March 20, 2017

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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Exchange Program Builds Ties Between US, Africa

  The United States is working with a non-profit group to send 26 Americans to Africa to teach and connect with people there. The U.S. State Department’s Reciprocal Exchange program is part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. It was started in 2014 by then President Barack Obama as part of his Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). YALI will send 1,000 young people from African countries south of the Sahara Desert to the United States. They will spend six weeks this summer at a U.S. college or university. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the main program of YALI. It is based on the idea that exchanges of people and knowledge are needed to build ties between the United States and young Africans. The State Department has partnered with IREX, a non-profit group, to help support cooperation between 27 Mandela fellows and 26 American professionals. The program will take the U.S. citizens to a total of 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa this month. One of those Americans is Brian MacHarg. He is director of academic civic engagement at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Twenty-five young African leaders visited Appalachian State in 2016. Now, MacHarg has been invited by two of those young leaders to travel to Niger and Benin to take part in workshops. “We had spent six weeks talking about the connection to the community so this is an opportunity for those fellows to share with their communities,” MacHarg said. In northeast Benin, he will join Abiona Jean Bamigbade, a Mandela Washington Fellow. Bamigbade started Education for Development, an organization that supports girls’ education. MacHarg’s specialty is helping professors use experience-based learning in their teaching plans and building connections with the communities in which they teach. He hopes to meet with community leaders during his Africa visit. One of his goals is to work with heads of non-governmental organizations to increase communication about civic responsibilities. Another invitee is Rudy Hightower. Hightower, a former U.S. Naval officer, is a doctoral candidate at Ohio State University. He is traveling to Ethiopia. There, he will work with Dr. Enque Endeshaw, a psychiatrist who wants to improve mental health care services for migrants and refugees. The two will use computer software models to develop what they call “scenario planning.” They said the models will help policymakers decide whether a country needs to increase training for psychiatrists or give dietary supplements to refugees. They will also consider issues like high rates of stress and violence in refugee populations. The United Nations estimates there are 700,000 refugees living in Ethiopia. “We’re going to try to build some models to kind of better explain what’s going on so that policymakers can make better decisions on how to intervene and how to make things better,” Hightower said. While the research may be useful, Hightower said contact between people may be equally important.  “I hope I bring something a little bit new in the way of research methods and decision-making tools, but more importantly I’ll let them know that Americans haven’t changed,” he said. “America has a lot of compassion and caring for countries throughout the world.” I’m Mario Ritter.   Salem Solomon reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   reciprocal – adj. an arrangement in which two groups do something similar for each other civic – adj. related to the responsibilities involved in being a citizen or in citizenship migrants – n. a person who goes from one place, or country, to another, usually in search of work or better living conditions scenario – n. a description of something that could possibly happen workshop – n. an educational program for a small group of people professional – adj. of or relating to a job, skill or career

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Explainer: Wiretapping in the U.S.

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More than Half of the World’s Primates Disappearing

  Scientists who study primates say that we are moving towards a time when species like gorillas will no longer be found in the wild . They say Orangutans would be gone too.  And Madagascar would lose its lemurs. Jo Setchell is a primatologist at Durham University in Britain. She studies primates, the group of mammals that includes gorillas, chimps, monkeys, gibbons, mandrills, and lemurs. And, of course, humans. "So If we have 60 percent threatened with extinction at the moment, then we will see that number rise and within our lifetimes, within our children's lifetimes, we will eradicate other primates." In all, there are an estimated 600 different species of primates. They include the little creature called the mouse lemur, whose body is only about six centimeters long. Then, there is the largest of the species, the gorilla, weighing up to 250 kilograms. Primates face one common threat: loss of habitat, the places in nature where they live. Primatologists like Setchell say human activity is to blame. "... the major problem is habitat loss and habitat conversion, and essentially it's humans changing primate habitat into human habitat - logging for timber, logging for conversion to agriculture, logging for cattle ranching; anything essentially that destroys tropical forests because primates are largely tropical forest species." More than half of all primate species are grouped in four countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Paul Garber says each of these countries is working to help protect the primates in their areas. “But often, there is neither the funds, community support nor in-country expertise to address their conservation problems.” Madagascar is a good example of these problems, he says. It is home to over 100 primate species; almost all of them live nowhere else. And 94 percent of them are endangered. Ninety percent of the original forests of Madagascar have been cut down, Garber says. Neither Garber nor Setchell have any easy answers about how to stop this road to extinction. "We knew that primates were in trouble, but I think even for those of us who work in primate conservation, it was still shocking to discover quite what the scale of the problem is." They do say that the clearest way is to slow human activity in primates’ habitats. They also say the decrease is reversible if humans make primate and habitat conservation a top concern.   I’m Anne Ball. Kevin Enochs wrote this story for VOA news. Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page.   ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   extinction – n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely decline – v. to become lesser in number primate – n. any member of the group of animals that includes human beings, apes, and monkeys eradicate – v. to remove (something) completely : to eliminate or destroy (something harmful) habitat – n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows conversion – n. the act or process of changing from one form, state, etc., to another logging – v. to cut down trees in an area for wood timber – n. trees that are grown in order to produce wood funds – n. money conservation – n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources scale – n. a device to measure or weigh things reversible – adj. able to be changed back to an earlier or original state

