Vocabulary:
- navigate /NAV-i-geyt/
- upcoming /UHP-kuhm-ing/
- capability /key-puh-BIL-i-tee//
- utilize /YOOT-l-ahyz/
- resolve /ri-ZOLV/
[verb] to successfully find a way from one place to another
Nowadays, people can navigate different places using their phone.
[adjective] happening soon
Students are busy preparing for the upcoming examination next month.
[noun] the ability to do something
We have the capability to make our life successful if we will work hard.
[verb] to use something in an effective way
Students must utilize the use of a computer for academic purposes.
[verb] to solve or end a problem or difficulty
The student council proposed a program to resolve poverty in our country.
The internal affairs ministry of Japan proposes the use of speech translation application in all government organizations. This plan aims to help foreign visitors to easily navigate the city for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. VoiceTra, the name of the application, is developed by the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology. This app can translate 31 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.
Using a smartphone, a person can speak with their own language and after that, they can hear the translated sentences. The capability of the application is similar to a person who scores 900 or more on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Moreover, people can download the app for free. The government is encouraging different facilities to utilize the use of this application to resolve the difficulty in communicating with foreigners. The proposed budget to fund this project is 820 million yen ($7.2 million).
Using a smartphone, a person can speak with their own language and after that, they can hear the translated sentences. The capability of the application is similar to a person who scores 900 or more on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Moreover, people can download the app for free. The government is encouraging different facilities to utilize the use of this application to resolve the difficulty in communicating with foreigners. The proposed budget to fund this project is 820 million yen ($7.2 million).
True or False:
- The internal affairs ministry of Japan proposes the use of surveillance camera in all government organizations.
- VoiceTra is developed by a foreign company.
- Its capability is equal to a person who scores 900 or more on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC).
- The government is not encouraging the facilities to use the application.
- The proposed budget to fund this project is 820 million yen ($7.2 million).
Discussion Questions:
- How does VoiceTra help the government employees perform their jobs?
- Do you think the application will boost the tourism industry of Japan? Please explain your answer.
- Do you think the government should implement the use of this application to all citizens? Please discuss your answer.
- How does technology help people understand one another?
- Do you think learning a new language will increase your knowledge? Please explain your answer.
Express Your Opinion:
- “Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.” – Roger Bacon
- “With languages, you are at home anywhere.”- Edward De Waal
- “Sharing is good and with digital technology, sharing is easy.” – James Humes