China Rules Against Gay Marriage

A judge in China ruled against a gay couple last week in the country’s first case about same-sex marriage. A court in central China dismissed the suit that the couple brought against the local government. The couple said the local government bureau would not issue them a marriage registration certificate. The ruling was not a surprise. The couple’s lawyer said he expected the ruling. But a judgment in under four hours was a surprise. The lawyer argued that Sun Wenlin and Hu Mingliang should be allowed to marry because the laws in China do not specifically ban marriage between couples of the same sex. The laws only address marriage between a man and a woman. Sun says “the fact that marriage between a man and a woman is legal does not suggest that marriage between two men is illegal.” The couple will have to pay a small fee – about $7 – in court costs. The couple says it plans to appeal. China does not recognize same-sex marriage and government officials say they do not expect that to change. The case received a lot of attention inside China. Hundreds of people arrived at the courthouse, hoping for a chance to witness the arguments. But only about 100 were admitted. Sun talked with the Associated Press news agency before the hearing. He said he hoped other people will see same-sex marriage as a possibility. “I hope I can pave the way as far and wide as possible so that people who want to do the same will see how much we have tried and what possibilities there can be.” Homosexuality is not illegal in China, but same-sex couples do not usually live openly. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting by the Associated Press and New York Times. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you think same-sex marriage will be legal one day in China? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   gay - adj. someone who is interested in a person of the same sex couple - n. two people who are married or who have a sexual relationship together suit - n. case certificate - n. a document that is official proof of something allowed - v. permitted address - v. to deal with bureau – n. a government department or office that provides services to the public homosexuality – adj. sexually attracted to people of the same sex gender – n. the state of being male or female

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Asian Americans Are the Best-Educated Group in US

  For VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report. Asian-Americans make the most money, on average, of any racial group in the United States. Asian-Americans are also the best-educated racial group, say new statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. 54 percent of Asians in the United States have at least a bachelor's degree. In the U.S., 33 percent of the total population has a college degree. Asian-Americans — immigrants, and their children born in the U.S., who come from East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent – account for about 6 percent of the U.S. population. People of Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese origin make up the majority of the Asian-American population. The role of U.S. immigration policy Asian-Americans have had success, in part, because of U.S. immigration policy. Experts say that U.S. immigration policy favors highly educated immigrants from Asian countries. Eliza Noh, an associate professor at California State University, Fullerton, said that the U.S. has given preference to some Asian-American immigrants since 1965. “Those groups tend to already have educational training and economic resources, which they invest in their children’s education,” Noh said. “Their access to social and economic capital is what fuels academic achievement.” Highly educated immigrants are likely to invest in their children's education. They pay for tutoring and college-prep courses that help their children to succeed. Eliza Noh said, “Besides being able to spend more money on their children’s curricular and extra-curricular activities, such as tutoring and academic clubs, middle-class parents can pass on their knowledge of how to be successful in academia, such as study skills, professional networking, and navigating educational institutions,” she said. Noh also said that Asian-Americans perceive that education can help them overcome barriers in the labor market. “They know they cannot rely on just their hard work and experience and ‘who they know’ in order to move up the ladder,” Noh said. Statistics and Stereotypes Asian-Americans sometimes have been called the “model minority.” But putting all Asian-Americans into one group contributes to a stereotype that all Asian-Americans are highly educated. A 2010 report studied Asian-Americans in California — the U.S. state with the highest Asian population outside of Hawaii. It found that the idea that all Asian-Americans are highly educated is false. The report said that some ethnic groups from Asia have problems in the United States. In California, 45 percent of Hmong, 40 percent of Cambodians and Laotians, and one-fifth of Fijians had less than a high school education. The report also found that 20 percent of Pacific Islanders in the state eventually drop out of high school. The report said that poverty and limited English proficiency increase the risk that students will drop out of high school.   Dora Mekouar reported this story for VOANews.com. John Russell adapted her report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   favor – v. to prefer (someone) especially in an unfair way : to show that you like or approve of (someone) more than others​ achievement – n. the state or condition of having achieved or accomplished something preference – n. an advantage that is given to some people or things and not to others perceive – v.  to notice or become aware of (something) drop out – phrasal verb to stop attending a school or university before you have completed your studies

