Recommended Reading

Choosing appropriate reading materials can be difficult for learners and teachers. When you are trying to choose text to read in a different language, you may feel overwhelmed. Reading should be interesting and the level should not be too difficult. If you or your students are looking up words from every sentence, the reading level is too high. Here are a number of recommended reading lists that may help you choose some suitable reading for pleasure or study purposes. These include popular English authors and books in many genres, age-appropriate titles, blogs, magazines, newspapers and translated classics.
Suggested Fiction Authors for English Learners
These authors are recommended by English language teachers. These writers typically use language that is straightforward and concise. The typical ages or genres that these authors write for are shown in brackets. Author names are shown in alphabetical order by last name (so “Smith, John” is “John Smith”).

• Atwood, Margaret (adult)
• Blume, Judy (children and young adult)
• Carle, Eric (children)
• Clark, Mary Higgens (adult, mystery)
• Cleary, Beverly (children)
• Cousins, Lucy (children)
• Dahl, Roald (children and families)
• Hemingway, Ernest (adult)
• King, Stephen (thriller)
• Lowry, Lois (young adult)
• Steel, Danielle (romance)
• Steinbeck, John (adult)
• Seuss, Dr. (children)
• Tan, Amy (adult)
• White, E.B. (children and adults)

Age 0-3 (Fiction) 
This list includes suggested pictures books that children can look at with parents or caregivers. These titles are suitable for reading aloud. They help children learn the names of letters, numbers, colours, animals, and everyday objects. These books are also useful for introducing the rhythm of English.

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin and Eric Carle
• But not the hippopotamus by Sandra Boynton
• Chicka Chicka 1,2,3 by Bill Martin, Jr. and Michael Sampson
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
• Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
• Guess How Much I Love You? by Sam McBratney
• Hooray for Fish! by Lucy Cousins
• Is your mama a llama? by Deborah Guarino
• Mother Goose Collections of Nursery Rhymes
• Mouse Paint by Ellen Walsh
• Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden
• Red is Best by Kathy Stinson
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

Age 4-7 
These books are recommended for reading aloud to children. They are also suitable for early readers. Many of these books contain repetition and rhyme.

• A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hobermann
• Alligator Pie (poems) by Dennis Lee
• Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish
• Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthall
• Biggest, Strongest, Fastest (non-fiction) by Steve Jenkins
• Chicken Soup With Rice by Maurice Sendak
• Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
• Corduroy by Don Freeman
• Don’t Let the Pigeon series by Mo Willems
• Dr. Seuss (series) by Dr. Seuss (Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Sox, Hop on Pop, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish)
• If you give a Mouse series by Laura Numeroff
• Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman
• Punctuation takes a vacation by Robin Pulver
• Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What are the patterns? by Jane Brocket
• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
• Where the Sidewalk Ends (poems) by Shel Silverstein
• Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
• Yo! Yes by Chris Raschka

Age 8-12 (Chapter Books)
These are popular chapter books for young readers. Many of these can be enjoyed by all ages and are fun to read aloud.

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
• Dear Dumb Diary (diary series) by Jim Benton
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid (diary series) by Jeff Kinney
• Fudge (series) by Judy Blume
• Goosebumps (mystery) by R.L. Stine
• Harry Potter series (fantasy) by J.K. Rowling
• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
• Journey Through Oz by L. Frank Baum
• Little House on the Prairie (series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Magic Treehouse (series) by Marie Pope Osborne
• Nancy Drew (mystery series) by Carolyn Keene
• Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume
• Ramona (series) by Beverly Cleary
• Stuart Little by E.B. White
• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
• The BFG by Roald Dahl
• The Dragon’s Egg by Alison Baird
• The Hardy Boys (mystery series) by Franklin W. Dixon
• The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

Age 13-17
Some of these books are assigned in high school classes, but all can be enjoyed for pleasure. These are books that teens recommend.

