1 00:00:00,870 --> 00:00:01,350 OC. 2 00:00:01,350 --> 00:00:07,770 Here we have another lecture where I'm going to read parts two and three together. 3 00:00:07,950 --> 00:00:12,120 Again, the purpose of this is for you to be able to work on your pronunciation. 4 00:00:12,450 --> 00:00:16,020 What I want you to do is listen and then repeat what I say. 5 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:18,420 Listen and then repeat what I say. 6 00:00:18,420 --> 00:00:24,030 Because I want you to be able to work on your pronunciation, work on your intonation, work on your 7 00:00:24,030 --> 00:00:28,890 chunking, work on your words, stress, work on the things that make a difference in your score. 8 00:00:29,230 --> 00:00:33,300 OC Again, this is a pronunciation exercise. 9 00:00:39,700 --> 00:00:40,000 All right. 10 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:42,460 This is the question about making decisions. 11 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:47,410 Describe when you had to make a very difficult decision. 12 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,160 Again, I'm going to read straight through. 13 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:00,980 So if you want, you can have me. 14 00:01:00,980 --> 00:01:04,820 Just speak for 30 seconds and stop and try to repeat what I said. 15 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:19,190 One major resolution I made in life involved my matriculation from Ghana to the USA to study architecture. 16 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:25,520 Settling on studying in the USA meant I'd have to spend four years away from home. 17 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:30,570 Now, living and learning with Americans was not the only option. 18 00:01:30,590 --> 00:01:38,660 Since universities in Australia and China presented me with full scholarships based upon my past accomplishments. 19 00:01:39,140 --> 00:01:46,040 China had to be disregarded due to the language barrier and Australia was taken out of consideration 20 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:48,770 based upon the distance from my homeland. 21 00:01:49,250 --> 00:01:56,720 One other option was to remain at home, but the Accra institutions did not utilise the latest architectural 22 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:57,470 methods. 23 00:02:00,060 --> 00:02:07,650 Settling on the USA as my temporary home involves considerations of culture, diversity and recommendations. 24 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:14,490 Actually, culture played a huge part in the decision because I'd grown up watching American movies. 25 00:02:14,580 --> 00:02:19,290 I felt that I understood the lifestyle and would have an easier relocation. 26 00:02:19,530 --> 00:02:25,060 Naturally, I'd want a diverse experience since my country lacks this aspect. 27 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:30,540 So the United States, being the most diverse country on earth, made quite an impression on me. 28 00:02:31,080 --> 00:02:36,960 To tell you the truth, the most influence came from my family members who previously graduated from 29 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,360 universities in New York and California. 30 00:02:41,210 --> 00:02:48,230 That being said, I couldn't deny the leaving home wasn't filled with doubt and considerable reservations. 31 00:02:48,350 --> 00:02:52,610 But ultimately, studying abroad in Detroit served me well. 32 00:02:52,910 --> 00:02:59,810 Taking into account the fact that during my four year stay, I produced groundbreaking research on the 33 00:02:59,810 --> 00:03:03,680 restoration of ancient West African architectural techniques. 34 00:03:03,890 --> 00:03:07,400 I'd have to say that decision was rewarding. 35 00:03:08,090 --> 00:03:14,480 This research led to my attaining an excellent position with a top architectural firm that is actually 36 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,750 putting my research into real modern day constructions. 37 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:19,250 Part number three. 38 00:03:22,850 --> 00:03:25,880 What skills are necessary to make good decisions. 39 00:03:26,150 --> 00:03:27,530 Off the top of my head. 40 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,630 A couple of attributes come to mind. 41 00:03:29,660 --> 00:03:32,630 One being an ability to think outside the box. 42 00:03:32,810 --> 00:03:39,080 This would this would enable you to look at a problem from angles that were not previously considered. 43 00:03:39,290 --> 00:03:46,400 Also, arranging a pros and cons list as well as having a deep knowledge of self will provide considerable 44 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,400 aid in coming to a particular conclusion. 45 00:03:49,430 --> 00:03:56,090 Last but not least, vision and examining worst case scenarios help reach rewarding decisions. 46 00:03:57,020 --> 00:04:00,590 Do parents in your country allow children to make important decisions? 47 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:07,130 Normally, Ghanaian parents involve themselves in major resolutions that concern their offspring. 48 00:04:07,250 --> 00:04:12,590 Because Ghana is more of a collective culture, it will be a rare occasion when a child can control 49 00:04:12,590 --> 00:04:15,410 their fate solely on their own accord. 50 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:19,790 If this were the USA, children would be given such freedoms. 51 00:04:19,790 --> 00:04:25,040 But in Ghana, this attitude is thought to lead to poor outcomes due to lack of wisdom. 52 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:31,410 Do you think parents should make important decisions for their children? 53 00:04:31,410 --> 00:04:32,850 For their children? 54 00:04:33,780 --> 00:04:39,630 Based on what I've just said about Ghanaian parents, yes, all major resolutions should be controlled 55 00:04:39,630 --> 00:04:40,980 by a parental figure. 56 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:47,790 Some argue that preventing children from deciding their fate detracts from their ability to make determinations 57 00:04:47,790 --> 00:04:48,990 later in life. 58 00:04:49,230 --> 00:04:56,490 When you think about it, this line of thought cannot be more wrong because wisdom leads to good resolutions, 59 00:04:56,490 --> 00:05:03,420 and this wisdom is only gained by allowing those that have it to take the lead on significant decisions 60 00:05:03,420 --> 00:05:04,770 that need to be reached. 61 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:07,290 Thank you very much. 62 00:05:07,290 --> 00:05:10,350 And I hope you do a good job of working on your pronunciation.