Learning English with CBC - a teachers' guide
1. Weekly News Report
The first is a weekly news report featuring three stories, ranging from local, national and international. The length of these stories is under three minutes and these news stories are read by Don Bell, a CBC newscaster at a reduced pace and targeted at ESL learners at a CLB level 4. Newscast stories are chosen by the CBC news team, in collaboration with the ESL instructors, from the most important news stories for Albertans each week.
The objective of these materials is to provide access to news stories for immigrant ESL learners as well as to build their vocabulary and listening skills.
ESL learners will have an opportunity to improve their language skills as well as increasing their knowledge of current affairs which can be critical to their successful integration.
The first is a weekly news report featuring three stories, ranging from local, national and international. The length of these stories is under three minutes and these news stories are read by Don Bell, a CBC newscaster at a reduced pace and targeted at ESL learners at a CLB level 4. Newscast stories are chosen by the CBC news team, in collaboration with the ESL instructors, from the most important news stories for Albertans each week.
The objective of these materials is to provide access to news stories for immigrant ESL learners as well as to build their vocabulary and listening skills.
ESL learners will have an opportunity to improve their language skills as well as increasing their knowledge of current affairs which can be critical to their successful integration.
As Derwing, Munro and Thompson (2008)* note a lack of understanding of current 'water cooler' topics led to decreased social interaction with Canadian friends and co-workers among their research participants.
For language training to facilitate integration to Alberta society and the economy, it needs to include information about Canadian news and cultural content that is topical and likely to be discussed at work or school.
There are vocabulary and listening activities included for each story. The stories are archived and stored on the website and can be accessed at any time.
For language training to facilitate integration to Alberta society and the economy, it needs to include information about Canadian news and cultural content that is topical and likely to be discussed at work or school.
There are vocabulary and listening activities included for each story. The stories are archived and stored on the website and can be accessed at any time.
2. Monthly Feature Story
The second type of podcast available on the website is a monthly feature story, targeted at a CLB 6+ learner and considerably longer in length. Each month the approximate listening level of the features may vary widely, and is noted as part of the feature description.
This podcast will contain a feature story originally aired on CBC radio, modified for ESL learners. The objective of these materials and podcast is to provide more extensive language learning materials with authentic texts based on Canadian & Albertan contexts.
These podcasts are accompanied by ESL materials that cover communicative listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation activities. Furthermore, the materials support the development of reading and listening strategies to develop independent language learning skills among ESL learners.
The podcast is accompanied by an authentic reading text on a related topic to further provide opportunities for scaffolding language learning. All activities are accompanied by answer keys and transcripts.
Finally websites with further information both on the topics discussed as well as other language learning websites are included to further support independent language learning. These materials have been designed to support self-study online by ESL learners but can also function as a tool for in-class language learning or homework assignments for students in ESL programs.
The second type of podcast available on the website is a monthly feature story, targeted at a CLB 6+ learner and considerably longer in length. Each month the approximate listening level of the features may vary widely, and is noted as part of the feature description.
This podcast will contain a feature story originally aired on CBC radio, modified for ESL learners. The objective of these materials and podcast is to provide more extensive language learning materials with authentic texts based on Canadian & Albertan contexts.
These podcasts are accompanied by ESL materials that cover communicative listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation activities. Furthermore, the materials support the development of reading and listening strategies to develop independent language learning skills among ESL learners.
The podcast is accompanied by an authentic reading text on a related topic to further provide opportunities for scaffolding language learning. All activities are accompanied by answer keys and transcripts.
Finally websites with further information both on the topics discussed as well as other language learning websites are included to further support independent language learning. These materials have been designed to support self-study online by ESL learners but can also function as a tool for in-class language learning or homework assignments for students in ESL programs.
Best Practices for teaching ESL can be found at:
July 3, 2011
Original Post
Learn English with the CBC
The lessons include a written transcript - info before the listening and after the listening section.
TOPIC LESSONS
Arctic Winter Games: Olympics of the North
Canadian Doctor in China: Dr. Norman Bethune
Maple Syrup: A taste of Canada
D-Day Beaches: Canada and the end of the war
Making Laws in Canada: The capital punishment debate
Environment vs. Jobs: Inside the debate
Brushes with Royalty: Canada's Queen
Louis Riel and his Role in Canadian History
Terry Fox: A Marathon of Hope
Women in the Workforce: The influence of the Second World War
(non working links to cbc lessons removed)
Partners who assisted the lesson development: CBC Radio, CBC Archives, Ottawa Catholic and Carleton District School Board, OCISO, Carlton University,
Partners who assisted the lesson development: CBC Radio, CBC Archives, Ottawa Catholic and Carleton District School Board, OCISO, Carlton University,
