The Benefits of Using the News to Learn a Foreign Language
Benny Lewis, Founder Fluent in 3 Months, recommends the news as a language tool for international students for many reasons.
How to Use News as a Language Learning Tool (5 Steps)
1. Select a News Site that Works For Your Level
Your first task is to find a news source that matches your current learning level. For example, if you’re a beginner learning Mandarin Chinese, and you’re still learning the script, you won’t benefit from attempting to read a newspaper written entirely using Chinese characters. You’d be better off listening to a podcast or live-streaming a television news channel, ideally one suited to learners of the language.
To take another example, tabloid newspapers tend to be written in simpler language than broadsheets.
The resource you pick should also cater to the skills you wish to target. News is a predominantly helpful tool for those wanting to improve either their listening or reading skills (or both!). Decide which skill has higher priority and go from there.
There are also news sites specifically designed for language learners. More on those in a moment.
2. Pay Attention
When you’re listening to the news, you can just sit there letting the words wash over you. This will help you get familiar with the sounds of the language. As there’s a nonstop supply of news, this is worth doing from time to time.
However, you’ll learn faster (and find the stories you’re reading or listening to more interesting) if you focus on what’s being said. Sure, you might not understand everything, but you will be able to pick out words. The more you practise this, the better you’ll get.
3. Keep it Small and Simple
If you’re a beginner, don’t overwhelm yourself with a half-hour news programme. Instead, listen to the news in bite-sized pieces. Focus on one story at a time, making sure you fully understand every aspect of the story and any new vocabulary. Look up any words that are new to you,and if you want to add them to your vocabulary, create flashcards for those word.
Only then should you move onto the next news story.
4. Don’t Beat Yourself Up – the News Can be Complex
If there are news stories you struggle to understand, give yourself a break. Move onto another story. The news can be complicated, and when you’re starting out it’s best to get easy wins.
5. Become a “News Lyrebird”
A Lyrebird is an Australian animal that is famous for being able to mimic the sounds of other birds.
When you watch the news, I recommend you be a News Lyrebird. Mimic what the newscaster says. This will help the sounds of the language feel familiar in your mouth.
News Resources: Where to Find the News in Your Target Language
Itching to get started? Never fear – I’ve collected some of the best news websites for French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
French News Websites
German News Websites
Spanish News Websites
Mandarin Chinese News Websites
How Will You Use the News in Your Language Learning?
Remember to approach the news as you would any other language learning resource. It can be an exceptionally handy tool for study, as long as that is exactly what you do: take the time and effort to study these resources.
Don’t lose heart and don’t give up. As your knowledge of the language grows, your ability to understand what is being said will develop with it. And you’ll become even more informed about this world we inhabit along the way.
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The Benefits of Using the News to Learn a Foreign Language