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James Monroe: Last of the Cocked Hats

VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. James Monroe easily won election in 1816. He had a relaxed, likeable personality and was popular with voters. In addition, many saw him as a last connection to the country’s founding generation. Monroe had fought in George Washington’s army during the Revolutionary War against British rule. He was a diplomat during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency and helped complete the Louisiana Purchase. Monroe served as James Madison’s secretary of state — and briefly as his secretary of war, as well – during the War of 1812.  Voters’ positive feelings carried Monroe into office and defined his presidency. Era of Good Feelings When Monroe became president, the United States had just declared victory against British forces in the War of 1812. The American economy also was doing well, at least at first. And the government was mostly united under a single party. But Monroe did have one immediate problem: He and his wife, Elizabeth, could not move into the president’s house right away. The British had burned it badly in an attack on Washington, D.C. Workers were busy making repairs. So, Monroe decided to go on a trip. He spent the first weeks of his presidency traveling. He went north into New England, visiting important places from the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812. Everywhere he went he reminded Americans of their shared, proud history. He even wore clothes in the old colonial style. One of Monroe’s nicknames is “the last of the cocked hats.” Then President Monroe turned west, toward lands that white migrants were increasingly settling. They were able to move west in part because American soldiers had defeated a powerful alliance of Native American tribes. What had been a victory for the U.S. government was a crushing loss for Native Americans. Many tribes moved farther west. Others began to lose their languages and their customs as white settlers took control. For Monroe, however, the visit west was a positive sign of the country’s expansion. By the time he returned to Washington, Monroe had met many Americans. He had learned for himself the geography of the country. And he had demonstrated that all parts of the U.S. could be connected by patriotism and a common federal government. One newspaper called Monroe’s presidency the beginning of an “Era of Good Feelings.” Four years later, Monroe won a second term even more easily than his first. The Missouri Compromise Yet James Monroe’s presidency had several crises. One was the country’s first economic depression in more than 30 years. Another was over slavery. The country had been divided over the issue since its founding. By the end of 1819, eleven states, all in the South, permitted slavery. Eleven states, all in the North, did not. The question became: Would the new states in the West permit it? Monroe had to face the question when settlers asked Congress permission for Missouri Territory to become a state. Many enslaved people already lived there. White settlers expected to bring more. But a member of Congress from a Northern state proposed that Missouri could become a state only if it banned slavery. That proposal started a debate that lasted more than a year.      For the most part, the debate was not based on the moral problems with people owning other people. Instead, it involved economic and political concerns. Northerners argued that slave-holding states had an unfair economic advantage. In addition, if Missouri entered the Union as a slave state, its lawmakers would move the balance of power toward the South. The debate continued so long that another area asked to enter the Union. People in northern Massachusetts wanted to organize into an independent state called Maine. After some time, lawmakers offered a compromise. They said Maine could be admitted as a free state and Missouri as a slave state. But they also made a line across a map of the country. They said Congress would not admit another slave state north of that line. James Monroe signed into law what became known as the Missouri Compromise. It settled the issue of slavery, at least officially, in the U.S. for more than 20 years. But everyone knew that the peace between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups was only temporary. The Monroe Doctrine In 1823, Monroe made one of the most important foreign policy decisions in American history. It became known as the Monroe Doctrine. It related to Spain’s colonies in Latin America. Monroe had dealt with Spain before. In his first term, he and his secretary of state, John Quincy Adams, successfully negotiated with Spain to buy Florida for the United States. By Monroe’s second term, Spain had also lost control of some of its former colonies in Latin America. The president became concerned that Spain’s European allies would try to help the country re-gain power. He did not want European powers interfering in areas so close to U.S. territory and so important to U.S. trade. So Monroe gave a speech to Congress. He said the U.S. would stay out of Europe’s affairs. But he said Europe should also stay out of Latin America’s affairs. And, Monroe declared that European powers would not be permitted to begin colonizing any area in the Western Hemisphere. In other words, Monroe declared that the U.S. considered the entire Western Hemisphere its sphere of influence. Historians note that Monroe did not aim for the declaration to be a major statement. But it became a base of American foreign policy and supported U.S. expansion throughout the 19th century. Final years James Monroe was the fourth and last president in the “Virginia Dynasty.” Except for John Adams, four of the first five American presidents were from Virginia. ​Monroe and his wife returned to their home there after he left office. They had a close relationship with each other, as well as with their two surviving children, both daughters. Unlike many politicians of his time, Monroe had brought his family with him on his travels. He also believed strongly in education for girls. When the Monroes lived in France, young Eliza Monroe attended the best school for girls in Paris. This loving family spent as much time together as possible. So, when Elizabeth Monroe died, James Monroe was filled with sorrow. His health also began to fail. He moved to the house of his younger daughter, Maria, in New York City. James Monroe died there one year later, at age 73. Like two other former presidents, Monroe died on the 4th of July – America’s birthday. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.    See how well you understand the story of the fifth president by taking this listening quiz. Play each video and then choose the best answer. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   relaxed - adj. informal and comfortable positive - adj. hopeful and optimistic  remind - v. make someone think about something again geography - n. the natural features of a place advantage - n. a condition that helps to make something better or more likely to succeed than others affair - n. a matter that concerns or involves someone sphere of influence - n. an area of control or activity dynasty - n. a family, team, etc., that is very powerful or successful for a long period of time

