Li Fang and Xiao Mei observe various animals in the zoo and learn the measure words used for different animals to understand their diversity and usage.

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李芳: Xiao Mei, let's count the animals in the zoo. Pay attention—different animals use different measure words.
小美: Okay! I see one elephant.
李芳: Right, elephants use the measure word ‘头’.
小美: There are three horses running over there.
李芳: Very good, horses use ‘匹’.
小美: And there are two monkeys playing in the trees.
李芳: Monkeys and birds both use ‘只’.
小美: Look, there are five fish swimming in the river.
李芳: Correct, fish use ‘条’.
小美: I also see two herds of deer eating grass.
李芳: ‘群’ is used to measure a group of animals. Great!
小美: So many measure words! Different animals need different ones.

Online articles exaggerate the risks of the Bingwu year Ziwu clash. We should distinguish information rationally and focus on real life.

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小潘: Teacher Liu, I read an article today saying that the Bingwu year in 2026 will bring lots of bad things, and especially warns people with 'Zi Water' to be careful. I feel a little scared.
刘娜: Don't worry just yet. Those kinds of articles are mostly based on metaphysical ideas; much of the content is exaggerated or hyped and has no scientific basis.
小潘: But it was very specific, like changing jobs, arguing, getting sick—it sounds like those things will really happen.
刘娜: Those things can happen in any year, which is why the article seems 'accurate.' When we study Chinese, we should also learn to tell information apart.
小潘: I see. So how should I understand this kind of content?
刘娜: You can treat it as a cultural phenomenon. There are many sayings in Chinese tradition about the Five Elements and Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, mostly meant to remind people to be cautious, not to predict fate.
小潘: That makes me feel less afraid. So when the article says 'use stillness to overcome movement,' does it mean I should stay calm?
刘娜: Yes, that phrase is actually very practical in life. No matter the year, keeping calm, planning well, and paying attention to health are always beneficial.
小潘: I understand now. Instead of focusing on metaphysics, I should focus on my studies and real life.
刘娜: That's right. What truly changes your year is your own choices, not the 'clash' described in articles. You're already making great efforts.

The reinstatement of taxes on contraceptives sparks public reflection on birth policies and living costs.

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黄刚: Hua, did you see the news? Starting this year, contraceptive pills and condoms will be taxed at a 13% VAT. The policy says it’s to promote industry upgrading, but I’m worried prices will go up.
陈花: I saw it too. The tax exemption was originally meant to ensure basic accessibility. Now taxing them again feels a bit unexpected. Experts say the new rate will push low-quality products out of the market.
黄刚: Yes, it’s a bit like ‘survival of the fittest.’ A colleague of mine used to complain about buying overly irritating condoms. With stricter regulation, things might improve.
陈花: What I’m more concerned about is emergency contraception. For example, the enteric-coated pill called 丹媚 is said to reduce vomiting. Technological progress is good, but if prices rise, won’t young people feel more pressure?
黄刚: That’s true. On one hand, the country promotes ‘love and family education,’ but on the other hand, birth rates keep falling. Young people are already stressed about housing and jobs—if even basic reproductive health products get more expensive, the psychological burden could be heavier.
陈花: But from another angle, reproductive health isn’t just about contraception. If the industry moves toward higher-end and more standardized development, it might bring greater peace of mind in the long run—also a form of ‘improving quality of life.’
黄刚: You’re right. It’s just that the pace of policy changes feels confusing. I hope the future finds a better balance between being ‘birth-friendly’ and respecting ‘individual choice.’
陈花: Yes. No matter how policies change, ordinary people are the ones affected in the end. All we can do is stay informed, think carefully, and make the choices that suit us best.

In the first lesson, 刘娜 helps 俊熙 practice a basic Chinese self-introduction, including his name, nationality, and interests.

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刘娜: Alright, 俊熙, let’s start practicing your self-introduction. You can follow me and speak slowly.
俊熙: Okay, teacher. I’ll try.
刘娜: You can say: “Hello everyone, my name is 李俊熙.”
俊熙: Hello everyone, my name is 李俊熙.
刘娜: Very good! Then say, “I’m from Korea.”
俊熙: I’m from Korea.
刘娜: Excellent! Finally, you can add a sentence like, “I like fashion and photography.”
俊熙: I like fashion and photography. Is this sentence correct?
刘娜: Yes, very natural! Your Chinese pronunciation is also quite good.
俊熙: Thank you, teacher! I think today’s self-introduction was very useful.

A baby girl born on New Year’s Day is named “Gaoxing,” sparking a discussion about wishes behind baby names.

