艺术搭建文化桥

山东 李全忠

艺术是一个很好的话题，能让来自不同国家的人和睦相处。

主题语境：人与社会 篇幅：333词 建议用时：6分钟

1Like most foreigners from English-speaking countries, Holt's first job in China was teaching English in training centers and middle schools.Since November,2021, he has been a teacher at New Channel, a Beijing-based language training institute.“I teach them theater,”he said.

2Holt was very shy as a kid.In the first grade,he was invited to“star”inRomeo and Juliet. He declined. But his teacher insisted on giving him the biggest part.“He gave me the power to empower(给予……力量)myself,”Holt explained.He wanted to pass on that same feeling.So he studied theater and education at the Evergreen State College in the US,and then went to Asia,first the Republic of Korea,then China.

3“Teaching theater and public speaking in China is wonderful,”he said. Training aside,he and his colleagues also adapt Chinese stories,likeThe Monkey King,into English screenplays for students.“Children really want to be as dramatic as possible instead of just reciting the words,”he said.

4But teaching is not all it's cracked up to be.“The biggest challenge is to get the introverted kids—or adults—to speak up,”Holt added.Making the shyest kid the director is one of his methods to build them up.And the change within them becomes palpable:Students who'd barely utter a word before end up being the loudest person in the room.“I love to see that turnaround,”Holt said.

5His future plan is to get as many children as possible to feel more empowered, and“make theater a little bridge”between China and other countries.

6Art makes for a universal conversation start.Although there are disagreements among different countries, people from different countries can get along well through art.“I think it's a really powerful thing that we can all share,”he said.

7Now,Holt has a new dream:to obtain a Chinese green card.“Instead of applying for a new residence permit every year, I would love to get permanent residence. That's my dream,”he said.

Reading Check

Language Study

I.Difficult sentences in the text

1.Since November 2021,he has been a teacher at New Channel,a Beijing-based language training institute.自2021 年11 月以来，他一直在新航道——北京的一个语言培训机构，担任教师。

【点石成金】当since表示“自从”时，不管它是用作介词、连词还是副词，它通常都要与现在完成时连用。

2. Although there are disagreements among different countries, people from different countries can get along well through art.虽然不同国家之间存在分歧，但不同国家的人们可以通过艺术友好相处。

【点石成金】本句是一个主从复合句，句中的although引导让步状语从句。

Ⅱ.Text-centered chunks

insist on doing sth 坚持做某事；执意继续做某事

pass on 传递

instead of 而不是；代替

crack up 崩溃；（因精神压力大而）垮掉；（使）大笑

speak up 大胆地说；公开表态；大声说

build sb up 使更加强壮

get along well(with)与……和睦相处

apply for 申请