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China Supports Government Control of Internet

China is seeking an international agreement to strengthen government control over the internet. Chinese officials say governments need more power to fight attacks on computers and cyber terrorism. They want to extend the idea of sovereignty, or self-rule, over land and sea to information technology. Recently, China released a report explaining how it will seek to persuade other countries to join in an international partnership. The idea is to increase the power of countries over cyberspace, and reduce the influence of private businesses. The Chinese report is called “International Strategy of Cooperation on Cyberspace.” Long Zhou is with the Cyber Affairs division of China’s foreign ministry. He said countries throughout the world are increasingly worried about cyberattacks. “Cyberspace should not be a space of no laws,” he added. Censorship Some observers see the plan as a way to extend the Chinese idea of government controls on information across large parts of the world. People have strongly criticized China for its restrictions on the internet. The government blocks Google, Facebook Twitter and many foreign news websites from being seen in China. Observers believe that if other governments support the Chinese campaign, American companies -- which dominate the internet -- will be the first to be harmed. Sheila Jasanoff directs the program on science, technology and society at Harvard University’s Kennedy School in Massachusetts. She told VOA that “the inventors of cyberspace were idealistically and ideologically convinced that they had created a (place) of perfect freedom, where anyone could gain entry and behave as if no laws existed. It has been interesting to see how this allegedly wide open and free space has gradually been ‘written over’ with all the markers of national sovereignty and rivalry,” she said. Russian role in U.S. election Experts say China is trying to use the anger in the United States about reported attempts by Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. Long Zhou noted “especially in recent years, the number of cyber security events throughout the world is increasing, posing challenges to all countries’ efforts to maintain political, economic stability and protecting all citizens’ rights and interests.” Lee Branstetter teaches at the Heinz School of Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. He says China’s plan would cause harm. “The China solution is a proposal to create huge barriers to the free flow of information across borders,” he said. “It is hard to see how a global digital economy could (operate) under such a regime.” China’s plan China is trying to persuade other governments and international agencies -- including the United Nations -- to accept the idea of “cyber sovereignty.” It says this means each country should be able to govern the internet in the way it wants without interference from other governments. Long said the U.N. recognizes the principle of land and sea sovereignty so it should also recognize cyberspace sovereignty since the issues are similar. He added that the international community is talking about the need to, in his words, “produce new international legal instruments to deal with the security situation in cyberspace.” These situations include cyber terrorism or cross-boundary cybercrimes. China will talk about its plan at meetings of U.N. agencies, the BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Long recently told reporters that Russia will join in China’s campaign to make international rules for cyberspace. Sheila Jasanoff thinks there are other reasons China wants to control the internet. “There is good reason to believe that China will do more to limit the freedom of information of its citizens than to ensure its own security with regard to things like critical infrastructure,” she said. “The most effective firewall will likely be against the creation of domestic networks of civilian information exchange and protest.” I’m John Smith.    Saibal Dasgupta reported this story from Beijing for VOANews. John Smith adapted the report for Learning English. 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   cyber – adj. related to computers sovereignty – n. a country’s independent authority and the right to govern itself dominate – v. to have control of or power over (someone or something) rivalry – n. a state or situation in which people or groups are competing with each other pose – v. to be or create (a possible threat, danger, problem, etc.) challenge – n. a difficult task or problem; something that is hard to do regime – n. a form of government infrastructure – n. the basic structures of the internet or a computer system firewall – n. a computer program or piece of equipment that keeps people from using or connecting to a computer or a computer network without permission (sometimes used figuratively)