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Rich Americans Will Live 10 Years Longer

As Americans discuss the issue of income inequality in an election year, a new study says rich people will live up to 15 years longer than poor ones. A rich 40-year-old man in the United States can expect to live until about 87. A poor 40-year-old man might only live until 73. The difference in length of life as it relates to income is part of a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The Health Inequality Project studied about 1.4 billion income tax records from a 15-year period ending in 2014. While people might have guessed that wealth allows for a longer life, the study reviewed more data than any similar studies in the past. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is running for the Democratic Party nomination. He often talks of the gap between rich and poor in the United States. Rich people have better access health care than poor people, and that can increase their lifespan. Sanders launched his campaign almost a year ago. In his speech, he said, “the issue of wealth and income inequality is the great moral issue of our time, it is the great economic issue of our time and it is the great political issue of our time.” Angus Deaton wrote a column about the study on the medical association’s website. He says a study like the Health Inequality Project is important because it will help people understand whether “tax and distribution policies could be effective tools of public health and potentially extend life expectancy.” The study backed up the assumption that wealthy people live longer than poor people. But it also revealed something new. The researchers say it is not only bad to be poor. They say it is worse to be poor in certain parts of the United States than others. Poor people in depressed cities like Detroit, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio; and Gary, Indiana are worse off than poor people in places like San Francisco, California and New York City. Recently, the governor of Michigan declared a state of emergency in the city of Flint. The water supply for its 100,000 residents became contaminated with lead. Drinking water contaminated with lead is harmful to people’s health, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (or NAACP) is an organization that fights against discrimination. It says more would have been done “if nearly 40 percent of Flint residents were not living below the poverty line.” The opposite is also true. The researchers say poor people who live near rich people may be healthier because they see better examples of how to live. They also may be healthier because wealthier places usually have better public health services. At the same time, poor people will struggle even more in depressed cities. The authors of the study say they are aware of some of the problems with their report. For example, the study measures life expectancy starting at age 40. That does not fully consider causes of death that affect younger people and children. They also say there is not a good way to understand some of the coincidental benefits of having a higher income. Deaton writes the wealthiest people in the United States gain an extra 10-15 years to enjoy their “richly funded lives.” And there is no way to put a value on 10-15 years of good living. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Information from Bloomberg News and the Journal of the American Medical Association was used in his report. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think about the study saying wealthier people will live 10-15 years longer than poor people? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   income tax – n. a tax paid on the money that a person or business earns guess – v. to form an opinion or give an answer about something when you do not know much or anything about it trail – n. a route that someone follows to go somewhere or achieve something gap – n. a space between two people or things inequality – n. an unfair situation in which some people have more rights or better chances than other people column – n. an opinion piece that often appears in a newspaper or magazine assumption – n. something that is believed to be true or probably true but that is not known to be true coincidence – n. a situation in which events happen at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected fund - v. to provide money for (something)      

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Lesson 10: Come Over to My Place

