• a 17-year-old student from Sumatra explains why english matters

Good morning, respected teacher and my dear friends.

Standing here today as a 17-year-old student on our beautiful island of Sumatra, I see a bright future for all of us. Today, I am very happy to speak to you about a simple skill that can help us reach our goals and connect our island to the rest of the world: the importance of learning English in our lives.

In this speech, I am going to talk about three main points.
I will explain how English helps us with our education,
how it gives us better job opportunities, and
how it helps us share our Sumatran culture with people everywhere.

Why English Matters in Our Lives

First of all, English helps us get a better education. Today, most of the useful information on the internet, in science books, and in video lessons is written in English. If we want to study at good universities or apply for scholarships, knowing English makes learning much easier. It allows us to read helpful books and learn new things on our own every day.

Second, English opens doors for our future jobs and careers. Our home island of Sumatra is growing fast with tourism, trade, and local businesses. Many companies are looking for young workers who can speak and write in English clearly. When we know English, we can get better job positions, communicate easily with international guests, and work with confidence.

Third, English gives us the chance to share our local culture with the world. Sumatra is famous for its amazing animals, like orangutans, as well as its beautiful nature and rich traditions. When we speak English, we do not need other people to translate for us. We can speak directly to international visitors, explain our local customs, and protect our environment together.

Summary

To sum up everything today, English is not just a hard subject that we study to pass our school exams. It is much more than that. It is:

• A key tool that helps us get a higher education and learn new things.
• A great opportunity to find good jobs and build a successful future.
• A direct way to show the whole world how special Sumatra is.

We must always be proud of our local language and culture, but learning English gives us extra power to grow. Let us practice English together so we can build a brighter future for ourselves and our community.

Thank you very much for your time and attention.

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Vocabulary:

• to respect somebody – to treat someone in a good and polite way
• a skill – something you can do well
• to reach a goal – to do what you want to do
• to connect – to join two people or things
• to explain – to make something clear
• education – learning at school, college, or university
• a job opportunity – a chance to get a job
• to share something – to give something to other people or use it together
• a science book – a book about science
• to apply for a scholarship – to ask for money to help pay for your education
• trade – buying and selling things between people or countries
• to communicate – to talk, write, or use other ways to give information to someone
• to work with confidence – to work without being afraid that you will do something wrong
• amazing – very surprising and very good
• to protect – to keep someone or something safe
• environment – the natural world around us, such as air, water, animals, and plants
• a summary – a short text that gives the main points of a longer text
• to sum up – to give the main points again
• a key tool – something very useful that helps you do something
• to be successful – to do well and reach what you want
• to be proud of something – to feel happy because you did something well or something is good
• to grow as a person – to learn and become a better person
• a brighter future – a better time in the future
• a community – a group of people who live or work together
• attention – careful listening or watching

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Match the words with the definitions

1. a community
2. to explain
3. amazing
4. to reach a goal
5. attention
6. a skill
7. to protect
8. education
9. to share something
10. a summary
11. trade
12. to respect somebody
13. a brighter future
14. to communicate
15. a science book
16. to be successful
17. a job opportunity
18. to connect
19. to sum up
20. to work with confidence
21. to apply for a scholarship
22. environment
23. a key tool
24. to be proud of something
25. to grow as a person

A. to keep someone or something safe
B. a group of people who live or work together
C. to talk, write, or use other ways to give information
D. a book about science
E. to make something clear
F. something very surprising and very good
G. a chance to get a job
H. learning at school, college, or university
I. to give something to other people or use it together
J. something you can do well
K. buying and selling things between people or countries
L. a short text that gives the main points of a longer text
M. to treat someone in a good and polite way
N. a better time in the future
O. careful listening or watching
P. to do well and reach what you want
Q. to join two people or things
R. to give the main points again
S. to work without being afraid that you will do something wrong
T. to ask for money to help pay for your education
U. the natural world around us, such as air, water, animals, and plants
V. something very useful that helps you do something
W. to feel happy because you did something well or something is good
X. to learn and become a better person
Y. to do what you want to do

_________________________

Answers:
1-B, 2-E, 3-F, 4-Y, 5-O, 6-J, 7-A, 8-H,
9-I, 10-L, 11-K, 12-M, 13-N, 14-C, 15-D,
16-P, 17-G, 18-Q, 19-R, 20-S, 21-T,
22-U, 23-V, 24-W, 25-X

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Match the definitions with the words

