English news for students of English in three levels

Easy English news reading and listening is used in the first two levels.

Level 1 Beginners

If you are a beginner, this level is for you. Sometimes you will have to use a dictionary when you read the news in this level. But after some time your reading skills at this level can be very good. If you are a teacher, you can use even these very simple texts for you reading and listening activities. See more in the For Teachers section.

Level 2 Intermediate

Intermediate student is a student who can communicate in simple English words. You usually studied three or five years. Sometimes you studied more years but you didn't use English and you forgot some words. When you don't understand words in this level, please use a dictionary. When you read short news every day, after some time it will be easier for you and you will understand many easy English articles. But when reading English at this level is very difficult for you, try to read stories in Level 1 for some time. When you understand basic English in Level 1 very well, go to Level 2.

Level 3 Advanced

Advanced student is a student who can communicate about everyday things in English. You usually studied six or more years. Your reading skills and listening skills are very high. You understand a lot but not all. The short news can help you listen to English online. We try to choose articles which have words which are used very often in everyday English. When you know English words from this level very well, you can speak with everybody without big problems. When you understand everything in this level of English, you should be able to understand almost all native speakers.

When you understand everything in one level, it is time to go one level up. English news at a new level will be difficult at the beginning but with some practice you will understand more and more. When you use English news every day, after some time, usually three months, you can understand everything in the level. Have fun and learn fast.

Example of a story in three levels

We offer one short story in three levels. Every level of English has different words. For Level 1 and Level 2, we use basic English which people use very often. Level 3 has no limits. All English words and grammar are used in Level 3. Here is an example of news in three levels of English:

Level 1 Beginners

There was a horrible moment for a young girl. Children gave food to animals at Seaworld. One dolphin took a fish together with the girl’s hand. Dolphins are friendly and intelligent but the girl’s parents didn’t like what the dolphin did. The parents wanted to show this video to other people. They wanted to give information about it. It can be dangerous to give food to animals.  The girl had some small problems with her hand. People from Seaworld said that workers at Seaworld saw what the dolphin did. They came quickly and helped the young girl.

Level 2 Intermediate

There was a shocking moment for a young girl. Children were feeding sea animals at Seaworld when one dolphin took a fish together with the girl’s arm. Dolphins are known for being friendly and intelligent but the girl’s parents weren’t happy about the dolphin’s behaviour. The parents wanted to share this video so others can make a decision about the risks connected with such activity. The girl was injured but the injuries weren’t very bad. Seaworld officials said that animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately responded and helped the young girl.

Level 3 Advanced

That was the shocking moment. A dolphin attacked a young girl who was feeding a pod of sea creatures along with the children at Seaworld in Orlando. Dolphins are known for being friendly and intelligent but this attack shows another side to the animal. This girl’s parents state on the video, “We wanted to share this video so others can make an informed decision about whether or not the risks at yourself or your child are worth the experience.” Bite marks and bruises on her hand were the visible scars. Her parents say they are thankful the injuries weren’t worse. Seaworld officials said, “Educators and animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately connected with the family. A member of our health services team was in the area at dolphin cove and quickly responded and treated the young girl.”

LINK: http://www.newsinlevels.com/

BRITISH SERIES

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF RECOMMENDED SERIES TO IMPROVE YOUR LISTENING COMPREHENSION. YOU CAN EASILY FIND THEM ON THE NET, TO WATCH ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD.

THE NUMBER OF STARS NEXT TO THE TITLE INDICATES THE DIFFICULTY FOR UPPER-INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED STUDENTS. 
* NO SUBTITLES RECOMMENDED
** YOU MAY USE SUBTITLES OR NOT
*** THE LEVEL OF LANGUAGE OR THE ACCENTS MAY REQUIRE SUBTITLES

FEEL FREE TO RECOMMEND ANY SERIES OF YOUR CHOICE FOR ME TO ADD TO THE SELECTION, BY LEAVING A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
___________________________________________________

COUPLING (COMEDY) **

A sitcom written by Steven Moffat that aired on BBC2 in May 2000 and ended with the fourth season in June 2004. It centres on the dating life and sexual adventures and mishaps of six British friends in their thirties, often depicting the three women and the three men each talking among themselves about the same events, but in entirely different terms. 

