New Underwater Data Cable Connects Four Countries

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

 1. transmit (v.) [trans-mit, tranz-] – to send information

Example: The computer transmits data at a very high speed.

2. millisecond (n.) [mil-uh-sek-uhnd] – one thousandth (1/1000) of a second

Example: Optical fiber systems transfer data in just milliseconds. 

3. make or break (idiom.) [meyk or breyk] – can result to either success or failure

Example: The newest investment plan will make or break the company’s future. 

4. path (n.) [path, pahth] – a way or route where something passes through

Example:  The telephone lines follow a straight path for clearer connection. 

5. lay out (phrasal v.) [ley out] – to set up, arrange or to put down

Example:  Electricians lay out the wires for the house’s Internet connection.

Article

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Several telecommunications companies—Japan’s NTT, the Philippines’ PLDT, Singapore’s StarHub and Telecom Malaysia—have worked together to build the Asia Submarine-cable Express (ASE), the fastest data cable in the continent. The 7,800-km ASE, located under the sea, can transmit data at 40 gigabits per second (40Gbps). This speed is as fast as downloading an HD movie in only two seconds. ASE is three milliseconds faster than other connections that link Tokyo and Singapore. With this speed, thousands of computer-based business deals can be done very quickly. Through the new cable, banks and financial groups would be able to respond faster to changes in the market. Many financial decisions nowadays are done through computer programs. Ralph Silva of Silva Research Network says that transmitting data just a millisecond faster than others can really make or break a group’s investment. Engineers also made sure the ASE’s path is straight enough to lessen data transmission time to 65 milliseconds. Hiroyuki Matsumoto, senior director of network services at NTT, says they also planned for natural disasters before laying out the cables.  Many underwater cables were damaged by earthquakes in Japan in 2011 and earthquakes in Taiwan in 2006. Telecom companies had to send remote-controlled robots 2,500 meters under the sea to fix these connections. Matsumoto said they avoided placing the cable near the Taiwan area, where earthquakes happen more often and placed ASE near the Philippines instead, where it would be safer from damage. The company PLDT announced that the ASE is the largest undersea cable system in the country. It is also the first cable directly connecting Japan and the Philippines.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A 

·         How do you think ASE will affect the relationships between the four countries that worked on the project?

·         ASE is useful for banks and businesses. How can the new connection also be helpful to regular consumers?

Discussion B

·         Why is it good for different countries to work together on a common project?

·         If you were to work with people from other countries, what kind of project would you like to do with them? Why that?

Google Tries to Find Ways to Keep More Women Employees

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. maternity (adj.) [muh-tur-ni-tee] – relating to pregnancy, childbirth and the first months of being a mother

Example: She bought maternity dresses after the doctor told her she was pregnant.

2. rate (n.) [reyt] – the number of times something happens or repeats over a specific time period

Example: Stricter laws have helped reduce the crime rate in the city.  

3. attrition (n.) [uh-trish-uhn] – a decrease in number of employees because of their resignation, retirement or death

Example: Attrition decreased in the company when employee salary was increased.

4. partial (adj.) [pahr-shuhl] – not complete; referring to only a part of a whole

Example: The employee requested for a partial pay to cover up his families expenses.

5. cut back (phrasal verb) [kuht bak] – to reduce or decrease

Example: They cut back their production because of decreasing demand.

Article
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After studying data about their employees, Google learned that most of the women who left their company were women who recently gave birth. The company seems to have found a solution to this problem--longer maternity leave and full pay during such leave. According to the New York Times article “In Google’s Inner Circle, A Falling Number of Women,” the rate of attrition for women who had just given birth was twice that of other employees. But by lengthening the allowable maternity leave from three months to five months, and by changing the women’s leave pay from partial to full, Google was able to decrease attrition by fifty percent. Increasing mothers’ extra paid leave after their giving birth may help these women find a way to balance their time between home and work. This would also lessen their chance of quitting. However, according to the Families and Work Institute, giving full pay to women during maternity leave is not possible for some employers who are cutting back on leave benefits. Statistics show that 58% of employers give leave pay for new mothers, but only 5% give full pay. It is still uncertain whether more companies in the US will adopt Google’s solution to prevent women from leaving their jobs.  The US is the only high-income country that does not have laws requiring employers to provide leaves for parents. The standards are still a long way from those of countries like Sweden, which offers new mothers more than a year of paid maternity leave.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Do you think the solution provided by Google is acceptable? Why or why not?

·         Should mothers and fathers be allowed to take more time off work when they have a new baby? What makes you say so?

Discussion B

·         What do you think are acceptable reasons for employees to quit their jobs?

·         What do you think employers should do to prevent more workers, especially women, from quitting their jobs?

British Private Schools Pushed to Share Sports Facilities

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. outgoing (adj.) [out-goh-ing] – about to leave a job or retire

Example: The outgoing department head gave a party to celebrate his retirement.

2. facility (n.) [fuh-sil-i-tee] –place, equipment or service made to serve a specific purpose

Example: Our local gym has the following facilities: a swimming pool, exercise equipment, shower rooms and free parking.

3. host (v.) [hohst] – to provide the space and needed equipment or services for an event

Example: London hosted the 2012 Olympics.

4. charitable (adj.) [char-i-tuh-buhl] – helping or giving to people who need one’s help

Example: The charitable lady gave all her money to the poor.

5. tax break (n.) [taks breyk] – benefit given to individuals or groups(companies) that are involved in activities that the government wishes to encourage

Example: Religious institutions get significant tax breaks.

