【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. bill / bɪl / (n.) – a draft of a law being proposed
Example: Bills undergo several reviews and revisions before being passed into laws.
2. legislator / ˈlɛdʒ ɪsˌleɪ tər / (n.) – a person who makes laws
Example: Several legislators proposed the newly passed law.
3. orphanage / ˈɔr fə nɪdʒ / (n.) – a place or institution where children without parents are being taken care of
Example: She always hosts charitable programs in orphanages.
4. devastating / ˈdɛv əˌsteɪ tɪŋ / (adj.) – causing great emotional pain
Example: The loss of her beloved pet was devastating for her.
5. rushed / rʌʃt / (adj.) – done in a hurry
Example: His work had many errors because it was rushed.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
UK adoption rules will be amended to allow children up for adoption to be placed in new homes more quickly.
The UK government unveiled a proposed law, the Children and Social Work Bill, during this year’s State Opening. The bill was introduced on May 18 in the Queen’s Speech, which was written by the government. The speech enumerates the United Kingdom’s legislative plans. The new law would make the adoption process shorter.
According to legislators, the changes are aimed at giving children from the state’s care system, which includes orphanages, a better chance in life. It was found that out of the 10,000 people aged 19-21 who leave the system, 39% remain uneducated or jobless. A charitable organization for the homeless called Crisis also found in a research that one-fourth of homeless people were once in the care system.
The proposed law also aims to extend further help to children who leave the care system. They will also be entitled to a personal adviser, who would help them adjust into adulthood until they are 25 years old.
Hugh Thornberry CBE, chief executive of organization Adoption UK, approves of the proposal because he believes that a long delay in being adopted can be devastating for children. Recently, the waiting time has been reduced to an average of 17 months, from the 22-month waiting time two years ago.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted by UK organization Community Care revealed that several social workers have apprehensions about the bill. They fear that a faster process would also mean insufficient and rushed assessments of adoptive families, which would do more harm than good to the children being adopted.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Are you in favor of the proposed shorter adoption process? Why or why not?
· What do you think are important things to consider before a child is given to an adoptive family? Discuss.
Discussion B
· What can childcare institutions like orphanages do to improve children’s situation while they are under the institutions’ care?
· How do you think the government can help ensure that children in care systems can have a better future as adults?
