A newspaper is a publication containing news and information and advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called newsprint. It may be general or special interest, most often published daily or weekly. The first printed newspaper was published in 1605, and the form has thrived even in the face of competition from technologies such as radio and television. Recent developments on the Internet are posing major threats to its business model, however. Paid circulation is declining in most countries, and advertising revenue, which makes up the bulk of a newspaper's income, is shifting from print to online; some commentators, nevertheless, point out that historically new media such as radio and television did not entirely supplant existing media.
You will find hereunder 13 newspapers and one news agency with an online version, among which you will have to select one piece of news and copy it in the comments field so that your classmates will get aquainted with it, read it and be able to discuss the main themes with you. They should also prepare 3 questions to ask you.
Project description:
This newspaper survey conveys two main goals:
- exposing you to the lexical field of real every day English language written all over the world - not only limited to Britain and the US, thus broadening your knowledge of English- speaking culture.
- making you grasp the general meaning of a newspaper article and being able to share its contents with the rest of the class, thus providing an oral expression exercise related to current events.
Incidentally you will also be in a position :
- to lead a debate style activity with the class (students who present the article)
- to express your opinion in a debate-style activity (rest of the class)
1. Preparation:
- After having attended the introduction session on the project (and browsed among the newspapers presented online to get an idea of what is expecting you), please register on the blog in groups of 2 students for one newspaper and one date (to register enter your name and class in the comment field). If the newspaper of your dream has already been chosen by a group of your class, pick up another one. Be fairplay! Choose the date carefully so as to have enough time to do the job on time. Put the date of your presentation immediately on your agenda. New York Times cannot be chosen !
- One week ahead of the due presentation, paste the article you have chosen in the clipboard then copy it on the blog under "comments" so that the other students may get acquainted with it, read it and prepare three questions to ask you. Do not forget to repeat to which class you belong.
- Put in this comment the URL from your article if you know how to use the HTML tag put directly the link otherwise I will do it myself
- Start with a presentation of the newspaper: state which country it is from, what sort of newpaper it is (daily, weekly, ... serious, ....) mention its political line if you know it.Tip: type the name of the newspaper between quotation marks in wikipedia and you'll find all the necessary information. Example "The Times".
- In front of the class, give an account of what your article talks about (not too long and detailed, but dealing wth the main issues encountered). Be ready to explain the vocabulary words necessary for the understanding of the article and to answer your classmates's questions. You are the experts!
- Choose one big issue discussed in the article and launch a debate among the class. Try to lead the discussion in a dynamical and efficient way. You are the ones who allow students to speak or interrupt them if necessary. The livelier the debate, the more successful your job is.
