VOA慢速英语:Aging Countries Look to Vietnam to Fill Nursing Gap

Japan and Germany have the world's oldest populations, but neither country has enough trained health care workers to meet the needs of older adults. So, they are turning to Vietnam for help.
日本和德国的拥有世界上最老龄化的人口，但这两个国家都没有足够多训练有素的医护工作者，以满足老年人的需求。所以，它们正转向越南寻求帮助。

This month, 100 young Vietnamese are going to Germany as part of a project to train what are called geriatric nurses to work in the European country. The trainees recently completed a six-month language and culture class in Hanoi, they will spend the next two years in an occupational training program. If the trainees pass the final exam, they will be able to work in Germany as geriatric nurses for another 3 years.
这个月，作为培训到欧洲工作的老年科护士项目的一部分，100名越南年轻人前往德国。学员们最近在越南河内市完成了一项为期六个月的语言和文化课程，他们将在今后两年参加一项职业培训计划。如果学员通过期末考试，他们就能作为老年科护士在德国再工作三年。

Germany is facing a crisis as low birth rates combine with a growing population of citizens who are living longer. About 20 percent of the population is over the age of 65, and that percentage is expected to continue rising.
德国正面临着一场低出生率和长寿相结合的危机。德国近20%的人口在65岁以上，而且这一比例预计将继续上升。

This is a problem Japan also faces. Later this year, 150 Vietnamese candidates will go to Japan for two years of training at the country's hospitals, after that they are expected to take the national nursing exam.
日本也面临这样一个问题。今年晚些时候，150名越南候选人将前往日本的医院进行为期两年的培训。在那里，他们还有望参加日本全国护理考试。

Japan already trains nurses from the Philippines and Indonesia, but the health care system has been criticized for being too restrictive. All candidates must take the same exam, but it is very difficult for foreign applicants because few can speak the Japanese language.
日本已经开始培训来自菲律宾和印尼的护士，但该国的卫生保健系统一直被批过于严格。所有考生必须参加相同的考试，但这对外国人来说非常困难，因为很少有人会讲日语。

Yoko Tsuruya is the first secretary at the Japan's embassy in Hanoi. She says foreign nationals are given some help to complete the test, like being given more time to answer questions. To improve training, the government plans to combine language classes with real-life experience on the job.
Yoko Tsuruya是日本驻河内大使馆的一秘。她说，日本为外国国民给予一定的帮助以通过考试，像外国人被给予更多的答题时间。为了提升培训效果，日本政府计划把语言课程和该工作的真实体验结合起来。

Even with an aging population, many Japanese are opposed to foreigners working in some industries. Critics say foreign labor could lead to higher unemployment, but there is little opposition to foreign nurses.
即使人口老龄化，许多日本人还是反对外国人到某些行业工作。批评者说，外国劳工可能会导致更高的失业率。但很少有人反对外国护士。

In Vietnam, the situation is very different. 60 percent of the population was born after the Vietnam war ended in 1985. There is not enough jobs for everyone who wants one. Most children are expected to care for their aging parents when they get old.
在越南，情况则完全不同。越南60%的人口出生于1985年结束的越战之后，国内无法为求职者提供足够的就业机会。预计大多数孩子将在长大后照顾他们年迈的父母。

Huong Thi Thi - the nurse trainee, thinks that in the future, Vietnam will need more hospitals for its elderly, but she adds, learning the skills overseas can help the Vietnamese develop this area for themselves.
实习护士Huong Thi Thi认为在未来，越南将需要为老年人提供更多医院，但她补充说，在海外学习这些技可以帮助越南发展自己的这一领域。