黄刚 and 陈花 discuss the case of 李铁, reflecting on the importance and significance of anti-corruption efforts in Chinese football.

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《English Translation》

黄刚: 小花, did you see today’s news? 李铁, once a 'national football hero,' has been sentenced to 20 years for corruption and bribery.
陈花: I saw that too. He went from being a star player to a celebrated coach. How did he end up like this?
黄刚: The main problems arose during his time as a coach. He used money to pave his way to promotions, took bribes, helped clubs fix matches, and even abused his power for personal gain.
陈花: It’s hard to imagine! He once carried the hopes of countless fans, and now he’s become a symbol of corruption. This must have a huge impact on Chinese football, right?
黄刚: Absolutely. This anti-corruption campaign has already implicated over a dozen people, including top officials and coaches in the football association. While it’s shocking, it shows that Chinese football is making efforts to root out corruption and rebuild trust.
陈花: I hope that through this anti-corruption storm, Chinese football can truly return to fairness and purity, giving fans hope once again.
黄刚: Exactly. Football is more than just a game; it represents a spirit. Without rules and fairness, even the best skills mean nothing.
陈花: It seems that in any field, integrity and principles are more important than personal gain. Hopefully, there won’t be any more tragedies like 李铁 in the future.

刘老师 and 大卫 talk about the differences in high school students working in China and the U.S.

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《English Translation》

刘娜: 大卫, did you work when you were in high school?
大卫: I did! I worked at a coffee shop. Teacher, do Chinese high school students work too?
刘娜: In China, high school students rarely work because they spend a lot of time studying.
大卫: Is it because of exams?
刘娜: Yes, Chinese students have to prepare for a very important exam called the 高考.
大卫: I see. In the U.S., high school students sometimes work. They can learn new things and earn some money.
刘娜: That sounds nice. Chinese students usually only start working after they go to university.
大卫: I think both approaches are great!
刘娜: Yes! Every country has its own customs.
大卫: Right, I enjoy learning about these different customs!

大卫 feels very tired recently. 刘娜 explains the importance of rest and gives him some advice.

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《English Translation》

大卫: 刘老师, I've been feeling very tired recently. I have a lot of studying to do and no time to rest.
刘娜: 大卫, studying is important, but rest is also very important.
大卫: Why is rest so important?
刘娜: If you don't rest, you'll feel drained, and your study efficiency will decrease.
大卫: But I have so much homework. If I don't rest, I can do more work.
刘娜: After resting, you'll have more energy, and studying will become faster.
大卫: Oh, I understand! So how should I rest?
刘娜: After studying for a while, you can stand up and take a walk or drink some water. Also, make sure to go to bed early at night.
大卫: Okay, thank you, Teacher! I'll give it a try!
刘娜: Great! Take care of your health, and let's work hard together!

黄刚 and 陈花 discuss the reasons behind the cancellation and addition of university majors and their impact on society and students.

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《English Translation》

黄刚: 小花, have you heard? Recently, many undergraduate majors that don't align with societal development, like advertising and music, have been canceled, while 1,673 new programs urgently needed by the country have been added.
陈花: Really? That sounds like a big change. Why were these majors canceled? Will it have a significant impact on students?
黄刚: The Ministry of Education says it’s to make the major offerings better align with societal needs. Some low-employment, industry-disconnected majors, like publishing and editing, are gradually being phased out. Meanwhile, fields like artificial intelligence and the digital economy are growing rapidly.
陈花: Hmm, it sounds like it's meant to balance talent supply and demand. But what about students currently enrolled in the canceled majors? Aren’t they worried about their future?
黄刚: Some are indeed feeling the pressure. For instance, an advertising student joked about being a 'disciple of a closing discipline' and is concerned about job prospects. But others have started interning early, improving their skills, and focusing on more practical career plans.
陈花: This could be seen as an opportunity in a crisis. Students can connect with market demands earlier. But doesn’t this also place higher demands on teachers?
黄刚: Yes, teachers need to adapt to these changes as well, updating their knowledge and possibly teaching new courses. Essentially, this 'reshuffling' is about making education more market-oriented so universities can produce talent that truly meets societal needs.
陈花: That makes sense. Adjustments in universities are necessary. But I think balancing major cancellations with managing students' psychological pressure will require more effort from the education authorities and schools.
黄刚: Exactly. The rise and fall of majors isn’t the end but the beginning of a new plan. As Confucius said, 'Teach according to the student’s aptitude.' Education should help students find their own suitable path.