Summary Ashley is visiting Anna. She calls to find out how to go to Anna's apartment. Ashley learns about Anna's neighborhood. Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to give directions to a place. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice giving directions to a friend.   Pronunciation ​In this video, you ​learn what it means when Americans make their voice go up after a sentence.   Conversation Anna: Hi! Today, my friend Ashley, is coming over. I am showing her my new apartment! Oh! That’s Ashley calling. Anna: Hi Ashley! Ashley: Hi Anna! I’m coming to your apartment. Where is your apartment? Anna: My apartment is near the Columbia Heights Metro. Ashley: It is near the Columbia Heights Metro? Anna: Yes. Exit the Metro and turn right. Then at the bus station turn left. Then walk straight ahead. Ashley: Okay. Exit Metro, turn right, turn left, then go straight ahead? Anna: Yes. My apartment is near a coffee shop. Ashley: Okay. See you soon! Anna: Hi,  Ashley. Ashley: Anna,  Which coffee shop? There are three coffee shops. Anna: Okay, my apartment is across from a big department store. Ashley: A big department store? Ah, I see it! Anna: Okay! Bye, Ashley. See you soon! Ashley: Okay. See you soon. Anna: Ashley! Ashley! Ashley! Over here! It’s Anna! It’s Anna! Hi! Anna: I love having my friends over. Come on! Ashley: Great!   Writing How do you tell someone how to find your school? Or where you work? Try writing directions to a place near you. Send us an email or give us directions in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.     Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Use Images. When we listen to directions, it helps to use an image in our mind or on a screen or paper to understand them better. Here is an example. Marcos wants to go to his friend Lucia's house. He asks her to give him directions. As he listens, he draws a map on a piece of paper. Lucia says, "Turn right at the supermarket." Marcos draws a box with an 'S' on his map. He draws an arrow (=>) to the right. When he is walking to Lucia's house, he thinks of the map. He remembers the supermarket and the arrow. He turns right and finds Lucia's house. How do you use images to understand and remember English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Quiz Desktop Computer: Click here to go directly to the Listening Quiz. Click on the button below if you are on a mobile device or our mobile site.  ​ ______________________________________________________________ New Words   ahead - adv. to or toward the place where someone is going bus - n. a large vehicle that is used for carrying passengers especially along a particular route at particular times coffee shop - n. a small restaurant that serves coffee and other drinks as well as simple foods department store - n. a large store that has separate areas in which different kinds of products are sold exit - v. to go out of a place left - adj. located on the same side of your body as your heart       adv. to or toward the left Metro - n. an underground railway system in some cities (also called subway) right -  adj. located on the side of your body that is away from your heart station -  n. place where buses, trains, etc., regularly stop so that passengers can get on and off straight - adv. in a straight or direct way then - adv. used to indicate what happened or happens next turn -  v. to cause your body or a part of your body to face a different direction walk - v. to move with your legs at a speed that is slower than running ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice a conversation about activities.   For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Locating places; Imperatives; There is /There are Topics: Giving directions; Sequence of events with then Learning Strategy: Use Images Speaking & Pronunciation Focus:  Giving simple directions; Using rising intonation to check understanding​ ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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China Economy Continues to Slow

  China’s economic growth slowed during the first three months of 2016. Chinese state media reported Friday that the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew at 6.7 percent between January and March. GDP represents the value of all goods and services produced within a country. China is the world’s second-largest economy. The 6.7 growth rate was the slowest there since the start of the world financial crisis seven years ago. In the final three months of 2015, the Chinese economy grew 6.8 percent. The National Bureau of Statistics said the economy is still within range of the central government’s expectations. The official full-year target for economic growth is 6.5 to seven percent. China’s GDP has averaged nearly 10 percent a year since 1978, according to the World Bank. The economy has slowed over the past five years. The government has reacted by cutting interest rates and increasing spending on public works projects. The government is also trying to get the public to buy more Chinese-made goods and services. Economists told the Associated Press a construction slump and weak exports are reasons for the slower growth economy. Economic forecasters expect China’s economy to grow at a slower- than-normal rate this year, according to the Associated Press. The news agency said an expansion of just 6.3 percent is expected in 2016. I’m Jim Dresbach.   VOANews.com reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English. Additional information came from the Associated Press and The World Bank. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story forecaster – n. a person who says that something will happen in the future gross domestic product – n. the total value of the goods and services produced by the people of a nation during a year, not including the value of earnings in foreign countries  range – n. a series of numbers that include the highest and lowest possible amounts construction – n.  the act or process of building something such as a house or road slump – n.  a period of time when an economy is doing poorly

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Hawking, Zuckerberg to Search for Life in the Universe

