Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.

15 comments

• English Club Indonesia says:
  

  Yumi’s petition is a movement against discrimination in the workplace. Japanese employers are not allowed to discriminate against their workers based on sex. The #KuToo movement was inspired by #MeToo. Every office has regulations for their employees’ outfits, from shoes to hairstyle. As long as it is acceptable, I don’t see any problem with it, including obliging women to wear high heels.

• Peter says:
  

  Thanks for your information! Precisely, in many jobs, especially in selling or guiding jobs, women are often required attire high heels. when I go shopping or do something at the office, I often see staff wear high heels, but I do not mind that. Sometimes, I think they just show their interest in wearing it and I think they are very respectful customers but it is not true. Yes, it is difficult and painful if you stand on high heels all work-time. Although, It is needed to send clients good services. However, employers need to care about their staff’s health. It will be good for their long-term business.

• 肖 says:
  

  It’s a normal phenomenon in Asia Coutries requiring for wearing high heel in work place. especially for store sale reps.

• Bijan says:
  

  Hi Tara,

  First, thank you for this week’s audio news report. It’s so easy for me and could understand it without seeing the text and also could fill in the blanks all words except the word “employers”.

  Second, thank you too for choosing this interesting subject for you learners.

  I’m surprised why do the employers want to have the women to wear high heels at work?

  Each woman is free to wear high heels or not to wear.

  I believe in this subject when Japanese law prohibits sexual discrimination in the workplace, so it’s surely the sexual discrimination.

  I never thought that there is this discrimination in Japan that is an advanced country.

  Teacher Tara,
  Thank you for choosing this interesting subject.

  Best wishes,
  Bijan from the Persian Gulf

• Alberto says:
  

  I don´t think so, because it is a way of discrimination therefor, it should be forbidden.

• 이희창 says:
  

  this issue have a very serious problem, because it’s have a health, so, the women and men should to movement for make a convenient workplace.

• renjit thomaa says:
  

  Excellent listening practice

• salwa says:
  

  i do not agree with require women to wear high heels in workplace from employers because is a personal freedom , beside of focus on results not appearance

• Natalia Lindao says:
  

  I really enjoy this practice. Thank you

• shamsy says:
  

  I believe it is a good movement, the women must be comfortable and covenient in workplace.
  thank you so much Tara for a new lesson.

• Leonie Spinelli says:
  

  Excellent listening and motivating practice.

• Abdulghani Noman says:
  

  thank you so much

• Porfirio Ovando says:
  

  Excelente speaking práctice.

• Sonia Alvarado says:
  

  I really like this activity! Thank you.

• Mary Goebel says:
  

  Excellent listening practice!