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A Growing Rap, Fashion Scene in Northern Nigeria

  In Sub-Saharan Africa, Lagos has long been known as Nigeria's center for pop culture. It is home to Nigeria's film industry, Nollywood. And many of the country’s most well-known musicians and artists live there. But a group of rappers and fashion designers are creating their own cultural community in another city, Kaduna. The northern Nigerian city is about 600 kilometers from Lagos. A new generation of rap DJ Jakes Tudu is a disc jockey, or DJ, in Kaduna. On his weekly radio show, he plays the latest music from local rap artists. Hip-hop is very popular in Nigeria. And rappers like Morell, DJ AB, Kheengz, and Classiq are part of a new generation of Kaduna musicians. They are trying to put Kaduna – and northern Nigeria – on the music map.  To most people, Kaduna may seem like a quiet and conservative city. But, its growing music scene shows there is much more to the town.  One popular music artist in Kaduna is Kevin Words.  He is a local celebrity, thanks to songs like “Heaven”. DJ Jakes is a very big fan of Kevin Words.   "Stepping into the Kaduna music industry you have to listen to the likes of Kevin Words because a lot of people out there have this stereotype or this mindset that Kaduna artists or  Kaduna industry is full of mediocres, and when you hear people like Kevin Words, man,  trust me you want to sit up." Another of Kaduna’s rising stars is 28-year-old Ibrahim Ilyia.  His stage name is IBI. Ilyia mixes Hausa, the local language, with American hip-hop style. His recent hit song is called “Alhamdulillah.” Ilyia says he fell in love with rap music at a young age. He makes rap music now because he still loves it. He says many of Kaduna’s rappers move to Lagos to try to advance their music careers. But, Ilyia wants to stay in Kaduna -- and help build the city’s music scene. "I'm not actually against people going to Lagos, but if Kaduna people can just build themselves alone, reach a certain level, I mean Lagos is nothing now. We'll counter them." Combining old fashions with new Music is just one part of hip-hop culture in Nigeria. Fashion is also important. And Kaduna has also become a promising place for young designers.  One successful designer is Hussena Raji. She is the CEO of Mummy's Fashun. She designs clothes that combine both urban and African styles. “I decided to blend hip-hop because that's what's selling right now in the market. Almost everybody wants to wear and feel like it. So, we try as much as possible to make everything look it.” Mixing styles is popular now among Kaduna fashion designers. One of them is 24-year-old Patrick Yamai. He tries to mix professional styles with casual ones. He likes to makes clothes that can be worn to work as well as out to restaurants and bars in the evenings.  His label, YKP Clothing, tries to keep an African influence in all of its styles, as well. Yamai did not start out as a fashion designer. He studied accounting in school. And, DJ Jakes studied architecture. But, they each grew to care about building Kaduna’s own arts scene. As DJ Jakes said, he has a passion for northern talent, and is trying hard to promote it. I’m Phil Dierking   Chika Oduah reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. What are other parts of the world that have a good arts scene that is not well known? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   ambitious – adj. having a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous celebrity – n. the state of being famous or celebrated fashion – n. a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people blend – v. ​to mix (things) thoroughly and usually with good results mediocre – adj. not very good music map – n. a record of where different music comes from in the world passion – n. a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something pop  – n. modern, popular, aimed particularly at younger people. urban – adj. of or relating to cities and the people who live in them​ stereotype – n. an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic​ evening – n. ​ the last part of the day and early part of the night​ style – n. a particular form or design of something​

