Global Issues

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) posts engaging talks on scientific, academic and cultural issues to its website. Speakers from around the world deliver talks in a lecture-style format.  New lectures are posted on a weekly basis. The lectures range from 5 to 18 minutes and longer,  and have transcripts and subtitles available in more than 100 languages. Learners can use the talks for independent study. Instructors can use the search feature to find talks on appropriate themes, and build lessons around talks to target specific language skills and academic skills, such as note taking.

TEDEd: Instructors can open an account and develop their own lesson plans or access lessons developed by other teachers.  Learn English with TED Talks: TED Talks/National Geographic Curriculum for English Learners. The integrated skills curriculum for adult learners is called Keynote. It is divided into 6 levels. The content integrates TED Talks and National Geographic photos into lesson plans.  Also available: National Geographic English learning textbooks on a variety of topics including Grammar, Pronunciation, and Business English.   There is a cost.