Author Description

This document incorporates source materials from local and regional newspapers from different parts of the United Kingdom into learning activities to develop literacy skills. The activities are organized into seven sections as follows: local newspapers (types of local newspapers, regular and special features, columns and blocks, and reading the newspaper); classified ads (using the classified ads, commonly used abbreviations, family notices, and writing and placing advertisements); jobs (understanding key points of job advertisements, assessing one's skills, finding jobs, requesting application forms, and advertising oneself); understanding and responding to special offers; special information (historical information, photographs, community information, and writing to newspapers); extending your skills (understanding headlines, types of news, understanding new words, and horoscopes); and using the newspaper for reference (television listings, weather information, and telephone lines). The document has been developed in an open learning format and may be used for assignments, development of skimming and scanning skills, individual study, and development of indexing skills. Throughout the document, tasks are linked to communication and numeracy competencies. (MN)