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English for Journalism
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 43 hours
  • Course by University of Pennsylvania
  • Offered by

About

Welcome to English for Journalism, a course created by the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Office of English Language Programs. To enroll in this course for free, click on "Enroll now" and then select "Full Course. No certificate." This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. In this course, you will explore print and digital media through authentic readings and video lectures, while expanding your vocabulary and increasing your ability to read, research, and develop local and global news stories. Unit 1 will provide an introduction to the history and principles of journalism. In unit 2, you will learn how to research, pitch, and interview. The next unit in the course will focus on the language needed to write newspaper and magazine articles, while unit 4 will cover the basics of broadcasting the news. In the final unit of the course, you will analyze the growth, impact, and challenges of digital news, while completing a reflection assignment that allows you to think about and discuss the recent changes to the field of journalism. Unless otherwise noted, all course materials are available for re-use, repurposing and free distribution under a Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution license. Supplemental reading materials were provided by Newsela, which publishes daily news articles at a level that's just right for each English language learner.

Modules

Introduction to the Course

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Unit 1 Assessment 1: What do we expect from the media? (Survey)

4 Videos

  • Welcome to English for Journalism
  • Course Overview: Topics, Assessments & Activities
  • Course Overview: Games and Levels
  • Why Journalism? What Makes This Field Interesting?

1 Readings

  • Overview of the Unit

History of Journalism

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 5 Assignment
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5 Assignment

  • Game 1: Timeline Game
  • Check Your Understanding: "Political Cartoons: Exploring Serious Subjects in Fun Way"
  • Game 2: Selecting tense – Simple Past versus Past Progressive
  • Check Your Understanding: Hearst and the Growth of US Journalism
  • Value Affirmation Activity

4 Videos

  • Introduction to the History of Journalism – pre-1690
  • History of Journalism – 1690 – present day
  • Language Focus – Simple Past and Past Progressive
  • Unlockable Achievement

2 Readings

  • Political Cartoons: Exploring Serious Subjects in Fun Way
  • Hearst and the Growth of US Journalism

Principles of Journalism

    • 6 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 4 Assignment
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4 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: “Media Freedom is Important. Here’s what you can do.”
  • Game 3: Matching word forms in context
  • Game 4: Vocabulary Practice - Principles of Journalism
  • Check Your Understanding: "How freedom of information works"

1 Discussions

  • Unit 1 Assessment 2: Principles of Journalism

6 Videos

  • Principles of Journalism 1: Gathering Sources
  • Principles of Journalism 2: Telling the Story
  • Language Focus – Word Families
  • Principles of Journalism 3: Impacting People
  • Language Focus – Phrases for Agreeing and Disagreeing
  • Online Learning Opportunities to Extend Your Skills

3 Readings

  • BASIC: "Media freedom is important. Here's what you can do."
  • ADVANCED: Media Freedom is important. Here’s what you can do.”
  • How freedom of information works

Bonus Additional Resources

    • 2 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 5 Assignment
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5 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: “Young Journalists Report on Worldwide Landmine Problem”
  • Crossword with Irregular Past Tense
  • Check Your Understanding: "How Can Journalists Be Protected?"
  • Check Your Understanding: 'Berlin Airlift' Airport Becomes Emergency Refugee Shelter”
  • Check Your Understanding: "Newspapers in America"

2 Videos

  • Supplemental Listening: "Young Journalists Report on Worldwide Landmine Problems"
  • Supplemental Listening: 'Berlin Airlift' Airport Becomes Emergency Refugee Shelter

5 Readings

  • Game: Unit 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Irregular Verb List
  • Supplemental Reading: How Can Journalists Be Protected?
  • Supplemental Reading: "'Berlin Airlift' Airport Becomes Emergency Refugee Shelter"
  • Supplemental Reading: "Newspapers in America"

Introduction

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Overview of the Unit

How do journalists decide on a topic?

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Game 1: Right-sizing Your Topic
  • Check Your Understanding: "Want to be a good reporter? Follow these tips."

3 Videos

  • Choosing a Topic
  • Researching an Idea
  • Unlockable Achievement

2 Readings

  • BASIC: "Want to be a good reporter? Follow these tips."
  • ADVANCED: Want to be a good reporter? Follow these tips.

