It is for everyone that wants to learn English
as a second language. I have just started teaching the subject English, my
major subject is textile craft. When I was presented with this task I asked my
sister, who has been teaching for many years, if she had a website to recommend.
She suggested this one and I understand why. She explained to me that her experiences
of using it was that it catches the interest of almost every student, on all
levels.
The website is full of interesting News stories
and film clips but also other topics from all around the world. You can choose
from topics such as: News, Sport, Nature, History, Interesting, Funny, Information and
Exercises. New film clips and stories are displayed on the website every day.It
is truly something for everyone!
This is how it works. The website is organized so
you can read and listen to different news stories and other topics from all
around the world in 3 different levels of difficulty. Level 1 is basic English,
level 2 intermediate English and level 3 is advanced English spoken with a
native tongue. The original story is always displayed at the level 3 page.
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| This is the home page where you select your level. |
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| This page shows level 1written and recorded text,(you press the play button). |
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| This page is level 3 and shows the written text, recorded text and full News story. |
To be able to use the website for teaching you
will need a computer or an Ipad and access to the internet. If you want to use it as a class
activity you will need a projector or an interactive whiteboard as well, to
display the site in large scale.
If the pupils work in smaller
groups with learning, 1-3 students is appropriate with each computer or Ipad,
so everyone can be involved with the task. Something to think about is the
volume, the student need to be seated in different study rooms or wear headsets
so they don´t disturb each other when listening.
As a class activity you might start with a News program in level 1, where
you can read the text, listen to it and go through new words together. After
that you move on to level 2 reading the same story on a more advanced level,
looking at the differences and going through new words. You do the same at
level 3 and then you look at the original film clip together.
This could be a good exercise to get familiar with differences in text
according to knowledge requirements of the syllabus in LGR11.
The texts within each level use the same words that is repeated in
different ways, that way you will get a deep understanding of the words. With
each level the pupils will learn approximately 3000 new words. To be successful
in learning English this way the you need to use the material regularly, if
possible everyday according to the founders of the website, Lidor Skodik and
Michal Hudecek.
There are lots of different ways that the students can work with this
website as a base for learning English. By looking at the core content for English in LGR 11 you will find that by working
with this website in an appropriate way it is possible to implement quite a few
of the requirements and aims of the syllabus. By using the site it is possible
to have fun and reach the aim for the course in English at the same time. I
think that is a very good way to learn
and comprehend a new language!
// Charlotte Strandberg
News in levels is a very good web-page for hearing and listening to real and authentic text. I use it in class ones a week in a similar way you describe. Although, I start by talking about the difficult words first. I also have altered with news from CNN or BBC`s web-pages. This is a bit more work to prepare though, because you need to search for an article with right level of difficulty. I also think it is very important to use authentic text in English to show the pupils that they manage and to gain their self-confidents.
ReplyDeleteThe built in function to hear and read the same article in three steps makes it very useful since you have the possibility to choose to start at a level of difficulty suitable the group and also, as you describe, may start easy and use the same article to increase the amount of words and difficulty level.
I think you describe the page´s function and usability very well. You have a clear and, to the assignment, well-adjusted tone and language. I also think it is good of you to attach pictures to illustrate what you mean. Perhaps if I may make a suggestion, the introduction-paragraph could be shortened. For instance, there is no really need to the assignment to tell us that it was your sister who tipped you.
Thank you for sharing about this usable web-page.
// Jonas Schenström
ReplyDeleteHi Charlotte,
I think that your description of the website www.newsinlevels.com correlates very well with the sites performance and range. I was immediately interested in the content when I read your blog post because I think it can be hard to find good learning materials in English that covers topics the way this site does. Nice that you, at the beginning of the blog post, made it clear to us readers what resources we need to be able work on this page, individually or as a class activity; Internet and a computer or iPad, projector or Smartboard.
I have visited the website and to your description of it I would like to add that the first thing that popped up was a box with a language test. Immediately I became curious and filled out the 15 questions in the test and my e-mail address. Right after that it came a reply in my inbox about how many right I had in the test and what level I shall work with on the basis of my linguistic skills. I think it was a smart feature that can be used by all students. The test can also be found under a tab in the front page. Further I have tested the different difficulty settings, level 1-3, which clearly brought me forward to linguistically more advanced English. I strongly believe in the idea of using several senses in language learning. Here´s the students get to listen, read and, at level 3, see a movie that’s based on the text, which you clearly describe in your blog post.
I also think it´s good that there are useful teaching tips about how to work with the website along with the students. I found that information under the tab About - for Teachers. The website also provides links to www.jokesinlevels.com and www.videosinlevels.com where it´s valuable to find more learning material of English language teaching.
Your parallel between goal attainment of proficiency in Lgr11 and the page´s content gives me as a teacher a safe ground to stand on when I choose to work with this page.
Thank you so much for a well written and interesting blog post with tips on working methods that I can perform with my students. I will definitely use www.newsinlevels.com in English teaching!
Best regards,
Sofi