English Learning Apps Downloaded on: 11/1/2019
Name of contributor:Kathy Wong
Name of app:BBC News
Operating system of the app:
✓Android
✓iOS
Windows Phone
Language that this app addresses:English
Aspects of language skills that this app addresses:
✓Listening
✓Reading
Speaking
Writing
Brief introduction of apps:This app provides latest global news . Users can choose the category of news they would love to read, such as, top stories, US& Canada, Technology, Features and Analysis, Business, Science & Environment, Europe, UK, Asia, Entertainment & Arts, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Health, Sport et cetera. Instant news will be provided so that users can receive news immediately and Flexibility are provided to users to choose to watch or listen or simply read the news.
Apart from the provision of instant news and the flexibility to choose the ways to receive the information, BBC news also provide programs that is similar to TV news report. There are options like World News Summary, Business Summary, World News Bulletin, Newshour, World Business Report, Business Daily and Live BBC World Service.
Levels of learners who are suitable for this app:Suitable for different levels of learners
Groups of learners who are suitable for this app:
Kindergarten children
Primary school students
✓Secondary school students
✓University students or young professionals (18-29)
✓Others (older than 30)
Rating:4.00
Strengths about this app:It is a tacit for every English speakers or learners to know that RP (Received Pronounciation) is perceived as the most official and popular accent of English. As a result, BBC news also were highly recognised as a authoised media. So, it is great that the app provide listening and watching function for users. Users can train their listenting skills and even oral skills by following the reporter. Also, somehow, people will choose to listen to the radio news report instead of reading the newspaper. So, it is definitely extraordinary for the app to have the service of listening to a various of detailed programs. I believe this function is super convenient to some of the busy users.
Areas that need improvement:Generally speaking, I think the design and formet of the app is very thoughtful and user-friendly. Yet, maybe this is a app from overseas, I found that the news about Asia or China are not that sufficient and up-to-date. Since the potency of China is boosting, I hope there will be more about China issues in the app.
Other comments:
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