The centre of the story are a couple formed by the main characters Steve and Susan. The four other characters are Steve and Susan's best friends and last ex-relationships (one of each for both Steve and Susan); they represent the extremes of confidence and paranoia between the sexes when it comes to relationships. The two main characters have to negotiate their own relationship surrounded by these extremes. The critical reaction was largely positive, and the show was named "Best TV Comedy" at the 2003 British Comedy Awards.

DOWNTON ABBEY (PERIOD DRAMA) ***

season 1

season 2

season 3

Set in the fictional Downton Abbey, the Yorkshire country house of the Earl and Countess of Grantham, this series follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants during the reign of King George V. 

The first season spans the two years before the Great War beginning with news of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which sets the story in motion. The second season covers the years 1916 to 1920. Much of the focus is on the need for a male heir to the Grantham estate, and the troubled love life of Lady Mary as she attempts to find a suitable husband. 

Season 2 begins with the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the family has to learn how to live in a new world that's constantly changing. Matthew Crawley, Thomas Barrow, and William Mason must go to fight in the war; Tom Branson, an Irishman, will not fight for the British. Lady Sybil Crawley defies her aristocratic position and joins the Voluntary Aid Detachment. The season ends with a Christmas episode that pictures life in Downton between Christmas 1919 and early 1920.

Series 3 opens in 1920 and covers a year and a half, in which we can see the main characters recovering from the war and adpting to a new order of things and a radical change in society. Academy Award-winning American actress Shirley MacLaine joins the cast as Martha Levinson, Cora's mother.

GAVIN AND STACEY (COMEDY) ***

season 1

season 2

Gavin & Stacey is a sitcom that follows the long-distance relationship of Gavin from Essex, England, and Stacey from the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. The series is highly advisable if your level of oral comprehension is quite good as there are some characters with difficult accents.

The writers of the show, actors James Corden and Ruth Jones, also co-star as Gavin and Stacey's friends Smithy and Nessa. Gavin & Stacey was acclaimed as a hit breakthrough show for BBC Three, becoming the most nominated show in the 2007 British Comedy Awards.

SHERLOCK (CRIME INVESTIGATION) **

Sherlock is a British television crime drama that presents a modern approach based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson. Six episodes, broadcast since 2010, have been produced, with three more episodes scheduled to begin production in early 2013. 

The show was conceived by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. They wanted to produce a modern-day version of Conan Doyle's stories in which Sherlock uses the technologies that are available to him today in order to find things out and solve crimes.

Sherlock is kind of a "consulting detective", assisting the Metropolitan Police Service, primarily DI Greg Lestrade, in solving various crimes. Holmes is assisted by his flatmate, Dr John Watson, who has returned from military service in Afghanistan. Although the series depicts a variety of crimes and perpetrators, Holmes' conflict with his nemesis Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott) is a recurring feature. 

WHITECHAPEL (CRIME INVESTIGATION) **

season 1

season 2

season 3

A fast-tracked inspector, a hardened detective sergeant, and an expert in historical homicides investigate modern crimes with connections to the past in the Whitechapel district of London. 

The first season begins with fast-tracker DI Jospeh Chandler being posted to Whitechapel by Commander Anderson in order to lead the investigation into the murder of a woman, as the final step before promotion. Chandler's superiors are very concerned that London may have a Jack the Ripper copycat. They tell Chandler he is on his own and that he must solve this case quickly. 

The second season begins with a dead body discovered floating in the Thames, and a series of horrific attacks follow which appear to echo the Kray twins' infamous crimes of the 1960's. 

