificial intelligence, global trends affect not only industries but also the personal careers of young people. (主題論述帶讀者進入二三段主體) As a 64-year-old father with two daughters, aged 19 and 22, I think less about my own career and more about how these changes will shape their future opportunities.
主體(1) One important factor is trade and the economy. If Taiwan’s exports face higher tariffs or if the Taiwan dollar becomes too strong, our products may become less competitive in global markets. This could reduce job opportunities in key industries like electronics, machinery, and agriculture. For my daughters, this means they cannot simply rely on traditional career paths. They will need to be flexible, perhaps focusing on jobs connected to the local market or roles that require international cooperation. Understanding trade and currency issues will help them make better career choices.
主體(2) Another powerful trend is technology, especially AI and semiconductors. Taiwan is a global leader in chips, but the competition is intense, and the industry faces geopolitical pressures. At the same time, AI is transforming almost every field. While some jobs may disappear, new opportunities will appear for people who can combine human skills with digital tools. For my daughters, this means learning digital skills, improving their English, and developing abilities that AI cannot easily replace, such as creativity, empathy, and cross-cultural communication.
結論 In conclusion, global trends are not just distant headlines; they are powerful forces that will directly shape the lives of young Taiwanese people. For my daughters, these trends are both challenges and opportunities. If they prepare early, they will be able to build meaningful and resilient careers in a fast-changing world.
A job is something you do for a living. What is your dream job? For example, what you do, how much you make, and where you work? 工作是為了養家活口而做的事。你的夢想工作是什麼? 例如，你做甚麼事、賺多少錢、在哪裡工作…等等。
A career means all the jobs you do in a field. What is (will be) your career, such as solider, education, science, medicine, business, and so on? 職業生涯是指在一個領域中的所有工作。你選擇什麼職業生涯，例如軍職、教育、科學、商場…等等。請說明為什麼？
Are you now working hard for your future career? What are some challenges that you face? For example, your parent disagree, it is too hard, you don’t have talent, and so on. 你是否現在為你的未來職業生涯努力? 你面對甚麼樣的挑戰? 例如，父母反對、太困難、沒天分…等等。
When you make enough money, what are the three things you want to do first? How much do you need to do the things? 當你賺足夠的錢，你最想做的三件事情是什麼，你需要賺多少錢才能夠做那些事情。
Name a Taiwanese business that you admire and hope to work for. Why? What does the business do? Explain in details. 舉出一個你仰慕且希望為其工作的台灣企業，為什麼? 那家企業做些甚麼事? 請詳細說明。
If you have to work in another country for some years and you get double pay, will you take it? Why or why not? 如果你必須要到另外一個國家工作幾年，且能獲得雙薪，你會接受那個工作嗎? 你會選擇國家嗎? 為什麼？
Which is more important, do what you love or love what you do? Explain. 何者較為重要：能做你喜歡做的事或試著愛你所要做的事？
Which is better, working for a company or having your own business? Explain. 何者為佳：在一家公司上班或自己做生意？
Which is better, working for a company or working for the government? Explain. 何者為佳：在一家公司上班或為政府工作？
Are you worried about your future? Why or why not? What is your worry? 你擔心自己的未來嗎? 為什麼? 你的擔心是什麼？
What is your favorite TV program, movie, or Youtube channel? What is it about? How does it affects you? 你最喜歡的電視節目、電影、或YouTube頻道是什麼？內容是什麼？你如何受到影響？
What do people usually spend most screen time doing, such as chatting, surfing, reading, watching videos, working, playing games, and so on? What do they get? 人們大多數在螢幕上都做些什麼？聊天、瀏覽、閱讀、看影片、工作、打電動等等。他們能夠獲得什麼？
Do you spend more screen time on smartphone, TV, computer, or tablet? What do you do on the screen? 你在下列哪一項花比較多的時間，手機、電視、電腦或平板上？你通常都做些什麼？
The Internet helps people learn on the screen. What is your experience of learning something on the Internet? Do you really learn more and faster on the Net? 網路幫助人們在螢幕上學習。你在網路上有何學習經驗？你真的會在網路上學習比較多、比較快嗎？
If you can choose, do you like to read an E-book or a paper book? What are some differences between them? 如果你可以選擇的話，你比較喜歡讀電子書或紙本？兩者有何差異？
If you can choose, do you like to take an online class or a physicalclass? What are some differences between them? 如果你可以選擇，你比較喜歡線上課程或實體課程？這兩者有何差異？
What is your favorite activity after school or after work? Why do you like to do it? Is it healthy and helpful? How does it help you? 你下班放學之後最喜歡的活動是什麼？你為什麼喜歡這項活動？這是健康有幫助的嗎？有何幫助？
If you suddenly cannot get online for one day, will you be worried about anything? What is it? Why? 如果你突然間無法上網一整天，你會擔心什麼事情發生嗎？為什麼？
Do you think what people often see on the screen change people little by little? Why or why not? Give an example. 你認為人們在螢幕上看到的東西會一點一滴的改變他們嗎？為什麼？請舉例說明。
According to the law, kids are allowed to use smartphone until 21:00 and teenagers until 22:00. Becauase there is not any fine for breaking the law, most parents just ignore the law. Do you think it is a good law? Why or why not? 根據法律，兒童使用智慧型手機不得超過21:00，青少年不得超過22:00。因為並沒有任何罰則或罰金，大部分的父母親都忽略了這條法律，你認為這是好的法律嗎？為什麼？
超凡遠距知識英語 