It is one of the oldest questions ever asked: Are we alone or is there other life out in the Universe? Last week, an international team of scientists and businessmen launched a project they hope can answer that question. They announced plans for a huge space exploration program. Its goal is to find alien life in space. The team includes British physicist Stephen Hawking, Russian-born billionaire Yuri Milner and American Mark Zuckerberg, who founded Facbook. Their project is called Breakthrough Spaceshot. It will develop and build thousands of robotic vehicles that can speed through space. Their first goal is to explore the near est star system, Alpha Centauri. It is about 40 trillion kilometers — or 4.37 light years – away from Earth. Once launched a spacecraft would have to travel 20 years to get there. The way they will make it happen is like something from a science fiction story. Crews on Earth would use powerful laser beams to power extremely small vehicles  through space.These spacecraft would travel much farther than any other spacecraft built to date. Estimates say the project will cost from $5- to 10-billion. Yuri Milner is giving the project $100 million to get started. Last week, Milner showed a model of the spacecraft to reporters in New York. “This is a starchip, a gram-scale wafer containing cameras, photon thrusters, power supply and navigation and communication equipment.” The starchip is a computer chip about the size of a large postage stamp. Each one will cost no more than an iPhone. The chip will have a light sail — very thin material that can open in space and move the spacecraft forward. Together the chip and the sail are called “nanocraft.” The team plans to launch a “mothership,” which then would be put in Earth’s orbit. The mother ship would release thousands of the nanocraft. Their light sails would open and crews on Earth would fire laser beams on the light sails. That would push the nanocraft. They will travel at about 20 percent of light speed. Today’s fastest spacecraft would take about 30,000 years to reach the Alpha Centauri system. But once this new nanocraft technology is ready, supporters say, it can shorten that time -- to just 20 years. Stephen Hawking said the distance between Alpha Centauri and Earth can be crossed within a generation. The British scientist speaks through a computerized voice: “I believe what makes us unique is transcending our limits. Gravity pins us to the ground, but I just flew to America.” Hawking added, “Today we commit to the next great leap in the cosmos, because we are human and our nature is to fly.” Other scientists have signed on for the project. Freeman Dyson is with the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study. He thinks scientists might find something interesting before the nanocraft reach Alpha Centauri. "The space between here and Alpha Centauri is not empty, that it's not just a huge void which you have to cross in order to reach something interesting on the other side. On the contrary, there are thousands of objects in between.” Dyson believes that life is more likely to be found on an asteroid, or space rock, rather than a planet. The project is just now taking shape. The first step is about 20 years for research and development. There are still many details to work out about how this project will work, technically. Next would come the launch of the mothership, and the release of the nanocrafts.That would be another 20 years to get to Alpha Centauri. Then, people on Earth will have to be patient. It will take at least four more years for any of the information collected to reach Earth. Avi Loeb teaches astronomy at Harvard University. He explained the group wants to interest young people in the project. He said, “our goal is to get people all over the world involved, especially young people that will be around when we get there.” Future improvements in technology could change the timeline and help speed up the project. But for now, a person born this year may be in his or her 50s when those nanocraft reach their target.   I’m Anne Ball.   Zlatica Hoke reported this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on Facebook. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   alien – n. a creature from somewhere other than Earth ambitious – adj. something that will take a lot of time and effort and is difficult to achieve gram-scale wafer – n.  a small object that weighs about a gram photon thrusters – n. a device that helps move a spacecraft forward transcend – v. going beyond or rising above normal limits void – adj. empty on the contrary – phrase. the opposite beam -n.  a line of light postage stamp – n. a small square on a letter for payment to mail commit – v. to say you will definitely do something cosmos – n. the system that is the universe timeline - n. a schedule of events

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Everyday Grammar: Double Negatives

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Strong Earthquakes Strike Ecuador, Japan

