Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. cabin crew (n.) – an airline employee who takes care of passengers’ needs during a flight
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. cabin crew (n.) – an airline employee who takes care of passengers’ needs during a flight
Example: The cabin crew helped me lock my seatbelt
before the flight.
2. popularize (v.) – to make something well known
Example: Hamburgers were popularized by the Americans in 1904.
3. disruption (n.) – the state or condition of disorder or
trouble
Example: Lack of instructions
in train stations can lead to disruption.
4. unanticipated (adj.) – cannot be seen or expected in
advance
Example: The strong rain
yesterday was unanticipated.
5. come in handy (idiom) – to be readily
useful
Example: Flashlights come in handy during an emergency.
Article
Read the text below.
Cabin crews of Hong
Kong Airlines are learning kung fu to help them handle disorderly passengers.
Hong Kong Airlines
official thought about requiring crew members of a martial arts training after
seeing a wing chun performance by some crew members during a company event.
Wing chun is a form of
kung fu popularized by the late Hong Kong actor Bruce Lee and the
famous wing chun master Ip Man. It involves short and quick movements which
enable crew members to control disruption even in
a small space.
These techniques also
allow them to quickly react to unanticipated
situations during flights. Hong Kong Airlines’ spokesperson Eva
Chan relates one situation when a flight attendant had to assist an overweight
and drunk passenger. Chan says that most female flight attendants usually have
difficulty assisting heavy passengers. But because of martial arts training,
the flight attendant was able to do her job with ease.
Twenty three new flight
attendants were recently required to attend the said wing chun training. Wing
chun comes in handy for flight attendants because, on average,
they usually have to manage unruly passengers at least thrice a
week.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
Do
you think it’s necessary for flight attendants to learn martial arts or any
form of self-defense? Why or why not?
·
In
what situations do you think is it necessary for a flight attendant to use
force when dealing with passengers?
Discussion B
·
What
do you think are the responsibilities of flight attendants?
·
If
you have a chance, would you consider becoming a flight attendant? Why or why
not?
