Monday, August 22, 2011

Advanced and Masters Listening

Voice of America

VOA is another news site where you can choose to read or listen to your news.  This one is designed for ESL students, so it's an easier choice than NPR.  Look on the right side for ESL activities.

VOA News

 TED (Technology, Education, and Design)

TED talks are given by experts from many different fields about many different subjects.  You can find a talk about almost anything you're interested in!  Many TED talks are quite long, but the following links are for talks that are shorter.  A good task is to try and take notes on the talk.  Note-taking is an important skill that will help you later if you plan to go to U.S. universities. While subtitles, and translations are available, I recommend that you watch each talk once in only English with no subtitles.  If you read the subtitles, then you're practicing reading not listening!  Only use subtitles and transcripts later to help you check your understanding if you need to.

TED talks in 6 minutes or less
TED talks in 9 minutes or less


NPR (National Public Radio)

This is where I like to get my news!  NPR is a radio station that is available throughout the U.S.  NPR has news, talk programs, and music.  Each city or region has it's own local NPR station which mixes national and local programs for it's listeners.  Our local NPR stations are WBCE (90.5 fm) and WOSU (89.7 fm).  One great resource is the 5-minute "hourly news" summary.  It's international and national news read in 5 minutes or less.  Just click on "hourly news" on the top right side of the homepage.


NPR
WOSU (local news)
WCBE (local news)

Al Jazzera English

By student request!  This site has international news focused on the Middle East.  Just make sure you stay on the English page!

Al Jazzera English

RSA Animate and RSA Videos

RSA Animate are talks given by experts and professors are animated with black and white drawings while the speaker is speaking, helping make connections between ideas and what you hear.  Additionally, there other more talks that are not animated with drawings, which I have labeled RSA Videos.  I suggest practicing note-taking skills while you watch these videos.

RSA Animate
RSA Videos

StoryCorps from NPR

This is a collection of real stories and conversations from real Americans about important moments in their lives.

Story Corps

Science Friday from NPR

This is an awesome website full of podcasts that talk about many science-related topics.

Science Friday 

PBS Online

PBS stands for Public Broadcasting Service.  They are a TV network that has lots of documentaries local TV shows.  Click here to watch lots of videos on many different topics.

PBS Online 

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