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刘娜: Xiao Pan, did you see today’s news? A baby girl born on the first day of the New Year was named “高兴” by her parents, with the nickname “小元旦.”
小潘: Really? I think that name is very special. Why would they choose such a simple name?
刘娜: Because the parents hope she will be happy all her life. In fact, more and more parents today don’t pursue complicated formal names. Names like “乐安” and “欣然” are very popular.
小潘: In Vietnam, parents also often give children names with good meanings, like “happiness” or “brightness.” I didn’t expect that Chinese people now also like using such “direct” words.
刘娜: Yes. In the past, many people liked names that meant standing out or achieving success. Now more people pursue warmth and simplicity. The name “高兴” is actually very brave—it writes the most simple wish into the official record.
小潘: I find that very touching. A name isn’t just a label; it can also be a blessing. If I have a child in the future, I’d also like to choose a name that brings happiness.
刘娜: Exactly. A name is actually the first gift parents give to their child. I hope every one of us can be treated gently every day, just like “高兴.”

From changes in New Year’s Eve celebrations to reflections on children’s delayed maturity and education.

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黄刚: Last night on New Year’s Eve, I went to Liberation Square for a while. There were still many people, but it didn’t feel as crowded as in previous years. Fewer balloons, calmer people—it feels like everyone’s view of excitement has changed.
陈花: Yes, I saw many videos online. Some people went to concerts, others stayed home watching the gala. It’s not that things are less lively, but that people have more choices. As people grow up, their mindset changes too.
黄刚: Thinking about that, I suddenly felt emotional. We grow older year by year, but don’t you think today’s children are actually more ‘slow to mature’? Their bodies grow fast, but their minds can’t keep up.
陈花: I feel that very clearly at school. Many students lack basic life skills and panic at even small setbacks. Parents protect them too much—being unwilling to let children suffer actually harms them.
黄刚: Exactly. When parents arrange everything for children, it looks responsible, but it takes away their chance to make mistakes. As the saying goes, ‘A fall makes you wiser.’ How can they grow without experiencing things?
陈花: And evaluation is too one-dimensional—only grades matter. In fact, the top students aren’t necessarily the happiest. I think children who stay in the middle and keep a balanced mindset often have more long-term potential.
黄刚: The purpose of education isn’t to turn every child into ‘number one,’ but to help them live independently and feel happiness in the future. Just like New Year’s Eve—the excitement isn’t about numbers, but what’s in the heart.
陈花: Well said. In the new year, I hope children can grow at their own pace, and that we don’t focus only on grades. Let’s give them more of the real world. Even ordinary days can be full of warmth and vitality.

Robot performances at New Year’s Eve galas spark children’s curiosity about technology.

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小宝: Brother, why are there robots dancing on TV? They look amazing!
小刚: Yeah, this year many New Year’s Eve galas have robot performances. They can dance and even talk with people.
小宝: Robots can talk? Can they tell me stories?
小刚: Some robots can even host shows in three different dialects. Others help on site by checking tickets or delivering food, just like staff members.
小宝: Wow, robots are really busy! Then in the future, can I have a robot help me put away my toys?
小刚: Maybe! Now some robots are even given to audiences as raffle prizes. In the future, more robots will help us in our daily lives.
小宝: I want a robot that can tell stories, so I won’t be bored every day!

Three idioms containing the word “horse” used in New Year messages and their real-life significance.

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刘娜: Xiao Pan, did you watch the 2026 New Year message? It mentioned three idioms with the word “horse” that caught a lot of attention.
小潘: I did, teacher! They were “跃马扬鞭”, “万马奔腾”, and “马不停蹄”, but I don’t really understand their deeper meanings.
刘娜: Good, this is a great chance to learn idioms. “跃马扬鞭” originally described mounting a horse and setting off, and now it often means taking initiative and not fearing difficulties.
小潘: That sounds powerful. I’m thinking of young people in China returning to their hometowns to start businesses—would that be an example of “跃马扬鞭”?
刘娜: Yes, that’s very fitting. What about “万马奔腾”? Literally it means many horses running together, and now it often refers to people working together with great momentum.
小潘: I see, it’s a bit like villages in China developing their economy together. I think the collective spirit is very important.
刘娜: Well said. The last one is “马不停蹄”. It’s not about exhausting yourself, but about moving forward with a clear goal. In ancient poetry, horses were often used to express ambition.
小潘: I understand now. These idioms are very old, but they still encourage people to move forward today. That’s the wisdom of Chinese culture.