Fourteen-year-old Thuch Salik became an overnight star last year, after a video of him selling souvenirs at Angkor Archaeological Park in multiple languages and dialects went popular online.
At the time of the video being filmed, Thuch lived with his parents and two brothers close to the park. His parents had relocated the family from the city of Battambang to Siem Reap to work in the tourist trade, but got into great debts during the move.
Thuch was always a bright boy and often begged his mother to allow him to study foreign languages, but she had no money to provide lessons for him. Yet this didn’t fail the determined teenager.
“I learned from tourists. When they say something, I listen. One day, two days, three days, I listened,” said Thuch. “I remember, and I say like the tourists.”
Since the video was posted, Thuch and his family have received donations and offers of help from around the world.
Initially, Thuch went with his mother and younger brother to Phnom Penh and was sent to BELTEI International School by a Cambodian businessman. This month, however, Thuch Salik flew to China to begin his study at Hailiang Foreign Language School in Zhejiang Province, China.
Zhejiang Hailiang Charity Foundation will fully cover Thuch’s expenses until he finishes university, or even doctoral study, according to a statement from the Hailaing Education Group.
The group revealed that a major factor in giving Thuch this chance to realize his dreams is due to their newly-launched “One Belt One Road” International Talent Study-in-China Philanthropic Program. As a part of this program, Hailiang will offer scholarships to talented youths in BRI countries from poor backgrounds.
4. What might be the best way to learn foreign languages according to Thuch?
A.Communicating with local tourists day after day. |
B.Receiving education at foreign language schools. |
C.Moving to the country speaking target languages. |
D.Learning from actions, and acting from learning. |
5. How could Thuch study at Hailiang Foreign Language School?
A.He passed serious tests. |
B.His parents relocated the family. |
C.He benefited from “One Belt One Road”. |
D.He got help from a Cambodian businessman. |
6. What can we know about Thuch?
A.He is natural for languages. |
B.He moves to China from Battambang. |
C.He becomes rich from the tourist trade. |
D.He is determined to get formal schooling. |
7. What does the text mainly talk about?
A.A little Cambodian businessman becomes popular. |
B.A little trader gets rid of poverty by learning languages. |
C.A little Cambodian language genius moves to China. |
D.A little boy becomes a video star by selling souvenirs. |