• A Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Peterson
• Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
• Emily of New Moon by Lucy Maud Montgomery
• Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
• Holes by Louis Sachar
• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (non-fiction) by Sean Covey
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• The Diary of Anne Frank (non-fiction) by Anne Frank
• The Giver by Louis Lowry
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Anne Brashares
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyers

Adult (Fiction)
These are popular English novels from many different genres that appeal to many adult readers. Some of these are taught in high school and post-secondary school courses. English learners may want to look for abridged versions of these books if the reading level is too high.

• Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
• Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
• Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
• Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
• Bridget Jones’s Diary Helen Fielding
• Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
• Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
• Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel
• Mysteries by Agatha Christie
• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
• Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
• The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemmingway
• The Pearl by John Steinbeck
• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Classics 
Many English learners want to read the classics. Classics are works of literature that “stand the test of time”. Classics remain on best-seller lists for many years, and often became even more popular after the author’s death. The classics may be more enjoyable for language learners who have seen the movie or read the book in translation. The language used in classic literature is often old-fashioned. Some of the words and expressions are rarely used anymore. Language learners may want to look for abridged classics. These are books that have been rewritten in easier and more modern English. You can find most of these titles free as audiobooks and ebooks because they are in the public domain. Classics that were written for children can be enjoyed by all ages.

• 1984 by George Orwell
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• Aesop’s Fables by Aesop
• A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemmingway
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (for all ages)
• Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (for all ages)
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell
• Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
• Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Smith (for all ages)
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri (for all ages)
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (for young people and adults)
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (for all ages)
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Tess of the d’Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy
• The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (for all ages)
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (for all ages)
• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Works of Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Walden by Henry David Thoreau
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Popular Books That Have Been made into Movies
Some people prefer to read the original story in a book before watching the film adaptation. Other people watch the film and never read the book. Some English learners prefer to watch a movie first before reading the book. If readers are familiar with the characters and plot, they may understand the book more easily.

• Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (for all ages)
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (for all ages)
• Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
• Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
• Jaws by Peter Benchley
• My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (for all ages)
• Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King
• Star Wars by George Lucas
• The Bourne Trilogy by Robert Ludlum
• The Color Purple by Alice Walker
• The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
• The English Patient by Micheal Ondatche
• The Firm by John Grisham
• The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende (for all ages)
• The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
• The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (for all ages)
• Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
• White Fang by Jack London

Non-fiction for Adults 
This list includes a variety of popular non-fiction books. Non-fiction includes books such as biographies, memoirs, cookbooks, self-help titles, and information books.

• Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
• A Room of One’s Own by Virgina Woolf
• Chicken Soup for the Soul (series) by a variety of authors
• Conversations with J.K. Rowling by J.K. Rowling and Lindsey Fraser
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
• Marley and Me, John Grogan
• Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray
• Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen
• Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
• The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf
• The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
• What Colour is your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles
• What to Expect When you’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

Guided Readers 
Guided readers are books with simplified text for English learners. Some are original stories and others are abridged versions of classics. Abridged classics designed for adult literacy or young reader programs are also useful for English learners.

• Abridged Classics
• Cambridge English Readers
• Good Reads (adult literacy)
• Macmillan Readers
• Oxford Graded Readers
• Penguin Readers

Popular English Magazines
Here are some popular English magazines. These magazines are only available in some countries. You can also find reading content from these magazines online.

• Better Homes and Gardens
• Business Today
• Car and Driver
• Chatelaine
• Chickadee (for children)
• Cosmopolitan
• Glamour
• Good Housekeeping
• GQ
• Mary Glasgow Magazine (for English learners)
• Maxim
• Men’s Health
• National Geographic
• Owl (for children)
• People
• Popular Science
• Radio Times
• Reader’s Digest
• Rolling Stone
• Sports Illustrated
• The New Yorker
• Time
• Today’s Parent
• TV Week
• Vogue
• Women’s Health

Popular English Newspapers
These are some of the most popular English newspapers in circulation. Some of these may be available online.

