Time needed: 10 to 30 min

Why? Newspaper and magazines provide up-to date information on current affairs. Articles used for learning link information of schoolbooks (past knowledge) to the present.

When? Whenever you read something you seem to be suitable for being read by your students, save it for later! This could be because of content or because of style.

How? Articles can be photocopied and made available for every student or articles can be read aloud by the teacher. You could also let students read the newspaper aloud – maybe one paragraph each student. Build follow up activities on the content, e.g. discussions or explanations.

Any risks? Articles used must be really good articles, either in terms of content or in terms of style. Best would be both. Don’t get stuck in one language only. Use different languages, this would provide an option to link learning content to foreign language teaching.