Intermediate
Working with Newspapers
Posted on: 10 Dec, 2009 05:06 PM
Reading newspapers in English is a great way to expand your English understanding and vocabulary. I'd like to suggest a few exercises which you can do on your own or in class which will help you take advantage of newspaper articles to improve your English. These are just a few of the activities you can do using newspaper or magazine articles, please add any of your favorite activities in the comments section below.
Activity 1 - Skimming Headlines
Take your newspaper and scan the headlines quickly. Try to guess the contents of the story using the headline alone. Take time to consider what type of vocabulary might be used in connection with article. For example, based on the story in the picture I might learn about:
- Government programs
- Party names
- Vocabulary related to politics
Thinking about vocabulary these are the words that come to mind:
party
congress (or parliament)
leader
legislation
vote
approve
debate
etc.
This type of exercise is a great way to bind vocabulary groups together and prepare you for better understanding. It's always a good idea to stop and consider what an article might discuss to give your brain a chance to start thinking in that direction.
Activity 2 - Tense Review
Take different colored pens, or use the highlighter markup on your computer. Go through the article and use a different color for each tense. Begin with one color and find each example of one specific tense. Choose another color and do the same. This exercise can be used for a variety of grammar structures. Here are some ideas:
- Find all the phrasal verbs and highlight the main verb in one color and the particle (usually a preposition) in another color
- Highlight all the linking language
- Highlight irregular verbs
Activity 3 - Write up Questions
Highlight each of the phrases that provide an answer to a question. Once you've chosen all of the objects of your questions, write questions for each of the answers. Finally, provide shortened answers to each of your questions. Try to rephrase your answers rather than just repeat the sentence from the article.
What sort of activities do you enjoy doing with newspapers? Please leave a comment!
Submitted by Mreloy on 28 Dec, 2009 02:21 PM
I always try to improve my english through of newspapers. In one
hand it is something that I`m very interested in world issues like
politics in some countries known by my or international politics
matter; too I like know about enviroment.
In other hand I think that is possible to gain knowledge in formal
english language, and something about grammar though it way have
little content in everydays`s english.
Everyway it is one of my favorite complements for learn english and
besides one of the main reasons because I learn english.
Too are usefull the news through of video and audio for improve our
pronunciation. The NYT and Fora TV have good storys for this.
Usually I read in both BBC's newspapers and New York Time's
newspaper.
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Submitted by Astrosaeed on 10 Dec, 2009 09:14 PM
Hi Kenneth,
I think the verb tenses that journalists use in newspapers are
sometimes strange for English learners like me, specially in the
headlines and also they usually use the most difficult
vocabulary.
I added your blog to my favorites.
Saeed
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