• Chicago Tribune (US)
• Daily Mirror (UK)
• Daily News (US)
• Daily Sports (Japan)
• Daily Star (UK)
• Daily Telegraph (UK)
• Financial Times (UK)
• Herald Sun (Australia)
• Los Angeles Times (US)
• National Post (Canada)
• The Courier-Mail (Australia)
• The Daily Mail (UK)
• The Daily Telegraph
• The Denver Post (US)
• The Economist (UK)
• The Gazette (Canada)
• The Globe and Mail (Canada)
• The Guardian (UK)
• The New York Times (US)
• The Observer (UK)
• The People’s Daily (China)
• The Seattle Times (US)
• The Sun (UK)
• The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
• The Times (UK)
• The Times of India (India)
• The Vancouver Sun (Canada)
• The Wall Street Journal (US)
• The Washington Post (US)
• Toronto Star (Canada)
• USA Today (US)

Classics Traslated into EnglishSome English learners like reading translations of classic texts. This includes poetry, plays, novels and non-fiction. Learners may already have read the books or seen the adapted films in their own language. Since they are familiar with the plot, characters or other content they may find these works enjoyable in English too.

• One Thousand and One Nights (Arabic)
• The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz (Arabic)
• The Qu’ran (Arabic)
  
• Journey to the West by Wu Ch’eng-en (Chinese)
• Outlaws of the Marsh by Shi Mai’an (Chinese)
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong (Chinese)
• The Art of War (non-fiction) by Sun Wu (Chinese)
• The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin (Chinese)
• The Tao of Power (non-fiction) by Lao Tzu (Chinese)
  
• The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (Dutch)
  
• Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne (French)
• Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (French)
• Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (French)
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (French)
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Sainte-Exupéry (French)
• The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (French)
• The Stranger by Albert Camus (French)
  
• All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (German)
• Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann (German)
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri (German)
• The Castle by Franz Kafka (German)
  
• Aesop’s Fables credited to Aesop (Greek)
• Odyssey (poem) by Homer (Greek)
• Oedipus the King (play) by Sophocles (Greek)
• The Hippocratic Corpus (non-fiction) by Hippocrates (Greek)
• The Histories (non-fiction) by Herodotus (Greek)
• The Republic (philosophy) by Plato (Greek)
  
• The Bible (Hebrew and Greek)
  
• Mahabharata by Ved Vyasa (Indian)
• My Experiments with Truth by Gujarati (Indian)
• Ramayana by Maharshi Valmiki (Indian)
• The Puranas by Indian writers (Indian)
• Volumes of Poetry by Rabindranath Tagore (Indian)
  
• If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Valino (Italian)
• The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi (Italian)
• The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio (Italian)
• The Divine Comedy by Dante (Italian)
• The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (Italian)
  
• Poetry and Prose by Rumi (Persian)
  
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Portuguese)
  
• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (Russian)
• Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russian)
• Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak (Russian)
• Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (Russian)
• The Master and Margarita Mikhail Bulgakov (Russian)
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Russian)
  
• Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (Spanish)
• La Celestina by Fernando de Rojas (Spanish)
• One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Marquez (Spanish)

Popular Blogs 
Here are some popular English blogs that have stood the test of time.

• Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things
• Freakonomics: The hidden side of everything
• The Huffington Post: Liberal commentary on American news
• Johnchow dot com: Internet marketing
• Lifehacker: Tips and Downloads for Getting Things Done
• Mashable: Top social media news
• PostSecret: Real-life confessions submitted by postcard
• The Big Picture: News stories in photographs (with captions to read)
• The Consumerist: Consumer affairs blog
• Techcrunch: Reviews and breaking news on technology
• Treehugger: Green news and solutions
• Twitter’s Official Blog: Hashtags and special events to watch for on twitter
• Zen Habits: Finding simplicity in the daily chaos of life

The above works selected for EnglishClub by Tara Benwell

Reading Glossary

Words and terms that we use on these pages to talk about reading

autobiography (noun)

The story of a person's life written by that same person.

brochure (noun)

A booklet or small magazine with information and images about a product, place or service.

comprehension (noun)

The action of understanding what you are reading.