Pitching a story

    • 4 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Game 2: Vocabulary Practice

1 Peer Review

  • Unit 2 Assessment 1: Create a Written Pitch

4 Videos

  • Pitching a Story – Newspapers/Magazines
  • Pitching a Story - Radio
  • Sample News Story Pitch
  • Unlockable Achievement

1 Readings

  • Sample News Story Pitch and Written Pitch Template

Gathering Sources

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: Times are Changing in Havana, Cuba
  • Game 3: Reliable Sources

4 Videos

  • Video Listening: Times are Changing in Havana, Cuba
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • Language Focus – Interviewing Sources – Wh- Questions
  • Interviewing Sources – Reliability, Facts & Opinion

2 Readings

  • BASIC: Times Are Changing in Havana, Cuba
  • ADVANCED: Times are Changing in Havana, Cuba

Reporting Sources

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
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3 Assignment

  • Game 4: Choose the reporting verb
  • Check Your Understanding: Video interview with a student journalist from The Daily Pennsylvanian
  • Game 5: Changing Direct Speech to Reported Speech

1 Discussions

  • Unit 2 Assessment 2: Issues and Sources

5 Videos

  • Language Focus – Quoting Sources & Reporting Verbs
  • Video interview with a student journalist from The Daily Pennsylvanian
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • Interviewing Sources - Notetaking
  • Language Focus – Quoting Sources Directly or Using Reported Speech

Bonus Additional Resources

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: Student newspapers shake things up
  • Game: WH- question formation
  • Check Your Understanding: Story of Dr. Omalu Enlightens on Risks of High-impact Sports

1 Videos

  • Supplemental Listening: "Story of Dr. Omalu Enlightens on Risks of High-impact Sports"

3 Readings

  • Game: Unit 2 Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Supplemental Reading: Student newspapers shake things up
  • Supplemental Reading and Listening: "Story of Dr. Omalu Enlightens on Risks of High-impact Sports"

Introduction

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Overview of the Unit

How to Begin an Article

    • 5 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 3 Assignment
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3 Assignment

  • Game 1: Labeling - the Process and the Front Page
  • Game 2: Match Lead to Lead Type
  • Check Your Understanding: "Student Newspapers Face Real World Challenges."

1 Discussions

  • Unit 3 Assessment 1: Create a lead for your story.

5 Videos

  • Print Media: From Topic to Article
  • Types of Leads
  • Creating a Lead
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • Language Focus – SV Agreement with Different Subjects

1 Readings

  • Student Newspapers Face Real World Challenges

The Style of Print Media

    • 4 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 4 Assignment
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4 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding 2: "Thai Health Policy Seen as Model for Emerging Economies"
  • Game 3: Applying AP Style
  • Game 4: When to Use Passive Voice
  • Check Your Understanding: "With billions to feed, sustainable agriculture is not a luxury"

4 Videos

  • Writing Using Associated Press Style
  • Language Focus – Structure of Active and Passive Voices
  • Language Focus – Use of Active and Passive Voices
  • Reporting Accurately

4 Readings

  • BASIC: Thai Health Policy as Model for Emerging Economies
  • ADVANCED: Thai Health Policy as Model for Emerging Economies
  • BASIC: With billions to feed, sustainable agriculture is not a luxury
  • ADVANCED: With billions to feed, sustainable agriculture is not a luxury

Editing

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Unit 3, Assessment 2: Write an article based on the lead you created in Assessment 1.

2 Videos

  • Proofreading an Article
  • Unlockable Achievement

Bonus Additional Resources

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 4 Assignment
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4 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: "Egyptian Journalists Call for Press Freedom"
  • Check Your Understanding: "Old Age, Debt Threaten Vietnam Economy"
  • Game: Active/Passive Game
  • Game: Subject/Verb Agreement Game

1 Videos

  • Listening: Egyptian Journalists Call for Press Freedom

3 Readings

  • Game: Unit 3 Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Egyptian Journalists Call for Press Freedom
  • Old Age, Debt Threaten Vietnam Economy

Introduction

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Overview of the Unit

How Broadcast Journalism Differs from Print

    • 4 Videos
    • 2 Assignment
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2 Assignment

  • Check your Understanding 1: Listening: "VOA Fast Five"
  • Game 1: Matching Language to Definitions

4 Videos

  • The Language of Broadcast Journalism
  • Listening: "VOA Fast Five"
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • The People of Broadcast Journalism

TV News Today

    • 11 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 5 Assignment
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5 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: "So you want to be a TV reporter..."
  • Game 2: Print vs. Broadcast Journalism
  • Unit 4 Assessment 1: Rewrite your article as a copy for a broadcast
  • Game 3: Stress
  • Check Your Understanding: "Podcasting on the rise."

