ICT Tip: Comprehensive, ready-to-use EFL/ESL lesson plans based on current world events

19 May

Quick overview: Ready to use EFL/ESL lesson plans based on current world events. Each lesson contains reading and listening exercises. There is a new lesson added every three days.

How can it be used in the classroom? The Breaking News English website (www.breakingnewsenglish.com) offers your students an opportunity to read and listen to current news items on-line. Each comprehensive lesson plan contains a news article, pair work, discussion, communication activities, reading and vocabulary exercises.

Technical info: The lesson handouts are available in Word and PDF document formats.  You are encouraged to print and use the lessons with your students.  Podcasts (an audio recording of the lesson) in MP3 format are available on the site too.

Highlights:

  • The lessons are free.
  • There is a new lesson every three days.
  • All lessons are based on stories currently in the news.
  • As the world’s news breaks, teach it!
  • All lessons are also downloadable in Word and PDF formats.
  • Listening files can be downloaded as MP3 audio files.
  • Listening files can also be subscribed to via a podcast.
  • Classroom handouts are readily reproducible.
  • There is a graded listening with each lesson.
  • Teachers can copy/paste parts of the lessons they want to use.

(Source: Lise Demers, Place Cartier Adult Education Centre, Lester B. Pearson School Board. Certain parts of the “Quick Overview” description have been paraphrased from a description provided to me from Lise Demers. As well, certain parts of the “Highlights” description have been paraphrased from the Breaking News English about section.)