Learning English!



Did you make a New Year’s resolution(1)? Some of you shared(2) your goals(3) at the VOA Learning(4) English page on Facebook.

And, no surprise, many of you said at least(5) one of your goals for twenty-twelve(6) is to speak English better(7).
Daniel Kwon even went so far(8) as to declare: I’m definitely going to try to study English at least an hour a day.
Jose Antonio Velarde says: My first resolution is to speak English as fluently as(9) my Spanish. And Tuti Riel says: My New Year’s resolution is to be able to(10) speak English and Mandarin fluently, and be a better person.
Juwita Zulmi says she wants to improve(11) her English and get a scholarship(12) to study overseas(13).
Another(14) goal for twenty-twelve: a new boyfriend. Derly Johanna Barreto has these two resolutions: to speak English fluently and to get a job(15).
Jiseon Kim also(16) has two goals: to lose weight(17) and improve speaking English. And Katie Chekalina has these resolutions: Don’t eat meat(18). I’ll take it easy(19).
Then, to learn Spanish or Italian, and find(20) my real love. The last ones(21) will be the most difficult, she thinks.
Rafa Mtz’s main(22) goal is finishing high school(23) and getting into a university(24). Lola Wazqito Oktobrata says: I am going to get married(25) and finish my undergraduate study(26) with good results.
And Uma Cherif is ready for the next step(27) this year: a master’s degree(28). Handri Permana has this resolution: Be more meaningful(29) before my time’s up(30) on earth(31).
And Handri has this advice(32) for others: Have fun(33) seriously(34) in life! Dionel Paguirigan has fun playing the video game Defense of the Ancients, or DotA. Dionel says: My New Year’s resolution is I want to spend more time(36) on my studying than playing DotA.
Refky Aditya’s resolution is to not be lazy(37) about studying anymore. And Nur Chanifah says: I want to be the best in my national examinations, to be a braver(38) girl, and to take a scholarship abroad(39).
Sharah Radinka offered(40) this comment: My resolutions are to pass vocational school, get a scholarship and visit Singapore and Malaysia.

And Sita Ayudha is thinking of Australia in twenty-twelve: I wish(41) I could have(42) a career(43) abroad in my dreamland(44) of Oz. And let’s see, as I’m an optimist(45), I’m gonna make it real this year, hahaha. For VOA Special English, I’m Carolyn Presutti.Go to voaspecialenglish.com to read, listen and learn English with our programs and activities. You can also find live lessons at the VOA Learning English page on Facebook. (Adapted from a radio program broadcast 05Jan2012)


VOCABULARY
  1. Resolution = decisão
  2. Shared = compartilharam
  3. Goals = objetivos
  4. Learning = aprndizado
  5. at least = pelo menos
  6. twenty-twelve = 2012
  7. better = melhor
  8. even went so far = foi ainda mais longe
  9. as fluently as = tão fluentemente quanto
  10. to be able to = ser capaz de
  11. improve = melhorar
  12. get a scholarship = conseguir uma bolsa de estudos
  13. overseas = no exterior
  14. Another = um outro
  15. get a job = conseguir um emprego
  16. also = também
  17. lose weight = perder peso
  18. eat meat = comer carne
  19. take it easy = ter calma
  20. find = encontrar
  21. The last ones = os ultimos
  22. Main = principal
  23. high school = colégio
  24. getting into a university = entrar em uma universidade
  25. to get married = casar-se
  26. undergraduate study = estudos universitários
  27. ready for the next step = pronto(a) para o proximo passo
  28. master’s degree = mestrado
  29. meaningful = significativo(a)
  30. before my time’s up = antes de meu tempo terminar
  31. earth = Terra
  32. advice = conselho
  33. Have fun = divertir-se
  34. Seriously = a sério
  35. Ancients = antigos
  36. spend more time = passar mais tempo
  37. lazy = preguiçoso
  38. braver = mais corajoso(a)
  39. abroad = no exterior
  40. offered = ofereceu
  41. wish = desejar
  42. could have = pudesse ter
  43. career = carreira
  44. dreamland =  terra dos sonhos
  45. optimist = otimista