Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight, I'm Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I'm Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today's Spotlight listener mail program! All around the world people listen to Spotlight. They have different environments and life experiences. Because of this, sometimes it is difficult to understand another person or culture.
Voice 2
But people can also come together to teach each other how to think differently or to understand other people better. This is one of the things we aim to do with Spotlight. We love to look at issues that affect people everywhere. On today's program we will read mail from all around the world. Let's get started!
Voice 1
Soheil, from Iran, knows firsthand about understanding different cultures. Soheil wrote to us about a recent program on intercultural marriages - marriages where people from different cultures marry each other. In many places there has been resistance to these kinds of marriages in the past. But today, intercultural marriages are becoming more and more common. We asked you to share your ideas on intercultural marriages. Soheil wrote in with his thoughts.
Voice 3
"I think that intercultural marriage does not really matter when you are in love with someone from a different culture. Nowadays it is not strange or odd to marry someone with another culture or language from another country because the world is getting closer."
Voice 2
Soheil writes about his aunt - the sister of one of his parents. Soheil's aunt is from Iran. She married an Italian man. And today, they both live in Canada! Soheil says that his aunt and uncle also have a son who is two years old. Soheil says that their son's first language is English. But he is also learning the Persian and Italian languages from his parents. He says that his aunt and uncle each understand and respect the other's culture.
Voice 1
Soheil suggests that it is important in intercultural marriages for people to talk about their future together. They should respect and like each other's culture. And they should make an effort to study and understand the other's culture. He says:
Voice 3
"If they do so, they will not have problems with an intercultural marriage."
Voice 2
Thanks so much for your comments Soheil! Those are all good thoughts. Respect is important when talking about any culture. But, when you choose to spend your life with someone from another culture, it is even more important! We are happy that your aunt and uncle have a successful intercultural marriage!
Voice 1
Our next letter is from Yalda, in Denmark.
Voice 4
"Hello. First I want to say that you have a great program. And then I want to say that I love the English language and really want to learn it."
Voice 1
Thank you for your kind words about Spotlight, Yalda. Yalda continues with a question that many of our other listeners also write to us about.
Voice 4
"The problem is that I started learning English in tenth grade. But I have not really had the chance to learn it better. I need practice, I mean to speak more, but how? I hope you can help me with that."
Voice 2
We are happy to answer your question. You are correct that learning a language takes a lot of practice - using the language over and over. That way, you understand more, and are able to speak more. Spotlight does not teach English. But many of our listeners find it helpful, and even fun, to listen to our programs to practice their English. We have many programs on our website too. So you are sure to find a program about a subject that is interesting to you! Also, you can download our programs onto your computer or portable music player. Then you can listen to them any time.
Voice 1
However, we also have suggestions for other ways to practice English! If you know other people who are also learning English, you can meet with them to practice together. You can even use Spotlight as part of this practice. How about listening to a program as a group, and then discussing the program together? If you would like resources to use for a listener club like this you can visit our website at http://www.Radio.English.net. On the script page for this program we will include a link to a page for listener clubs. We also list helpful links on our website on the links page. Hopefully you can find something there that is helpful! Good Luck!
Voice 2
Our final email today is from Renee. She writes about the program "Madeline Manning Mims." In that program we told about an amazing woman runner. Madeline was the first US woman to win an Olympic Gold medal in the eight hundred [800] meter race. She also set other world records and won many races. Madeline gave credit to God for all her victories. Renee writes:
Voice 5
"I was wondering if Madeline has a ministry now and how to find out where she speaks or a way to contact her ministry! I would love to go hear her in person! Thank you for your story! It was a great encouragement!"
Voice 1
We are happy that this program could encourage you in such a wonderful way! Madeline's story is a great one. And she does have a ministry now, helping other people. Years ago, Madeline worked in prisons being a friend to women there. But you will also be happy to know that Madeline is still working in sports. Today, she is studying to be a sports chaplain. She wants to be a professional Christian minister to sports players.
Voice 2
Most recently she was at the 2008 summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. She was part of a group that serves sports players from countries who do not have official religions. The Washington Post reported in August that Chinese officials would not permit religious helpers like this to talk to athletes. But Madeline said she was able to talk to the athletes. Madeline has done this work for the past six summer Olympic Games. She is continuing to spread God's love in the sports world.
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