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Mapping the War in Syria

  Many reporters have been killed in Syria. Others have been forced to leave the country -- or frightened into doing so. But believable information can still be gathered about what is happening there. A worker at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia recently discovered how. Christopher McNaboe is the manager of the Syria Conflict Mapping Project at the center. He says he discovered that many people in Syria use the internet. “Syrians -- and actually people in the Middle East in general -- are two to four times as likely to share information about politics and religious views online.”  Before he became the manager of the project, McNaboe was an intern at the Carter Center. He says he discovered that the conflict in Syria was different than others. “There are actually more minutes of video than of real time conflict. The Syrian conflict represents a major paradigm shift in the way in which conflict plays out -- previous conflicts did not take place in connected environments like Syria.” McNaboe discovered he could use Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to gather information on where fighters were in the country, who they were fighting for and who was joining them. He was able to document the formation of more than 7,000 opposition armed groups in the country. Some of the groups are no longer active. “In the case of Syria, there’s just too much -- videos, Facebook posts, tweets, blogs, photos, you name it. Syrians are very active about getting information out,” he said. “One of the first things we started seeing online was the announcement of defections. As the conflict turned violent, people started defecting from the Syrian security forces. And they did so online.” McNaboe now works full-time to map the war in Syria. He shares his information with mediators and humanitarian groups to help them understand the conflict.  “The information available online ranges anywhere from political statements, and defections, and armed group formations, to footage of the actual fighting, and humanitarian relief efforts -- you name it,” says McNaboe. Former President Jimmy Carter told VOA the information can help aid groups. “So when the United Nations needs to find the, the best avenue to take in relief supplies, we can tell them which way to go.” The Carter Center publishes some of its maps and reports about Syria. They are used by reporters, non-profit groups and governments. Carter says he gave some information to President Vladimir Putin when Russian forces entered Syria in 2015. “When he got ready to join in, and, and bomb, factions within Syria, I wanted to make sure he'd bomb the right ones -- or at least he knew what he was bombing. So I sent him a, a message through his embassy and said 'we have this capability within Syria to tell you where things are, people are located. Do you want to have that?’ And so the next day I got a response from him ‘Yes, I would like to have your maps.’ So we sent our maps, on, on a current basis, to President Putin so when he bombs in Syria, he knows from us where the different people in Syria are located.” McNaboe says the Carter Center wanted Russia to know that the center could watch their targets in Syria. Some observers are worried that some military forces will use the center’s maps and reports. But McNaboe says the center does not share information that puts people at risk. “If you're a combatant in the conflict and you don’t know where the front lines are, our information is, is not gonna help you too much. You’ve got bigger problems. And, and so we're, we're careful of what we make totally public. We, we want our effort to pursue peace and support peace efforts, and do everything it can to reduce the risk to civilians and, and any participant in the conflict.” I’m John Smith.   VOA Correspondent Kane Farabaugh reported this story from Atlanta. John Smith adapted his story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly 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   intern – n. a student or recent graduate who works for a period of time at a job in order to get experience real time – adj. happening or shown at the speed at which a computer receives and processes information paradigm – n. a model or pattern for something that may be copied; a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about connected environments – expression places where people have access to the internet document – v. to create a record of (something) through writing, film, photography, etc. defect – v. to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy mediator – n. someone who works with opposing sides in an argument or dispute in order to get an agreement footage – n. scenes or action recorded on film or video relief – n. things (such as food, money, or medicine) that are given to help people who are victims of a war, earthquake, flood, etc. faction – n. a group within a larger group that has different ideas and opinions than the rest of the group capability – n. the ability to do something basis – n. a fixed pattern or system for doing something (used with “on”) combatant – n. a person, group or country that fights in a war or battle front lines – n. an area where soldiers are fighting pursue – v. to make an effort to find out more about (something)

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Everyday Grammar: In. On. At.

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Lesson 49: Operation Spy!

