1. Do you prefer working alone or in a group? Why?

"Well, it depends on the project. Generally, I prefer working alone because I like to have full
control over the process and avoid inefficient meetings. However, it is when I can form a team
of competent and open-minded people that our productivity really increases. In those cases,
working together allows us to collaborate and solve problems much faster than working
individually."
2. Are you a member of any online or physical communities?
"Yes, I am. I belong to several virtual communities on Facebook related to English learning
teaching. It's a great way to crowdsource ideas and get support from people such as teaching
technology, free learning materials. If you ask me that am I a member of any physical
communities, I can only say that I belong to my families and my university community =))
3. How often do you visit places like libraries or community centers?
"To be honest, I infrequently visit those places because online resources are far more convenient
for my studies. However, the reason why I still go to the library occasionally is that some
distinct or rare books can only be found there. Even though many people think libraries are
becoming obsolete, I believe they are still essential for deep research that the internet cannot
always provide."
4. Have you ever participated in any voluntary work?
"Yes, I have. I used to do some voluntary work at an orphanage for homeless and orphaned
children. My main role was to teach them basic subjects and life skills. What I enjoyed most
was seeing the children's progress and feeling that I was giving something back to the
community. It was a life-changing experience that helped me understand different perspectives
on life."
Topic Card 1: The Importance of Community
Topic: Talk about the benefits and challenges of being part of a community.
Suggested ideas:
 What benefits do individuals get from being with others? (e.g., support, sharing ideas).
 What are the disadvantages or challenges? (e.g., "groupthink", dominant people).
 How have communities changed compared to 200 years ago? (e.g., virtual vs. physical).

In my opinion, being part of a group is essential for human development.

What is needed is a sense of belonging. The main benefit of a community is that members can
share responsibility and support each other. For example, in a local neighborhood, people can
help maintain security or organize social events, which makes life more smooth and enjoyable.
However, there are also some disadvantages. Sometimes, communities can suffer from a
phenomenon called 'groupthink', where people feel pressured to conform to the majority's
opinion. This can lead to biased decisions. Furthermore, quiet individuals often feel
overwhelmed by more dominant members, making the collaboration unproductive.
Compared to 200 years ago, communities have changed drastically. It is technology that has
shifted us from physical gatherings to online virtual communities. While we no longer live in
small, distinct villages, we are now part of global networks with millions of active users.
In conclusion, although there are challenges, I believe 'community' is a very positive word
because it prevents people from becoming antisocial and provides a vital support system."
 Follow-up questions:
1. In your opinion, is "community" a positive or negative word? Why?
In my opinion, 'community' is definitely a positive word. The reason why I think so is
that it implies a sense of belonging and mutual support. Even though there might be some
antisocial or negative individuals within a group, it is the presence of kind-hearted
people that reaffirms the original meaning of community. Ultimately, a community is
about feeling safe, sharing experiences, and helping each other grow from a shared
perspective.

2. What do you think will happen to physical community spaces (like libraries)
in the future?
 "I believe many physical spaces might become obsolete if they fail to adapt. However,
they won't disappear entirely. While libraries in the past were just about paper books,
what is happening now is that they are being transformed into modern hubs with
integrated electronic devices and spacious, comfortable environments. Since they are
often free or very affordable, it is these physical spaces that remain the ideal place for
people to gather, study, and collaborate on research."
Topic Card 2: Working in Groups
Topic: Discuss the effectiveness of group work in study or at work.
Suggested ideas:
 Why is group work popular in modern society? (e.g., efficiency, shared responsibility).
 What problems can occur when working in a group? (e.g., "social loafing", biased
opinions).
 What qualities make a good team leader?

Nowadays, group work is incredibly popular because it promotes efficiency and shared
responsibility. When we collaborate closely, we can crowdsource different ideas to find the
best solution.
However, group work isn't always smooth. One major problem is 'social loafing', where some
members become unproductive and rely on others. Moreover, dominant members can make
quiet people feel overwhelmed, leading to biased decisions.
To make a group successful, a good leader is essential. It is the ability to listen and encourage
participation from everyone that makes a leader effective. They should also be open to
suggestions and ensure that the team doesn't stray from its original plan."