Article
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The outgoing chairman of the British Olympic Association, Lord Moynihan, wants UK’s private schools to share their sports resources with public schools. Lord Moynihan says public school students should also benefit from the expert training and excellent facilities that private school students are privileged to receive. Some schools are already sharing their sports resources with public school students. Millifield school is one of them, hosting basketball activities and local school games, allowing local clubs to use their facilities, and helping to run a squash club whose members come from different primary schools. According to Independent Schools Council’s survey, 80% of private schools in the UK are similarly involved in community sports activities.  Lord Moynihan expects that all UK schools participate in community partnerships. Public schools are not the only ones who could benefit from such partnerships. Charity commission grants charitable status to private schools that share their sports facilities, coaches, and allow public students to attend their classes. Once a private school gains charitable status, they can get tax breaks. Under the 2011 Charities Act, all these schools need to do is prove that they’re doing something that benefits the public.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Should private schools share their sports facilities and coaches with public school students? Why or why not?

·         What do you think the UK hopes to achieve by encouraging private schools to share their resources?

Discussion B

·         Is your government supportive to sports programs? Why do you say so?

·         What is the importance of the school and the government in children’s involvement in sports?

Social Media Help Political Campaigns in the US

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. rally (n.) [ral-ee] – a gathering of people to support or disagree with someone or something

Example: The teachers joined a rally yesterday in front of the government office to request for a higher budget for education.

2. platform (n.) [plat-fawrm] – the main principles and goals of a political candidate or group

Example: The candidate discussed his platform which includes his plans to change the system of education.

3.  take advantage of (idiom) [teyk ad-van-tij, -vahn- uhv] –  to use something or a situation to achieve a goal

Example: Politicians take advantage of the Internet to campaign in the election.

4. challenger (n.) [chal-in-jer] – one who competes against the winner

Example: The challenger has promising skills but it is still not sure whether he will win against the champion.

5. strategically (adv.) [struh-tee-jik] – carefully planned to achieve a purpose or goal

Example: The mall was strategically placed in the middle of town.

Article
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Social media has become increasingly useful in the US political elections over the past twenty years. Before social media arrived, the only means of campaigning were through speeches, rallies, and newspapers. Radio and television then provided better campaign tools offering wider coverage. But nowadays, social media is becoming the easier and faster way for political candidates to communicate with the voters. Political candidates can broadcast their platforms using social media such as Facebook and Twitter. They can also raise money, and encourage voters to become actively involved in political programs and campaigns. During the 2008 US Presidential elections, Barack Obama’s team took advantage of social media. Obama was able to gather 4 million donors to his campaign. This year, Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney are strategically using social media for their campaigns. Each form of social media has a specific role in delivering political messages. Twitter instantly delivers news and conversations. On the other hand, Facebook offers more time for people to think about the topic whereas Google provides an organized record of the discussion afterwards. Social media has made personal campaign possible. It allows candidates to know what specific problems the voters want to be solved, and this makes the candidates look more friendly and reliable.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         What do you think are the disadvantages of using social media in campaigning?

·         Do you think campaigns through social media are reliable? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         Which do you prefer, the traditional method of campaigning or the present method that uses social media? Why?

·         Do you think the traditional methods should not be used since there is already social media? Why or why not?

Generation Y Will Change Office Life in 10 Years

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. workforce (n.) [work fawrs, fohrs] –  total number of working people in a population or in  a country

Example: A survey said the company’s workforce is satisfied with the benefits they receive.

2. baby boomer (n.) [bey-bee boo-mer] – a person born between 1946 and 1965

Example: According to a study, baby boomers are strict and disciplined employees.

3. engaging (adj.) [en-gey-jing] – easy to get one’s attention, liking or interest

Example: Young people hope to find an engaging workplace with many social activities.

4. setting (n.) [set-ing] – the environment, place or time where something happens

Example: The business partners looked for a more casual setting for their meeting.

5. distinctive (adj.) [dih-stingk-tiv] – having a unique quality that helps identify something or someone

Example: The company president has a distinctive style of delivering speeches.

Article
Read the text below.

In less than 10 years, the workforce will consist mostly of people from Generation Y. Senior Director Michael O’Neill of Knoll Inc., an office design company, predicts that the new generation will be making big changes in office life. Generation Y, or those born from 1979 to 1997, will comprise a big percentage of the workforce as baby boomers retire. A report published by Knoll says that by 2020, the workforce will change, from being composed of 50% baby boomers and 25% Generation Y workers, to 25% baby boomers and 50% Generation Y workers. O’Neill studied 15,000 employees of different generations across 40 countries to see how the generation shift could affect the workplace. He discovered that Generation Y puts the highest importance on an engaging workplace that combines personal life with business. Work areas should remind employees of home. Furthermore, this generation has a distinctive habit of using technology for communicating in the office. In contrast, baby boomers do not like workplaces that feel like home, and prefer organized and formal settings. They tend to separate personal lives from work and would like their offices to be functional. Author Alison Maitland said that Generation Y’s idea of work is not just a place but an activity. A Generation Y employee likes having some freedom to move around and work wherever he or she feels suitable. Maitland stresses, however, that the generation shift is only one factor that will change future office life. She says developments in technology, economy and businesses should also be considered.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Should office life be casual and comfortable instead of strict and formal? Please explain.

·         What kind of working environment do you prefer? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         Is the way you think or feel very different from people in the older or younger generation? What makes you say so?

·         How can good working relationships be developed among different generations?