In the News
Listening and Speaking:
High Intermediate
Tess Ferree and Kim Sanabria
(Note:
Online
articles from Business Week, the New York Times, and the Washington Post are moved to
each site's archive, which requires registration.
The registration is free, but the Times may charge a fee
to view the archived articles.)
Unit 1: For News Resisters, No News Is Good News
"Happynews looks on the bright side of life" (Dec. 12, 2005), by the Associated Press, appearing in the DeSoto (FL) Sun. A story about the website Happynews, a refuge from all the unpleasantness served up by newspapers and TV news shows.
"Confessions of a television news junkie" (Dec. 6, 2005), by Brian Gleason of the Chicago Sun-Times. Gleason, a columnist, talks about his addiction to 24-hour news.
Unit 2: The Achilles Heel
"Running to the future: Overcoming hidden obstacles" (Nov. 17, 2005), by Heather Ziegenbein of The Black Hills (SD) Pioneer. Dick Beardsley is a marathon runner who has competed throughout the United States and Europe. He has also overcome an addiction to painkillers that began after several major injuries.
"Disabled students get a day on the job" (Oct. 20, 2005), by Angela Fail of the Pensacola (FL) News Journal. A short article about Disability Mentoring Day, which allows disabled students and job seekers to spend several hours visiting area businesses, nonprofit agencies, or government agencies that match their interests.
Unit 3: Early to Bed, Early to Rise...
"Professor's study shows adolescents' brains keep them up late" (Nov. 18, 2005), by Ross Frazier of the Brown Daily Herald (Brown university). Human behavior researchers found that as teenagers mature, their chemically driven pressure to sleep builds up more slowly, making them feel tired later.
"Later School Start Works For Our Teens" (Feb. 14, 2006), an op-ed column by Carole Young-Kleinfeld and Catharine Kempson, in the Hartford (CT) Courant. In 2003, the Wilton (CT) School District started delaying its high school and middle school start times by about 45 minutes, to allow students to get the extra sleep that medical professionals deem important to adolescent health, safety and learning. This column reports on the benefits that resulted.
Unit 4: The Eye of the Storm
"Being prepared" (Nov. 16, 2005), by Janice Willard of Kight Ridder Newspapers, published in the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel. A look at the importance of being prepared for an emergency or disaster.
"Former 'Hurricane Hunter' eyes Wilma from Marco home
" (Oct. 27, 2005), by Andrea M. Galabinski of the San Marco (FL) Sun Times. An article about a former U.S. Navy hurricane hunter, who talks about a hurricane mission in 1995 where the crew and plane vanished forever inside the storm cloud.
"Disaster Could Have Been Far Worse, Says Sociologist Who Thinks New Orleans 'Lucked Out'" (September 19, 2005), by Jennifer Howard of The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina came as a shock but it
wasn't a surprise, at least not to Lee Clarke, an associate professor
of sociology at Rutgers University at New Brunswick. In an interview,
he explains why he thinks the city "lucked out" this time around. And
he argues that instead of weighing the probabilities — playing
the odds — policy makers need to take a hard look at worst-case
possibilities.
Unit 5: You Will Be This Land
"Stewards of protection: State program and private groups help guard hundreds of ancient and historical sites" (Jan. 22, 2006), by Staci Matlock of The New Mexican. A story about groups of private citizens who are helping the state protect hundreds of ancient and historical sites from vandals, looters and unintentionally destructive visitors.
"American Indians Seek Protection for Sacred Sites" (Nov. 28, 2005), by Daniel Kraker of the Voice of America. In dozens of lawsuits across the United States, Native American tribes are fighting to protect sacred sites that are located on federal land.
Unit 6: It's Better to Give Than to Receive
"Generous 'angels' are busy spreading joy" (Dec. 16, 2005), by Irene Kraft of The Morning Call (Allentown, PA). A look at the Be an Angel program and the nonprofit agencies it is helping in the Allentown area.
"One Year after the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Habitat for Humanity Reflects on Progress and Challenges of Reconstruction" (Dec. 16, 2005), published in Reuters AlertNet. A summary of a Habitat for Humanity report on the progress it has achieved as well as the lessons learned in responding to one of the most destructive natural disasters in history.
"The value of volunteerism:
Hometown hero", by John Darling (Dec. 19, 2005), published in the Mail Tribune (Medford, OR). A look at a couple, in their 80s, who have shaped a lifestyle of volunteerism.
Unit 7: Emotional Intelligence
"Links found between happiness and health" (Dec. 14, 2005), a story by United Press International, published in Science Daily. Carnegie Mellon University scientists say there's growing evidence positive emotions such as happiness are linked with good health and increased longevity.
"The Key to Our Emotions" (Aug. 30, 2005), by Robert Epstein of Psychology Today. An interview with Jack Mayer, who originated the concept of Emotional Intelligence.
Unit 8: Goodbye to the Sit-Down Meal
"Families With Full Plates, Sitting Down to Dinner
" (April 5, 2006), by Lisa A. Foderaro of The New York Times, published in the International Herald Tribune. A look at how busy familes can still make time to have dinner together.
". . . and you can eat what you like" (Feb. 21, 2006), an editorial by Harriet Brown of The New York Times. Researchers have found that when you eat something you like, your body makes more efficient use of its nutrients.
"Sitting down for meals brings families together" (Feb. 20, 2006), by Rebecca King of Delaware Online . A look at the benefits of families eating together, and some tips on how to make it happen.
"Looking at future food trends" (Dec. 21, 2005), by Jo Ellen O'Hara of The Birmingham (AL) News. Trends include smaller meals, more chocolate, and the continued rise of brands.
Unit 9: Finding a Niche: The Lives of Young Immigrants
"Program trains students for radio" (Dec. 25, 2005), by Christine Rappleye of the Beaumont (TX) Enterprise. A story about a Vietnamese high school student who hosts a Port Arthur (TX) radio show in Vietnamese and English.
"Our global success depends on language; a multilingual America is stronger and safer" (Dec. 12, 2005), an editorial by Macarena Hernandez or the Dallas (TX) Morning News. The writer argues that, with the Internet eroding geographical boundaries and our world shrinking, speaking another language is no longer a plus on the resume — it's a necessity.
Unit 10: Technology: A Blessing or a Curse?
"Tech etiquette: Mind your manners around fellow travelers" (Feb. 18, 2006), by Julio Ojeda-Zapata of Knight Ridder Newspapers, published in NorthJersey.com. A discussion of what to do and what not to do with your laptops, DVD players, and cell phones at airports and on a flight.
"Deaf, hearing students take advantage of technology" (Feb. 7, 2006), by Sierra Millman of Medill News Service, published in Northwest Indiana News. Students and administrators at the Illinois School for the Deaf describe how text messaging has become the rage.
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