Speaking (News)

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Idioms & Expressions:

 

air (verb; means to “broadcast” something on TV or online)

 

network (noun; a company that creates TV shows)

The show airs at 9:30 p.m.

The TV network decides what shows they will air and what shows they won’t.

 

in the news / in the papers (expression that means to be talked about by the media)

Due to his scandal, the senator has been in the news lately.

 

make the news / make headlines

Christiano Ronaldo made headlines when he won his 5th Champions League tournament.

 

keep up on / stay up on the news (verbs; mean to follow the news and current events consistently)

I keep up on the news by reading the paper every morning.

 

impartial (adjective; a synonym for unbiased/objective)

The writer is praised for his impartial views on current events.

 

clickbait (noun; a headline or photo online that is designed to make you click on it)

I wasted a lot of time last night when I watched a few clickbait videos on YouTube.

 

Part I: Class Discussion

  1. Which magazines and newspapers do you read?

I get my news from reddit.com and also The Atlantic. It’s a monthly newsmagazine. They have a variety of content – they cover history, science, and current events, so I feel smarter after I read their articles. I like the reporting because it’s thoughtful and in-depth, and requires you to read it carefully in order to understand it.

  1. Have you ever read a newspaper or magazines in foreign language?

No. I tried to read a newspaper in French once, but I gave up.

  1. Do you think reading a newspaper or magazine in foreign languages is a good way to learn language?

It’s an excellent way to learn a foreign language! Probably the best way, besides speaking it.

 

Part II: Individual Presentations

Describe an interesting news story you have read recently. You should say:

When you read it

What it was about

Why it was interesting

I was in Hong Kong once and I read the newspaper while I was waiting for my flight. There was a story in the “Life” section called “Discomfort Zones.” The article was about the public architectural features that make it impossible for homeless people to lie down and sleep at night in Hong Kong. These features include spikes on the ground, metal armrests on benches, and boulders placed under bridges. The story was in the news because Hong Kong has a great amount of income inequality and a high homeless population, and homeless people are a common sight. I thought the story was interesting because I think it’s very sad – homelessness is something that can happen to almost anyone, and it’s concerning to see these people treated in such a cold and callous manner by officials whose only interest is keeping the homeless out of sight.

Part III: Group Discussions

  1. Do you think online newspapers will dominate the traditional ones?

Well I think they already have. Most papers now have an online version, and those versions of the publications get far more business than the print version.

  1. Do you think journalists are now trying to exaggerate the articles by using headlines?

They always have. This is not a new thing. Online, this is called “clickbait.”

  1. How journalism has changed recently?

It has just become more sensationalized and misleading, and things are taken out of context to an incredible level.