1. a group of people who live or work together
2. to make something clear
3. something very surprising and very good
4. to do what you want to do
5. careful listening or watching
6. something you can do well
7. to keep someone or something safe
8. learning at school, college, or university
9. to give something to other people or use it together
10. a short text that gives the main points of a longer text
11. buying and selling things between people or countries
12. to treat someone in a good and polite way
13. a better time in the future
14. to talk, write, or use other ways to give information
15. a book about science
16. to do well and reach what you want
17. a chance to get a job
18. to join two people or things
19. to give the main points again
20. to work without being afraid that you will do something wrong
21. to ask for money to help pay for your education
22. the natural world around us, such as air, water, animals, and plants
23. something very useful that helps you do something
24. to feel happy because you did something well or something is good
25. to learn and become a better person

A. to communicate
B. a brighter future
C. to protect
D. a science book
E. to be successful
F. a skill
G. to sum up
H. a job opportunity
I. to respect somebody
J. environment
K. to explain
L. to grow as a person
M. trade
N. a community
O. to work with confidence
P. amazing
Q. to reach a goal
R. to share something
S. a summary
T. education
U. a key tool
V. to connect
W. attention
X. to apply for a scholarship
Y. to be proud of something

_______________________________

Answer:
1-N, 2-K, 3-P, 4-Q, 5-W, 6-F, 7-C,
8-T, 9-R, 10-S, 11-M, 12-I, 13-B, 14-A,
15-D, 16-E, 17-H, 18-V, 19-G, 20-O,
21-X, 22-J, 23-U, 24-Y, 25-L

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True or false – listen!

1. English can help students get a better education.
2. The speaker says that English is only useful for school exams.
3. The speaker is 17 years old.
4. Sumatra has no interesting traditions or local culture.
5. English can help young people find better job opportunities.
6. The speech has four main points.
7. English can help people communicate with international guests.
8. Students cannot use English to apply for scholarships.
9. Sumatra is famous for animals such as orangutans.
10. The speaker wants students to forget their local language.
11. Tourism and trade are not important parts of Sumatra’s future.
12. English can help people explain their local customs directly to international visitors.
13. The speaker says English makes learning new things more difficult.
14. English can help people protect the environment together.
15. The speaker asks students not to practice English together.
16. The speech is about the importance of learning English.
17. English gives people a chance to share Sumatran culture with the world.
18. The speaker says local language and culture are not important.
19. English cannot help people work with confidence.
20. The speaker wants to build a brighter future only for himself.

_____________________________

False: 2,4,6,8,10,11,13,15,18,19,20
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Multiple choice :

1. How old is the speaker?
   A. 17
   B. 18
   C. 16
2. Where is the speaker from?
   A. Java
   B. Sumatra
   C. Bali
3. What is the main topic of the speech?
   A. Tourism in Indonesia
   B. Studying at a university
   C. The importance of learning English
4. How many main points does the speaker discuss?
   A. Three
   B. Four
   C. Two
5. Where can students find much useful information in English?
   A. Only at school
   B. On the internet
   C. Only in libraries
6. What can students apply for?
   A. A job
   B. A university place
   C. A scholarship
7. Why can English help with education?
   A. It helps students read useful information.
   B. It gives students more free time.
   C. It makes school exams shorter.
8. Which areas are growing on Sumatra?
   A. Sports, museums, and art
   B. Tourism, trade, and local businesses
   C. Fishing, transport, and music
9. What are many companies looking for?
   A. Older workers
   B. Young workers who speak English
   C. Students who speak only Indonesian
10. Who can young people communicate with in English?
    A. International guests
    B. Only their teachers
    C. Only their family
11. What can people share with the world?
    A. Their school exams
    B. Their job positions
    C. Their local culture
12. Which animal does the speaker mention?
    A. Tigers
    B. Orangutans
    C. Elephants
13. What can people explain directly to international visitors?
    A. Their local customs
    B. Their school subjects
    C. Their job applications
14. What can people help protect together?
    A. Their schools
    B. Their jobs
    C. The environment
15. What does the speaker call English in the summary?
    A. A school subject
    B. A key tool
    C. A local tradition
16. What can English help young people find?
    A. Good jobs
    B. New museums
    C. Local animals
17. What should students always be proud of?
    A. Their English exams
    B. Their job positions
    C. Their local language and culture
18. What does learning English give students extra power to do?
    A. Avoid other subjects
    B. Grow as people
    C. Stop learning at school
19. What does the speaker ask the students to do together?
    A. Practice English
    B. Visit universities
    C. Study science
20. Who does the speaker mention when talking about a brighter future?
    A. Only international visitors
    B. Himself and his teachers
    C. Ourselves and our community

