It’s important to know what’s happening worldwide, but if English isn’t your first language, it can be challenging to follow the news. If you spend some time perusing these fantastic news sites, you’ll be competent to do two gears at once: practice your English and remain current on the news.
Reading Enhances English Proficiency
Reading the news is a vast place to start if you want to learn how the language is used in various contexts. If you read a severe news website, you’ll pick up on the structure of harsh sentences, but if you read a Humorous Book, you’ll pick up on the construction of informal prose.
In addition to helping you learn the differences between British, American, Canadian, Australian, and South African English, reading English news sources may also help you better understand other English-speaking cultural characteristics. Therefore, to help you improve your English reading skills, I have compiled a list of 10 news websites.
1. The BBC News
Regarding radio and television transmission, the British Broadcasting Corporation (or BBC, for short) has approximately 23,000 workers and is considered the world’s oldest and largest. Its writings are straightforward and brief, and it maintains a reputation for objectivity in its reporting. In addition, it has a wealth of engaging videos to watch. The BBC Globe News channel, which provides the same high standard of T.V. reporting and can be accessed from virtually any country worldwide, is also recommended.
2. The News on Channel 4
Channel 4 in the United Kingdom is the place to be if political news is your thing. It is well-known for its objectivity and willingness to report on controversial topics that other British news outlets avoid. Many political and economic news contribute to a more sophisticated vocabulary, but it’s worth it if you’re up for the task.
3. ABC News
The ABC News website is highly regarded worldwide, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation is a state-owned news organization. Like the BBC in Britain, ABC News strives to remain politically impartial, making it a decent option for individuals needing a balanced news source.
The website’s coverage ranges from local to global and includes politics, business, sports, science, and more. The professional tone of the writing means that slang is avoided, making it a suitable choice for those who want to learn how Australian English varies from British and American English.
4. Sky News
This U.K. news outlet follows the same pattern as American news programs, so it’s louder and more fun than, for example, BBC World News, but it also avoids more contentious issues less frequently. The language is simple, and there are a variety of British presenters whose accents can help you learn to distinguish between regional types of English in the United Kingdom.
5. Al Jazeera
The Arabic word for “island” translates to “Al Jazeera,” which is the name of a television news network established in Qatar that reports on events all over the world. It has a diverse group of presenters from all over the world, so you may hear a variety of accents and gain exposure to other languages while you catch up on global news.
6. Huffington Post
HuffPost (formerly known as Huffington Post) is one of the most well-liked options for those who prefer a less severe take on current events. It has a liberal political perspective. Therefore, it doesn’t shy away from contentious themes, and it includes more entertainment articles covering anything from T.V. programs to celebrities. Thus the language is straightforward, easy, and pleasant to read.
7. The Cut
The Cut is a news website run by New York Magazine that mainly covers style and personal grooming topics. It is primarily aimed at young ladies, is written in American English, and has a pretty light tone.
While the website also publishes opinion pieces and general news, most of its content consists of quick-read “Top 10” and “Top 50” lists. The Cut occasionally delves into other realms of interest, such as celebrity, television, cinema, and even politics, in addition to fashion and lifestyle news.
8. The Toronto Star
The Toronto Star, the internet companion of the eponymous Canadian daily newspaper, is a top destination for news among Canadians. As a result, it’s a great option for Canadian English learners or Canadian affairs enthusiasts, even though worldwide information is also covered.
Some of the terminology used on the site is more sensationalist than you would find, for example, on the BBC, suggesting a liberal slant and guaranteeing a certain amount of amusement. Even yet, journalists at the Toronto Star are expected to uphold the paper’s rigorous standards for journalism at all times.
9. CNN
CNN isn’t the oldest U.S. news network, but it’s still a go-to for news about the U.S. and the globe. It was the first T.V. network to air news round-the-clock, and it typically uses looping announcements so that viewers may improve their English listening comprehension skills. You may enhance your listening abilities by watching CNN, whose hosts and reporters come from worldwide. You should check out CNN’s website and app, which are complete and well done.
10. The Debrief
The Debrief is another British news site delving into news, politics, technology, television, lifestyle, fashion, and celebrity gossip. It uses British English, as you might assume, but its tone is less formal, and its target audience is younger.
Although there are broad news articles and even recommendations on issues like how to dress or eat more healthily, most of The Debrief’s features are editorials. The site is written for a young audience. Thus, most articles are understandable, making them excellent resources for learning new slang terms.
11. Vice
The website is sleek and modern, making it a pleasure to use. Vice blends current events coverage with more casual pieces, visual art, video, and other forms of media in both its web and print editions. Keep an eye out for the translated versions; you want the English content, right?
12. Quartz News
This excellent program sends you text messages with the day’s top news stories, and you may reply with questions or comments. It’s a perfect opportunity to brush up on your English and catch up on the day’s biggest news. If you’ve been having trouble following the more technical information on other channels, you’ll find that this one strikes the right tone of casual ease. It’s updated many times a day so that you may check it primary thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Why Study News to Learn English?
Creating a sense of the world around you is what language is all about. The news you watch is relevant to your life and the things that matter to you. Learning English in a practical setting makes the most sense.
Keep up with the current discourse (conversations) in English by reading or listening to the news. You will acquire a foundational vocabulary for discussing and debating contemporary political, economic, and cultural concerns and understand how these topics are framed and addressed in the English-speaking world.
Consider the coverage of feminist problems in the media at various times. The right of women to vote was a central issue in early 20th-century English news stories, and the term “suffrage” frequently appeared in these pieces.
Headlines like “Feminism, Abortion Rights, and the Women’s March” (The New York Times) and “Gender wage gap implies women ‘working for free from now until 2017′” (The Guardian) reflect the increased attention paid to feminist causes in the early 21st century (The Guardian).
It’s fascinating to trace the development of ideas and words over time. Which do you believe will become more often used in English throughout your lifetime, the gender wage gap or women’s suffrage?
Boost Your Ability to Read and Listen
The news may be found in various formats, including television, radio (podcasts), newspapers, and online.
It’s easy to understand and use the terminology presented in English news stories. Likewise, local T.V. newscasts always use a standardized regional accent (like the U.S., U.K., etc.). You will improve your listening comprehension by doing this.
Reading the paper or logging on to your favorite news website is a great way to improve your reading skills because the information presented directly applies to your everyday life. You’ll have a better chance of remembering new information and figuring out the meanings of unfamiliar terms. One sure way to recall the importance of the term “downpour” is to look it up in the weather report for today, walk outside and be drenched in the heavy rain, and then look up the phrase in the dictionary (and will know to grab your umbrella).
Likewise, listening to the radio or television news is an excellent way to improve your listening skills and learn new vocabulary. Since newscasters typically speak more clearly and slowly than everyday speech, they might be an excellent resource for language learners. The subtitles on specific T.V. news videos allow you to practice hearing and to read simultaneously.
Extensive, Unrestricted Access to Materials
Several news outlets have moved their operations online to reach a wider audience. You may read numerous news pieces.
When using the news to improve your English, you can get at least a taste of many significant magazines for free, whether you’re more interested in the arts, the economy, or the headlines in general. Complimentary newspaper and magazine subscriptions will also be available.