环球英语 — 613：Listener Mail 109
Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight's listener mail program. I'm Adam Navis.
Voice 2
And I'm Liz Waid. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Discussion Boards
Scripts
Voice 1
Listeners left comments in each of these places last month. You wanted to talk about programs. You shared ideas for practicing English. And you gave us your thoughts about Spotlight! So let's look at a few of these comments.
Voice 2
Our first email today comes from listener Santy in Ecuador. He wrote about our program "Zero Rupee Note". In that program we talked about an unusual way to fight bribery, giving officials extra money for normal work. In India, one group gives away Zero Rupee notes - a piece of paper that looks like money, but it has no value. When an official asks for a bribe, sometimes people are afraid to give nothing. Instead, they can give a zero rupee note. A zero rupee note tells the official that bribery is against the law.
Voice 1
Santy wrote about the people who PAY bribes. Are they acting fairly? For example, he asks about people who do a crime, and expect to avoid punishment by paying a bribe. He said,
Voice 3
"We must teach our children to respect the authorities and report bribery. Bribe taking police must go to prison. But what about the bribe givers? They are the worst actors in this crime."
Voice 1
Thank you for these thoughts Santy. It is true. Everyone in a community must fight bribery together - officials and the public. Giving bribes makes the problem continue. The zero value money is one solution.
Voice 2
Listeners, do you have other solutions to the problem of bribery? Share your ideas over email at radio@english.net. Or leave a comment on our website, http://www.radio.english.net.
Voice 1
Our next email comes from Thuy Le in Vietnam. She writes about the program "Thirteen Healthy Habits". In this program, we gave thirteen ways to improve your health - through food, exercise, friendship and other activities. The program also talked about the importance of making a plan.
Voice 2
Thuy Le wrote about her plan.
Voice 4
"Honestly, I did not have a healthy life. I mean I did not have a plan for good health. I am unemployed, and I was so sad about this. I got up very late every day. I did not do exercise. I did not eat lots vegetables. I usually have noodles for breakfast. I put on weight very fast. When I read this program, I have followed it and now I feel better. I play the sport badminton three days a week with my friends. I get up early to learn English words every day."
Voice 2
That is great Thuy Le! Thank you for telling us your plan. We hope that these new activities will bring you good health.
Voice 1
Thuy Le was not the only listener to give her ideas for healthy living. On the script page for that program, many listeners left comments. If you have not heard the program, we encourage you to go to our website. You can find a link to "Thirteen Healthy Habits" on the script page for this program. Then leave a comment with your healthy ideas.
Voice 2
Many listeners also talk to each other on Spotlight's discussion boards. There, many listeners discuss learning English. This includes remembering new words, speaking more easily, and learning from mistakes. This month, listeners also shared ideas about writing papers and preparing for job interviews.
Voice 1
It seems that many of these discussions have one part that is the same: confidence, a belief in yourself and your ability. Confidence is important in speaking a new language. But it is also important in writing well, and in a job interview. It is important in talking to new people, and making friends. It is very important if you want to ask someone out on a date! So listeners, how do you get confidence? We will be starting a new discussion on this subject this week. Go to the discussion boards on our website to share your ideas!
Voice 2
We finish today's listener mail program with a special remembrance.
Each year on December 1, people everywhere celebrate World AIDS Day. On this day, we remember people who have died from AIDS. We remember the people fighting the disease today. And we think about how to prevent new infections in the future.
Voice 1
Each year, World AIDS Day has a theme. For 2010, the theme is "Act Aware". There are two parts to this theme. The first is "Act" - in other words, do something. The second part is aware. That is, people should learn the truth about AIDS and the risks. Avoid myths and wrong ideas.
Voice 2
So what does it mean to "Act Aware"? This means, learn about AIDS, and then act on that knowledge.
Here is how AIDS is spread:
Voice 3
AIDS comes from the virus, HIV. HIV is carried in the body's fluids. An infected person can pass the virus through sex. People also get HIV from equipment to inject drugs. There is also a risk to unborn babies. Pregnant mothers with HIV may pass the infection to their babies.
Voice 2
Here is how the disease is NOT spread:
Voice 3
You cannot get HIV from talking to someone. You cannot get HIV from shaking someone's hand, touching their skin.
You cannot get HIV from sharing a drinking glass. You cannot get HIV from sharing food. You cannot get HIV by caring for someone.
Voice 1
But you can help to stop the spread of the disease. Act Aware! Talk to your friends. If you are at risk, get tested for the disease. Encourage other people to get tested too. If possible, do not have sex outside of marriage. If you do have sex outside marriage, always use a condom, a rubber protective device.
Voice 2
Finally, encourage leaders to talk about AIDS. Encourage community leaders to protect and care for people suffering from AIDS. Encourage national leaders to provide drugs for AIDS victims. Together, we can fight AIDS!