The ability to understand what you are reading.

dialogue (noun)

Conversation between two or more people that is written in the text.

ebook (noun)

Electronic book. A book you can download and read on a computer or mobile device.

fiction (noun)

Writing that is about imaginary events and people.

genre (noun)

A category based on content, style or form.

gist (noun)

The central idea of a text; the essence of a text.

grade (noun)

A mark or percentage that indicates the quality of your work (test, assignment etc).

graded readers (noun)

Books written at different levels specially for English learners.

heading (noun)

The title of a section or division in a text, such as a chapter heading.

headword (noun)

In a dictionary, a headword is the first and main word of each entry, the word that is being defined. For example, dog is a headword but the plural dogs is not a headword; and run is a headword but the past tense ran is not a headword.

inference (noun)

A conclusion one comes to based on logic and information provided.

infographic (noun)

A visual representation of text or information. Minimal text is used.

keyword (noun)

An important word in a text. A word that holds the "key" to meaning.

literature (noun)

Written materials, especially when considered to be of great artistic merit.

memoir (noun)

A personal account of an aspect of one's life, written from one's own memory.

non-fiction (noun)

Writing that is about facts, real events and real people.

paragraph (noun)

A distinct section of a text, containing one main idea or scene, and usually indicated by a new line.

paraphrase (verb)

To rewrite (or describe) a text in one's own words.

proverb (noun)

A short saying about a general truth or belief.

read aloud | read out loud (verb)

To read audibly, not silently, so that other people, if present, could hear.

reading level (noun)

A grade that defines one's reading ability. Levels may be shown as, for example, beginner to advanced, low to high, or numerically (1 to 5).

scan (verb)

To read a text quickly looking for specific details.

skill (noun)

An ability to do something well. The four main skills that we need in language are listening, speaking, reading and writing.

skim (verb)

To read a text quickly for a general idea or overview.

skip (verb)

To pass a word or section (and possibly go back later).

subtitle (noun)

An additional, more detailed heading that comes under a main heading.

summary (noun)

A brief account of the main points of a text.

text (noun)

A written work; the written words that you read.

transcript (noun)

The written version of spoken words (for example, a transcript of a film or podcast).

Reading Categories

Read what interests you. Here are some categories that can help you find what you are looking for in a library, bookstore or online search. Other categories such as poetry and drama may also interest you.
Fiction
Writing that describes imaginary events and people (such as short stories and novels).

• Classics
• Crime and Mystery
• Fantasy
• Horror
• Literary Fiction
• Popular Fiction
• Romance
• Science Fiction
• Short Stories
• Women's Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction

Non-Fiction
Writing about facts, real events and real people (such as history or biography).

• Arts and Crafts
• Autobiography
• Biography
• Cooking
• Gardening
• History
• How To
• Memoir
• Science
• Self-Help
• Technology
• Travel

Reading Tests

If you are taking a standardized English test or attending English language classes, you will probably be tested on your reading skills. Here are some things that you may be asked to do in a reading test or assignment:

• Find the gist or main idea. Write (or say) one sentence that explains what the reading is about.
  
  
• Summarize. Describe a few of the main points that are presented.
  
  
• Locate details. Find specific information that is provided in a piece of text.
  
  
• Understand inferences. Make assumptions based on information you are given in a text. You may be asked to make inferences about the author.
  
  
• Make predictions. Guess what a reading will be about. Guess what will happen next.
  
  
• Identify genre and style. Name the type or category of writing that you read.
  
  
• Sort information. Organize details in a systematic or chart form, such as creating a chronological timeline or labeling a map.
  
  
• Match information. For example, match dialogue to a character.
  
  
• Paraphrase. Rewrite the text in your own words.
  
  
• Identify parts of speech.
  
  
• Compare and Contrast.
  
  
• Identify key words.
  
  
• Match paragraphs to headings.
  
  
• Write an opinion.
  
  
• Draw conclusions.
  
  
• Write comprehension questions.
  
  
• Decide whether something is True, False or Not Mentioned in a text.

