ESL etc.

One way to bring global issues into an ESL class is through the use of news and current events. Below, I’ve collected some free, regularly updated sites that offer news in varying degrees of simplified English. Some also offer supplemental activities, including listening exercises, discussion questions and grammar practice.

Breaking News English – A wonderful site which offers articles and supporting activities as .docs, .pdfs and .mp3s. Activities include warm-up discussions, vocabulary matching, and cloze passages, just to name a few. New articles are posted every few days, and there is a huge archive available. The only problem with this site is that the articles may be a bit difficult for lower level learners. It is a great resource!

BBC Learning English: News English – This is another good site with extensive archives. The articles are a bit shorter than those at Breaking News English, and while there are not many supporting activities, they do offer audio recordings and vocabulary lists.

Voice of America: Special English – This site offers MP3s and transcripts of Voice of America radio shows in special English. Special English is based on a core vocabulary of 1500 words. As a government funded institution, the VOA has a certain editorial bias to it, but I have known many students who use it regularly. I have not used it myself, though.

Simple English News – Features headlines and very short (less than 100 words) articles. Learners can also listen to the articles being read. The articles are read slowly, but the intonation is somewhat stilted.