Interpreting Training Exercise | Interpreting For The Mayor

Interpreting speech to practice your note-taking skills. WARNING: This speech starts straight away!

Topic(s): Politics

Terms: college, central government, demographic shift, pleas, financial burden, bridge the gap, beacon of hope, vocational training, cultural heritage

Sources: n/a

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Good For Practicing:

• Simultaneous Interpreting
• Conference Interpreting

Also available on Speechpool.

Script*:

*Please check the script only after you’ve done the note-taking exercise, otherwise that’s cheating! 🙂

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for gathering here today as we address a matter of great concern for our city. It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you to share some unfortunate news. Our beloved city’s only college, an institution that has been a cornerstone of education and opportunity for generations, has regrettably closed its doors.

The closure of our city’s college is a bitter pill to swallow, and it is important that we understand the factors that led to this decision. Two significant challenges have weighed heavily on our ability to sustain this vital institution: the decline in our young population and the lack of funding from the central government.

First, we must acknowledge the declining number of young people in our city. Over the years, we have witnessed a steady decrease in our population’s youth, as many talented individuals have sought opportunities in larger cities or migrated to other regions. This demographic shift has put a strain on our college’s enrollment, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the necessary student numbers to keep the institution financially viable.

Additionally, the lack of funding from the central government has exacerbated our challenges. We have tirelessly advocated for the support needed to keep our college running, but unfortunately, our pleas have gone unanswered. The financial burden placed on the city, given our limited resources, became insurmountable. Despite our best efforts to find alternative sources of funding, we were unable to bridge the gap, and the college had no choice but to close its doors.

The closure of our college is a loss not only for our city but for the entire region. Our college was a beacon of hope, a place where dreams were nurtured and potential realized. It was a gateway to higher education for many who otherwise would not have had the opportunity. The impact of its absence will reverberate through our community for years to come.

However, in the face of adversity, we must come together as a city and forge a new path forward. While our college may be gone, our spirit and determination remain intact. We must redouble our efforts to support education in our community, whether through vocational training programs, partnerships with neighboring institutions, or other creative solutions.

Let us not dwell on what we have lost but rather focus on what we can achieve. Our city is rich in resources, be it our natural beauty, our cultural heritage, or the resilience of our people. We must leverage these strengths to attract new opportunities and create an environment that nurtures the talent and potential of our youth.

I call upon each and every one of you to join me in this endeavor. Let us work hand in hand to build a brighter future for our city, where education and opportunity are not merely dreams of the past but a living reality for every individual. Let us demonstrate to the world that our city’s spirit is unyielding, and we will rise above this setback with determination and resolve.

Together, we can overcome any challenge and ensure that the legacy of our college lives on, not just in the buildings and classrooms but in the hearts and minds of our community. Our city’s story is far from over, and with your support, we will author a new chapter of growth, prosperity, and educational excellence.

Thank you, and may our city’s light shine bright for generations to come.