Reading Levels

It is important to read texts that are at the right level for you - not too easy, not too difficult.
You need to know what your personal reading level is. (Note that your reading level may not be the same as your overall level in English. For example, your reading level is normally higher than your writing level, and higher than your overall level.)
Ask your teacher to help you determine your reading level. If you don’t have a teacher, try reading a few texts from different levels. If you have to look up a lot of words in a dictionary, the text is too difficult for you. If you don't have to look up any words, the text is too easy for you. Try something at a lower or higher level. A teacher, librarian or bookstore clerk can help you find something easier or more difficult.
You can also try our reading test to help determine your reading level.
Designate a place and time for reading every day. Your reading level will increase with time.

What Are Graded Readers?
Graded readers (also sometimes called "readers") are books that have been written for English learners at a specific level. Different publishers may use different ways of describing level, but essentially they range from Beginner to Advanced. The language in graded readers is graded by vocabulary and grammatical structure. Beginner graded readers typically use only easy grammatical forms (eg basic tenses) and a limited number of words (eg 300 headwords). Advanced graded readers may use the full range of grammatical structures and many more words (eg 3,000 headwords). Most publishers of English language learning materials publish a range of graded readers on a variety of subjects covering fiction and non-fiction.

Prefixes A prefix goes at the beginning of a word. A suffix goes at the end of a word. A prefix is placed at the beginning of a word to modify or change its meaning. This is a list of the most common prefixes in English, together with their basic meaning and some examples. You can find more detail or precision for each prefix in any good dictionary. The origins of words are extremely complicated. You should use this list as a guide only, to help you understand possible meanings. But be very careful, because often what appears to be a prefix is not a prefix at all. Note also that this list does not include elements like "auto-" or " bio-", because these are "combining forms", not prefixes. Prefix Meaning Examples a- also an- not, without atheist, anaemic a- to, towards aside, aback in the process of, in a particular state a-hunting, aglow a- of anew completely abashed ab- also abs- away, from abdicate, abstract ad- also a-, ac-, af-, ag- al-, an-, ap-, at- as-, at- movement to, change into, addition or increase advance, adulterate, adjunct, ascend, affiliate, affirm, aggravate, alleviate, annotate, apprehend, arrive, assemble, attend ante- before, preceding antecedent, ante-room anti- also ant- opposing, against, the opposite anti-aircraft, antibiotic, anticlimax, Antarctic be- all over, all around bespatter, beset completely bewitch, bemuse having, covered with bejewelled affect with (added to nouns) befog cause to be (added to adjectives) becalm com- also co-, col-, con-, cor- with, jointly, completely combat, codriver, collude, confide, corrode contra- against, opposite contraceptive counter- opposition, opposite direction counter-attack, counteract de- down, away descend, despair, depend, deduct completely denude, denigrate removal, reversal de-ice, decamp dia- also di- through, across diagonal dis- also di- negation, removal, expulsion disadvantage, dismount, disbud, disbar en- also em- put into or on engulf, enmesh bring into the condition of enlighten, embitter intensification entangle, enrage ex- also e-, ef- out exit, exclude, expand upward exalt, extol completely excruciate, exasperate previous ex-wife extra- outside, beyond extracurricular hemi- half hemisphere hyper- beyond, more than, more than normal hypersonic, hyperactive hypo- under hypodermic, hypothermia in- also il-, im- not, without infertile, inappropriate, impossible also il-, im-, ir- in, into, towards, inside influence, influx, imbibe infra- below infrared, infrastructure inter- between, among interact, interchange intra- inside, within intramural, intravenous non- absence, negation non-smoker, non-alcoholic ob- also oc-, of-, op- blocking, against, concealing obstruct, occult, offend, oppose out- surpassing, exceeding outperform external, away from outbuilding, outboard over- excessively, completely overconfident, overburdened, overjoyed upper, outer, over, above overcoat, overcast peri- round, about perimeter post- after in time or order postpone pre- before in time, place, order or importance pre-adolescent, prelude, precondition pro- favouring, in support of pro-African acting for proconsul motion forwards or away propulsion before in time, place or order prologue re- again repaint, reappraise, reawake semi- half, partly semicircle, semi-conscious sub- also suc-, suf-, sug-, sup-, sur-, sus- at a lower position submarine, subsoil lower in rank sub-lieutenant nearly, approximately sub-tropical syn- also sym- in union, acting together synchronize, symmetry trans- across, beyond transnational, transatlantic into a different state translate ultra- beyond ultraviolet, ultrasonic extreme ultramicroscopic un- not unacceptable, unreal, unhappy, unmanned reversal or cancellation of action or state unplug, unmask under- beneath, below underarm, undercarriage lower in rank undersecretary not enough underdeveloped

