Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. prioritize (v.) [prahy-awr-i-tahyz] – to put importance on an urgent and important matter
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. prioritize (v.) [prahy-awr-i-tahyz] – to put importance on an urgent and important matter
Example: The government should prioritize the welfare of its citizen.
2. hoard (v.) [hawrd, hohrd] – to collect or hide something, for future use
Example: Corrupt politicians hoarded the budget for their own benefit.
3. initiate (v.) [ih-nish-ee-yet] – to start or begin an activity
Example: The people should initiate small changes first before trying
to solve bigger problems.
4. advocate (n.) [ad-vuh-kit, -keyt] – a person who publicly supports a group or idea
Example: Most Noble Prize winners
are advocates of ideas that can help improve the world.
5. incarcerate (v.) [in-kahr-suh-reyt] – to imprison someone
Example: Rebels were incarcerated for opposing the military
government.
Article
Read the text below.
Potential foreign
investors in Myanmar should prioritize
creating jobs as much as making money, urged Aung San Suu Kyi , a Nobel laureate,
in a speech to the World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Bangkok,
Thailand.
Suu Kyi says business
investors should not be involved in corruption and money hoarding because Myanmar is already facing other problems. One of
which is high unemployment rate. The lack of jobs forces countless of people
in Myanmar to seek employment abroad, particularly in Thailand.
Though she
understands that businessmen invest to earn profit, Suu Kyi explained that what
she wants is for her fellowmen to also benefit from these ventures.
However, she warns
interested investors to take caution as the country is still going through reforms.
Institutions, particularly the courts which can protect businessmen, are
still unstable, Suu Kyi adds.
Previously, foreign
companies could not invest in Myanmar due to a ban imposed by Western
countries. The ban has been waivered as a result of the reforms initiated by the current civilian
government.
Suu Kyi, 67 years
old, is the primary advocate of
peace in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. She has been incarcerated in her house for 15 years under the ex-military
rule. Her trip to Thailand is her first trip outside Myanmar since 1988.
|
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you think the government should be involved in
to foreign investments? Why or why not?
·
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
foreign investments?
Discussion B
·
How can a country attract foreign companies to
invest?
·
Aside from creating jobs, how can foreign
investments help a country?