The course is designed to train students to read and translate English-language news and prepare them with the basic skills in writing news reports in English. The students will be assigned readings to explore the basic elements of news and learn vocabularies and expressions often used in news presentation. They will learn news-writing styles and practice presenting news events in English, both verbally and in written form. Comparisons between the styles and angles of foreign press and local media will be discussed. The students will also practice translating English-language news reports into Chinese. Other than text, news photos, graphics, videos and animation will also be introduced. Lecturers will be given to convey the message that the news business is to inform, to educate and to serve and that good journalists are those who are responsible, honest, balanced and follow professional ethics.

評量方式 Grading
Mid-term exam 30%, final exam 30%, writings 30 percent, class participation 5% and class attendance 5%


進度 Syllabus

第1週 General introduction on News English
Reading assignment

第2週 Discussions on assignment
Power Point on “What is News”
Translating assignment

第3週 Discussions on translation, current events
Reading assignment on art/human interest

第4週 Discussions on readings, current events
Translating assignment

第5週 Discussions on translation, current events
Reading assignment on health/entertainment

第6週 Discussions on readings, current events
Translating assignment

第7週 Discussions on translation
Reading assignment on features

第8週 Discussions on features
Review
第9週 （Mid-term exam）

第10週 Discussions on Mid-term exam
Reading assignment on politics

第11週 Discussions on readings, current events
Writing assignment

第12週 Discussions on writing, current events
Reading assignments on business

第13週 Discussions on reading, current events
Writing assignment

第14週 Discussions on writing, current events
Reading assignment on crimes