Computer and projector, Mobile devices for students, Computer, Speakers
Activity Description
(Screenshot taken with permission from Linguapress)
Teachers can find lots of English reading comprehension texts which include vocabulary guides, lesson plans, interactive exercises and audio recordings.
Preparation
Check the website to ensure it is not blocked at your site.
Read through the lesson plan.
Print and make copies of any handouts.
How-To
Although Linguapress.com has grammar lessons, language games, and puzzles, we'll focus on the reading activities which are very good. (Note: Linguapress is a British organization, so be aware that on occasion, some of the vocabulary and spelling will be British English.)
On the home page, toward the top of the page, there are quick links to the reading pages: advanced, intermediate, and elementary. Click on the appropriate level for your students.
Scroll down to see a list of available readings. The readings will include information such as the title, reading level, whether there are interactive exercises, and whether an audio version of the recording is available. For example:
(Screenshot taken with permission from Linguapress)
Most pages have divided sections for articles which focus on British culture/history and those which focus on American culture/history.
Teacher Tips
Always preview the reading as well as the comprehension exercises to check if the reading level is appropriate for your class and whether there is British English which could confuse students.
More Ways
Since audio is available in many of the reading choices, you could also use these as listening exercises.
Program Areas
ABE: Adult Basic Education
ESL: English as a Second Language
Levels
Low
Intermediate
High
Intermediate High
Advanced
View Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement
In this example lesson, I'll use an article on MLK, Jr. for an Intermediate level class.
KWL - MLK, Jr.
You can draw a table on the board, draw one on a virtual white board, or make a table using an app like Miro that has 3 columns: What you know; What you'd like to know; and What you've learned.
The students will fill out the first two columns. You can do this as a whole class activity or individually if they have access to the online board.
Ask them what they know about MLK, Jr., and put the answers in the first column.
Then, ask them what they would like to know about MLK, Jr. that they don't know, and put the answers in the second column.
Tell the students that they will revisit the board at the end of the lesson to see what they've learned about MLK, Jr.
Introduction
Engagement
Tell the students that they will read an article about MLK, Jr. and do some interactive exercises.
(Screenshot with permission from Linguapress)
Presentation
Engagement Enhancement
Begin with a vocabulary exercise. Project the article onto the board and ask students what the first red word in the article means. After students have answered or guessed, touch the word to reveal the definition. Tell students that if they don't remember the definition later, they can click on the word again.
Practice
Engagement Enhancement
Break the students into groups. Have them read the article together and do the interactive exercise under the article.
Evaluation
Engagement Enhancement
Go over the answers to the interactive exercise.
Application
Engagement Enhancement Extension
Revisit the KWL chart. Now, have students contribute to the last column: What I've learned.
Students can read the articles referenced in the "Going further" section under the article.
In addition, students could work in pairs to research a civil rights hero from their native countries and create short presentations on the person for the class.
View Subjects
Reading
Learning to Learn
Vocabulary
View Standards
Reading Foundational Skills
RF.2 - Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). (Phonological Awareness)
RF.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. (Phonics and Word Recognition)
RF.4 - Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (Fluency)
Reading
CCR Anchor 1 - Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
CCR Anchor 2 - Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
CCR Anchor 3 - Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text.
CCR Anchor 5 - Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
CCR Anchor 6 - Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text.
CCR Anchor 7 - Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
CCR Anchor 10 - Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
Speaking and Listening
CCR Anchor 3 - Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric.
CC BY: This license allows reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as
attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
View Conditions
What You Can Do
Print and Distribute: You are free to make multiple printed copies of any page for your own classes.
Use in Private Learning Environments: You can use their articles or extracts in your own teaching materials or tests created exclusively for your students.
Password-Protected Platforms: You may use extracts on restricted-access school platforms (like Moodle), provided each extract includes a clickable link to the original Linguapress source page.
Social Media/Blogs: You can post short extracts (no more than 20% of any single page) to a blog or Facebook page, but you must credit Linguapress.com and provide a direct link to the original page.
What You Cannot Do
Post Full Pages Online: You cannot copy or reproduce full pages from Linguapress onto any other publicly accessible website. So you can only post a clickable link that goes to the original post.
Distribute Beyond Your Classroom: You may not reproduce their material in print form for distribution outside of your own school without written permission.
"Linguapress" Branding: You cannot use their name or logos on any paid-access websites.
Best Practice: The site encourages teachers to direct students directly to the original URL whenever possible, as this ensures students are viewing the most up-to-date, printer-friendly version of the materials.
