Why learn English with current events?

There are many great ways to learn English these days: books, movies, music, travel, classroom study, and apps. But in this article, we’d like to show you why you should learn English with current events.

Before we do, let’s take a moment to say what we mean by “current events.” This can mean the news–for example, the latest things happening in your town, country, or in the world.

But it can also mean discussions of ideas relevant to the present time. Longer articles that make you think, podcasts, videos about new trends and technology: it all counts.

Now let’s take a look at all the ways you can enhance your English learning by adding current events.

Benefits of learning English with current events

Learning English with current events not only sharpens language skills but also offers a real-world context that enhances comprehension and cultural awareness.

In this article, we’ll explore seven benefits:

• Real-life content
• Expand your vocabulary
• Improve reading and listening skills
• Learn about English-speaking cultures
• Use what you learn right away
• Learn to think in English

Let’s take them one by one:

Real-life content

Textbooks and learning resources have an important place in learning. Without them, we wouldn’t know how to form a sentence or how to communicate even basic ideas.

However, while traditional learning materials are essential, many students find that they aren’t authentic or relevant to the real world. That’s not a criticism of textbooks per se. But it does mean that you would probably benefit from using current events in your learning.

Newspaper articles, podcasts, news programs, and documentaries offer vocabulary and expressions used in everyday situations, making your language learning experience more practical and relevant. By engaging with current events, you will gain exposure to idiomatic expressions, colloquialisms, and formal language structures, allowing you to adapt to various communication styles.

Plain English lessons are all about what’s going on in the world. Check out recent lesson topics here.

Expand your vocabulary

Staying up-to-date on current events will give you exposure to a wide range of topics and themes. This exposure naturally expands your vocabulary, so you can discuss a variety of subjects with confidence. From politics and science to entertainment and technology, following the news opens up avenues for you to learn words about all parts of life.

This is especially important because we are naturally drawn to those things that interest us personally. When looking for learning materials, it’s only natural that we seek out material that aligns with our interests. While that approach is good for maintaining our attention and motivation, it’s also important to become well-rounded speakers, able to communicate on a wide variety of topics—not just those that interest us personally.

For example, you might be personally interested in business, technology, and travel. But you should still be able to communicate about science, health, and art, for example. Reading and listening to topics outside your comfort zone will help you expand your vocabulary and become a more well-rounded English speaker.

Improve reading and listening skills

Here’s a common problem: learners say they can understand everything in their English textbooks, and they can understand their English teacher perfectly. But when they go out into the real world, they have trouble understanding native speakers. What’s going on?

There are over 350 million people who speak English as their first language…and they all speak it slightly differently. Everyone has a different speaking and writing style. And to be a well-rounded English learner, you should get exposure to as many different styles as possible.

What does “style” mean, in this context? It’s hard to define. But it can mean the way of arranging sentences, the way people speak, the words they choose—even their accents.

By regularly consuming reading and listening to different communication styles, you can teach your brain to recognize and process the many different styles you’ll encounter in the real world.

You might like: 10 Tips to Improve Listening Skills in English

Learn about English-speaking cultures

Language is deeply connected to culture, and learning English through current events offers a window into the culture of the people who speak English. By staying informed about current affairs, especially from the English-speaking world, you’ll not only improve your language skills, but you’ll also learn about cultural references, societal norms, and communication styles in English-speaking communities.

Keep in mind, also, why you’re learning English in the first place. We all have different motivations, but one is very common: to communicate with an English-speaking person! And the best way to build that connection is to have some common cultural understanding.

Imagine a person is perfect at communicating in the language, but has no idea about the lives, culture, opinions, and history of the people who speak it. That doesn’t sound like much fun! So by working current events into your English learning routine, you’ll make future connections with English-speaking people more valuable.

Use what you learn right away

Think back to the last time you took an English exam. That exam probably had a “passage,” right? A passage is a short selection of text. And you were probably asked to read the passage and answer questions about it.

If your exams were anything like mine, the passages and examples were boring! They weren’t about topics you’d regularly discuss with the real people in your life—in English or in any other language.

That’s where current events can help. The language used in news articles and reports mirrors the language used in daily life. That means, you can put that language to use right away in your own life. Whether you’re talking about business trends at work, getting a coffee with an English-speaking friend, or even watching English-language movies, the vocabulary and expressions that you’ll see when learning with current events will help you in your daily interactions.

At Plain English, we also show you specifically how to use common English expressions. You hear them in context, and then you get a detailed explanation. Curious? Browse our Expression Library.

Think in English

Often, when we focus on language learning, we focus on the words, the sentences, and the grammar. But a key part of language learning is thinking in the new language. And so it can be helpful to use current events to spark critical thinking.

How is that possible? Let us count the ways. When reading, watching, or listening to current events, you can:

• Learn something new
• Develop your own opinion about a topic
• Agree or disagree with an opinion being shared
• Make connections to your own experiences or to other things you have read or heard
• See something from a different perspective

We do these things naturally in our own language. But by studying English with current events, you can do these things in your second (or third) language. In the process, you’ll get practice at thinking in English, not just speaking the words.

Stay motivated and relevant

Language learning is a journey—often a long one!—and staying motivated is important. It’s also important to be consistent. At some point, you’ll read the end of the course, the last chapter in the textbook, or the last session with your tutor. But current events provide an unending source of learning material.

Following current events keeps the English learning experience fresh, exciting, and relevant. The world is ever-changing, and there’s more material available than at any time in history. That’s why current events can help you stay motivated and consistent during the ups and downs of the English learning journey.

Ready to learn English with current events?

Are you convinced yet? If you think current events and trending topics would have a place in your English learning journey, then Plain English is for you!

Plain English is the best way to learn English with current events and trending topics.

Every audio lesson focuses on one story about something that’s going on in the world that week. The lessons also include a discussion of an English expression or phrasal verb to help you communicate your best ideas. The audio goes at a slower speed, and we publish free transcripts, so you can understand every word.

With new lessons every Monday and Thursday, you’ll always have something new to listen to. And best of all, the episode topics are about what’s happening around the world, so you can use what you learn on the podcast right away.

If you’d like access to these free Plain English lessons, sign up below and we’ll show you exactly how to get started: