News for ESL Students

Listening to and reading the news in English is one of the best ways to learn the language. Several online resources are available to English language learners to help them focus on improving their language skills and learn about what is going on in the world, too. These resources are designed specifically for English students The content is geared toward helping them expand vocabulary and grammar knowledge. Incorporate news into your listening activities in your next lesson plan to give your students some extra listening, reading, and writing practice.

Breaking News English

This site posts news stories in an easy-to-read format that helps English learners gain confidence in their reading comprehension skills. Search for news stories based on subject, or browse through the list of news stories available. Each story also contains ready-made worksheets and exercises to help students practice the new vocabulary they learn in the story and to check for understanding.

BBC

The BBC offers an online news outlet for English language learners. Up-to-date news stories and English learning resources make this site a rich resource for both teachers and English students. Students can even read blogs by posted by other English students located around the world.

Voice of America

Listen to a wide variety of news topics on the Voice of America Special English website. Follow along with a transcript of the report as it is read by an English speaker. Topics of special interest to English learners around the world can be found on the Voice of America Special English site.

Spark some lively debates and investigations in your class based on news reports in English. Create writing assignments based on the news reports such as finding out more information about a certain topic, or preparing a persuasive essay about a news story. Speaking practice could involve role plays about news stories listened to, and students can report about what they find out in research done on topics listened to or read in class.

Be as creative as you and your class want to be in using news stories in your ESL classroom. Encourage students to listen to news reports outside of class as well. National Public Radio is available on the radio in most communities, and it serves as another source of news stories students can listen to. However, it is not geared to English language learners.