ESL Resource: News Stories for Beginner- Late Intermediate Levels

I wanted to share an online resource for ESL/EFL that is useful for those of us who have struggled with finding material to fit many different levels within a single class body. Newsela is a website that has news and stories of interest geared at 2-6th grade reading levels. Simply sign up for a free-for-30-days account and you’re good to go! In order to have full access (use of online quiz materials etc), make sure to use an email address associated with your school, if you have one.

Here’s the best part: many of the same stories are available in different reading levels, so that each student could share the collective experience of studying the same story, but at a level that best fits where they are.  There is also a wide range of subjects, with articles in the categories of War and Peace, Science, Kids, Money, Law, Health, Arts, and Sports. They may be good “jumping off” points for discussions related to peace and justice issues as well. Note should be taken that the news stories are adapted from Associated Press articles, and so represent a U.S.A- focused view, which may or may not be appropriate in the context in which you are teaching.