Reading Strategies

Here are some strategies for improving your comprehension skills.

• Skim: read for the brief idea or overview.
  
  
• Scan: read for specific details or a specific reason.
  
  
• KWL: determine what you Know about the topic, what you Want to know, and what you Learned.
  
  
• Skip: if you don't understand a word or section, keep reading ahead. Come back to the section or word again and try to figure out the meaning. Use a dictionary if necessary.
  
  
• Look for headings, subtitles and keywords.
  
  
• Read out loud: children read out loud when they first start reading. You can too. Get comfortable hearing your English voice.
  
  
• Create timelines or charts: reorganize what you read in a different format.
  
  
• Rewrite in a different tense.
  
  
• Rewrite in a different format: for example, rewrite an article in letter or list form.
  
  
• Illustrate: if you think you’re a visual learner, sketch images or an infographic related to what you read.
  
  
• Write the questions: as you read, think about which questions you might find on a test or quiz. Write them down and answer them, or quiz a friend.
  
  
• Summarize or retell: you can do this by writing a letter to a friend, writing a blog post, making a web cam video, or just starting a conversation on this topic.
  
  
• Learn affixes: prefixes and suffixes. This will increase your word recognition.
  
  
• Keep a vocabulary journal.
  
  
• Get a vocabulary partner.
  
  
• Use a pen or ruler. Some people find it is easier to read with a pacer. A pen, ruler or fingertip can help you keep your place and prevent your eyes from wandering off. This may not be suitable if you are reading on a computer or mobile device. Adjust the screen to a larger size if necessary.

Reading Tips

10 Reading Tips

1. Read at a level slightly lower than what you understand. You should not have to look up a lot of words. It's okay to look up a few words.
   
2. Make reading a ritual. Choose a time and place to read every day or week. Commit to this reading time as if it were a job.
   
3. Read what interests you.
   
4. Understand what you'll be tested on. If you're working on your reading skills for a particular test, make sure to learn about the test. There may be specific formats such as advertisements that you'll have to read in the test.
   
5. Find free reading materials. Project Gutenberg is an excellent source, but be careful with public domain books that are written in outdated English. Some words and expressions are no longer in use.
   
6. Visualize what you are reading. Some people try to imagine they are reading a movie or a how-to video.
   
7. Listen and read. Find podcasts or videos that have transcripts and read along silently. You can also read out loud with the recording.
   
8. Relate what you read to your own life. How does the reading apply to you?
   
9. Think about the author or journalist.  How would the reading differ if you were the author?
   
10. Check your eyesight. If you haven't had your eyesight checked in the last few years, make an appointment.

What To Read

Are you overwhelmed by the reading materials that are available? Without spending a penny, you can read printed texts (books, magazines, newspapers at the library), online materials (websites and blogs), and ebooks (on your mobile devices).

Think about what you like to read in your native language. Can you find these written materials in English?

There are two important things in deciding what to read:

1. It should interest you, so that the reading is fun and not boring.
2. It should be at a level that is not too difficult for you.

Here are some types of reading material to try:

• books (including children's books and graded readers)
• newspapers
• online news articles (try EC's easy news)
• online blogs about topics that interest you (search for "top 10 blog" lists by topic)
• letters (personal and commercial)
• transcripts (of some online videos) and sub-titles on films
• short stories (try these on EC)
• poetry
• proverbs
• cartoons and jokes
• recipes for cooking
• advertisements and brochures

Why Read?

