【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. put out / ˈpʊtˌaʊt / (phrasal v.) – to publish something
Example: They put out a magazine monthly.
2. resolve / rɪˈzɒlv / (v.) – to earnestly decide to do something
Example: I have resolved to go back to Japan during my vacation.
3. make money / meɪkˈmʌn i / (idiom) – to earn profit
Example: He made money from selling books.
4. unemployment /ˌʌn ɛmˈplɔɪ mənt / (n.) – the number of people having no job or work
Example: High unemployment is a serious issue that the country must address.
5. make the most of / meɪk ðə moʊst ʌv / (idiom) – to enjoy something as much as possible
Example: You should make the most of your vacation and travel.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
A widower has put out a newspaper ad to find a job, asking someone to “save him from dying of boredom.”
Joe Bartley, 89, resolved to work again after the death of his wife two years ago. He decided to place an advertisement in the local newspaper to ask for work because he was tired of being alone and doing nothing.
In the ad, he mentioned that he is willing to work for around 20 hours in a week. He also listed the services that he can offer, which include cleaning, gardening, and doing DIYs or do-it-yourself repairs. He was once a soldier who served in the army, and despite his old age, Bartley says that he is still very much active.
After the ad had been published, a nearby café called Bartley to offer him some work opportunities.
Bartley is not the only senior in the United States who still chooses to work beyond retirement age. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics found that almost 20% of people aged 65 and older are still employed. But unlike Bartley who is looking for a job to prevent boredom, most of these retirees still continue to work to make money and earn benefits, a survey found.
On the other hand, in Japan where the unemployment rate is very low, most people still choose to work past their retirement because it allows them to stay mentally and physically fit. The country offers plenty of opportunities for seniors who still want to work.
Japan established Silver Human Resources Centers to help provide work opportunities to senior citizens who want to make the most of their retirement. Several companies and employers coordinate with the Centers in order to provide work to job-seeking seniors.
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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
· Would you still choose to work as a senior citizen? Why or why not?
· What are the possible effects of working beyond retirement age?
Discussion B
· In your country, what do senior citizens usually do to pass time?
What are examples of possible work opportunities for seniors in your country?