__________________

Answers:
1 A, 2 B, 3 C, 4 A, 5 B, 6 C, 7 A, 8 B,
9 B, 10 A, 11 C, 12 B, 13 A, 14 C, 15 B,
16 A, 17 C, 18 B, 19 A, 20 C
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Read the statements below. Find the sentence in the speech that gives evidence for each statement

1. English can help students learn without always needing a teacher.
2. English can help students get financial support for their studies.
3. English can be useful for young people who want to work in tourism.
4. Companies want workers who can use English well.
5. English can help people communicate directly with visitors from other countries.
6. Sumatra has animals that are known around the world.
7. English can help people tell other people about local traditions.
8. English can help people work together to keep nature safe.
9. English is useful for more than passing school exams.
10. English can help people learn more and improve their future.
11. The speaker believes that students should continue to value their own culture.
12. Learning English can help people become better and develop personally.
13. The speaker thinks English can help both individuals and the wider group they live in.
14. The speaker wants the students to improve their English together.

________________________________

Answers:

1. English can help students learn without always needing a teacher. “It allows us to read helpful books and learn new things on our own every day.”
2. English can help students get financial support for their studies. “If we want to study at good universities or apply for scholarships, knowing English makes learning much easier.”
3. English can be useful for young people who want to work in tourism. “Our home island of Sumatra is growing fast with tourism, trade, and local businesses.”
4. Companies want workers who can use English well. “Many companies are looking for young workers who can speak and write in English clearly.”
5. English can help people communicate directly with visitors from other countries. “We can speak directly to international visitors, explain our local customs, and protect our environment together.”
6. Sumatra has animals that are known around the world. “Sumatra is famous for its amazing animals, like orangutans, as well as its beautiful nature and rich traditions.”
7. English can help people tell other people about local traditions. “We can speak directly to international visitors, explain our local customs, and protect our environment together.”
8. English can help people work together to keep nature safe. “We can speak directly to international visitors, explain our local customs, and protect our environment together.”
9. English is useful for more than passing school exams. “English is not just a hard subject that we study to pass our school exams. It is much more than that.”
10. English can help people learn more and improve their future. “It is a key tool that helps us get a higher education and learn new things.”
11. The speaker believes that students should continue to value their own culture. “We must always be proud of our local language and culture, but learning English gives us extra power to grow.”
12. Learning English can help people become better and develop personally. “Learning English gives us extra power to grow.”
13. The speaker thinks English can help both individuals and the wider group they live in. “Let us practice English together so we can build a brighter future for ourselves and our community.”
14. The speaker wants the students to improve their English together. “Let us practice English together so we can build a brighter future for ourselves and our community.”

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Give an answer:

1. Why might English be useful for a student who wants to study at a university?
2. How could knowing English change the way a student learns outside the classroom?
3. Why might companies on Sumatra prefer young workers who speak English?
4. Why could English be especially useful for someone working with international guests?
5. Why might speaking English directly be better than always using a translator?
6. How could speaking English change the way Sumatran people present their culture to foreign visitors?
7. Why might Sumatran culture be interesting to people from other countries?
8. Why could English help people work together to protect nature?
9. Why does the speaker describe English as a “key tool” rather than simply a school subject?
10. Why might learning English create more opportunities for young people in the future?
11. Why does the speaker say students should be proud of their local language and culture while learning English?
12. What can we understand about the speaker’s attitude towards learning English?
13. Why does the speaker encourage students to practice English together rather than only study alone?
14. What can we understand about the kind of future the speaker wants for young people on Sumatra?

_____________________________

Answers:

1. Why might English be useful for a student who wants to study at a university? Because much useful information is available in English, and knowing English can also help the student apply for scholarships.
2. How could knowing English change the way a student learns outside the classroom? The student could use English books and other information to learn new things independently.
3. Why might companies on Sumatra prefer young workers who speak English? Such workers can communicate with international guests and may be useful in growing businesses.
4. Why could English be especially useful for someone working with international guests? It can help the worker communicate clearly and feel more confident when speaking with foreign visitors.
5. Why might speaking English directly be better than always using a translator? People can explain their own customs and ideas themselves instead of depending on another person.
6. How could speaking English change the way Sumatran people present their culture to foreign visitors? They can introduce their traditions directly and help visitors understand their local culture more clearly.
7. Why might Sumatran culture be interesting to people from other countries? The island has unusual animals, beautiful nature, and rich traditions that foreign visitors may want to discover.
8. Why could English help people work together to protect nature? It makes communication easier between local people and international visitors who are interested in the environment.
9. Why does the speaker describe English as a “key tool” rather than simply a school subject? Because English can be useful in education, work, communication, cultural exchange, and personal development.
10. Why might learning English create more opportunities for young people in the future? It can give them access to more jobs and make it easier to communicate in international situations.
11. Why does the speaker say students should be proud of their local language and culture while learning English? He wants them to gain the benefits of English without losing their connection to their own culture.
12. What can we understand about the speaker’s attitude towards learning English? The speaker sees English as a useful way to create new opportunities and prepare for the future.
13. Why does the speaker encourage students to practice English together rather than only study alone? Working together can help students support each other while developing their English skills.
14. What can we understand about the kind of future the speaker wants for young people on Sumatra? He wants them to use education and English to create more opportunities for themselves and contribute to their community.

