19 February 2008

Linking to VOA and the News Blog

We have received an email from Bea in Italy asking about linking to VOA. Bea is very interested in the news, especially American news, but says the English language is difficult and notes, “I read you very, very slowly.”

Two things for you, Bea.

First, on linking, go to: http://www.voanews.com/english/link_to_us.cfm

That is where you can find directions on how to post the VOA News banner on your site. As the link page notes, www.VOANews.com is the official web portal for the Voice of America. It is a public domain website and you may link to VOANews.com at no cost. We request only that you credit VOANews where appropriate and ask that when you link, that you do so in an appropriate context as to provide your visitors a link to a trusted source of news and information.

You can also post a link to the VOA News Blog if you wish. The blog is at: http://voanewsblog.blogspot.com/

Now, the second thing we have for you, Bea, and for all those interested in learning English, is our Special English or learning English website at:
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/index.cfm

As that page notes, Special English has been around since October 19, 1959. The goal was to communicate by radio in clear and simple English with people whose native language was not English. Special English programs quickly became some of the most popular on VOA. They still are.

Over the years, its role has expanded. It helps people learn English while they learn about American life and stay informed about world news and developments in science. It provides listeners with information they cannot find elsewhere.

Special English has a core vocabulary of just 1500 words. Most are simple words that describe objects, actions or emotions. Our Special English writers use short, simple sentences that contain only one idea. The broadcasters read at a slower pace, which helps people learning English hear each word clearly.

You can find Special English broadcasts on the radio to different parts of the world several times a day, seven days a week.

Special English is also on satellite TV weekly with a 20-minute program of five short features read by Special English announcers along with the scrolling text. Check out our TV schedule for your area. http://author.voanews.com/specialenglish/tv.cfm

Internet users can also listen to programs on the Special English Web site while reading the text. And they can receive scripts of features by e-mail.

As our Special English folks note, in countries around the world, many English teachers require their students to listen to Special English. They praise it for the content of the programs and for improving their students’ ability to understand American English. Universities, governments and private companies publish and broadcast Special English materials for use in English teaching.

Hope this helps, Bea. Thanks for contacting us.

1 comment:

bea said...

WOW!
Thanks Alex, I never hope that you respond me.
Excuse if I am late to read your blog but in this days I connect today & tonight with NASA Television for Atlantis shuttle mission that conclude now.
And now I go to write in my website my emotion every time the shuttle GO and every time the shuttle TOUCHDOWN.
It's WONDERFUL, excuse my enthusiasm, the Space Shuttle Missions are wonderful!
Well, I read "slowly" your kind answer and then I go to take the banner of VOA in my site.
Then I will study your English-Radio-Service because I studied the English language on Shakespeare's Theatre, in my old school.
Now, American slang is difficoult to listen also on NASA Television.
For this, I must RE-study the US English and also it is wonderful because the US language is the WORLD language, the Universal language, the SPACE LANGUAGE!
I love you, American REAL Democracy.
Here nobody responds me, never by italian televisions never by any italian journal.
Good Speed America
with Love & Special Thanks
Good morning ALEX!

bea:)