World's Children Care Most About Education

A global survey has asked 6,204 children in 47 countries around the world about their hopes, dreams and fears. The worldwide "Small Voices, Big Dreams" report is from the children's charity ChildFund. It asked ten- to twelve-year-olds six questions about the world and their future. It discovered that education, food and the environment are their biggest worries. 

A Child Fund spokesman said: "We're always surprised…to see how much [importance] children…put on education." He added that he was pleased children saw the link between education and a better future: "It shows the depth of maturity of children, who clearly understand the connection between education and changing their worlds for the better."

The children were asked the question: "If you were president or leader of your country, what would you do to improve the lives of children in your country?" Most said they would focus on education. The children also answered the question "What are you most afraid of?" 

Over 25 per cent of kids in developing countries said their greatest fear was dangerous animals and insects. The environment was also a big concern for the children. The report says: "Across the world, nearly half of children said they would either plant more trees, build additional green spaces or decrease littering to help improve the planet." Regarding future careers, almost 20 per cent of children want to be a professional athlete when they grow up.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many countries were in the survey?
2.	What kind of organization is ChildFund?
3.	How many questions were in the survey?
4.	What link pleased a Childfund spokesman?
5.	How do children think education changes their world?
6.	What would most children focus on if they were leader of their country?
7.	What are over a quarter of children afraid of?
8.	What was also a big concern for children?
9.	What extra things do children want to build?
10.	What career choice is mentioned at the end of the news story?

EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What springs to mind when you hear the word '10-year-old'?
2. What was your life like when you were ten years old?
3. What were your biggest fears when you were 10? Are you still afraid?
4. Do you think all 10-year-olds worry about education?
5. What were your dreams when you were ten, and have those dreams changed?
6. Did you worry about the environment when you were ten?





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