Learners have asked me where to find good quality English articles online for extensive (enjoyable) reading in English. Here are some sites to consider. I’ve focused on Canadian content.
By the way, the Farnham Street blog has an excellent page on How to Read Better. It includes how to become a better reader and advice on choosing what to read. Is reading the news is a waste of time? Since time is limited, FS suggests we dedicate our reading time to acquiring useful knowledge that doesn’t change every news cycle.
Here are some favorite sites for your reading enjoyment and edification.
CONTEMPORARY ARTICLES
theschooloflife.com
The School of Life is a global organisation helping people to lead more fulfilled lives through useful resources and tools. See the School of Life youtube channel for Band C2 level on Self-Knowledge, Relationships, Career, Emotional Intelligence, etc. Alain de Bouton is the founder, and the author of one of my favorite books: Religion for Atheists: A Non-Believer’s Guide to the Uses of Religion.
thinkingfaith.org
Thinking Faith has been publishing articles, film and book reviews that offer a faith-based perspective on contemporary issues and resources from the Christian-Catholic tradition.
cac.org
The Center for Action and Contemplation’s programs and resources are designed to help deepen prayer / meditation practice and strengthen compassionate engagement in the world.
churchlifejournal.nd.edu
Church Life Journal is published by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. The focus is on first principles grounded in themes related to the flourishing of Church Life: catechesis and formation, the arts, liturgy, pro-life culture and human dignity, Catholic education, science and religion, and technology.
commonwealmagazine.org
Founded in 1924, Commonweal is published by the nonprofit Commonweal Foundation for all readers who want to engage with the Catholic tradition in a context of justice, charity, and critical intelligence. Commonweal fosters rigorous and reflective discussions about faith, public affairs, and the arts, centered on belief in the common good.
themarginalian.org
The Marginalian used to be brainpickings.org. A brilliant collection of articles on literature, the search for meaning, written at an advanced level. Use the archives search function to find worthwhile articles on science, philosophy, psychology.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
electionsanddemocracy.ca
The Elections and Democracy website is an initiative of Elections Canada, the independent, non-partisan agency responsible for federal elections in Canada. This site provides information, tools and resources for civic education and engagement.
ontarioparks.com/ecologicalintegrity
Ontario Parks has over 300 provincial parks. You can view maps and reserve campsites via the Ontario Parks website. Learn about the activities in and around the Parks system.
humanrights.ca
As the world’s first museum dedicated to human rights, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is centred around the idea that respect and understanding of human rights can serve as a positive force for change in the world.
nationalmagazine.ca
National Magazine is the official periodical of the Canadian Bar Association and covers the latest trends and developments affecting the legal profession and the practice of law
MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS — INTERNATIONAL
theguardian.com
The Guardian is a UK newspaper founded in 1821 and funded by readers.
dw.com
Unbiased News for Free Minds | Deutsche Welle (DW) is Germany’s international broadcaster and one of the most successful and relevant international media outlets. They provide journalistic content in 32 languages.
jacobin.com
Reason in Revolt | Jacobin is a leading voice of the American left, offering socialist perspectives on politics, economics, and culture.
motherjones.com
Launched in 1976 and based in San Francisco, California, Mother Jones or MoJo is a news organization named after labor activist Mary Harris “Mother” Jones. Mother Jones focuses on investigative journalism on politics, governments, corporations, the environment, crime & justice.
MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS — CANADIAN
theconversation.com.ca
The Conversation launched in June 2017. The Conversation is an independent source of news and views, from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public. Their About page says that access to independent, high-quality, authenticated, explanatory journalism underpins a functioning democracy. Their purpose aim is to allow for better understanding of current affairs and complex issues.
thewalrus.ca
The Walrus sparks conversations about Canada and its place in the world through award-winning independent journalism.
thetyee.ca
The Tyee (tie-yee) is an independent news magazine from B.C. founded in 2003. Their reporting has changed laws, started movements and garnered numerous awards. While some journalism gives the last word to power, they give the last word to ordinary folks.
the narwhal.ca
The Narwhal publishes articles on environmental issues in Canada.
universityaffairs.ca
The University Affairs site provides articles about life at Canadian universities.
https://institute.smartprosperity.ca
The Smart Prosperity Institute is a national research network and policy think tank based at the University of Ottawa.
canadiandimension.com
Founded in 1963, Canadian Dimension is a forum for debate on important issues facing the Canadian Left today, and a source for analysis of national and regional politics, labour.
fraserinstitute.org
The Fraser Institute is an independent, non-partisan research and educational organization in Canada with a right-of-centre perspective.
policyalternatives.ca
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates.
citizenlab.ca
Citizen Lab is an academic research lab focused on the study of digital threats to civil society and high-level policy engagement.
www.cigionline.org
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank whose peer-reviewed research and trusted analysis influence policy makers to innovate.
Last but not least, visit your nearest public library and browse the shelves!
Whether you like fiction, non-fiction or periodicals (magazines), print materials still often have a quality you might enjoy and not easily find online.