In the third series of Whitechapel, gruesome crimes summon up screaming and restless ghosts of the past and it's up to Chandler's team to decipher their historic relevance in order to piece together the clues of modern day crimes.

SOURCE: Sandra Alvarez's Blog

Learning through movie clips

Learning through media (movies, music, etc.) is one of the best ways to learn a new language. The clips in the link below will improve your listening comprehension skills, helping you to learn and practice English as spoken by normal people every day! These particular clips are from recent movies. Good luck!

Link: learningEnglishfeelgood

Listen to English

Welcome to Listen to English, the podcast website for people learning English.

The podcasts on this site will help you to improve your English vocabulary and pronunciation and your listening skills. They are quite short (5 or 6 minutes) and delivered in clearly spoken English. Many of them are linked to grammar and vocabulary notes, or to exercises or quizes.

You can download the podcasts to your computer, or subscribe using iTunes or Yahoo, or listen to them by clicking the Flash player on the web page at the top of each episode. If you like, we can send you an e-mail every time a new podcast goes on air.

You can put the podcasts onto your iPod, Smart Phone or MP3 player, and listen to them on your way to school or work. The full text of each podcast is on this site (and will also appear on your iPod screen), so you can look up the meanings of words that you do not understand in a dictionary. Then close your eyes and listen! Have fun!

We have been making podcasts for English learners since 2006. There are over 200 podcast recordings on this website for you to explore.

Our newest podcast is Mid-life Crisis posted on 22 December 2012.

Listen to English podcasts are completely free. The costs of recording and of hosting this website are met by the advertisements in the left-hand side of each webpage. Please support the companies who advertise on Listen to English

Link: Listen to English

deepenglish blog

We like to share interesting stories, news, and ideas with you. We try to make them easy to understand. We use text, images, audio, and video, so you can listen, read, and watch your way to better English.

Link: deepenglish

Before we talk about improving you pronunciation, I have a question for you. What did English sound like before you learned English? Did it sound completely alien? Did it sound like nonsense? Maybe this post will help you remember:
How to improve your pronunciation: Shadowing technique

News in Levels

HOW TO LEARN 5000 WORDS

1. Choose your level for easy English news.

2. Read every news article in your level once.

3. Look at all new words in the dictionary.

4. Read the article again.

5. If there is audio or video under the article, listen to it. Listen to it many times. Stop only when you understand perfectly all the words.

6. Listen to old articles and check if you still understand them.

If you read and listen to one article every day, your reading and listening skills can be better fast. You will learn very fast and after some time you will not have to translate into your own language. You will simply understand. Why?

When you learn English, you have to learn in the whole sentences and in context. You have to learn how to understand with no translations. When you listen to people in your native language, you don't translate. You simply understand. The same has to be in English.

Students who translate English texts, do exercises and do tests are very good at translating, doing exercises and doing tests, but they have usually a big problem with English listening and understanding fast in real life. In real life, nobody waits for your translation. People usually use simple and basic English when they speak but they use it fast. You have to understand with no translation like in your native language. If not, you cannot be part of communication because you are slow. These words are maybe hard but they are true.

You also have to hear every new word 5 to 10 times if you want to remember it. That's why we use the same words in one level. If you read and hear the same words again and again, you will understand them and remember them. If you know words from one level perfectly well, you can go to a higher level and learn new words. It is important to go step by step, and read and listen to words which are used in English often. This is what we do. In our short news, we use words which are used in English often. Level 1 has 1000 most important words. Level 2 has 3000 words and in Level 3 we use 5000 most important words.

So, if you want to understand English fast and learn fast, read one article or more a day. You can improve your reading and listening fast. We are trying to do everything possible to help you learn English fast and understand it. That's why we prepare easy English news for you. When you use this website every day, you can learn 5000 words which you need for communication with anybody.

Link: http://www.newsinlevels.com/