You probably know that even in your own language reading is regarded as important because it can be entertaining and educational, can open up new worlds and enrich your life, and can improve hand-eye co-ordination and enhance social skills.

But for learning a foreign language, in this case English, reading in that language has additional important benefits that can help you learn the language faster and more completely.

Reading is an essential skill for language learners. When your reading skills improve, your listening, speaking and writing skills improve too. Here are some of the specific reasons why English learners are encouraged to read in English:

• The constant repetition of words and patterns in reading helps you learn and remember vocabulary and grammar structures.
  
• Reading helps you become familiar with the rhythm of English. Over time it will start to feel natural and you will notice when a sentence or phrase doesn't seem right.
  
• Unlike conversation, reading is something you can do on your own.
  
• Reading is not expensive, often free.
  
• Good reading skills can improve your other language skills. You need to learn to read before you can write.
  
• Reading is the best way to learn and remember the proper spelling of words.
  
• Listening as you read along can help you improve your pronunciation skills.

If you want to improve your English, learn to love reading in English. The best readers often get the best grades, jobs and opportunities.

Guide To Reading For English Learners Do you want to become a better reader? Many English learners have this goal in mind.Learning English Online's Reading Guide For English Learners can help you. In this guide you will learn about: reading and why it matters; reading materials for English language learners; typical tasks found in English-language reading tests; general reading tips to become a stronger reader; where you can find reading materials; reading strategies for better comprehension; and common reading categories to choose from. You can also consult the reading glossary for any words about reading that you don't understand. Why Read? What To Read Tips Strategies Levels Tests Categories Glossary

What Is Reading?

"Reading" is the process of looking at a series of written symbols and getting meaning from them. When we read, we use our eyes to receive written symbols (letters, punctuation marks and spaces) and we use our brain to convert them into words, sentences and paragraphs that communicate something to us.

Reading can be silent (in our head) or aloud (so that other people can hear).

Reading is a receptive skill - through it we receive information. But the complex process of reading also requires the skill of speaking, so that we can pronounce the words that we read. In this sense, reading is also a productive skill in that we are both receiving information and transmitting it (even if only to ourselves).

Reading is the third of the four language skills, which are:

1. Listening
2. Speaking
3. Reading
4. Writing

In our own language, reading is usually the third language skill that we learn.

Do we need to read in order to speak English? The short answer is no. Some native speakers cannot read or write but they speak English fluently. On the other hand, reading is something that you can do on your own and that greatly broadens your vocabulary, thus helping you in speaking (and in listening and writing). Reading is therefore a highly valuable skill and activity, and it is recommended that English learners try to read as much as possible in English.

English Conversation 20

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BBC Radio

BBC Radio
BBC Radio link.  British radio station with music, news, sports, and more.

Yahoo Radio

 Yahoo Radio
Yahoo Radio homepage.  Yahoo offers a variety of online radio stations.

Live 365

Live 365
Online radio website with links to radio stations from all over the world. Choose your favourite genre of music and listen for free.

CBC Radio

 CBC Radio
Canadian National Radio Station, which focuses on news and current events.  Also has music from around the world.

Topics for Debate

Here are 20 topics to discuss with a friend or group. Practise agreeing and disagreeing even if you have to argue against something you actually believe in. One way to have fun with this is to make up a bunch of cards that say agree or disagree. Each person has to pick up a card and then the topic is read out. It is more fun to have a debate this way because you don't have to play your true self. Try to continue each discussion for at least five minutes. Use the expressions that you learned, including agreeing, disagreeing, asking for opinions, interrupting, etc.

• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
  
• Swimming in the ocean is better than swimming in a public pool.
  
• Alcohol should be illegal.
  
• Children should provide room and board for their aging parents.
  
• Studying grammar is more important than practising conversation skills.
  
• Television is the leading cause of violence in today's society.
  
• Dogs make better companions than cats.
  
• Smoking should be permitted in public places.
  
• Females are better students than males.
  
• A parent shouldn't pierce a baby's ears.
  
• Women should be allowed to go topless in public.
  
• Lawyers should make a higher salary than nurses.
  