1 Peer Review

  • Unit 4, Assessment 2: Writing follow-up questions

11 Videos

  • Types of Stories for Broadcast Journalism
  • Using Conversational Style
  • Listening: "So you want to be a TV reporter..."
  • Language Focus – Present Tense & Active Voice
  • Sample Broadcast News Story
  • Ratings in TV News: How Journalists Compete
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • Sensationalism in TV News
  • The 24-hour News Cycle
  • Language Focus - Stress & Pausing
  • Unlockable Achievement

3 Readings

  • Listening: So you want to be a TV reporter ...
  • Podcasting on the rise
  • Unit 4 Assessment 2: Instructions and Model

Bonus Additional Resources

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 4 Assignment
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4 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: "Radio Hoax Causes Panic?
  • Check Your Understanding: "Forget a seat at the table. This reporter wants a seat in the briefing room"
  • Check Your Understanding: "Telepresence - The Next Best Thing to Being There"
  • Game: Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle

1 Videos

  • Listening: "Telepresence - The Next Best thing to Being There"

3 Readings

  • Game: Unit 4 Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Radio Hoax Causes Panic
  • Forget a seat at the table. This reporter wants a seat in the briefing room.

Introduction

    • 1 Readings
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1 Readings

  • Overview of the Unit

Origins of Digital Media

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Game 1: Create a Timeline of Digital Media

1 Videos

  • Origins and Current State of the Digital Age

Impact on Traditional Media

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Game 2: Present Perfect Form

3 Videos

  • The Impact on the Journalistic Process
  • The Impact on Traditional Media
  • Language Focus – Present Perfect Form

Challenges Facing Digital Media

    • 8 Videos
    • 5 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 5 Assignment
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5 Assignment

  • Check your Understanding: Mapping the Digital Divide
  • Game 3: Choose the Appropriate Data Commentary Language
  • Unit 5 Assessment 1: Choose the Factually Accurate Data Commentary
  • Check Your Understanding: "Want to be a citizen journalist? You might be one already."
  • Check Your Understanding: Egypt Clamps Down on Media Ahead of 'Arab Spring' Anniversary

1 Peer Review

  • Unit 5, Assessment 2: How has digital journalism affected traditional journalism?

8 Videos

  • Challenges 1: The Digital Divide
  • Language Focus – Data Commentary
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • Citizen Journalism
  • Challenges 2: Ethics in the Digital Age
  • Challenges 3: Intellectual Property and Censorship
  • Unlockable Achievement
  • Course Conclusion

5 Readings

  • BASIC: Mapping the Digital Divide
  • ADVANCED: Mapping the Digital Divide
  • Want to be a citizen journalist? You might be one already.
  • BASIC: Egypt Clamps Down on Media Ahead of 'Arab Spring' Anniversary
  • ADVANCED: Egypt Clamps Down on Media Ahead of 'Arab Spring' Anniversary

Bonus Additional Resources

    • 4 Readings
    • 3 Assignment
Show info about module content

3 Assignment

  • Check Your Understanding: "Sharing the benefits of the Internet across the digital divide"
  • Check Your Understanding: "Africa's Infotech Revolution"
  • Check Your Understanding: "Twitter Suspends Over 125,000 Accounts for 'Promoting Terrorist Acts'"

4 Readings

  • Game: Unit 5 Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Sharing the benefits of the Internet across the digital divide
  • Africa's Infotech Revolution
  • Twitter Suspends Over 125,000 Accounts for 'Promoting Terrorist Acts'

Auto Summary

**English for Journalism** **Unlock the World of Journalism with the University of Pennsylvania** Dive into the dynamic field of journalism with this comprehensive course designed for non-native English speakers aspiring to build a career in modern media. Developed by the University of Pennsylvania and supported by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this course offers a robust foundation in both traditional and digital journalism. **Course Highlights:** - **Focus:** Develop key journalism skills including research, pitching, interviewing, article writing, and broadcasting. - **Content:** The course is structured into five engaging units covering the history and principles of journalism, research methods, writing techniques, broadcasting basics, and the evolution of digital news. - **Duration:** Approximately 2580 minutes of in-depth learning materials. - **Instructor:** Expert faculty from the University of Pennsylvania. - **Materials:** Authentic readings, video lectures, and supplemental content from Newsela for various proficiency levels. - **Licensing:** Most materials are available under a Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution license for reuse and distribution. **Subscription Options:** - **Starter:** Free access to the full course without a certificate. - **Professional and Paid:** Additional benefits and certification options available. **Who Should Enroll?** This course is ideal for non-native English speakers passionate about journalism, whether you're just starting or looking to enhance your existing skills. It's tailored to help you navigate the complexities of both print and digital media, making it perfect for aspiring journalists, writers, and media professionals. Embark on your journey to becoming a proficient journalist with the foundational knowledge and practical skills provided by this expertly designed course. Enroll now and transform your understanding of the ever-evolving world of journalism.

John Cotton
Instructors

John Cotton

Eve Litt
Instructors

Eve Litt