#####################

Match the sentence halves

1. English can help students
2. Much useful information
3. Knowing English can make learning
4. English can open doors
5. Many companies are looking for young workers
6. English can help people communicate
7. Sumatra is famous for its amazing animals
8. People can use English to explain
9. English gives people a chance
10. English is not just a school subject
11. Students should always be proud of
12. Learning English gives students extra power
13. The speaker asks the students to practice English
14. Learning English can help build a brighter future

A. with international guests
B. to share their local culture with the world
C. who can speak and write English clearly
D. their local language and culture
E. to get a better education
F. to grow as people
G. on the internet is written in English
H. much easier
I. for our future jobs and careers
J. to pass school exams
K. their local customs
L. like orangutans
M. together
N. for ourselves and our community

__________________________

Answers:

1–E, 2–G, 3–H, 4–I, 5–C, 6–A, 7–L, 8–K,
9–B, 10–J, 11–D, 12–F, 13–M, 14–N
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Find the words in the text

1. Something that you can do well → __________
2. A chance to get a job → __________
3. Learning at school, college, or university → __________
4. Buying and selling things between people or countries → __________
5. To give information to someone by talking or writing → __________
6. To keep someone or something safe → __________
7. Very surprising and very good → __________
8. The natural world around us, including animals, plants, air, and water → __________
9. A short text that gives the main points of a longer text → __________
10. Something very useful that helps you do something → __________
11. To do well and reach what you want → __________
12. To feel happy about something you have done or something you have → __________
13. To learn and become a better person → __________
14. A better time in the future → __________
15. A group of people who live or work together → __________

———————————————-

Answers:

1. Something that you can do well → a skill
2. A chance to get a job → a job opportunity
3. Learning at school, college, or university → education
4. Buying and selling things between people or countries → trade
5. To give information to someone by talking or writing → to communicate
6. To keep someone or something safe → to protect
7. Very surprising and very good → amazing
8. The natural world around us, including animals, plants, air, and water → environment
9. A short text that gives the main points of a longer text → a summary
10. Something very useful that helps you do something → a key tool
11. To do well and reach what you want → to be successful
12. To feel happy about something you have done or something you have → to be proud of something
13. To learn and become a better person → to grow as a person
14. A better time in the future → a brighter future
15. A group of people who live or work together → a community

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Fill in, words below:

environment – subject – apply – improve – share –
opportunities – speech – communicate –
companies – available –
local

The _____ explains why learning English is important for young people on Sumatra. First, English can _____ education because much useful information is _____ in English. It can also help students _____ for scholarships and learn independently. Second, English can create better job _____. Sumatra is growing in tourism, trade, and local businesses, so _____ need workers who can _____ with international guests. Finally, English allows people to _____ Sumatran culture with the world. They can explain _____ customs, talk about nature and animals, and help protect the _____. English is more than a school _____: it is a key tool for a brighter future.

______________________________

Answer:

The speech explains why learning English is important for young people on Sumatra.

First, English can improve education because much useful information is available in English. It can also help students apply for scholarships and learn independently.

Second, English can create better job opportunities. Sumatra is growing in tourism, trade, and local businesses, so companies need workers who can communicate with international guests.

Finally, English allows people to share Sumatran culture with the world. They can explain local customs, talk about nature and animals, and help protect the environment.
English is more than a school subject: it is a key tool for a brighter future.

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Thank you! I appreciate your feedback.

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Remember how babies
learn a language:

Babies learn a language by listening.
They use their ears to hear sounds.
Their brain remembers these sounds.
Babies connect sounds with people and things.
They listen to their parents.
Then they copy the sounds they hear. They imitate words.
Slowly, babies learn to speak.

So,
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN………………