環(huán)球英語—1020:Listener Mail 122

Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight’s Listener Mail program. I’m Joshua Leo.
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.
Voice 1
In today’s program we hear what YOU had to say. Spotlight broadcasts in many places all over the world. And people from all over the world offer their opinions on the subjects we write about. Today we hear comments about a winning football team, a time of peace in war, and an invention that has changed the world. Let’s get started!
Voice 2
She shoots! She scores! Goal! Our first comments are about a subject many people know about – football! Recently we released a program called “More than a Football Game”. The program told the story of the Japanese women’s football team. They played in the Women’s World Cup. In March 2011, Japan had experienced a terrible earthquake and tsunami. No one expected the Japanese women’s team to win the Women’s World Cup. But this team DID win! For many Japanese people this victory was more than just a simple game. It gave the Japanese people hope.
Many people shared their joy. Mila wrote:
Voice 3
“I am very happy that the Japanese women’s football team won the World Cup final. It was a victory for Japan’s spirit.”
Voice 2
And Satoshi had a more personal experience because of the program.
Voice 4
“I listened to this program while driving. It is so emotionally moving for a Japanese person like me. But I cannot start crying. It is very dangerous to drive with tears in your eyes!”
Voice 2
We are happy that this program could tell the wonderful story of this amazing team!
Voice 1
These are the sad sounds of war. But suddenly, they stop! This is the story we told in the program “The Christmas Truce”. This story happened in France, in 1914, during World War I. French, British, and German soldiers were fighting. The war was violent and dangerous. But on Christmas Day, all of the soldiers agreed to stop fighting each other - to make a truce. Listener humble71 believed that God changed the lives of the soldiers fighting that day. He writes:
Voice 5
“It is incredible and a little unbelievable about a truce in the middle of the war. The power of Christmas could stop war for one day. And it is insane that after this peace time, they continued the war. God really changes lives. The survivors of this war can tell that God exists and people respect our Savior at Christmas.”
Voice 1
Georgino believed that the war was stopped because people took the time to think about what Christmas really is!
Voice 6
“I cannot believe that, but it is something for all people to learn. Problems can be solved by thinking about God during the truce. War is not good for anyone. God came to the world to bring us hope and love.”
Voice 1
Thanks for your comments! This story is truly amazing!
Voice 2
Our next comments come from the program “History of the Bicycle”. Many people had something to say about this program! They told about riding bicycles, or bikes, in their own countries. Humble71 shared about his love for riding bikes. He also wrote about a tradition for bicycles in Quito, Ecuador.
Voice 5
“I love riding on my bike. It is the best exercise and I can do it at any time. I do not have to ask permission from any friend. I know it is a lonely sport like walking in the park. But it is the perfect method of transportation if there are bike roads with safety.
I live in the city of Quito. There, every Sunday, the main roads are only for bikers from 8:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon. A “critical mass” occupies the streets and parks. You can see that from the car drivers’ faces that they are a little angry about this situation. But we are hundreds of people that want to exercise, to watch nature and to breathe. We want to demonstrate that we are protecting the environment and our health but not using cars only for that morning.
I hope governments can make laws for protecting bikers in the streets. Also, of course, when you are riding a bike you feel free.”
Voice 2
Other listeners offered opinions about riding bicycles in their own countries. It would be wonderful if it were easy to ride a bicycle in any country. But some people believe it is not so easy to ride a bicycle anywhere. Lenskiy wrote:
Voice 7
“Sadly, in countries with cold climates, using bicycles is not a good idea.”
Voice 2
And shawky agreed.
Voice 8
“A bicycle is a very good method of transport. But sadly, it is very difficult to use in Egypt. That is because the roads are very crowded.”
Voice 2
But Aleja had a much more positive view.
Voice 6
“Here in Cambodia, the people use the bicycle every day. Now I use one too.”
Voice 2
On Facebook, Parsad told a story about how he started using a bicycle. But then his nephew began to use one too! Now they use the bicycle together. Here is what Parsad wrote:
Voice 9
“I use the bicycle to go to work and I love it. First I used the bus, but I had to take two buses and it took half an hour to arrive. Now I only take ten minutes on the bicycle. And it is wonderful to know that it costs less money and it is faster. This encouraged me to go with my nephew to his pre-kinder, a school for young children. He takes his own bicycle and he loves it too! The first time we tried, we took 30 minutes - we were ten minutes late for school. But now, one month later, we need half the time. In many parts I need to walk quickly, and in some I even need to run! We can see the surprise and wonder in the faces of the people that watch us. I think we send a good message.”
Voice 1
What a great story! You sound like you are a great influence on your nephew! Thank you for sharing your comments with us.
Voice 2
And thank you to all of you who have written to us. It is easy to share your opinion. You can leave a comment on the script page of any program. Or you can start a discussion on our discussion page. You can find the page on our website under the word “discuss”. Ask a question about a particular program. Or just write to say hello! People from all over the world will see your message. We hope to hear from you soon!
Voice 1
The writer and producer of this program was Liz Waid. The voices you heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes have been adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You can find this program on the internet at https://www.radioenglish.net This .program is called “Listener Mail 122”.
Voice 2
You can also find us on Facebook. Just search for Spotlight Radio. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.