Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Would you ever want to adopt a child? Celebrities often adopt children from different countries. For example, Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry and, of course, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, have all adopted children. Many people in the US also adopt children from their own country, or sometimes, from their own city. It can be very gratifying for couples to give a home to children in need.
Despite all these adoption success stories, there are some horror stories as well. Adoption can be a scary and difficult process, especially when you are not a celebrity. Many couples prefer to have their own biological children.
Marni and Jessica are talking about adoption. Find out what they think in today’s English lesson.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Marni: Jessica, I feel like there’s a lot of talk among my peer group about having kids, and I just think not enough people are considering adoption.
Jessica: That’s so true! I know there are lots of opportunities out there for adoption. I don’t know a lot about it. Everything I’ve heard… it just sounds very complicated.
Marni: Well, I think it can be, and there are lots of different ways to approach it. I think sometimes people just think you have to jump through so many hoops...
Jessica: Mm-hm.
Marni: And it’s just probably not worth it. There can be complications ... all of a sudden you hear horror stories about, you thought you were going to get a child, and then the birth mother decided at the eleventh hour...
Jessica: Yeah.
Marni: ...that she really wanted to keep her child, which, how can you argue with that, but…
Jessica: It sounds like there are a lot of variables that play into adoption, but it must be so gratifying to be able to provide for a child in need.
Marni: Right. And I guess that’s what I think about it. I think that there are so many kids in this world who could use a good home, and if you’re able to provide one, what a wonderful opportunity to bring that child into your home. And, sure, it can be complicated, and maybe there’s a lot of loopholes, but, ultimately, it could just be really worth it.
Jessica: Yeah, it sounds like something worth committing to.
Marni: Exactly.
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Gerunds vs. Infinitives" from this lesson
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Discussion
Marni and Jessica are both surprised that many people their age have not thought about adoption. There are many opportunities to adopt a child, and so many children who need a good home.
Jessica thinks that adoption can be very difficult. There are a lot of things you have to do, and a lot of loopholes. Marni agrees that she has heard frightening things about adoption. However, they both think that helping a child is more important than the risk.
Is adoption common where you live? Why do you think many people like to adopt children from other countries?
Comments
Italy |
Japan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Afghanistan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Egypt |
Yemen |
United States |
Turkey |
United States |
Germany |
Germany |
Egypt |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |