VOA慢速英语2021--'Climbing the Ladder' to Success

 

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

On this program, we explore words and expressions in American English.

Today we talk about a tool for reaching high places – a ladder.

Ladders are made from two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with a series of steps, called rungs, between them. We climb the rungs to reach higher up.

But we can also climb a different kind of ladder. When we climb the ladder in our job to reach a higher level, we are climbing the ladder of success.

When we speak of a ladder this way, it represents a series of steps or stages that leads to a higher or better position. As you climb the ladder, you become more powerful and more successful.

Take, for example, the corporate² ladder:

The website Investopedia defines³ the term "corporate ladder" as a way of thinking about a company's employment⁴ hierarchy⁵. Hierarchy here means the jobs in a corporation⁶ that go from the bottom to the top. So, beginning, or entry-level, jobs are the bottom rungs of the ladder and the supervisory⁷ positions are the top rungs of the corporate ladder. "Climbing the corporate ladder," then, describes a person's movement higher in a company's leadership.

Some people are very ambitious⁸. They want to get ahead, so they work hard at their career. They think about it seriously and have a plan. Most people who succeed have some level of ambition.

But some people use "climbing the ladder" in a negative way. Let's say on your way up the ladder of success you step on others or try to push them off their ladders. This might mean you are so ambitious that you forget to treat people well. Getting ahead in your job is the only thing you see as you climb up your ladder.

However, as some people climb, they reach down and help up those on the lower rungs. Or, if someone on a rung above them is having trouble, they help them.

You can use the expression "climb the ladder" with or without the word "success."

Now, let's listen to these two friends as they use this expression.

Hey, how are you? I haven't heard from you in such a long time!

I've been good! I've been taking a lot of online classes. So, I just finished a business degree.

Good for you! I've been spending too much time at home watching Netflix.

Well, that can be fun too. But I have some career goals that I need to meet by the end of the year.

You are way more ambitious than me. I'm not really interested in climbing any career ladders.

You're on your own. I have older parents to take care of. So, for me climbing a few more rungs on the ladder means more money and more security⁹.

That is such a good point. But you still need to have fun. Why don't we celebrate your new degree with a hike in the mountains this weekend?

That sounds perfect!

If knowing English helps you move up the ladder in your career, keep coming back to VOA Learning English!

Words in This Story

stage –n. a point or period in the growth or development of something; a step in a series or process

hierarchy –n. a system in which people or things are ordered in a series of levels with different purposes and importance

entry-level –adj. at the lowest level, the level of someone just starting a job or career

ambition –n. a desire to be successful, powerful or famous

career –n. a job or profession that someone has for a long time

negative –adj. not good, not wanted

degree –n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university

hike –n. a long walk, especially for pleasure or exercise, often in a natural place

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

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 defines   

规定( define的第三人称单数 )； 使明确； 精确地解释； 画出…的线条

参考例句：

• This name defines us all. 这个名字造就了我们。 来自演讲部分
• The range of incomes over which this happens defines the 'poverty trap'. 发生在这种情况的收入范围，称为“贫困陷阱。”

4 employment   

n.雇用；使用；工作，职业

参考例句：

• A large office requires the employment of many people.一个大办事处需要雇用好多人员。
• The state of employment in this city is improving.这个城市就业状况正在改善。

5 hierarchy   

n.等级制度；统治集团，领导层

参考例句：

• There is a rigid hierarchy of power in that country.那个国家有一套严密的权力等级制度。
• She's high up in the management hierarchy.她在管理阶层中地位很高。

6 corporation   

n.公司，企业&n.社团，团体

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation. 这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• The inflation did the corporation up. 通货膨胀使这个公司破产了。

7 supervisory   

adj.监督的；管理的

参考例句：

• Have you ever done supervisory work? 你担任过管理工作吗？ 来自辞典例句
• Others, however, remain reluctant to strengthen supervisory powers at the European level. 然而，还有一些国家仍不愿强化欧盟层面的监管权力。 来自互联网

8 ambitious   

adj.有雄心的，劲头十足的，有野心的

参考例句：

• One may be poor but never ceases to be ambitious.人穷志不穷。
• He is an ambitious young man full of enthusiasm and vitality.他是个充满热情与活力的有远大抱负的青年。

9 security   

n.安全，安全感；防护措施；保证(金)，抵押(品)；债券，证券

参考例句：

• A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
• There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时，机场的保安措施很严密。