I know that it is English English, but the BBC Learning English website, free, has some superb resources: lexis, scrip, audio and quizzes for current news.
 
Anthony


Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 11:42:09 -0700From: dprice at sdccd.eduTo: englishlanguage at nifl.govSubject: [EnglishLanguage 2544] Re: EnglishLanguage 2516] Re: Using the news inthe classroom



If you and your students have Internet access, here's a website that has very short current news items:
http://www.simpleenglishnews.com/
Click a category in the left column.  Click the play button to hear the story while you read.
Some vocabulary words are defined.  There is also a marquee-type scrolling of the latest 
news items.
Donna Price
VESL/Tech Resource Instructor
San Diego Community College Continuing Education Program



From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of cordelia.butlerSent: Fri 5/16/2008 11:16 AMTo: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion List; The Adult English Language Learners Discussion ListSubject: [EnglishLanguage 2539] EnglishLanguage 2516] Re: Using the news inthe classroom

Hello,"Newspapers in the Classroom" is an excellent source to evoke: communication, pronunciation, and education.  I have experienced different responses from different classes.  The ESL class was reluctant and shy, while the ABE students were eager to share.  Now, they all walk in with their campus and/or local newspapers anticipating stimulating discussions.One student expressed how reading the newspaper and discussing current events made him realize how "unaware" he was.  He's always the first to initiate and find unfamiliar words to add to our vocabulary list.We also use the newspaper to: identify parts of speech, make inferences, and create spelling lists.Cordelia ButlerABE/GED/ESL InstructorHCC and Lonestar CollegesHouston, Texas________________________________From: englishlanguage-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Gail WadeSent: Thu 5/15/2008 4:19 PMTo: The Adult English Language Learners Discussion ListSubject: [EnglishLanguage 2516] Re: Using the news in the classroomHi,Using the newspaper, or current events in the classroom is not only educational, but entertaining, and something my students look forward to. Not only do we use them for "what's happening", but we do predictions, spelling, think/pair./share/ opinions, and we even come up with words for the cartoons. I white-out the words the cartoonist used, and let the students make up what they think the character is saying.Gail Wademaryann lopez <mlopezdc at yahoo.com> wrote:        Hi again,            In response to Heide's question about using news in the classroom, I oftentimes begin the day with current events.  I'll ask, "What's in the news" or "What's happening in the world?"  Students absolutely love current events.  I find that my students will listen to Spanish radio and television and already have the background information, opinions formed, and perspectives in place and are prepared to participate in discussion in English.  I like to use cognates as a vocabulary builder and discussions like these help to foster vocabulary development.  For example, cyclone/ciclon and disaster/desastre among others can be used in conversation about Myanmar. Sometimes, I'll bring in a TV and news clips or we'll just listen to short segments of news radio for more challenging listening activities.  We move on to newspaper articles about the discussions we've had.  At that point, my students are prepared to read about these current events and recognize the vocabulary we've talke d about.  At the same time, comprehension is increased because of the process taken.  When students are truly interested, that "need to know" and that "hunger for reading" is there and needs to be fed.        Great discussions, everybody!        Maryann Lopez        Houston, Tx               ----------------------------------------------------        National Institute for Literacy        Adult English Language Learners mailing list        EnglishLanguage at nifl.gov        To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/englishlanguage        Email delivered to gjmwade at sbcglobal.net----------------------------------------------------National Institute for LiteracyAdult English Language Learners mailing listEnglishLanguage at nifl.govTo unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/englishlanguageEmail delivered to dprice at sdccd.edu
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