Welcome to News English: The Gold Standard of English Language
Why Study the News?
In this class, we aren't just reading stories; we are mastering the standard language of the modern world. News English is the ultimate balancing act of communication.
The "Goldilocks" of Language
Think of a news organization as a business – they have to make money. To survive, they must find a "perfect middle ground" in their writing in order to reach the widest audience:
- Not too simple: If the language is too basic, the outlet sounds unprofessional and loses its reputation.
- Not too high: If the language is too academic, they lose the average reader—and lose money.
- The High School Benchmark: The framework for News English is the high school graduate level vocabulary. Special topics also require special vocabulary.
While you might occasionally see a journalist using "fancy" words to impress readers, the heart of News English is designed for the general populace. News English is the most practical, descriptive, and versatile version of English you can find.
The Ultimate Reality Check
Many students spend a lot of money on generalized tests like TOEIC or TOEFL to find their "level." But for the real world, there is a much better indicator: The News.
🗞️ If you can read a news article or listen to a broadcast and—most importantly—relay that information clearly to someone else, you have mastered practical English.
If you can't, you need to improve your English – which is what this class is designed for.
Check the Source: Who is Talking?
Before you trust a story, you must look at the By-line (the author) and the Publisher. In the digital age, everyone has a voice, but not every article or media post is well-researched, balanced, or even honest.
🔍 Trustworthy Foundations
BBC
Reuters
The Associated Press (AP)
Renowned and reputable organizations like the BBC, Reuters, or The Associated Press (AP) have strict rules. They employ professional journalists with years of training. If they make a mistake, they must publish a correction. They use "Standard English" to reach the widest audience.
Political Stance
Most news outlets take a particular political stance. It's almost unavoidable. For example CNN (left) and Fox News (right) in the USA are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. This doesn't mean they are not reputable, so long as such outlets are forthcoming about their stance. This is why it is good to read news across the spectrum.
🚩 Red Flags and "Attention Seekers"
Be skeptical of sources that have no reputation to protect:
- The "One-Man" Show: A social media account or blog run by someone who simply wants attention. Without professional credentials, they are often just an amateur with an opinion.
- The Fanatic: Websites with a "skewed" or extreme angle. These sources don't want to inform you; they use emotion and influence you to accept their opinion. Their sources of information are often "unchecked."
- The Ghost: Articles with no author name or "About Us" page. If you don't know who wrote it, you cannot trust why they wrote it. Ignore such media altogether, even if it sounds good or seems professional. True professionals want you to know who they are and who they work for.
- Undated articles: Professional Journalists always date their articles. For news items, if it's not dated, it's not trustworthy.
master the standard · think critically · read the news
📝 Comprehension Check
Answer each question based on the lesson above. Type your responses in the boxes.
Question 1
Explain the "Goldilocks" principle of news language. Why must news organizations avoid being too simple or too academic?
Question 2
According to the lesson, what is the "ultimate reality check" for measuring practical English mastery? Describe what a person should be able to do.
Question 3
List four reputable news organizations mentioned in the text. What practices make them trustworthy (give at least two reasons)?
Question 4
Describe the three "red flag" source types explained in the lesson. Why should a reader be skeptical of them?
Question 5
What two things must you check before trusting a story? What does "The Ghost" refer to, and why should you ignore such media?
Question 6
According to the note on political stance, does having a political leaning automatically make an outlet unreliable? What does the lesson suggest you should do?
1) Answer the questions above. (type or paste)
2) Print/save as PDF
3) upload to Eclass 2.0