Free Resources for Learning
Reading and listening to the news and current affairs can help improve all areas of your English and you can start at any level. There are so many free sites which offer texts and exercises to help.
Vocabulary
Reading shows you words in context: you can see how words are used. Listening helps you understand how words are pronounced in context.
Grammar
Reading and listening to well-structured texts helps you understand and use English grammar naturally.
Writing
The more you read, the more you absorb different writing styles. This helps you become a better writer. Through reading you’ll pick up tips and tricks that make your essays, reports and presentations more interesting and engaging.
Speaking
Listening helps you adopt the rhythm and intonation of a language as well as the pronunciation of individual words. This boosts your speaking skills, making you sound more confident and fluent.
Topics
If you’re studying for an English exam (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge exams) reading and listening to news and current affairs should be a regular, daily practice. More than enhancing your vocabulary and language skills, you will gain familiarity with topics common to exams such as the environment, the arts, education, health, culture, crime, entertainment etc. so you will have something to say about any topic.
Easy News for Everyone
These websites offer news stories at different levels, so you can start easy and go on to more difficult levels as you get better.
BBC Learning English – News Review 2023
BBC Learning English – English in the News
BBC Learning English – Lingohack 2022
Current Affairs
If you want to gain a deeper understanding of topics and issues in the news, you will find these sources, written specifically for language learners, invaluable:
BBC Learning English – 6 Minute English
BBC Learning English – Fake News
Authentic Sources for Advanced Learners
The Guardian – This newspaper has British, US and Australian editions. It is free to access online.
BBC News – Free to access online
Chat and Share
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