原版英文小故事 15. Learning English

According to the 2000 US Census¹, 39 percent of people who live in California do not speak English at home. In Las Casas, a city in southern California, 79 percent of residents speak little or no English at home or at work. To combat this problem, Las Casas is instituting a program called Love My English. Program funding will come from government grants and corporate² donations.

The program has two goals. One is to improve residents’ English so that they can get better jobs. The other is to provide more qualified³ workers for corporations throughout the county.

“We are desperate for good workers who speak English,” said Sydney Rove of Containers, Ltd. “We have nationwide truck routes for good drivers, and we need salespeople⁴ in almost every state.”

“We want everyone in Las Casas to speak English,” said Ivan Libby, administrator⁵ of the school district. “They don’t have to speak fluent English, of course, just survival English—how to give and get directions, order food, visit the doctor, read labels on food and medicines—the basic stuff. Once they're able to read and write more English, they’ll be able to get better work and they’ll be more confident. We hope this confidence will inspire some of them to go on to get their high school diploma and perhaps even get a degree from a community college or a university.”

Currently, most Las Casas residents qualify for only low-paying jobs. In fact, the pay is often so low that residents need to work two jobs to make ends meet. This program will help them get better-paying jobs not only in California but also nationwide. The district will mount a huge advertising⁶ campaign to alert residents to the free program. Love My English will be offered at various sites and times to reach as many residents as possible.

 

1 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

2 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

3 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

4 salespeople   

n.售货员，店员；售货员( salesperson的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The shop usually employs additional salespeople for the Christmas toy trade. 这家商店通常雇一些临时售货员来做圣诞节玩具生意。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Under our new system, salespeople sit down with each of our dealers. 根据新的制度，销售人员应逐个地同承销商洽商。 来自辞典例句

5 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

6 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。