Bradenton, FL –

In today’s digital age, finding engaging and educational resources for learners can be a challenge. However, News for You Online offers a unique solution, especially for adult learners and volunteers working in literacy and ESL (English as a Second Language) programs. This great resource is being used regularly in our Graduate Group Chat program with much success!

What is News for You Online?

News for You Online is a digital platform that provides weekly news stories tailored for adult learners. The content is designed to help improve reading skills while keeping learners informed about current events. Each story is written in simple, clear language, making it accessible for those who are still developing their reading proficiency¹.

Benefits for Learners

1. Improved Reading Skills: The news stories are crafted to enhance reading comprehension. By regularly reading these articles, learners can gradually improve their vocabulary and understanding of sentence structures.
2. Current Events Awareness: Staying updated with current events is crucial. News for You Online ensures that learners are not only improving their reading skills but also becoming more informed citizens.
3. Interactive Features: The website includes audio versions of the stories, vocabulary exercises, and quizzes. 

Benefits for Volunteers

1. Structured Content: Volunteers can use the structured news stories as a basis for their lessons. This saves time on lesson planning and ensures that the material is both relevant and educational.
2. Engaging Activities: The interactive elements such as crosswords, word searches, and polls can be used to make sessions more engaging. These activities can also serve as icebreakers or supplementary exercises.
3. Flexibility: The website is accessible on any device, allowing volunteers to easily incorporate it into both in-person and virtual sessions¹.

How to Integrate News for You Online into Sessions

1. Start with a Story: Begin each session by reading a news story together. Discuss the main points and ask questions to ensure comprehension.
2. Use the Audio Feature: For learners who struggle with reading, the audio versions can be a great tool. Play the audio while following along with the text to improve listening and reading skills simultaneously.
3. Incorporate Vocabulary Exercises: After reading, use the provided vocabulary exercises to reinforce new words. This can help learners retain and use new vocabulary in their daily lives.
4. Engage with Interactive Activities: Use the crosswords, word searches, and polls to make learning fun. These activities can also help break up the session and keep learners engaged.

Conclusion

News for You Online is a valuable resource for both learners and volunteers. By incorporating this platform into learning sessions, you can create a more engaging, informative, and effective educational experience. Whether you’re looking to improve reading skills, stay updated on current events, or simply make learning more interactive, News for You Online has something to offer. Manatee Literacy Council is a proud member of ProLiteracy and holds a subscription to News for You, courtesy of a generous grant through the ProLiteracy Mobile Learning Fund. If you would like access to our subsciption, please contact the office at [email protected].