 Follow-up questions:
1. Some people say that quiet people are "overwhelmed" in groups. How can
we encourage them to speak up?
"We should create a safe environment where no one is judged. What is needed is a
strategy to nominate them to share their perspectives on specific tasks first, so they don't
feel pressured by the whole group."
2. Do you agree that "too many items on a discussion agenda can make people
feel unproductive"?
 "I totally agree. When an agenda is too long, people often feel overwhelmed and lose
focus. The reason why it's better to have a short list is that it ensures a smooth and
thorough discussion for each point."

Topic Card 3: Volunteering and Funding

Topic: Talk about how community groups should be supported and funded.
Suggested ideas:
 Who should fund community groups: the government or private donations?
 Why do people choose to volunteer their time for free?
 How does volunteering benefit the society as a whole?

"I'm going to talk about the support and funding for community groups. This is a vital issue
because these groups keep society going.
Regarding funding, I believe both the government and private donations should fund these
organizations. While the government provides stability, private sectors often respond more
quickly to local needs.
People choose to volunteer for many reasons. For some, it is the desire to give back to society,
while for others, it's about gaining a new perspective on life. What volunteering does is
strengthen the social fabric. It helps solve problems like poverty or education gaps that the
government might overlook. It truly benefits society by creating a more compassionate
community."

 Follow-up questions:
1. Do you think voluntary work should be mandatory for students?
"Actually, I have mixed feelings. If it's mandatory, it might lose its 'voluntary' spirit.
However, it is through these programs that students learn empathy and social
responsibility, so perhaps it should be strongly encouraged rather than forced."
2. How can technology (like crowdsourcing) help solve community problems?
"Technology is a game-changer. What crowdsourcing allows us to do is to gather small
donations or ideas from millions of people globally. For example, apps can help people
plot and report local issues like pollution, making the resolution process much faster and
more efficient."
 Describe an (most challenging) experience you have had working in a group
- why you worked in a group
- what happened
- how the ending was
- and explain how this experience has influenced you
One memorable group experience I had was in my American and British Civilization
course. Our team of nine had to produce a promotional video showcasing American culture.
In the beginning, everything went quite well — everyone seemed responsible and actively
joined discussions and presentations. One member even volunteered to take charge of video
editing, so we fully trusted her.
However, things turned out differently. Right before the deadline, she sent us a poorly
edited video with messy green screen effects, and then completely disappeared. We had to
redo almost everything just one day before the final submission. Although the result
obviously was so bad, the experience taught me a hard but valuable lesson — that trust alone
isn't enough in teamwork. Regular communication and follow-up are just as important to
make sure everyone stays on track. But in reality, we also asked her if she wanted us help her
with the video, she just said and we were willing to help her. But she said she didn’t need our
hands.

Discuss the pros and cons of working individually

Working individually has both advantages and disadvantages. One clear advantage is
time flexibility — I can work at my own pace without having to depend on others. I
remember that once in group projects, some members often have other classes or
assignments, so our meetings usually took place late at night. Over time, that really affected
my health and left me exhausted. In contrast, working alone allows me to manage my
schedule more effectively. It also allows me to focus better and make decisions more quickly
without having to negotiate with others. However, the downside is that you might miss out on
diverse ideas and feedback from teammates. Working alone can also be stressful at times,
especially when facing challenging tasks, because you don't have anyone to share the
workload or support you.

What is groupthink? How does groupthink affect the results of teamwork? Do you prefer
working alone or in a group? Why is group work popular?

