What is this and why to use it?
This is an incredible students’ channel that abounds with up-to-date events, technologies, sports, travel, and around the world news. These are authentic, reliable, contemporary sources of English that are not tampered with for educational purposes. However, there are features like questions and answers, in-depth discussions, and shoutouts.
• Completely free, motivating, promotes critical thinking, and learners’ autonomy because learners can download news podcasts and listen to them on the bus or while having dinner.
• It is a great source of exposure to realia and authentic materials.
• It has Questions and Answers for learners to reflect on what they have seen and see their level of understanding.
• In-depth discussion questions that encourage critical thinking in a contemporary framework of current issues and affairs.
• Materials are daily updated.
• They increase learners’ motivations in that learners can be involved in making decisions about their areas of interest.
• Reliable transcripts are provided for every piece of news.
• Learners can develop their skills for listening for gist, or the overall meaning in a natural way rather than being hung up on unimportant details.
• They can learn how to discuss, argue, and critically evaluate current affairs through the use of in-depth discussions or Q&As.
How to use it?
01 A once-a-week lesson can be dedicated for using this tool.
02 Students can watch these videos at home or in class to discuss them.
03 Then they answer the Q&As provided for each lesson
04 Next, printable pdf worksheets are distributed for learners to answer, or if enough computers are provided, they can be set in groups to answer the questions and discuss them.
05 I would prefer the latter way if possible to increase opportunities for learners to negotiate meanings and collaborate on doing the tasks at hand.
06 Finally, a whole-class discussion provides a forum for students to discuss these current issues and say their opinions on it.
07 At this stage, students are asked to keep a record of the new words they have learnt.
08 As a follow up activity, they should have a look at the transcripts at home and download the podcasts to listen to using their mp3 players.
Limitations:
• These videos require a high speed connection for learners to walk at home. However, teachers can easily download these videos and print the pdf sheets for learners to work on collaboratively even without internet connection.
• These are only used for intermediate to upper-level learners.
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