Magazine zone

Magazine zone

Do you want to practise your reading and learn about global issues, special days and festivals?

In this section, read articles about a wide variety of topics. The articles are written for learners at B1 English level (intermediate) and B2 English level (upper intermediate) .

You will improve your reading comprehension and develop your vocabulary on a diverse range of international events, celebrations and topics. Each article has interactive exercises to help you understand and use the language.

Choose a topic

The British Council is celebrating its 90th birthday! Find out more about the British Council, what we do and how we're marking the anniversary.

October is Black History Month in the UK. The event recognises black people's achievements and educates people about black history.

October 5 is World Teachers' Day. Find out which famous people want to say thank you to their school teachers for their success.

World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, is a day to raise awareness of the effects mental illness has on millions of people’s lives across the world, and to help educate and inform us all.

World Tourism Day on 27 September is about deciding the tourism we want for the future. That means thinking not just about the economy but also about the impact on people and the planet.

The International Day of Peace is on 21 September. It's a day that aims to reduce violence and to strengthen the ideals of peace around the world.

'Mindfulness' is a word we hear a lot these days, but what exactly does it mean? Find out what it is, what the benefits of mindfulness are and how you can start to practise it.

Knowing how to read and write is a very important factor in most people’s lives. But some people never learn these skills. How can we make sure that everybody gets the opportunity to become literate?

What risks do people face when they are in countries at war? And why are humanitarian workers a target for attacks? The UN's World Humanitarian Day puts the focus on these important questions.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August is a day to promote indigenous peoples' rights and celebrate indigenous communities, from the Inuit in the Arctic Circle to the Tuareg in the deserts of northern Africa.

The horrific crime of human trafficking may be closer to you than you realise. Read more about the UN's World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

July 30 is the United Nations International Day of Friendship. Read about the importance of friendship and find out why the UN decided to give it a special day.

Did you know that there's a World Emoji Day? Well, there is ... and it's on July 17! surprise 

What do you know about the history and symbols of the Olympic Games? Read the article to find out about this globally renowned sports event.

What do you know about chocolate? Learn about the history of chocolate and the interesting journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar.

Every summer, music lovers get excited about the UK's biggest music festival! Find out all about it in this article.

World Music Day, on 21 June, is a global celebration of music. Read about how this special day started and how it's celebrated worldwide.

Yoga is becoming more and more popular around the world. What exactly is it, where did it come from and what are the health benefits of doing yoga?

Did you know that every day thousands of people leave their homes to escape war or terror? World Refugee Day is a day to support refugees worldwide and help them rebuild their lives.

World Oceans Day is a day to think about the extremely important role that the oceans play in all our lives, the dangers that are facing our oceans and the actions we can take to protect them.

On World Environment Day people from countries all around the world come together to take action to defend our planet. Find out about some of the things people are doing to celebrate this special day.

Every year, on the first Sunday in May, World Laughter Day celebrates the positive effect that deep laughter can have on us all.

May 1 is International Workers' Day. On this day, people in many countries around the world celebrate workers' achievements and march in the streets demanding fair pay and better working conditions.

English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April. Read about where English came from, how it came to be spoken all over the world and how it is changing.

International Mother Earth Day, on 22 April, promotes harmony with nature and reminds us of the importance of protecting all the different ecosystems and species on our planet.