What message do you have for the children

[GoodTaste]

Does the phrase "What message do you have for the children" sound natural in English.

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One thing you didn't mention is personality.
What message do you have for the children who have failed going to College in the first place?

Source: They are two lines I remembered from an English speaking competition titled Higher Education in 21st Century - Challenges and Opportunities for the Students held many years ago (I am not sure they are exactly what the teacher said).

 

[Raymott]

"What message do you have for the children who have failed going to College in the first place?"


Yes, the phrase in bold is good. The rest of the sentence could be better though. Going to college is not something you generally fail.
How you say it depends on why they didn't go to college.
"... who didn't get into college." (If they tried and were not successful in their application.)
"... who were unable to go to college." (Includes other reasons, for example they had to work on the farm.)

 

[Tdol]

Failed is a strong word to use when you're trying to be encouraging.

 

[GoodTaste]

OK. I got the video. He used "fail to get into university" - The version is:

"... you said it is very important to grasp all the opportunities,and obviously you've done it very well.But in reality, not everyone is as lucky to have so many doors open to them.So what would be your message to those unfortunate students who fail to get into university in the first place?"

Does "fail to get into university" sound natural in English?

 

[tedmc]

I think "cannot get into university" sounds better.

 

[Tarheel]

It's natural enough. (American English.)

 

[Tdol]

Does "fail to get into university" sound natural in English?

It's not unnatural, but who didn't get into university sounds a lot better to me.

 

[GoodTaste]

It's not unnatural, but who didn't get into university sounds a lot better to me.

"Didn't" has made it more specific by referring to those students who had failed in college entrance examination.

But the speaker probably meant a more general sense (for past, present and future students altogether). If so, is the past tense "didn't" suitable?

 

[GoesStation]

"Didn't" has made it more specific by referring to those students who had failed in college entrance examination.

But the speaker probably meant a more general sense (for past, present and future students altogether). If so, is the past tense "didn't" suitable?

"So what would be your message to those unfortunate students who fail to get into university in the first place?"

Good point. It isn't. The sentence you quoted above is natural and not linked to any particular time frame.