News or “balita” is an important part of everyday life and also a great way to learn other languages. In this post, we will learn ways to read news in Tagalog so that you can finally reach for a local newspaper and converse with the locals about what’s happening. Let’s begin!
Reading news articles in Tagalog is a great way to improve your language skills and stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the Philippines. Not only will it help you expand your vocabulary and improve your comprehension, but it also gives you a deeper insight into the culture and society of the Philippines. I know this because I tried the same thing when I was trying to learn another Asian language (Thai). Having the ability to read the newspaper made the locals warm up to me in deeper ways!
One reason why I advocate the use of news articles as a resource for learning a language is that it demonstrates the standard grammar and words used by the locals. In the Philippines, the type of language used in the news is “pambansa” (pam means “for,” and bansa means “country”), which is a formal type of Filipino language that is understood throughout the Philippines. Of course, every piece of news needs to reach the masses, so it gives you an idea of the best words to use in the local language as well.
Ready to connect with the Filipino people? If yes, keep reading below!
Tips For Reading The News
Reading the news in a foreign language can be overwhelming. But if you know some helpful tips, it wouldn’t be that tough. Here are the tips that you can use when you read news in Tagalog.
Start With The Headlines
Headlines are written in a big and bold font. Usually, headlines are short and easy to understand, so start with the headlines. Reading the headlines will immediately give you a gist of what the news article is all about. Since it’s short, you can easily search for the translation or use context clues to your advantage.
Choose News Stories That Interest You
If the topics interest you, you’ll be more determined to read. You can start with a horoscope, health, and wellness, or anything that interests you or something that you’re curious about.
Take Note Of New Vocabulary
Studies prove that taking down notes is an effective way to retain what you have learned. Make sure to take down notes of all the words you have learned so that when you encounter the same words again; you already know what it means. Of course, try to review it from time to time and use these words in sentences on your own.
Read News In Your Level
You might be overwhelmed if you’re a beginner and start reading a long news article. So, start with articles or parts of the news at your level and work your way up. This way, you can also monitor your progress.
How To Get News In Tagalog
Looking for the latest news using Tagalog? Check out these top recommendations below.
- Online news websites: There are many news websites that publish articles in Tagalog, such as GMA News, ABS-CBN News, and Inquirer.net.
- TV and radio broadcasts: If you prefer to watch or listen to the news in Tagalog, many TV and radio stations in the Philippines broadcast news programs in the language. Try tuning in to stations like ABS-CBN or GMA for the latest news in Tagalog.
- Social media: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are great sources for Tagalog news, as many news outlets and journalists share their articles and updates on these platforms. Simply follow a few Tagalog news accounts to stay informed.
- Tagalog newspapers: If you’re in the Philippines, you can also pick up a Tagalog newspaper like Abante, Pilipino Star Ngayon, or Balita for the latest news and current events in the language.
Tagalog Words Related To News
| English | Tagalog |
| Headlines | Pang-ulong balita |
| Front Page | Pamukhang Pahina |
| Balitang Pandaigdig | International News |
| Editorial | Pangulong Tudling/Editoryal |
| Classified Ads | Anunsyong Klasipikado |
| Obituary | Obitwaryo |
| Libangan | Entertainment |
| Sports | Isports |
| Lifestyle | Lifestyle |
No matter how advanced technology is right now, we cannot deny the supremacy of newspapers. This is where most of the people from the past generations learn to read the news. In fact, most schools in the Philippines back then, starting from elementary, includes a reading of news from newspapers in daily lessons. This mostly happens in the subject of Araling Panlipunan or Social Studies.
If the headlines and other news articles are too overwhelming for you, you might as well begin reading the most entertaining part of the newspaper – the entertainment part, where you usually see comics, crossword puzzles, and word hunts. After starting with an easy part, you may start working your way up to develop your skills more and discover more words.
Read More Than Just The News. Learn Tagalog Now!
Reading the news will keep you updated and will definitely help you learn more about the language. But, if you wanna go beyond just the news, you should start taking serious language lessons. No need to worry because learning Tagalog will never be boring and overwhelming with the Ling app.
With the Ling app’s advanced features, you can develop your language skills like speaking, reading, comprehension, and even grammar skills all in one app. The best part? It comes with in-depth lessons and challenging quizzes to help you truly understand the Tagalog language through and through! Ready to give it a try? Sign up for a free Ling account now!
