VOA标准英语2012--New American Voters Learn Finer Points of Democracy

New American Voters Learn Finer Points of Democracy

At the United Cambodian Community, a civic¹ organization in Long Beach, Cambodian immigrants are learning the finer points of American democracy.
This is in part so they can become citizens. And vote in the upcoming presidential election.
But Sara Pol-Lim, the head of the UCC, says it means more than that. “Not just passing the citizenship² test, but learning the process, how to engage in civic engagement, understanding voting process, giving them an ability to understand what civic engagement is all about,” she explained.
This year, those who are qualified³ to vote will find it a little easier. The Cambodian community in this West Coast city has grown large enough to warrant having all voting materials provided in the Khmer language.
Even though she won’t be voting this year, Lorn Vouch⁴ is studying hard and following the issues. “I am feeling nervous and excited at the same time for the election. But I am still not able to vote yet because I am not a citizen," she said. "I have to wait about another half year. That’s why I'm trying to learn. To apply for the citizenship.”
For Vouch, the weak US economy is a top issue, since some of her family members have lost their U.S. jobs. “My daughter was working at a bank for several years, but she got laid off last year. My son-in-law also got laid off, four or five years ago, and has not been able to find a job since then. So both of them decided⁵ to go back to Cambodia. Maybe they are coming back this year to find jobs, but we’re not sure if they will be able to find one,” she noted⁶.
While the students are sometimes lighthearted, they take the class seriously. Volunteer teacher Mitchel Skidmore says they’re wrestling with complicated issues. “Like how does the American government show democracy in two ways. There’s not a lot of people, if you talked to Americans on the street, who could answer that, probably,” he pondered.
“The best part is definitely the people. They love to come and learn. And when they mess up, it’s OK, they laugh at themselves and they love having a great time here, so that’s definitely the best part,” Skidmore stated.
In the middle of a tense election season - something to smile about.

1 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

2 citizenship   

n.市民权，公民权，国民的义务(身份)

参考例句：

• He was born in Sweden,but he doesn't have Swedish citizenship.他在瑞典出生，但没有瑞典公民身分。
• Ten years later,she chose to take Australian citizenship.十年后，她选择了澳大利亚国籍。

3 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

4 vouch   

v.担保；断定；n.被担保者

参考例句：

• They asked whether I was prepared to vouch for him.他们问我是否愿意为他作担保。
• I can vouch for the fact that he is a good worker.我保证他是好员工。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。