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Alex Collins reports on an online university in California accused by the US government of immigration fraud. Many of the university’s students came from India on student visas. Download MP3
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In this week’s World in Words podcast, new research suggests that hard-to-read typographical fonts may help us remember the ideas they spell out. Also, an exhibit in Silicon Valley traces the origins of the language of computer programming. And the architectural grammar of the U.N. Security Council: the design layout of the council’s chamber and adjourning rooms is considered so important that replicas have been constructed during refurbishment.
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Take your seat now for the Geo Quiz: the sports stadium we’d like you to name this time borrows its name from Rome’s famous amphitheatre. It’s been home to three professional sports teams: The Athletics, the Raiders and the Earthquakes. Download MP3
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American farmers have long depended on immigrant labor. But some farmers say a steady supply of legal immigrants has become almost impossible. So they are moving to where many of the workers come from: Mexico. The World’s Jason Margolis spent two days with a California farmer who is shifting operations south of the border. Download MP3
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On Tuesday, Californians will vote on whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The referendum is being closely watched south of the border. For years, Washington has demanded that Latin America take a hard line on illegal narcotics. But as California voters consider a softer approach, some Latin American leaders say it’s time to rethink the drug war. John Otis has more.Download MP3Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
In this week’s World in Words podcast, a back-to-school edition about learning in a second language. We have stories about English language learning, Arabic language immersion, and the challenges of one Creole-speaking highschooler in New York City. Plus, the first Zulu-English dictionary in 40 years has just been published in South Africa. Download MP3Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The fastest growing segment of the American public school population is English Language Learners. These ELL students, the majority of whom are born in America, sit side by side their native English-speaking classmates, but their test scores lag far behind. The U.S. Department of Education has now launched a civil rights investigation of the ELL program in Los Angeles. Officials say only 3% of ELL students at LA schools are proficient at Math and English by the time they reach high school – but some public schools doing far better than others. Nina Porzucki reports from one of them in Downey, California. Download MP3We travel back in Olympic history for today’s Geo Quiz. We’re looking for the name of the resort where the Winter Olympics took place 50 years ago.
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Beagá is the nickname for the south east Brazilian city we’re after in today’s Geo Quiz. It’s full name in Portuguese means “Beautiful Horizon.” The city’s got a great view of the Espinhaço Mountains.
This week: a four-part series on how the economic downturn is affecting immigrants in California. So, take a quick economic tour of life in the Golden State these days. We talk to Mexican farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley, Asian health care workers in Los Angeles, and nannies in Hollywood. Listen to the Global Economy Podcast
Videos and an audio slideshow for the four-part series ‘Immigration in times of recession’ reported by Jason Margolis
As a reporter, I always set up too many interviews. There’s only so much we can cram into a few minutes for our radio pieces. Herein is the beauty of the Web. This is a bit more from some interesting people I met in California.
-Jason Margolis
It’s always hard to be an immigrant. But it’s gotten harder during the recession. This four-part series looks at working conditions for immigrants in America’s stalled economy. The World’s Jason Margolis traveled to Southern California to speak with immigrant workers from the Philippines, Mexico and Central America.