Summary Ms. Weaver has asked Anna to help with Operation Spy. Her mission is to learn all she can about spying. She learns by going to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Speaking In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then compare the present perfect, present, and past verb tenses.  ​Pronunciation Use this video to learn about how Americans pronounce the reduced forms of "has" and "have' in the present perfect verb tense. Conversation Anna: It is no secret that Washington, D.C. has spies. Well, it should be a secret because spying is secret. But it’s not a secret. There’s even a spy museum! The International Spy Museum has created an amazing collection of spy things! And today, we will see them! My boss, Ms. Weaver, has sent me here … on a mission! Ms. Weaver: Hello, Anna, are you there? Anna: That’s her. Yes, Agent Peacock. This is Agent Flamingo, reporting for duty. Ms. Weaver: Agent what? Look, Anna … I mean, Agent Flamingo, I want you to learn all you can about spying. Anna: You mean, collect intelligence? Ms. Weaver: Yeah, it’s for our new show -- “D.C. Secrets.” Anna: You've got it, Agent Peacock. The mission is safe with me. Ms. Weaver: Oh, okay, great. Just be back by noon. Anna: Agent Peacock, I’m at an air duct! Ms. Weaver: Yes, spies sometimes sneak down air ducts. Anna: I have never snuck down an air duct. It’s dark and small. I’m afraid of dark, small places. Ms. Weaver: You can do it, Agent Flamingo. You know, spies aren’t afraid of a little darkness. Anna: Right. It’s just an air duct -- a dark, small air duct. Okay. I’m doing it, Agent Peacock! I am sneaking down a long, dark, small air duct. I’m having a little trouble breathing. Ms. Weaver: Just keep going, Agent Flamingo. Think of the team! Anna: Okay, I will think of the team. I’m thinking of the team, Agent Peacock! I did it! I did it! I sneaked down an air duct. That was a little uncomfortable. Ms. Weaver: Good! Anna: What's the next mission? Ms. Weaver: Umm … have you ever cracked a code? Anna: No. Ms. Weaver: Well, go learn. Spies use their brains. Anna: Got it! I’ve never cracked a code before. Let’s try, Agent Flamingo! This is really hard. I'm still trying to crack the code. I've cracked the code! I've cracked the code, Agent Peacock! My brain really hurts. Ms. Weaver: Great. Umm, Agent Flamingo, now answer this question: Do spies have to be in good shape? Anna: “Yes,” Agent Peacock! Spies have to be in really good shape! Can you hear me? Ms. Weaver: You’re breaking up, Flamingo. Anna: The International Spy Museum is awesome! Agent Peacock, I completed the mission! Ms. Weaver: Great. Great. Now, I have another very important mission for you. Anna: Got it. See you back at H.Q.! Ms. Weaver: Yummy! You brought my lunch! Thanks, Agent Flamingo! Anna: Mission completed. Agent Peacock! (Amelia makes a face.) Ms. Weaver: Don't ask. Writing In this lesson, Anna learns about a job that many people think is exciting. Have you ever thought about doing a job that is different from the one you have now, or the one you think you will have when you finish school? Would it be more fun or more exciting? Tell us about the job. Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet to practice three verb tenses and learn about how your friends practice speaking English.  Please note, our activity sheets now can be completed on the computer.​ Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Find Practice Opportunities. This strategy is what we use when we look for any chance we can get to practice speaking, listening to, reading, or writing English.  In this lesson, Anna is learning about being a spy. She practices some of the things that spies do - sneaking down an air duct, cracking a code, and staying in good shape. She found a good opportunity to practice spy skills. These experiences will help her to write a good story for her children's show. What do you do to find opportunities to practice English? Maybe you meet another English learner for coffee and speak English when you are together. Maybe you write emails or texts to a friend in English. Or you could read in English for fun: novels, comics, blogs, tweets, and so on. Write to us about how you look for ways to practice in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.   Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz.  ______________________________________________________________ New Words agent - n. a person who tries to get secret information about another country or government air duct - n. a duct or pipe for air to flow through to the rooms of a building brain - n. the organ of the body in the head that controls functions, movements, sensations, and thoughts breathe - v. to move air into and out of your lungs code - n. a set of letters, numbers or symbols that is used to secretly send messages to someone collection - n. a group of interesting or beautiful objects brought together in order to show or study them complete - v. to finish making or doing (something) crack - v. to find an answer or solution to (something) duty - n. something that is done as part of a job flamingo - n. a tall wading bird with mainly pink or scarlet plumage and long legs and neck H.Q. - abbrev. headquarters - n. a place from which something (such as a business or a military action) is controlled or directed intelligence - n. secret information that a government collects about an enemy or possible enemy mission - n. a task or job that someone is given to do operation - n. a set of planned actions for a particular purpose peacock - n. a male peafowl, which has very long tail feathers that it can spread like a fan secret - n. a fact or piece of information that is kept hidden from other people shape - n. a physically strong and healthy condition sneak - v. to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed spy - n. a person who tries secretly to get information about a country or organization for another country or organization   ​______________________________________________________________ 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 using the present, past, and present perfect verb tenses, and talk about ways to practice English. 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: Present perfect vs. present; Present perfect vs. past tense Topics: Reacting to information; Research for work Learning Strategy: Find Practice Opportunities Speaking & Pronunciation: Reduced forms of has/have in present perfect tense _______________________________________________________________ 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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Taiwan Schools, Government Clash over Chinese Students

