If online English courses or live classes are not for you—or you simply want to supplement them by adding a course book into the mix—then you want to choose a book that will keep you interested.
so how do you choose the right textbook to teach you and keep your attention?
You are reading: English learning books for beginners
I have a guide to help you find the perfect textbook for you.
In this article, we will list down the 15 best English textbooks for many levels and learning objectives.
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- Things to Consider Before Buying an English Course Book
- The English Course Book Countdown! 15 amazing resources to choose from
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- 5 English textbooks for beginners
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- “English textbook for everyone: beginner of level 1”
- “cutting edge: elementary”
- “practice makes perfect: basic English”
- “simplified English: volume one”
- “ global textbook for beginners”
- “American English File: Level 4”
- “Unlimited English: Intermediate Course Book”
- “Insight: Advanced”
- “high level of everyday English”
- “oxford english grammar course”
- “clear grammar”
- “esl grammar”
- “new international business english”
- “business english esl”
- “Cambridge Academic English”
download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable pdf that you can take anywhere. click here for a copy. (download)
See Also: Eric Rickstad – Book Series In Order
things to consider before buying an English course book
There are many important factors to consider when searching for the perfect English textbook.
For starters, as noted above, you’ll need to think about what kind of book is relevant to you. This means first identifying your level of English, which is easily done through one of the many accredited online tests, such as the one used by the British Council.
then you need to target a book that addresses your language needs. In other words, are your goals simply learning the basics of English, preparing for a trip to an English-speaking country, getting into an English university, or perfecting your business English? the books below cover a variety of learning goals and levels for you to choose from.
You should also reflect on what types of additional resources appeal to you as a student.
For example, auditory learners, anyone looking to practice pronunciation, or anyone looking for listening activities may want to focus on books that have supplemental audio. visual learners may want a book that incorporates lots of vivid images to explain concepts in English.
If it’s important to you to be able to test yourself along the way, you’ll want a textbook that has exercises and quizzes so you can check your progress. Although many books include the option of supplemental workbooks or suggested activities, not all include answer keys, something else to consider.
Finally, there are many English textbooks that come with online components in the form of games, videos, or other activities, which can be very beneficial for interactive learners.
Of course, most textbooks won’t include all of the above advantages. consider ranking the importance of these aspects and then focus on getting something that fits your needs and learning style.
Learning books is a great start, but often just reading about a language is not enough. you’ll need to actually see what you’re learning in use. That’s why it’s a good idea to reinforce your studies of any book with immersive English learning and multimedia in fluentu.
The videos are authentic, like movie clips, music videos, and commercials, giving you the chance to see all the concepts you’re learning in your book(s) in action by native English speakers. All videos come with flashcards, exercises, transcripts, and interactive captions to help you actively learn as you watch.
is a fun way to put your new English book skills into practice. The videos are organized by genre and learning level, making it easy to find the best ones for you.
In addition, fluentu allows you to save and study flashcards through quizzes that present you with personalized questions based on what you have already learned. In the iOS and Android app, you can even practice your pronunciation skills with spoken questions.
the English course book countdown! 15 incredible resources to choose from
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming. why not start with some of my favorite options below? chances are you’ll find the right option!
we’ll “countdown” our top picks covering five beginner books, then four higher level books, then three grammar books… you get the picture.
5 English textbooks for beginners
“English course book for everyone: beginner level 1”
“english for everyone” is a series of textbooks from dk, the famous non-fiction publisher with a fantastic reputation in the world of educational books.
This beginner’s textbook covers all the basic English topics, such as the workplace, household vocabulary, leisure activities and routines. is designed specifically for self-study, so it works well for those who need something easy to understand and use.
The book also incorporates a wide range of activities covering all the important language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing. includes lots of pictures and exercises and focuses on both vocabulary and grammar rules.
As a bonus, “English for Everyone” comes with audio lessons and activities, which are available online or through a mobile app.