小刚 tells 小宝 about the growing fondness of Malaysians for China and explains the reasons behind the improving relations between the two countries.

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《English Translation》

小刚: 小宝, did you know? More and more Malaysians are fond of China now.
小宝: Malaysia? Why are they fond of China?
小刚: Because the relationship between China and Malaysia is getting better and better. Just like good friends, they often spend time together and help each other.
小宝: How do they help each other?
小刚: For example, China has invested a lot of money in Malaysia to help them develop their economy and do business with them. Malaysians also feel that China is getting better and better, and they like to come to China for fun.
小宝: What do they do for fun in China?
小刚: They come to China to see the beautiful scenery, taste delicious Chinese food, and experience Chinese culture. They also hope to cooperate with China and make progress together in the future.
小宝: Yeah! Just like when we play with good friends, we have fun together!

小刚 explains to 小宝 why the Year of the Snake in 2025 has 384 days and the differences between the Gregorian calendar and the lunar calendar.

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《English Translation》

小宝: Brother 小刚, I heard from my dad that this year's Year of the Snake has 384 days, which is many more days than last year! Why is that?
小刚: 小宝, this has to do with the lunar calendar. The Gregorian calendar we use usually has 365 days in a year, but the lunar calendar is based on the changes in the moon's phases. Sometimes it adds an extra month, called an intercalary month.
小宝: Intercalary month? Does that mean there's an extra month, so there's more time to play?
小刚: You could say that, but the main reason is that a lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a Gregorian year, so an extra month is added every few years to better align the time with the four seasons. This year, the lunar calendar has an extra intercalary sixth month, so the Year of the Snake has 384 days!
小宝: Wow, is the lunar calendar more interesting than the Gregorian calendar? Why are there two types of calendars?
小刚: The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar, mainly based on the sun's movement, such as the four seasons. The lunar calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which considers both the changes in the moon's phases and the four seasons. The lunar calendar is also closely related to our traditional festivals and agricultural activities, and it's a part of Chinese culture!
小宝: Oh, I understand! The lunar calendar has intercalary months, and the Gregorian calendar has leap years. Both calendars are very useful, right?
小刚: Yes, 小宝, you're very smart! The wisdom of the lunar calendar reflects our Chinese people's observation and respect for nature, and it's also a part of our culture.

陈智高 and 王明月 discuss the origin and significance of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches (天干地支), as well as the cultural connotations of the Year of the Snake and 乙巳 Year in 2025.

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《English Translation》

王明月: Master, 2025 is the Year of the Snake, also known as 乙巳 Year. I'm curious, why did the ancients use the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to record years?
陈智高: That's a good question. The origin of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches dates back over 4,000 years. The ancients observed celestial phenomena and the movements of the sun and moon, summarizing a system of ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches to record time and natural laws.
王明月: How do the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches combine?
陈智高: The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are paired in sequence, such as 甲子, 乙丑, 丙寅, all the way to 癸亥, forming a total of sixty combinations known as the sixty-year cycle, or 六十甲子. 乙巳 Year is the 42nd year in this cycle.
王明月: Why does the Earthly Branch '巳' correspond to the snake? Does it have anything to do with the Five Elements?
陈智高: In the twelve Earthly Branches, 巳 represents the snake and is associated with yin fire in the Five Elements. According to the Five Elements theory, 巳 Snake symbolizes rising and transformation, indicating the accumulation and release of energy. These symbols are closely related to the concept of yin-yang balance.
王明月: It sounds like the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are not just tools for recording time but also carry ancient philosophical ideas?
陈智高: Exactly. The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches reflect the ancients' understanding of nature and time. They are not only a way of recording years but also incorporate the philosophy of yin-yang and the Five Elements. For example, the cyclical nature of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches represents the growth, transformation, and decline of all things.
王明月: In modern society, how should we view this ancient system? Does it still have practical significance?
陈智高: While we primarily use the Gregorian calendar today, the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are still widely used in the lunar calendar, traditional festivals, agriculture, and feng shui. At the same time, it is a part of Chinese culture that reminds us to respect natural laws and revere the heavens and the earth. Understanding these traditions can help us better connect with our cultural roots.
王明月: Master, I understand now. The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are not just a method for recording time, but also a bridge connecting the past and the present, nature and humanity.
陈智高: Well said! The wisdom of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches lies in their universality and philosophical depth. I hope you can continue to study deeply, combining tradition with modernity, and uncover more cultural insights.

