- August 9, 2022
- 5 minute read
- tags: english as a second language, esl
As an ESL student, it can be hard to find good books to read. The books often come with complicated wording and multi-layered topics, which are difficult for an ESL reader to understand. this makes it hard for English learners to understand the language, let alone the book! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best books for ESL students.
Reading can help you speak and write better. can put an end to grammatical errors, which can be a major hindrance in both academic and artistic writing.
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best books for esl students
esl books offer language learners an easy way to learn English. Instead of poring over tedious language learning tips, you might as well try good reading! In addition to improving your second language learning skills, it helps you integrate new words into your everyday vocabulary.
Learning English through ESL books is one of the most efficient and fun ways to learn a language. the absence of technicalities and unnecessary theory makes the process much easier.
To develop a love of reading in English, you need to find the right kinds of books: uncomplicated vocabulary, simple syntax, linear plot, and engaging conflict. This list has some English as a Second Language books you’ll never look back on!
1. matilda by roald dahl
Why don’t we start with a classic about the power of reading? matilda by roald dahl is a moving story about a little five-year-old girl, matilda, who learns to read at the tender age of three due to the continual abandonment of her parents and her brother. She finds an unlikely listener in Miss Jenny, a kind-hearted school teacher, who treats her with respect and understanding.
the text is very simple and is sprinkled with wonderful illustrations by quentin blake. This book will propel you into the world of a serious reader who is only five years old.
The storytelling style is rich and engaging. the plot will warm the cockles of your heart and make the process of learning English more fun. We highly recommend that you begin your endless reading journey with this ESL book. not just students or language learners, anyone who reads it falls in love!
2. the little prince of antoine de saint exupery
Apart from the simple moral story at its core, the little prince is much more. A fox gives a little prince some important life lessons, teaching him to look with his heart instead of his eyes. the book is popularly classified as “a children’s book for adults,” and we couldn’t agree more.
Originally written in French, this book has been excellently translated into more than ten languages, including English. Its simple vocabulary and uncomplicated text will certainly make learning the language easy for the ESL student.
The universality of the book’s lessons makes it easy for the esl reader to identify with the prince. as a children’s book, the language is obviously simple and straight to the point. however, this is also a great book for English learners to dig deeper and interpret the book individually.
Definitely a must read, this esl book is a great start to your reading adventure!
3. the curious incident of the dog in the night by mark haddon
Christopher is a 15-year-old boy who suffers from Asperger’s syndrome. when his neighbor’s dog is killed, he goes out into the night to explore and find out what exactly happened to it. Truly, a murder mystery like no other!
The language of the novel reflects Christopher’s communication problems due to Asperger’s. Its logical and straightforward nature makes this book a simple and easy read for ESL readers.
This book awakens your empathy towards learning difficulties. it also exposes you to a kind of language and style that immediately piques your interest. is one of the few crime fiction novels that appeals to an amateur reader in terms of style and story.
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is attractive, intriguing and easy to read. Naturally, it ranks in our top three esl books for language learners!
4. the adventures of tintin de hergé
Without a doubt, everyone loves comics. What better way to improve your English than by reading a fascinating comic full of travel and adventure?
tintin is a fearless reporter who travels around the world solving many mysteries. His three partners in these endeavors are his dog Snowy, the cheeky and skeptical Captain Haddock, and the brainy, hearing-impaired calculus teacher.
Reading comics is a great way to learn English, so Tintin is definitely one of the best books for ESL students. English learners will love Tintin comics!
if you want to have fun walking through the myriad of cases tintin faces, keep reading!
5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. k. paddle
Yes, yes we know. This is the most quoted book for almost any situation you can name, but it is a book well worthy of that. Written in 1997, this classic by J.K. Rowling is the first of a series of six books full of magic, adventure, and heroism.
The protagonist of the book, Harry Potter (duh) is a wizard and has to start his studies at the age of 11 at the most prestigious school in existence: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. the books deal with his friendship with ron weasley and hermione granger, his feud with draco malfoy and his constant fight with voldemort, a dark wizard who wants his blood.