A powerful earthquake struck Ecuador Saturday, killing at least 235 people and injuring more than 1,500. The earthquake in the South American country happened after a series of earthquakes struck Japan -- on the other side of the world. President Rafael Correa was in Rome, Italy when the quake struck. He quickly returned home. He said the city of Pedernales -- in Manabi Province -- is, in his words, destroyed. About 40,000 people live there. Officials say they believe the number of dead will increase as aid workers reach isolated areas. The earthquake was felt 170 kilometers away in the capital Quito. People rushed into the streets. Luis Alberto Otero is a journalist in Quito. He told VOA that “everything moved.” He said, “I had to hold up the TV so it wouldn’t fall." Otero added that residents of the capital city are used to earthquakes, but he was scared because it lasted a long time. Earthquakes and aftershocks in Japan In Japan, a series of earthquakes and aftershocks caused the deaths of at least 41 people in the southern part of the country. Eleven people are missing. More than 800 people have been hurt since the first earthquake struck on Thursday, causing buildings to collapse. It also caused fires and landslides. Stronger earthquakes struck Friday and Saturday. Officials believe people are trapped or buried under collapsed buildings or homes. Strong aftershocks continue to be felt in Kumamoto Prefecture. Rescuers must also deal with harsh weather conditions. On Sunday, the Japanese government sent 25,000 Self Defense Force troops to help people on the main southern island of Kyushu. The U.S. also sent Marines and supplies to help. Some small communities cannot be reached, so officials do not have complete damage reports. About 200,000 people have fled their homes because of the damage. They also fear there will be more quakes or aftershocks. Earthquake experts believe there will be dangerous aftershocks in southern Japan for more than a week. Car manufacturers Toyota and Nissan, and electronics manufacturer Sony, have closed factories in the area because of the damage. Many large companies had built factories in the area because experts believed it was less likely to have strong earthquakes than other parts of Japan. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise   VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page: http://ift.tt/1MS0jbF _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   aftershock – n. a smaller earthquake that takes place after a larger one landslide – n. a large mass of rocks and earth that suddenly and quickly moves down the side of a mountain or hill isolated – adj. separate from others ​

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Japan Earthquake Aftermath

Tens of thousands of traumatized Japanese are spending a third night in evacuation centers as powerful aftershocks continue to rock the southern main island of Kyushu. At least 41 people have died and nearly 2,000 have been injured as a result of the strongest tremors.

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Powerful Earthquake Hits Ecuador

The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Ecuador has risen to 233. Hundreds are injured. The U.S. Geological Survey says the shallow 7.8-magnitude quake struck late Saturday along the South American country's coast.

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Hemingway Exhibit Opens at JFK Library in Boston

The novelist Ernest Hemingway wrote 47 possible endings to his book "A Farewell to Arms."  Eight of them are part of a new show at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts. The ending that Hemingway finally chose is also there to see. Patrick Hemingway is the writer’s only surviving child. This week, he visited the library show. He said the exhibit shows how hard his father worked. He said, "He always felt responsible for being where the action was. A lot of writers just retire to their rooms and describe their childhood. He didn't do that." The Kennedy Library holds the world's largest collection of documents, photographs and personal belongings of the famous writer. Library Curator Stacey Bredhoff describes the Hemingway collection as one of the library's "greatest treasures." The show is called "Ernest Hemingway: Between Two Wars." It includes material rarely shown in public. The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City also presented the show last autumn. Hemingway and Kennedy never met. However, Kennedy liked the writer’s work. Kennedy wrote to Hemingway for permission to use the novelist’s expression "grace under pressure." Hemingway was too sick to accept an invitation to Kennedy’s inauguration in January of 1961. The writer killed himself later that year. The show also includes Hemingway's first short story. It was published in 1917 in a high school magazine. Visitors can also see letters between Hemingway and other writers at the time. Patrick Hemingway praised the show. "I am very pleased that they were able to put together in my lifetime a very comprehensive picture of a person who really represented very well the first half of the 20th century,'' he said. Ernest Hemingway fled Finca Vigia, his home in Cuba, at the time of Fidel Castro's revolution. The writer left much of all he owned on the island. After the writer died, President Kennedy sought Cuba’s permission for Hemingway's wife, Mary, to visit the island and collect the belongings. A fishing boat transported the property from Havana to Florida. Mary Hemingway established a relationship with Kennedy’s wife, Jacqueline, after President Kennedy was murdered in 1963. They later decided to keep the writer’s Cuba collection at the Kennedy library. Patrick Hemingway now lives in Bozeman, Montana. But he is represented in the show. A photograph shows him and his father on a deep sea fishing boat. Fishing was one of Ernest Hemingway's great loves. "He worked very hard in the morning but he never worked in the afternoon. He had a great life,'' Patrick Hemingway said of his father. I’m Caty Weaver. Caty Weaver adapted this story from the Associated Press report. We want to hear from you. Post your message in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   novelist – n. a writer of fiction books curator – n. a person who is in charge of the things in a museum, zoo, etc grace – n. a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving draft ­– n. a version of something (such as a document) that you make before you make the final version stationery ­– n. paper that is used for writing letters and that usually has matching envelopes comprehensive – adj. including many, most, or all things

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