Listening
assignment
Voice
of America Webcasts Coast
to Coast April 18, 2003
Foreign language teaching in the U.S.
and
Yao Ming
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Foreign languages in the U.S.
Vocabulary:
|
Dave
Arlington
focus on immigrants low level instruction to affect Pro Basketball star Yao Ming from the vantage point of interpreter time frame sooner rather than later season NBA "Little Giant" edition members of Congress to sponsor legislation official language chairman to promote South America Spanish-speaking population to get by without to create disunity to oppose proposed Delia Polpa (?) National Association for Bilingual Education influx Latino immigrants to be threatening smaller proportion 1800s succeed to line for ESL chief goal academic subjects to keep heritage language Mexico household form of communication to press for disincentives proficient to take place assessment to develop native language tool for learning translation Constitutional rights safety courts representation |
transitional driver's test to cast ballots grateful court services health and safety alarm official language to be led by to apply to be misinformed to go on belief system desire to be rooted in other issues xenophobia attitudes regional difference minority Southwestern state New Mexico to be preserved economic boon bilingualism mastery to be well on their way to a lesson to be learned from to be unique in fear of languages large economic powers the G-7 countries school career to have a lot to learn from to be valued to be gratified don't seem to be getting too far national language extremely attempts to come up rational benefit treasure to hold on to concerns atmosphere patriotic fervor following terrorist attacks Iraq elements citizens to die in the war to be noted to participate fully aspect knowledge |
all
around intelligence and diplomatic efforts situation to play out southern state Georgia to place a high priority on in view of the fact that public school to push for more classes officials cutback Columbia High School Atlanta Phyllis Thompson Willis Dorthea Derico career lawyer many case academic program college preparatory field board of education elimination controversy to take office as school superintendent to be dropped elective to dwindle in size cash-strapped programs to stop offering decreasing enrollment to lay off to speak up in favor of in past years to communicate essential colleague curriculum at a disadvantage to stress tomorrow Coca-Cola current events multilingual eleventh grader culture requirements to point to to do better in other subjects to give more thought to to remain in place governor to be unlikely to expand deficit pilot program elementary school children |
Listening comprehension questions:
1. What is the official language of the United States?
2. What is interviewee Delia Polpa's own experience with bilingualism?
3. What do some people claim are 'disincentives' in the U.S. to learning English?
4. What does the interviewee believe is the actual function of bilingual services
and educational programs in the U.S.?
5. The interviewee suggests that opposition to bilingual services is not necessarily
a language issue but may be rooted in what?
6. How does the interviewee say the U.S. is 'unique'? What advantages does
she see to learning other languages?
7. How does Dorthea Delico think Spanish will be useful to her? What kind
of advantage does Mr. Gatarni say a foreign language may give a student?
(you can skip the portion on the effect of war on language)
Yao
Ming
Vocabulary:
| sports regular season to come to an end NBA literally rookie center Yao Ming Houston Rockets sensation to stand...tall meters centimeters expectations were high draft fans all-star votes Western Conference Shaquille O'Neal Los Angeles Lakers to peak to go up against overtime to have a losing record to miss the play-offs disappointing end to predict coach teammate Steve Francis Chinese-American athletic inside game great passer feel for the game novelty to root for s.o. to support and be proud of |
it
seems like the guy's been here in America can relate to down in a real tough spot golden bridge to open up area plus inspiration young Asian players nothing like this throughout the season to work on to appear on national television commercial Visa Apple Computers largely non-speaking roles his conduit to Colin Pine to polish language skills Park Brewer law school to reconsider State Department interpretation to hire to apply for a position résumé cover letter agent fortunate right combination of |
abilities application official key reason passion to enjoy to come through in to be reflected in to be dedicated to to select news conference on the spot awkward an exceptional human being to joke around to build a good working relationship great sense of humor mature beyond his years it's funny independent goal time frame sooner rather than later adjustment tough to adapt well to schedule on the road tiring league's draft choice to be surrounded by the media demands tolling Park Brewer swing takinabreak.com |
Listening comprehension questions:
1. How tall is Yao Ming in feet and inches? What position does he play?
2. What disappointment did the Houston Rockets face this past season?
3 What does Yao Ming's coach mean when he says Yao Ming's 'not a novelty at
all'?
4. What is one Chinese-American view on Yao Ming?
5. What is Yao Ming's own comment on his current achievements?
6. How long has Colin Pine been studying Chinese?
7. How did Colin Pine decide to apply for the job of official interpreter
for Yao Ming?
8. Why does Pine think he was hired for the job over other applicants? About
how many applicants were there?
9. How did Yao Ming make things 'easy' for Pine from the beginning? Why does
Pine think he has 'a lot to learn' from Yao Ming?
10. How has Yao Ming adjusted to life in the U.S.?
11. Transcribe the lyrics of the song on Yao Ming as best you can.