小刚 explains to 小宝 in a simple way why 2025 is the Year of the Snake and introduces the basic concept of the Chinese Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches (干支).

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《English Translation》

小宝: Brother, Dad said this year is the Year of the Snake. Why is it the Year of the Snake?
小刚: Because China has a special way of counting years called the 'Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches' system (干支纪年). Each year is represented by an animal, and this year is the 'Year of the Snake'!
小宝: 'Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches'? That sounds so complicated!
小刚: Actually, it's not hard! The 'Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches' system marks years using Stems and Branches. Although there are twelve animals, the exact combination repeats only every 60 years. For example, this year is the year of 乙巳, and '巳' corresponds to the snake.
小宝: Oh! Why is the snake chosen?
小刚: This was invented by the Chinese people a long time ago. They selected twelve animals, like the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, and snake, with one animal representing each year. It forms a cycle of twelve years.
小宝: I get it! So twelve years from now, it will be the Year of the Snake again, right?
小刚: That's right! You're so smart, 小宝. Now you know why this year is the Year of the Snake, don't you?
小宝: I know now! Thank you, brother!

小刚 explains various customs of the Spring Festival to 小宝, including the New Year's Eve dinner, red envelopes, and more. 小宝 listens attentively.

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《English Translation》

小刚: 小宝, do you know what the Spring Festival is?
小宝: Spring Festival? Is it Chinese New Year? You can set off firecrackers and eat lots of delicious food!
小刚: That's right! Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China. There are many traditional customs, like having New Year's Eve dinner on the night of the 30th, where the whole family gathers together. It's so lively!
小宝: New Year's Eve dinner? Does it include lots of delicious food?
小刚: Of course! There's fish, symbolizing surplus year after year; chicken, symbolizing good fortune and happiness; and dumplings, symbolizing family unity... Every dish has a wonderful meaning!
小宝: Wow, that sounds amazing! What other customs are there for the New Year?
小刚: During the New Year, elders also give red envelopes to children, wishing them good health and academic progress!
小宝: Red envelopes? Does that mean there's a lot of money?
小刚: Haha, the amount of money in the red envelope doesn't matter. What matters is the elders' blessings. During the New Year, we also put up spring couplets, set off firecrackers, and decorate everywhere with lanterns. It's so festive!
小宝: That's awesome! I can't wait for the New Year!

黄刚 and 陈花 discuss the changes in traditional and modern ways of celebrating the Spring Festival, sharing their feelings about the festive atmosphere.

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《English Translation》

黄刚: 小花, the Spring Festival is approaching. Have you noticed that the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival during our childhood feels a bit different now?
陈花: Yes, I have. I remember when I was a kid, every household would put up Spring Festival couplets and hang '福' characters, creating a strong festive atmosphere. Nowadays, it seems like more people choose to travel during the holiday.
黄刚: Exactly, modern lifestyles have changed. For example, in our workplace, many colleagues go abroad during the Spring Festival and even skip preparing New Year's Eve dinners. Honestly, I still miss the lively scenes of family gatherings during childhood.
陈花: Me too. As a child, I used to look forward to setting off firecrackers. Hearing the 'crackling' sound of firecrackers really made me feel like the New Year had arrived. But now, for the sake of the environment and safety, many places have banned setting off firecrackers.
黄刚: That's true. But now there are also new festive elements, like watching the Spring Festival Gala or sending WeChat red envelopes. These modern ways may not be as traditional, but they make celebrating the New Year more convenient and contemporary.
陈花: Speaking of WeChat red envelopes, my students in class love grabbing red envelopes in group chats these days. They're so fast at it! I guess that’s also a form of New Year fun.
黄刚: Haha, grabbing red envelopes is indeed exciting. By the way, how are we celebrating this year? Should we try taking our parents to temple fairs or watching dragon and lion dance performances? These traditional activities are pretty interesting.
陈花: Great idea! I used to love watching dragon and lion dances as a child. The lively atmosphere was full of the festive spirit. I also want to make dumplings at home and chat with my parents about the New Year celebrations from when we were kids.
黄刚: Then it's decided. This year we'll combine traditional and modern ways of celebrating. We'll enjoy family time together and also experience traditional folk activities. Hopefully, it’ll create a special Spring Festival memory for both our parents and the kids!
陈花: Exactly, the Spring Festival is all about being happy and reuniting with family, no matter how it’s celebrated!