Keeping English language learning relevant and engaging is a key goal for TESOL educators. Integrating current events into lesson plans not only enhances vocabulary and comprehension skills but also fosters cultural awareness and critical thinking. One standout resource in this area is the innovative application and iOS/Android app WeSpeke’s en.news, which transforms CNN’s latest articles, videos, and podcasts into dynamic English lessons. This tool is powered by AI Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning, ensuring that breaking news stories are converted into lessons often within minutes.
Let’s explore the features of en.news and introduce six additional news-based resources—three with a right-leaning perspective and three with a left-leaning perspective—to help TESOL educators present diverse content in the classroom.
Highlights of WeSpeke’s en.news
WeSpeke’s en.news offers English learners a unique opportunity to engage with real-world events while improving their language skills. Key features include:
- Access to Transcripts: Students can read along as they watch videos, enhancing both listening and reading comprehension.
- Adjustable Video Speed: Learners can slow down video playback for better understanding.
- Interactive Word Learning: Tap on any word in articles to see its definition and pronunciation.
- Engaging Tasks: Complete activities like sentence scrambles to reinforce comprehension.
- Speaking Practice: Share answers using the microphone, promoting pronunciation and fluency.
- Gamification: Earn points, badges, and compete on the community leaderboard to stay motivated.
These features make en.news an excellent tool for both in-class and independent learning.
Expanding the News-Based Learning Toolbox
To provide balanced perspectives and enrich students’ exposure to diverse viewpoints, consider integrating content from the following news outlets. These resources include activities and features similar to those of en.news, ensuring students stay engaged while practicing English.
- Fox News English Learning Hub
Fox News offers free articles and videos paired with vocabulary exercises and comprehension quizzes. Students can explore global and U.S.-focused news topics while practicing English. - The Wall Street Journal Education Program
The WSJ offers a subscription service tailored for educators, featuring articles with discussion prompts and comprehension questions, making it a great resource for advanced English learners. - The Washington Examiner Learning Center
This platform provides simplified news summaries with glossaries for ESL learners, focusing on key political, cultural, and economic stories.
- NPR Listen & Learn
National Public Radio offers podcasts and articles accompanied by transcripts and interactive quizzes. Its focus on cultural and human-interest stories resonates with many ESL learners. - The Guardian Education Resources
Known for its global perspective, The Guardian provides free educational articles with vocabulary highlights, comprehension questions, and cultural notes to foster discussion. - MSNBC News for Learners
MSNBC’s simplified news section is designed for English learners, featuring current events paired with vocabulary-building tools and video lessons.
Using News in TESOL Classrooms
Incorporating news-based resources into your TESOL curriculum provides several benefits:
- Relevance: Students engage with timely topics, making lessons feel immediate and practical.
- Vocabulary Building: Exposure to authentic language helps learners expand their lexicons naturally.
- Critical Thinking: Discussing news stories encourages analysis and debate, enhancing cognitive skills.
- Cultural Awareness: Learning about global events fosters understanding of diverse perspectives and cultures.
Sample Lesson Plan Using en.news
- Warm-Up Activity: Start with a discussion on a trending topic in the news to activate prior knowledge.
- News-Based Learning: Use an en.news lesson featuring a CNN article or video. Assign tasks such as sentence scrambles or word definitions.
- Speaking Practice: Have students share their opinions on the topic using vocabulary they learned in the lesson.
- Critical Thinking Exercise: Introduce articles from contrasting outlets, like Fox News and NPR, and discuss differences in tone, vocabulary, or perspective.
- Gamified Learning: Encourage students to complete en.news tasks to earn badges and compete on the leaderboard.
Fun Facts About News-Based Learning
- Breaking Barriers: Studies show that learners are more motivated when engaging with current, real-world content.
- First News in English: The first English newspaper, The Oxford Gazette, was published in 1665, demonstrating the long-standing link between language and news.
- AI Evolution: The use of AI in language learning, as seen in en.news, is making personalized education more accessible than ever before.
By incorporating tools like WeSpeke’s en.news alongside diverse news resources, TESOL educators can create dynamic lessons that not only enhance English skills but also encourage global awareness and cultural exchange. The news is more than just information—it’s a gateway to learning that connects the classroom to the world.