“vanguard: elemental”
“Cutting Edge” is a great option for beginners looking to customize their textbook learning, because there are all kinds of purchase packages available.
You can order any combination of the following: student book, active book, teacher’s book, one-key workbook, online audio, online English lab access, and dvd or cd. prices range from $21.95 to $75.95.
The student course book and accompanying DVD are divided into 12 units and include guided oral activities, video and audio exercises. These activities focus on applying cultural lessons and considering global issues.
One of the best components of this course book is the accompanying online portal called myenglishlab, and I recommend getting a package that includes web access.
myenglishlab not only features additional video and audio content, but also activities with voice recordings, which could be very useful for those looking to practice speaking and pronunciation skills.
“practice makes perfect: basic English”
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“practice makes perfect” is a highly interactive course book that functions primarily as a workbook, with short lessons followed by lots of practice activities.
There are 53 lessons in all, covering topics like verb tenses, possessive adjectives, prepositions, negative forms, and more.
So you won’t feel overwhelmed, each lesson focuses on a single grammatical concept and is designed to take no more than 15 minutes to complete.
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for example, instead of covering all past tense verbs, a unit will simply look at the verb “to be” in the past tense. these bite-sized units are only three pages long and incorporate many examples.
Exercises are meant to be fun and engaging and include everything from word searches to sentence scrambling.
A language lab application is also included, accessible from your computer and phone. contains 40 audio pronunciation exercises, a progress log, and recorded speaking activities.
you can buy “practice makes perfect” on amazon. prices vary depending on whether you are buying the e-book or the paperback and a new or used copy.
“simplified English: volume one”
“english made easy” is a series of textbooks especially perfect for visual learners. The entire teaching premise is based on learning English through images, and each lesson contains many images to accompany the text.
The book is divided into 20 units, each beginning with an overview of the vocabulary you can expect to learn and a pronunciation guide. Lessons cover a wide range of topics for beginners, including introducing people, starting conversations, discussing occupations, asking for and giving opinions, shopping, and talking about the weather.
At the end of each unit, there is a reading activity in the form of a story that incorporates all the newly learned vocabulary and grammar. this is a great way to summarize what you just learned and check your understanding of the lesson.
every fifth unit is a review of the previous four units to help you remember and build on the lessons.
“global course book for beginners”
A unique option, “Global Beginner Course Book” is published by renowned education publisher Macmillan English.
This textbook has been carefully designed to include much reading on various international topics for adults. the course book focuses on teaching you rich vocabulary and many fascinating multicultural topics.
The course book comes with an e-workbook to practice listening and pronunciation, plus additional resources and activities. activities include repetition exercises, fill in the blanks, multiple choice quizzes, word searches and more.
4 English textbooks for intermediate and advanced learners
“American English file: level 4”
This book in the “American English Archive” series covers a wide range of topics, including writing emails, speaking colloquially, and various grammar lessons.
The main goal of this textbook is to improve your communication skills in English, and a large part of the book is devoted to pronunciation practice. To help with this, the “Archive of American English” has even created its own sound chart that associates pictures with the phonetic alphabet.
When you buy this book, you also get a workbook with practice exercises, plus a DVD with activities and video lessons.
“unlimited english: intermediate textbook”
“english unlimited” is another fantastic textbook series that aims to teach communication skills by focusing on international topics and real-world lessons.
In addition to the core lessons, this course book includes additional reference tools, strategies for independent learning, a vocabulary trainer, and ideas for developing your speaking skills.
There’s even an e-portfolio dvd where you can record your progress. this is a great way to remember how far you have come and compare your communication skills before, during and after the course.
“knowledge: advanced”
The ‘Insight’ textbook series uses carefully selected texts to promote discussion about English literature and culture.
The advanced level course book covers the most complex English language skills so you can function in academic and professional settings. the topics here are very interesting and cover everything from figurative language to common prefixes in scientific words.
