ENGLISH FOR JOURNALISM – US Embassy
| DURATION: | 12 weeks |
| COMMITMENT: | 3-4 hrs/week |
| REQUIREMENT: | None |
| COURSE TYPE: | Self-paced |
| CREDENTIAL: | Badge(s); Certificate (free) |
DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for non-native English speakers interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. In this course, you will explore print and digital media while expanding your vocabulary and increasing your ability to research and develop local and global news stories. Module One will provide an introduction to the history and principles of journalism. In Module Two, you will learn how to research, pitch, and interview. Module Three will focus on the language for writing newspaper and magazine articles. Module Four will cover the basics of broadcasting the news. Module Five will focus on the growth, impact, and challenges of the digital media age. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
About this Course:
English for Journalism is designed for high-beginner to low-intermediate non-native English speakers.
This course was developed by the University of Pennsylvania and adapted by FHI 360 for the Online Professional English Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Module 1: The History and Principles of Journalism
This module covers materials, activities and vocabulary about the following key concepts:
- understanding how journalism has changed over time
- identifying the core principles of journalism
- practicing the simple past and past progressive to report and describe past events
Module 2: How to Research, Pitch and Interview
This module covers materials, activities and vocabulary about the following key concepts:
- understanding strategies to research and pitch a news story
- identifing the elements of conducting an effective interview
- using quoted and reported speech
Module 3: Words in Print
This module covers materials, activities and vocabulary about the following key concepts:
- understanding the general structure, style and voice of written news stories
- identifying types of leads
- applying proofreading techniques and elements of the Associated Press Style (capitalization, numbers, and dates)
Module 4: Broadcasting the News
This module covers materials, activities and vocabulary about the following key concepts:
- understanding the features of broadcast journalism
- comparing and contrasting broadcast journalism and print media
- writing a broadcast script and delivering a store using appropriate voice
Module 5: New Media Journalism
This module covers materials, activities and vocabulary about the following key concepts:
- analyzing the growth, impact and challenges of digital news on print and broadcast journalism
- practicing the present perfect tense to discuss the impact of digital technology in journalism
Full Course Module Packet
These downloadable materials contain all five modules of the English for Journalism MOOC.
Note: These files are large so may not download for those with bandwidth limitations. We encourage you to use the individual module packets on this page to download the course in smaller files.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the history and principles of journalism.
- Identify strategies to research, pitch, and interview for a news story.
- Identify elements of print journalism and effectively proofread following a style guide.
- Identify the unique features of broadcast journalism
- Analyze how digital technologies have changed journalism
Target Audience: English Language Learners, practicing journalists, students of journalism, lifelong learners interested in improving their English while learning more about journalism..
Course is offered by the American English E-Teacher Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government, and administered by FHI 360.
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
JESSAMYN EMBRY
Senior Technical Officer / Instructor
Jessamyn Embry is a Senior Technical Officer for English Language Acquisition at FHI360. Over the past 15 years, she has taught and administered language programs in France, India, Mexico and the USA. She holds a BA in International Studies from American University’s School of International Service and an MA TESOL from the SIT Graduate Institute.
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About US Embassy
What does the US Embassy Do?
The primary purpose of an embassy is to assist American citizens who travel to or live in the host country. U.S. Foreign Service Officers also interview citizens of the host country who wish to travel to the United States for business, education, or tourism purposes.
U.S. Embassy, LondonEmbassy in London, England
The Embassy of the United States of America in London is the diplomatic mission of the United States in the United Kingdom. It is the largest American embassy in Western Europe and the focal point for events relating to the United States held in the United Kingdom.
Embassy of the United States, BeijingOffice in Beijing, China
The Embassy of the United States in Beijing is the diplomatic mission of the United States in China. It serves as the administrative office of the United States Ambassador to China. The embassy complex is in Chaoyang District, Beijing.
