英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Opportunities shrinking for too many young people, says major report on ‘lost generation’（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

A recent report has raised concerns about the future of young people aged 16 to 24. It predicts that by 2031, around 1.25 million young people in this age group could be without a job, education, or any form of training. This situation is often referred to as a “lost generation,” highlighting the risk of these young individuals missing out on important opportunities that could shape their futures.

The report points out several reasons for this worrying trend. One major factor is the changing nature of the job market. With the rise of technology and automation, many traditional jobs are disappearing or requiring new skills, leaving young people unprepared. In addition, the cost of higher education continues to rise, making it difficult for many to pursue further studies. These financial barriers can prevent young people from acquiring the qualifications they need for new job opportunities.

Another concern is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted education and training programs worldwide. Many young people have missed out on critical learning periods, and some have even dropped out of school altogether. The pandemic has also affected the mental health of young people, making it harder for them to focus on their education and career goals.

The report suggests several measures to address these challenges. It calls for increased investment in training and education programs to equip young people with the skills needed for the modern job market. It also emphasizes the importance of providing mental health support to help young people cope with the pressures they face.

Governments, educational institutions, and companies are encouraged to work together to create more opportunities for young people. This includes developing apprenticeship programs, offering scholarships, and creating job opportunities that do not require a university degree. By taking these steps, society can help prevent a “lost generation” and ensure that young people have the chance to succeed.

📝 Vocabulary

  • opportunity: a chance for advancement or progress
    例文: “She was excited about the opportunity to study abroad.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • great opportunity
    • missed opportunity
    • seize an opportunity
    機会
  • generation: all the people born and living at about the same time
    例文: “Each generation faces its own challenges.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • younger generation
    • older generation
    • future generation
    世代
  • predict: to say what will happen in the future, often based on information or belief
    例文: “Experts predict that the economy will improve next year.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • predict the future
    • predict outcomes
    • predict results
    予測する
  • barrier: something that blocks the way or makes it difficult to move forward
    例文: “Language can be a barrier to communication.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • remove barriers
    • face barriers
    • overcome barriers
    障壁
  • investment: the act of putting money, effort, or time into something to make a profit or achieve a result
    例文: “Investment in education is essential for the future.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • foreign investment
    • make an investment
    • return on investment
    投資

✏️ Grammar Point

Future Possibility – “It predicts that by 2031, around 1.25 million young people in this age group could be without a job, education, or any form of training.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
未来の可能性を示す表現

💡 使用場面

未来の可能性や予測を議論するときに使います。会話やプレゼンテーションで役立ちます。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: The report predicts that by 2031, over 1.5 million young people will be without a job, education, or training.
  2. MCQ: What is one reason for the increase in young people out of work or education?
    a) Lack of interest in education
    b) The rise of technology and automation
    c) More job opportunities
    d) Decreasing cost of education
  3. MCQ: What does the report suggest to help young people?
    a) Increase taxes
    b) Provide more job opportunities with minimal qualifications
    c) Decrease investment in education
    d) Encourage young people to travel
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) The rise of technology and automation
  3. b) Provide more job opportunities with minimal qualifications

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What age group is the report focusing on?
  2. Why do you think the pandemic has affected young people’s education and career goals?
  3. What does “barrier” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. 16 to 24-year-olds
  2. The pandemic has disrupted education and affected mental health, making it harder for young people to focus.
  3. Something that makes progress difficult or blocks the way

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

このレポートは、2031年までに16歳から24歳の若者のうち約125万人が仕事や教育、訓練を受けていない状態になると警告しています。技術の進化や自動化により、従来の職が減少し、若者が必要なスキルを習得できないことが主な要因です。また、高等教育の費用が増加し、若者が学位を取得しにくくなっています。これに加え、パンデミックの影響で教育プログラムが中断され、若者の精神的健康にも悪影響が出ています。政府や教育機関、企業が協力して、若者に対する投資を増やし、実践的な訓練プログラムや奨学金、学位不要の職を提供することが重要です。

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy026x9jpd0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

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