How we write the news
The rules our editors follow for every story, at every level.
1. Real events, named sources
Every story describes a real event reported by an established news organisation. The original reporting is linked under the story. We do not publish stories we cannot trace to a source, and we do not invent quotes, numbers, names or places.
2. Same facts at every level
The A1, A2 and B1 versions of a story contain the same facts. Lower levels may leave a detail out; they never change one. Numbers, dates and names are kept exactly as reported, because learning to recognise them is part of reading the news.
3. Level rules
- A1: sentences of about 12 words or fewer; present simple, past simple and will; the most common 500–800 words of English. One idea per sentence.
- A2: sentences of up to about 20 words joined with because, but, so, when, after; present perfect and simple future; roughly 1,000 words of vocabulary.
- B1: natural journalistic English including the passive, reported speech and direct quotes; no idioms, no rare words; roughly 2,000 words of vocabulary.
Words above the level are allowed when the story needs them (tornado, transplant) and are always explained in the vocabulary list.
4. Vocabulary, grammar and quiz
Each story lists 6–8 words chosen for usefulness beyond the story, with IPA, part of speech, a plain definition and an example sentence taken from the text. The grammar note describes one structure the story actually uses. Quiz questions are answerable from the A1 version, so every reader can complete them.
5. Story selection
We choose stories that are clear, concrete and international, across seven sections: world, science, technology, business, sports, entertainment and good news. We avoid graphic detail, but we do not avoid difficult news — a storm, a death, a court case — because learners live in the real world.
6. Corrections
If a source corrects or updates a story, we update ours and show the updated date on the page. If you find an error, tell us; we correct mistakes of fact within one working day.
7. Tools
We use software, including AI writing tools, to help draft level versions and vocabulary lists. Every published story is read and edited by a person against the rules above before it appears on the site, and the editors are responsible for it.