Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
English Language Learners: How to Read the English News
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Learn to read the English news as an ESL learner
As an English language learner, reading the English news can be a challenging task. This four-week course will help you build your confidence and interest in reading the English news as you become familiar with the vocabulary, complex sentences, and knowledge of news topics.
Following a step-by-step guide, you’ll learn effective news reading strategies, practice methods for dealing with unknown vocabulary and complicated sentences, and gain important background knowledge for key news issues.
By the end, you’ll find reading the English news enjoyable and will create a habit of keeping up with the news every day.
Understand the structure of news writing
Through reading authentic news articles from well-known English newspapers, such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Guardian, you’ll be introduced to current news issues and have the opportunity to discuss and share your opinions with others.
Next, you’ll delve into the structure and characteristics of news writing and develop an appreciation for the sarcasm, humour, and metaphors used in news reports.
Develop your English reading skills
You’ll explore news reading strategies to help you learn how to read the news critically. You’ll explore a variety of news including international, opinion, business, and sports.
This exercise will help you understand English news broadcasts as well as extending your vocabulary in different fields.
Learn from the experts at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)
Throughout the course, you’ll learn from the experts at NTHU, a top research university.
By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to read and understand the English news.
Syllabus
Week 1
News English Basics
Welcome to the Course
Welcome to the Course
Sources of News
Image Attribution: https://www.freepik.com
Understanding News Headlines
Understanding News Headlines
Headline Vocabulary
Headline Vocabulary
Types of News Leads
Types of News Leads
News Story Structure
News Story Structure
Weekly Wrap-Up
Weekly Wrap-Up
Week 2
News Reading Strategies
Introduction to Week 2
Introduction to Week 2
How to Deal With Unknown Vocabulary
How to Deal With Unknown Vocabulary
News Reading Strategies
News Reading Strategies
How to Read the News Critically
How to Read the News Critically
Weekly Wrap-Up
Weekly Wrap-Up
Week 3
Reading International News
Introduction to Week 3
Introduction to Week 3
NY Times Article In Forceful Defense
NY Times Article In Forceful Defense
More News Reading Strategies
More News Reading Strategies
Weekly Wrap-Up
Weekly Wrap-Up
Week 4
Reading the Opinion Section
Introduction to Week 4
Introduction to Week 4
Three Basic Components of the Opinion Section
Three Basic Components of the Opinion Section
Read and Analyze an Opinion Article
Read and Analyze an Opinion Article
Weekly Wrap-Up
Weekly Wrap-Up
Week 5
Reading Business News
Introduction to Business News
Introduction to Business News
Read a Business News Story
Read a Business News Story
Weekly Wrap-Up
Wrap-up for week 5
Week 6
Reading Sports News
Introduction to Sports News
Introduction to Sports News
Read a Sports News Story
Read a Sports News Story
Understanding News Broadcasts and Wrap-Up
Understanding News Broadcasts and Wrap-Up
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identified key ideas and structures in English news articles
- Applied step-by-step strategies for reading and understanding news
- Applied step-by-step strategies for reading and understanding news
- Expanded their vocabulary with news-related words and expressions
- Practiced summarizing and responding to news stories in their own words
- Developed confidence and a sustainable habit of reading English news regularly
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for English language learners with an upper-intermediate level (approximately B2 on the CEFR).
Who will you learn with?
English lecturer and teacher trainer at National Tsing Hua University, specializing in news English, reading, listening, and writing. Passionate about helping students learn with confidence.
Currently a Master’s Student in the Department of English Instruction at NTHU. I’m interested in technology-enhanced language learning and teaching English for specific purposes.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Start learning today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $119/one-off payment | $335.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 6 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$335.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$119/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 6 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Language and Study Skills
