How RSS Works?

The RSS image is taken from here.

You probably have heard about RSS, or have seen an RSS icon (just like the one to the right) on the websites. Do you really know what is RSS, what are RSS feeds, and how to get use of it?

RSS -short for Really Simple Syndication- is simple a format which help readers to get regularly changing content. In other words, instead of visiting each website individually to check for the update information, you can benefit from RSS feeds which allow you stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the websites would like to stay updated on, so you can quickly scan headlines, from the blogs and websites you are subscribed to, on the same place.

Many of the websites or blogs publish an RSS feed. All you have to do is to get an RSS reader. There are numbers of free or commercial RSS readers, you can either download one of them or use it online. These feed readers let you view all your feeds at one screen. When you get the reader, you go to your favorite websites, find their RSS links, copy the URL of these RSS feeds, and paste them into the RSS reader. You are all set! Now your RSS reader checks for new postings and articles for you and downloads the headlines of these into the reader.

I prefer using Feedreader online. I am generally subscribed to the blogs or websites related to ESL/EFL, teaching, education etc. You can see the list of the blogs and websites I am following in the image below.

I think all of them are so inspiring and helpful but I find https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blog very effective and I highly recommend every ESL members to have a look at it (you can copy and paste this URL to your feed reader to be able to follow this blog). You probably know the British Council website but do you know about their RSS feed? 

They share a variety of different activities, lesson plans, innovations in teaching/learning, tips for teacher development, methodology etc. and share them quite frequently compared to others. It is a great source for teachers to create lesson plans for language learners of all age (kids, teens, adults). You can be sure about the accuracy of the language and information because their team consists of natives, English teachers, language experts etc.

I hope this post will help you to know more about RSS format. Get your feed reader without delay and enjoy easily stay updated without visiting the same websites every day!