Voice 1
Hello. I’m Rachel Hobson.
Voice 2
And I’m Marina Santee. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Welcome to our listener mail programme! We begin with a letter from Lenin in Quito, Ecuador.
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‘Thanks Spotlight for the programme, ‘International Day of Disabled Persons.’ It was very important to me. I closed my eyes. And I thought about my physical condition. I thought about people less able - who cannot walk, or see.’
Voice 1
Lenin writes about our programme for International Day of Disabled Persons. This is on the third of December each year. Lenin said that he believes a lot of people today are too proud. And, he includes himself in that statement! He said that they have forgotten about disabled people.
Voice 2
Thanks for your honesty Lenin. International Day of Disabled Persons is a good time to think about the different lives other people have. It is a good time to remember other’s difficulties. And it is also a good time to remember the common humanity that unites us all.
Voice 1
Our next letter is about music in our programmes. A student wrote to tell us that he finds music a helpful learning tool. Radio programmes often play music under speech. And Spotlight producers also do this. Some people like louder music. Other people like quieter music. Some do not like any music. And other people do not even notice. For example, did you notice the music under these words?
Voice 2
What is your opinion? Do you like music under radio programmes? Does it help you learn? Do Spotlight programmes use enough music? Or maybe you think they use too much? Write and tell us! Our e-mail address is radio @ english . net.
Voice 1
On the subject of music, here is a letter from Mauro in Brazil:
Voice 4
‘Can you please tell me the name of the first song in the programme ‘Poison’?’
Voice 1
The first song in ‘Poison’ is ‘Air on a G String’. It is a version of a song by Johann Sebastian Bach. People around the world love Bach’s music. Music experts consider him one of the greatest composers of all time. He wrote hundreds of songs. During his life people loved hearing him play music in church. But they were not very interested in the music he wrote. This only changed many years after his death. Then people recognised his amazing skill.
Voice 2
Much of Bach’s music is religious. He used music to express his love for God. He said, “The aim and final end of all music should be...the glory of God and the recharging of the spirit.” His music has lifted many people’s spirits. Some people even say they can hear God speak when they listen to his music. You can read more about Bach’s life in the Spotlight programme ‘Bach’s Gift’. You can find it on the Spotlight website radio.english.net.
Voice 1
Andre also writes to us from Brazil. He has a question about some of the words we used in a programme,
Voice 4
‘I listened to the programme called ‘Pizza’. And I observed that you used the words, ‘two times’ instead of the word twice’. Could you explain why?’
Voice 1
Thank you for your message Andre. Your question is a very good one. As you know, in every language there is more than one way to say something. ‘Two times’ is another way to say ‘twice’. In Spotlight we use a wordlist of only one thousand five hundred [1500] words - that is, we only use one thousand five hundred words, instead of the full English vocabulary. In this way Spotlight is easier for people to understand. You can see a list of the words we use on our website at radio.english.net.
Voice 2
And now it is time for our Spotlight Language Hodgepodge. Today we tell some idioms. Idioms can be words, sentences or expressions. However the individual words have a different meaning from the sentence. A famous idiom is:
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‘Hold your horses!’
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The idiom is not talking about horses. People use this expression to tell people to slow down, to wait, or stop! ‘Hold your horses!’ This expression used to relate to using horses as transport. Or even to holding a horse in battle. ‘Hold your horses’ meant ‘stop where you are going!’
Voice 1
Often unless you know idioms, there is no real way to understand them. You just have to learn them!
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‘Do not be a back seat driver!’
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This idiom is not talking about cars or driving! It means that a person is trying to take control when they should not be. It is like trying to drive a car from the back seat! Another well known idiom is:
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‘There is a fat chance of that!’
Voice 2
It means, there is little chance of something happening. There is a fat chance people will want to learn idioms about horses or back seat driving!
Voice 1
Well, this may be true. But there may be some people that would like to learn more! If you would like to learn more about idioms there are some good websites! You can read about idioms on the English baby website. We have a link to it on our website - radio.English.net.
Voice 2
And now, another letter from Ecuador! Pastor Pablo writes about a new listener club there:
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‘We meet every Thursday. We began with sixty people. I am in charge of the club. It is a real blessing for the people!’
Voice 1
We were very happy to learn about this new listener club in Quito. Listener Clubs are a great way for English learners to meet together. There is even a Spotlight Listener Club website! It provides questions with Spotlight programmes. You can download the teaching material for free. Often churches in local areas manage listener clubs. But anyone can do it! Clubs are a great way to meet other learners, and improve your English skills. If you are interested in managing a club, write to us for more details: radio @ english . net. Thanks for your letter Pablo. We wish you every success with the club!
Voice 2
Well, that is all we have time for today. Thanks to Rodriguez, Mauro, Andre and Pablo for writing to us. And thank you for listening!
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