FEEDBACK

Dear Editor,

I teach English to non-native speakers at a school in San Antonio, Texas. Our students come from all over the world. For about the past year I have been using Internet on-line newspapers as part of our reading and discussion activities. Occasionally I have a Ukrainian student, and when that happens again I would like to use your weekly digest in English.

The activity is as follows: I put the students into groups of 3- 5, and I give each student a current Internet newspaper article in English from his or her respective country. The students read their articles, and afterward they must summarize them for the rest of the group. Often the students give background information not found in the article or their own opinions. Each listener in the group must then ask at least one question of the speaker. Often interesting discussions ensue about the speakers’ respective countries. I let the students write on the articles and keep them after the activity. There are many advantages to this activity. It gives them current, authentic material to read about topics that they sometimes already know something about. It keeps our students aware of current events in their own countries. It makes efficient use of time in which a variety of skills are practiced during the period: reading, speaking, listening, questioning, and clarifying. It is also a way of creating cohesion in a class by creating an interest in each other’s countries. Many students have also told me that these articles have helped them to improve their vocabulary. If I think that an article is of general interest to the class, I might use it for activities involving the whole class. In that case I might need to make multiple copies up to a maximum of ten. Is it permissible to make multiple copies? Please let me know if you approve of this use of your on-line publication.

Dear Mr. Janko:

Of course, we are glad to grant permission for you to duplicate our newspaper from the Internet for your students in up to ten copies. We also see one of our missions in not only aiding those abroad to learn more about our country but also to help non-native speakers to improve their English, and for this reason our English Language Bureau always tries to find a new word or construction that might just impel such a reader to go to the dictionary and build his/her word power just a little. We would appreciate it if you could in whatever way you find appropriate to draw the attention of students and colleagues to the fact that we are here in the Internet, willing, ready, and able to meet new readers. Thank you for your kind words, and good luck in your work.