• National Tsing Hua University logo

English Language Learners: How to Read the English News

Improve your English language skills and keep up with current issues as you learn how to understand the English news.

1,368 enrolled on this course

English Language Learners: How to Read the English News

1,368 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

The CPD Certification Service

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.

Download video: standard or HD

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

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

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.

Who developed the course?

National Tsing Hua University (NTHU)

National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan consistently ranks as one of the premier universities in East Asia.

  • Established

    1956
  • Location

    Taiwan
  • World ranking

    Top 170Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

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 needDevelop skills to further your careerTry this course - with limits
Access to this courseticktick

Limited to 6 weeks

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

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...