You’ll also read about economics, science, art, and the cultures of English-speaking countries, along with new vocabulary for each topic.
The book is divided into 10 units. Each unit has a vocabulary section and a review at the end, and there is a longer vocabulary bank at the end of the book.
The course book comes with the opportunity to purchase additional material, such as a workbook, audio cd, and online practice material.
“high level everyday English”
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“High Level Everyday English” is a very useful course book aimed at advanced learners who are still struggling with difficult English vocabulary, idioms and expressions.
The course book is written specifically for those who want to study on their own and is suitable for a wide range of learners of English, including those working in business, translation or teaching, those studying at university level or those who they just want to perfect the language for personal reasons.
The book uses real life examples and dialogue to teach advanced vocabulary and includes lots of exercises to quiz yourself along the way.
“High Level Everyday English” comes with an audio CD and is available for $29.37 from the Book Depository. As a bonus, they offer free shipping worldwide.
3 English grammar textbooks
“oxford english grammar course”
“oxford english grammar course” consists of three volumes divided into basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
These textbooks cover grammar for speaking, writing and reading. they use brief explanations followed by lots of real-world examples and are full of pictures and cartoons to help visual learners.
The series comes with a free downloadable teacher’s guide, which is also useful for those studying on their own, as it contains many ideas for additional practice activities.
In addition to grammar knowledge, you’ll even get CDs to practice pronunciation, intonation and accent. some of the topics covered on the cds include distinguishing between questions and statements or practicing backchaining for rhythm.
“clear grammar”
“Clear Grammar” is a four-volume series published by the University of Michigan Press.
The series aims to teach grammar while focusing on vocabulary usage and writing, speaking and reading skills.
The books use charts, short exercises, and mini-lessons to teach grammar points and connect those points to all aspects of fluency in English.
In addition, the books contain companion websites for additional practice activities, and there are places within the course books to record scores for online exercises. These activities and quizzes are meant to help you keep track of your progress and ensure you understand each unit.
“esl grammar”
“esl grammar” is for higher level students. It starts with intermediate level lessons and ends with complex and advanced lessons.
This textbook aims to provide short and easy grammar lessons followed by extensive exercises so that you learn by doing. The book also includes a CD with various charts and resources, as well as vocabulary-building games.
Throughout the course book, there are test-taking tips and techniques to help those studying for ESL tests, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
2 business English textbooks
If you’re looking for more business English book suggestions than the ones below, check out this helpful article. is specifically aimed at educators, but is very useful for those looking for business books to help with self-study as well.
“new international business English”
“new international business english” is designed for upper-intermediate learners who want to use English in the workplace.
The course book is divided into 15 units covering real-world business tasks such as using Business English on the phone, writing reports, business meetings, etc. You’ll also learn vocabulary and phrases specific to fields like marketing, commerce, and sales.
“business english esl”
“esl business english” is written by lucas burns, who has taught business english all over the world.
His textbook covers a variety of important business English topics, such as creating memos, sending emails, telephone conversations, and speaking. includes vocabulary about money and banking, marketing, company structure, and more.
The book is well organized, progressing from simple to more difficult concepts.
1 academic English course book
“Cambridge Academic English”
The “Cambridge Academic English” series is divided into three volumes for intermediate and advanced learners, each more difficult than the last. These textbooks are intended for college students or others taking academic courses. they cover a wide range of topics from different disciplines.
The books include audio and video material consisting of lectures, seminars and interviews with students from the University of Cambridge.
Topics include listening practice, discussion skills, and English note-taking, and there are plenty of study tips to help you along the way. Another advantage of using these textbooks is that each unit is self-contained, so you can learn in whatever chapter order you prefer.
Now that you have some great ideas for English books in mind, it’s time to start studying!
download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable pdf that you can take anywhere. click here for a copy. (download)
See Also: Eric Rickstad – Book Series In Order
