The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42.
douglas adams, the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy
You are reading: English books for intermediate level
Reading is a not-so-secret educational weapon. reading stimulates several different areas of the brain, engaging the mind and improving focus and concentration. Reading broadens your horizons by exposing you to different opinions and ways of life. this promotes emotional and mental well-being by reducing stress. students who read regularly have better comprehension skills, verbal fluency, and general knowledge than those who do not.
and it’s nice! winning all year.
How can reading improve language learning?
When it comes to learning a foreign language, reading is especially beneficial for students. Reading helps improve vocabulary and grammar. exposes the reader to a natural and authentic language. foreign language learners who read books become more fluent more quickly, even if they have had the same number of lessons as non-readers.
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how can we incorporate reading into our lessons?
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One way of trying to incorporate more English into our students’ free time is to introduce them to books in English that they will enjoy reading. this way, hopefully they won’t see the reading as study, but will be so engrossed in the story that they’ll forget they’re learning.
Of course, there are millions of novels in English and finding the right one can take some time. It is very important that your students choose novels that are appropriate for them, both in terms of their interests and their level of English. if a book is too hard or too easy, they may lose motivation. if the book is boring, they will lose interest.
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To help you out, here are some of our favorite English novels for intermediate learners, suitable for older teens or adult learners.
the curious incident of the dog in the night – mark haddon
an original and unpredictable story about a boy’s quest to solve the mystery of a dog’s death. Christopher is a boy with autism. when he discovers that his neighbor’s dog is dead, he embarks on an investigation to find out who did it. Written in plain, simple English with a practical attitude, it is a very enjoyable read.
tuesdays with morrie – mitch albom
an easy to read book with a deeper meaning. tuesdays with morrie tells the story of mitch, who is reunited with his college professor towards the end of his life. he shares with mitch the wisdom and advice he has gleaned throughout his life. it is written in an easy-to-read conversational style. It may be a book about death, but it is also a book about life, moving and humorous.
the fault in our stars – john green
also a movie (which always helps) this book tells the heartbreaking story of two terminally ill teenagers who fall in love. Written from the perspective of 14-year-old Hazel, it follows the blossoming romance between her and Augusto. Hazelnut and Augustus both have terminal cancer and it is an emotional story to say the least. quirky and fun, it’s sure to touch your heart.
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the giver – lois lowry
A very popular novel among young adults, The Giver is a fantasy story about a young boy and the society in which he lives. this society does not believe in freedom, individuality or choice. when he is given special powers, he realizes that life might not be as perfect as he had always thought. With short sentences and simple grammar, this book is an exciting read from the first page.
the old man and the sea – ernest hemingway
A classic in English, this novel is written in simple language but the story is much deeper than it seems. the story of a Cuban fisherman and a giant fish (a marlin, to be precise) is an exploration of the themes of defiance, courage, survival, defeat, and triumph.
The next time your intermediate students ask you for recommendations of English novels they’ll enjoy, let them pick one of these favorites and we guarantee they’ll come back for more.
But don’t forget, reading isn’t just for your students! There are hundreds of amazing books for Tefl teachers to help you in your teaching and give you a little motivation when you need it most. Happy reading!
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