Dima: Hi, welcome to this edition of 6 Minute English with me, Dima Kostenko
Kate: and me, Kate Colin. Hi.
Dima: In today's programme we're talking about dreams and aspirations vs. reality;
also, when you're a teenager, just how much say should your parents have
about your risky adventures? But first of all I would like to ask you a question
Kate.
Kate: Responds + brief chat about dreams/aspirations
Dima: Well we're not the only people in the world who have once dreamt of doing
something amazing, of course. Recently I've come across a story about a Dutch
girl who was about to surprise the world with a unique deed. Believe it or not
Kate, at the age of 13 Laura Dekker was planning to sail around the world
alone in a boat that's just over 8.5 metres long! This would make her the
youngest ever person to circumnavigate the globe solo.
Kate: Chips in with reaction
Dima: Reacts. The voyage was due to start earlier this month, however last month the
Dutch authorities made a decision which effectively put an end to Laura's
sailing aspirations - at least for now. They said such an adventure would not be
in her best interest at an age that's very important for her development. And
that's despite the fact that Laura's parents supported her intention.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009
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Kate: In a moment we'll hear from our reporter in the Hague Geraldine Coughlan,
but before that, shall I take us through some of today's key vocabulary?
Dima: Great idea Kate.
Kate: OK. First of all, the word combination 'legal battle'. In the context of the story
this refers to the intention of social workers to strip Laura's parents, who
supported their daughter's plans, of their legal parental rights through a court's
decision. Next, another collocation, 'a raging debate', which means a very
intense, heated public discussion. And two verbs with similar meanings: 'to
spark' and 'to fuel'. Both of them can mean to be the cause of, or the reason for
something, to encourage something.
Dima: And just before we listen to Geraldine, here comes this week's question for you
Kate. You will hear Geraldine say in her report that some ambitious parents
encourage their children to become the youngest to accomplish an extremely
exhausting, or, as she puts it, gruelling feat. Which phrase do you think she
uses to describe this? Is it
a) a rat race to become a 'superchild';
b) a mousetrap for child competitors, or
c) a three-legged race?
Kate: Guesses
Dima: We'll check your answer in a minute - see if you can catch it as you're listening
to our reporter. Also, listen out for the key words:
Kate: 'Legal battle', 'raging debate', 'spark' and 'fuel'.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009
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Clip 1 0'19"
The legal battle has sparked a raging debate about the role that parents should play in their
children's risky adventures. Psychologists say the new rat race to become a 'superchild', or the
youngest to accomplish a gruelling feat, can be fuelled by ambitious parents.
Kate: Geraldine Coughlan says the legal battle around the decision by Laura and her
parents to allow her to sail solo around the globe has started a big public
discussion.
Dima: That's right - and did you hear the answer to this week's question? What phrase
does our reporter use to describe the competitive urge to become the youngest
to achieve something big?
Kate: She says that, according to psychologists, it's some overly ambitious parents
who are at least partly responsible for 'the new rat race to become a
'superchild'. Which means my earlier guess was right/wrong.
Dima: The next comment comes from Julie Thomas from the Children's Legal Centre
which promotes children's rights in the UK and worldwide. As you listen, try to
decide whether she agrees or disagrees with the authorities' decision not to
allow Laura to go sailing. And here's another collocation for today, to help you
find the answer:
Kate: 'Final arbiters', meaning people who have the official, as well as moral right to
take a decision in a dispute.
Dima: OK? Let's listen:
Clip 2 0'13"
The difficulty is that as parents you can't always be the final arbiters in these things. You
know, society does have a role in protecting children and making sure that they do really
understand what they're doing.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009
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Kate: Reacts + explains
Dima: Thanks for your explanation Kate. An unusual story, and you can find out more
about it by following the links from our website, bbclearningenglish.com.
Right, all we have time for today is a quick re-cap of some key vocabulary with
Kate.
Kate: OK, we had the phrase 'legal battle'; then, another collocation, 'a raging debate';
we also heard the verbs 'to spark' and 'to fuel'; there was the phrase 'the new rat
race to become a 'superchild'; and - 'final arbiters'.
Dima: Thanks for that Kate. Until next week.
Both: Goodbye!