The language is engaging and simple, making it a perfect book for ESL students. you will leave the book alone after completing it all in one sitting.
This is the best option for many ESL readers to learn English because it is, without a doubt, one of the most loved books ever written in English.
6. a wrinkle in time by madeleine l’engle
Two boys and three witches go on an adventure, defying the limits of time. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
meg murray and her brother, charles wallace, have been living without their father, mr. murray, ever since he discovered a way to travel to another planet with the help of a tesseract he built.
The kids, along with Meg’s classmate Calvin, and three witches, Mrs. what’s up, ma’am? who and mrs. that—travel to the planet to find her father. Little do they know that the planet is teeming with all the evil in the world!
Megan narrates the story, which keeps it simple and without too many literary flourishes. the absence of complicated terms and metaphors makes learning English more efficient and at the same time attractive.
Fantastic in imagination but easy to understand, this esl book is ideal for all learners of English!
7. the room on the roof by ruskin bond
ruskin bond wrote this book when he was 17 years old and living alone in the picturesque city of dehradun in india.
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The book will drag you in the middle of an imaginary meadow: tall pine trees with a cool breeze blowing through your hair. Makes you want to sit down with the book already, doesn’t it?
Rusty, an Anglo-Indian orphan boy, escapes from his tyrannical guardian and finds refuge in a group of four children: Kishen, Somi, Ranbir and Suri. he finds a job tutoring kishen’s english and falls in love with his mother, the beautiful meena. The book covers his daily life and the adventures he has with his friends.
the language is extremely simple and is written in the style of an anecdote. If you want to live the life in the hills and at the same time get familiar with learning the English language, this is the best book to read.
8. mieko and the fifth treasure of eleanor coerr
At just 77 pages, mieko and the fifth treasure is probably the easiest to read of all the esl books on this list.
mieko is a very talented calligrapher and artist, who is sent to live with her grandparents during the war. When she injures her hand during a bombing, she is afraid of losing her talent and her “fifth treasure”: the beauty of her heart. her skills and her heart are the inspiration of her art, and without them she cannot be happy.
The book is about her struggle to adjust to a school where the kids are mean to her. but her patient and kind grandparents lift her spirits. She becomes good friends with Yoshi, a kind-hearted boy, and her stern but caring aunt.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story, look no further.
See Also: 5 Essential Two-Face Stories
9. nancy cartoon series by carolyn keine
Who wouldn’t want to read about a brilliant teenage detective who solves mysteries like a pro? Nancy Drew is the ultimate detective when it comes to solving cases involving strange situations and dangerous crimes, and she’s up for any challenge you can throw at her!
With simple yet engaging diction and fascinating cases you can keep track of, learning languages will be a piece of cake with this series of mystery books.
is the longest-running series, with 175 books devoured by book lovers around the world. rest assured, English learners will find no shortage of books here! Your reading journey with Nancy Drew is sure to be fun, adventurous, and useful for learning English.
10. tuesdays with morrie by mitch albom
A man sits with his former college professor who is slowly dying of a degenerative nerve disease and learns valuable life lessons. And don’t worry, this is not one of those tedious, philosophical books that do nothing but preach!
tuesdays with morrie revisit that kinship you might have had with a great mentor in your life. This mentor could be a stranger you accidentally met on the bus, a school teacher, or even your favorite author!
Written in simple dialogue, this ESL book makes it easy for you to understand some tricky moral questions, helping you search for some answers to your own philosophical doubts.
sounds like a good read, right?
(good) readings!
so what are you waiting for? make a nice cup of tea (or coffee, we’re not taking sides) and curl up in your favorite reading spot. improved reading will only lead to you becoming a better writer, and we have some tips for that too.
who knows, when you’ve completely plundered this list, you’ll want another bigger list of esl books to devour.
See Also: 5 Essential Two-Face Stories