Newspapers in the ESL Classroom : Using newspapers as an introduction for teaching linguistic theories and concepts for advanced learners

Abstract: The aim of this essay is to test the suitability for teaching an introduction to meaning through analysing linguistic concepts in newspaper articles. The essay is hypothetical, and the suggestions for teaching linguistic concepts for advanced learners have not been tested in a classroom environment. By analysing concepts related to meaning in newspaper articles, examples, adaptions of previous theories, and suggestions for future activities and studies are conferred and demonstrated. The hypothesis of this study is: Using newspapers as teaching material in the classroom can be useful for teachers when introducing linguistic theories and concepts for advanced learners. The hypothesis led to the following study questions: To what extent can newspaper articles be used to analyse linguistic theories and linguistic concepts in a classroom environment for advanced ESL learners? Assuming newspapers can be used for teaching linguistic theories and concepts for advanced learners, how might this work in practice? The analysed news articles provided examples of linguistic concepts which led to the conclusion that newspapers can be used to teach linguistic concept for advanced learners. Adaptions of Sanderson’s ideas manifestly offer suggestions of hypothetical ways of teaching the selected concepts further.