Yahoo Hires 17-Year-Old Programmer

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. incorporate [in-KAWR-puh-reyt] (v.) – to include in something that already exists

Example: The manager incorporated the new policies in the SOPs of the office.

2. summarize [SUHM-uh-rahyz] (v.) – to say or express in a brief and short manner

Example: Her boss asked Riza to summarize the five-page report into two pages.

           

3. showcase [SHOH-keys] (v.) – to present or display in a positive manner

Example: The blog gives the businessman an opportunity to showcase his products.

4. shareholder [SHAIR-hohl-der]  (n.) – a person with shares in a company or any property

Example: Shareholders get a percentage of the company’s profit.

5. hesitation [hez-i-TEY-shuh n] (n.) – a pause because of doubt or fear

Example: Poorly written advertisements caused the buyer’s hesitation.

Article
Read the text below.

Yahoo has recently included a British high school student among its new employees after it bought the young programmer’s mobile app for $30 million. At 17, Nick D’Aloisio will start working with Yahoo to incorporate his app called Summly to the company’s selection of mobile apps. Nick still has a year and a half left for high school but is planning to make arrangements to take exams instead of taking classes. He is set to work at the Yahoo office in London, following the company’s ‘no telecommuting policy’. Summly is a mobile app that summarizes and simplifies web stories for mobile readers. Nick developed the app when he was only fifteen. The app came into reality through the funds provided by investors, such as Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, Wendi Murdoch, Ashton Kutcher, and Yoko Ono, who all later became shareholders of Summly. Nick and his team launched Summly in November last year. After only a month, Yahoo and other companies has already started trying to acquire the app. Brian Wong, founder of a mobile rewards company called Kiip, said that Nick's success can be attributed to Nick’s ability to showcase his vision for Summly without hesitations or doubts. In an interview, Nick said that his age was indeed an advantage, but so was the strength of his idea. He eagerly expressed optimism for his app, saying that people should not underestimate how powerful the app can become and how much opportunity the app can get from Yahoo.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

·         Would you be willing to buy an app like Summly? Why or why not?

·         If you owned a start-up company like Summly, would you try to expand it or sell it to a bigger company? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         Do you think teenagers nowadays are more innovative? Please explain your answer.

·         How would you support a child who shows an interest in business? Please explain your answer.

この記事が気に入りましたか？