  Some government officials in Taiwan are unhappy with pro-China political statements by Taiwanese universities. The government officials believe that such statements are hurting their efforts to reduce the island’s dependence on China. Taiwanese media say as many as one third of Taiwan’s 152 centers of higher education have prepared statements supportive of China’s political beliefs. Many of these colleges and universities are private and depend on money from overseas students. They expect that the number of Taiwanese students will fall, so they are trying to persuade Chinese from the mainland to study on the island. The statements usually promise that mainland students will not be given information suggesting Taiwan and China are separate countries. The statements also promise to block their exposure to information supporting Taiwan’s legal independence from China. Liao Pei-an works at Taipei’s Shih Hsin University, a private school for students interested in working for news media. She said: “We are…saying to mainland Chinese students that our curriculum won’t touch on politically sensitive activities and… that we won’t carry out one-China, one-Taiwan, two-Chinas or Taiwan independence activities.” Taiwan’s Ministry of Education would not tell VOA how many schools have prepared pro-China statements. But on its website recently, the ministry said exchanges of students should be “equal, win-win as well as respectful of academic freedom.” China’s Communist leaders say Taiwan is part of the country, yet the island has operated under a separate government since the 1940s. Public opinion surveys show most Taiwanese want their island to remain independent of mainland China. But China says the two sides must someday become one. Some parents in China fear political differences might cause conflicts between their children and the Taiwanese. Nathan Liu is a professor at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan. He says universities and government agencies in China that approve study programs in Taiwan may believe they must be more careful because of the island’s current leadership. He says the pro-China statements might be designed to deal with these concerns. “My guess would be that first, students or family, parents, they believe that Taiwan is not a good place to go,” said Liu. “Number two, schools, the people in charge believe ‘I better play safe. I don’t want to get in trouble if the policy changes...and I still have students in Taiwan.’” Liao says Shih Hsin University prepared its pro-China statement because some local governments in the mainland needed it before approving study in Taiwan. She added that the school does not place limits on what can be taught to mainland Chinese students. She said, "Provincial governments also have pressure from their superiors and to let these students go study in Taiwan they might need this document. These are a minority of the provinces.” The pro-China statements were released after Tsai Ing-wen was sworn-in as Taiwan’s president in May 2016. Observers say the statements weaken her efforts to lessen Taiwan’s economic dependence on China. She wants to improve economic relations with India and countries in Southeast Asia. Tsai’s government and officials in Beijing have yet to talk with each other because they cannot agree on whether Taiwan is part of China or a separate nation. This lack of agreement has angered China. So, some experts believe China is using economic measures to try to weaken Tsai. The number of short-term university students from China to Taiwan has fallen in recent months. The education ministry said it fell from 34,114 in the 2015 and 2016 school years to 32,648 this year. From 2011 to 2013, the number had doubled. And the number of mainland Chinese tour groups going to Taiwan dropped about 30 percent between May -- when Tsai took office -- and the end of 2016. Experts blame the decrease on pressure from China. Tour operators protested against Tsai in September. Experts in Taiwan fear that other businesses dependent on China could also begin protesting if China takes action against them. Taiwan exported more goods to China than to any other country last year -- $11 billion. Lai I-chung creates policies on China for Taiwan’s majority party. He says “(China) wants to put pressure on Taiwanese businessmen. But these businessmen are not representing the interests of Taiwan, just…their own interests.” I'm Jonathan Evans.   Correspondent Ron Corben reported this story from Bangkok for VOANews.com. John Smith adapted his reporting for Learning English. 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   expose – v. to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something (+ to) curriculum – n. the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc. superior – n. a person of higher rank or status than another tour – n. a journey through the different parts of a country, region, etc.    

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