英語記事に慣れる「サクっと読む英文」
2016.11.29
British people nervous about speaking other languages
When you travel to another country, do you like to try speaking in that country’s language? Read the article about a survey that found many British people are worried about speaking in another language when they travel.
海外に旅行するとき、あなたはその国の言葉で話そうとしますか?ある調査によると、多くのイギリス人が旅行中に外国語を話すことに不安を感じているそうです。さっそく記事を読んでみましょう。
Learning foreign languages is becoming less popular in the UK and some people are worried about this. Mark Herbert from the British Council said, “The reality is that speaking a foreign language doesn’t just help you to get the most out of your holiday – it is a rewarding way to connect with another culture and, with employers crying out for more language skills, it can boost your job prospects too.”
Many people feel anxiety when they are learning another language, especially when they have to speak it. Melvin Andrade and Kenneth Williams from Sophia University looked at classroom anxiety for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students. They found that this anxiety sometimes stopped some students from communicating. About 75% of students said that this affected their English learning.
Although anxiety can make it difficult for some people to improve their language skills, many people like to speak in a foreign language, even if their level is low. The British Council survey showed that 48% of people enjoyed trying to speak a foreign language when on holiday.
Learning foreign languages is becoming less popular in the UK and some people are worried about this. Mark Herbert from the British Council said that speaking another language is a good way to learn about other cultures. He also said it can help people get a better job.
Many people feel nervous when they are learning another language. They feel even more nervous when they have to speak it. Melvin Andrade and Kenneth Williams from Sophia University looked at classroom anxiety for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students. The results showed that this stopped some students from talking. About 75% of students said that this affected their English learning.
Feeling nervous can make it difficult for some people to get better at a language. But many people like to speak in a foreign language, even if their level is low. The British Council survey showed that 48% of people enjoyed trying to speak a foreign language when on holiday.
キーフレーズ
be nervous about ~を不安に思う
何かについて不安に思う、または緊張するという意味のフレーズです。記事中では、外国語を話すということに対して不安や緊張を感じているという意味になります。
例:Are you nervous about the wedding?
(結婚式のことで緊張していますか?)
assume ~と推測する
a rewarding way 有意義な方法
“rewarding” は、価値のある、得るもののある、などという意味の形容詞です。“a rewarding way” は何かを行う上で有意義な方法、手段という意味になります。
例:Volunteering is a rewarding way to spend your free time.
(ボランティアをすることは、有意義な余暇の過ごし方である。)
connect with ~とつながる
cry out for ~を切に必要とする
何かを強く必要とするという意味のフレーズです。
例:The country was crying out for a new leader.
(その国は新しいリーダーを切に必要としていた。)
boost (someone’s) job prospects 就職への期待を高める
“prospects” は、(成功・利益・出世などの)見込みや、(近く起こることへの)期待という意味で、”boost (someone’s) job prospects” は、あることを行ったことで仕事を得る可能性を高める、展望が広がるという意味になります。
例:I took a web design course so I could boost my job prospects.
(ウェブデザインのコースを受講したので、就職への道を開くことができた。)