Using The News In The EFL Classroom

Join a global community of over 200,000 TEFL teachers working throughout the world! Enrol me!

Are you feeling bored in your own lessons? Stuck for fun and exciting ideas? In a lesson planning rut?

Well then, you’ve come to the right place!

We understand that you spend hours planning your lessons but sometimes the lessons seem endless. Weeks and weeks of lessons and no holiday in sight and it can feel like you’re becoming boring. You know you should include authentic materials and engaging activities and interesting ideas into your classroom, but you’ve been pushing yourself for so long you’re running on empty.

Which is why we thought you’d like to know about a resource that is probably a part of your daily life but maybe you hadn’t thought how you could incorporate it into your lessons: the news.

Why you should use the news in your EFL lessons

The news is by its very nature current and up-to-date. It covers a wide range of topics, so you are able to find something that is interesting for everyone. It is an authentic material so you are exposing your students to real language. Finally, the students may already be aware of the news items which will provide a bridge to their understanding.

What materials can be used

There are a number of resources that you can use as materials for your lessons. You can use a traditional newspaper or you can use online news sites. Newspapers are easy enough to buy and if you collect them you can have a range of newspapers at your disposal. On the other hand, if you decide to go online, there are an endless number of resources you can use.

How you can use news materials

Newspapers can be used in a variety of ways:

  • You can let the students find their own articles, read them and share their stories with the class
  • Students can write their own news articles based on headlines
  • Students can find articles online and do the related exercises
  • Students can watch clips of news bulletins
  • Students can debate an issue relating to an item on the news

When you can use the news

Anytime! There are items in the news every day that can be of interest to your class or there might be a big news story that you might want to tackle for a lesson. Whatever your needs, you are sure to find what you are looking for in a newspaper.

Get Social

Follow us on social networks, join our newsletter - get the latest news and early discounts

Sign up to our newsletter

Follow us on social networks, sign up to our e-newsletters – get the latest news and early discounts

Accreditation Partners

The TEFL Academy was the world’s first TEFL course provider to receive official recognition from government regulated awarding bodies in both the USA and UK. This means when you graduate you’ll hold a globally recognised Level 3 (120hr) Certificate or Level 5 (168hr) Diploma, meaning you can find work anywhere and apply for jobs immediately.

Product added to your cart

You have added to your cart:

Request call back

    Please leave your details below and one of our TEFL experts will get back to you ASAP:

    captchaType characters on the left:

    Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

    Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

    Thank you! Your message has been sent!

    Download the TEFL World Factbook

      Please enter your details in order to download the latest TEFL World Factbook.

      Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

      Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

      Thank you for downloading the TEFL World Factbook!

      If the TEFL World Factbook did not download
      > Click Here To Download <

      Download the Online Teaching Guide

        Please enter your details in order to download our Online Teaching Guide.

        Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

        Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

        Thank you for downloading our Online Teaching Guide!

        If the Online Teaching Guide did not download
        > Click Here To Download <

        Download Prospectus

          Please enter your details in order to download our latest prospectus.

          Would you like us to update you on TEFL opportunities, jobs and related products & services?

          Yes, keep me updatedNo, but thanks anyway!

          Thank you for downloading our prospectus!

          We hope you enjoy reading our prospectus, we have tried to make it as useful as possible! Please get in touch if you have any questions.

          If the prospectus did not download automatically
          > Click Here To Download <

          $
          $