Groupthink happens when people in a group try too hard to agree with each other and
avoid conflicts.
 As a result, they may ignore different opinions or potential problems just to keep things
smooth. This often leads to poor decisions or uncreative outcomes. For example, in one of
my group projects, everyone agreed too quickly without questioning the idea, and later we
realized it didn't meet the requirements. So, while harmony is important, critical thinking and
open discussion are even more essential for effective teamwork. Personally, I think
groupthink only makes sense when the deadline is too tight and the team has no time for
detailed discussion.
Groupwork is more popular because in these days, more and more tasks are very
specialized which require people to research and ask

- Quickly agree with the leader

- Pros: extremely useful – limited time; a sense of peace; avoid unnecessary conflicts
- Cons: new ideas – fear – old-fashioned way; lost of connection – long-term consequences
- Only when lack of time

Why do students/ workers often find it difficult to avoid group work?

What are some qualities of a good team leader?

A good team leader should have the adaptibility. Adaptability is super important because
things don’t always go as planned. A good leader should be able to adjust quickly and
help the team stay on track. For example, last semester, we were preparing a presentation
for our British Literature class, and two members suddenly got sick right before the
deadline. Our team leader didn’t panic—she rearranged the tasks, asked me to take over
the conclusion part, and even stayed up late to help with the slides. Thanks to her
flexibility, we still managed to deliver a solid presentation.
Self-awareness is another key trait. It means knowing your own strengths and
weaknesses, and being honest about them. I remember one time during a linguistics
project, our leader admitted that she wasn’t confident with phonetics, so she asked
another member—who was really good at it—to handle that section. I really admired her
for that. It showed she wasn’t trying to do everything herself, and she trusted the team.

 + What is a community-sector group? Are they still necessary in today's modern world?
 A community-sector group is an organization that supports local communities, often
focusing on social welfare, education, or environmental issues. I believe they're still
essential today. Although governments have nationwide programs, they can't reach or
fully understand the needs of every individual. I mean the government brings back the
feeling that they stay far away from people. That's why community groups play a crucial
role — they can connect more closely with people who truly need help. For example,
during the pandemic, many small charities provided food and emotional support much
faster than official organizations. So, I'd say these groups remain vital for building a more
inclusive and caring society.

 + Describe an online community where you actively participate in

One online community I actively participate in is a Facebook group for English teachers
and teaching assistants in Vietnam. It's a space where members share classroom
activities, lesson plans, and creative teaching tips. I usually join discussions, exchange
resources, and sometimes post ideas that worked well in my own classes.

What I really enjoy is how supportive and collaborative the group is — people are always
willing to give feedback or suggest improvements. For example, once I asked for advice
on how to teach English to preschoolers, and within an hour, dozens of teachers shared
games, songs, and even visual aids.

Being part of this community has helped me grow professionally and stay motivated. I've
learned that online platforms, when used positively, can truly bring people with the same
passion together, even if they've never met in real life.

 + Explain why more and more online communities are emerging

More and more online communities are emerging because people today rely heavily on
the Internet for communication and learning. These platforms make it easy for individuals
with similar interests to connect, share experiences, and support each other — no matter
where they live. For example, I'm part of an English teaching group on Facebook, where
members exchange materials and classroom tips. Communities like this show how
technology helps people build meaningful networks beyond physical boundaries.
- Current society – more connected in online spaces – much more important
- Less public places – not being able to gather – technological advance
- Emerging phenomenon – loneliness find more solace online (when people connected more
and more communities, sometimes they have sense of loneliness b/c they don’t understand
deeply people they met)
 + What might happen if more people lost their sense of community
If more people lost their sense of community, society would probably become more
isolated and less compassionate. Without strong social bonds, individuals might focus
only on their own interests and ignore collective responsibilities. For example, during
crises like natural disasters or pandemics, people who lack a sense of community may be
less willing to help others or follow shared rules. Over time, this could weaken social
trust and make communities less resilient.
READING 1: THE RISE OF CROWDFUNDING
- Nouns + venture capital
+ venture capital firm:
+ venture capital fund
- Crowdfunding: raising money or funding a business by getting small amounts of capital from a
large number of people.
- Equity: cổ phần
+ the startup raised quity from venture capital fund
- Philanthropic:
- Philanthropist: nhà hảo tâm
- Tangible/Intangible assets