BBC随身英语:Street cred 乞丐变导游

When he felt isolated, contact with the volunteer network 'The Sock Mob' gave Henri hope. "Not everyone just looked down on me," he said.

The tours aren't the only initiative to help those who have suffered a reversal of fortune to stand tall again.

An innovative college for homeless people in London, the first of its kind in the country, is attracting hundreds of students. The Recovery College, set up by St Mungo's charity, is providing courses designed to improve technical skills and life skills.

According to Andy Williams, who helps to organise the college, the most popular courses have proved to be about raising self-confidence and developing self-esteem.

Steve, now in his 50s, told BBC reporter Sean Coughlan how much of a difference it makes to "have a bit of confidence". He had dyslexia and drifted out of school when he was 12. Because Steve's problem was not recognised at the time he was "seen as an illiterate", and suffered with depression and alcohol abuse.

He says the status of 'student' is itself important for people who are used to being treated as outcasts.

Some charities aim not only to empower the homeless but also to make them popular. The Homeless World Cup started ten years ago. Today the tournament draws teams from 48 countries made up of players - men and women - who are, or have been, living in the streets. It gives them a chance to become heroes on the pitch.

Quiz 测验 1. What kind of places does Henri take tourists to visit?

Places people don't usually go to; off the beaten track.

2. What sort of skills do homeless people develop at the Recovery College?

Technical skills and life skills.

3. Is the following true, false or not given in the article? Steve is illiterate.

False. Steve has dyslexia, so people mistakenly thought that he was illiterate.

4. What expression is used to indicate that someone's life has taken a turn for the worse?

A reversal of fortune.

5. Which words indicate that someone has been excluded from society?

Isolated and outcast.

Glossary 词汇表 to sleep rough露宿（街头） homeless无家可归的 to get back on (their) feet重新振作起来 a tour guide一名导游 off the beaten track人迹罕见、偏僻的背街小巷 isolated孤立无援的 a volunteer一名志愿者 to look down on (someone)瞧不起、歧视（某人） a reversal of fortune运\势逆转 to stand tall重建信心 technical skills技术技能 life skills生活技能 self-confidence自信心 self-esteem自尊 dyslexia阅读障碍 to drift out（由于外因）慢慢地离开、脱离 depression抑郁症 alcohol abuse酗酒 an outcast无家可归的人，被遗弃的人 to empower帮助，给予某人做某事的能力