• Everyone should plan their own funeral.
  
• Reading English is more difficult than writing English.
  
• Summer is the best season of the year.
  
• Children under 13 should not be allowed to babysit.
  
• High school students should wear uniforms.
  
• 21 should be the legal driving age around the world.
  
• Rock and Roll is the best kind of music.
  
• The government should pay for post secondary education.

Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing

Stating an opinion	In my opinion... The way I see it... If you want my honest opinion.... According to Lisa... As far as I'm concerned... If you ask me...
Asking for an opinon	What's your idea? What are your thoughts on all of this? How do you feel about that? Do you have anything to say about this? What do you think? Do you agree? Wouldn't you say?
Expressing agreement	I agree with you 100 percent. I couldn't agree with you more. That's so true. That's for sure. (slang) Tell me about it! You're absolutely right. Absolutely. That's exactly how I feel. Exactly. I'm afraid I agree with James. I have to side with Dad on this one. No doubt about it. (agree with negative statement) Me neither. (weak) I suppose so./I guess so. You have a point there. I was just going to say that.
Expressing disagreement	I don't think so. (strong) No way. I'm afraid I disagree. (strong) I totally disagree. I beg to differ. (strong) I'd say the exact opposite. Not necessarily. That's not always true. That's not always the case. No, I'm not so sure about that.
Interruptions	Can I add something here? Is it okay if I jump in for a second? If I might add something... Can I throw my two cents in? Sorry to interrupt, but... (after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying... (after being interrupted) You didn't let me finish.
Settling an argument	Let's just move on, shall we? Let's drop it. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree. (sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.

Agreeing and Disagreeing

Agreeing and Disagreeing in English Sooner or later you will get the urge to agree or disagree with something that is being said in English. Offering an opinion can be difficult when it is not in your first language. You may know exactly what you want to say in your native tongue, but are unsure of how to express your views in English. You may also worry that your words will not come out properly or that you might hurt someone's feelings by being too forward. Although it is easier to sit back and say nothing at all, you will become bored or frustrated if all you can do is nod your head yes or shake your head no, especially if you have a strong opinion about something. The best thing to do is to learn and practise some common expressions that are used in discussions and debates. For example, there is a difference between agreeing strongly or only slightly. Study the common expressions and practise saying them before you move on to the practice exercises. After you have completed the exercises successfully, find a friend or a group that you can practise debating with. Use the suggested topics, or make up topics of your own. Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing Topics for Debate

Small Talk: Conversation Starters

Talking about the weather	Beautiful day, isn't it? Can you believe all of this rain we've been having? It looks like it's going to snow. It sure would be nice to be in Hawaii right about now. I hear they're calling for thunderstorms all weekend. We couldn't ask for a nicer day, could we? How about this weather? Did you order this sunshine?
Talking about current events	Did you catch the news today? Did you hear about that fire on Fourth St? What do you think about this transit strike? I read in the paper today that the Sears Mall is closing. I heard on the radio today that they are finally going to start building the new bridge. How about those Reds? Do you think they're going to win tonight?
At the office	Looking forward to the weekend? Have you worked here long? I can't believe how busy/quiet we are today, can you? Has it been a long week? You look like you could use a cup of coffee. What do you think of the new computers?
At a social event	So, how do you know Justin? Have you tried the cabbage rolls that Sandy made? Are you enjoying yourself? It looks like you could use another drink. Pretty nice place, huh? I love your dress. Can I ask where you got it?
Out for a walk	How old's your baby? What's your puppy's name? The tulips are sure beautiful at this time of year, aren't they. How do you like the new park? Nice day to be outside, isn't it?
Waiting somewhere	I didn't think it would be so busy today. You look like you've got your hands full (with children or goods). The bus must be running late today. It looks like we are going to be here a while, huh? I'll have to remember not to come here on Mondays. How long have you been waiting?

Small Talk: Who, What, Where, When, Why?

WHO makes small talk?
People with many different relationships use small talk. The most common type of people to use small talk are those who do not know each other at all. Though we often teach children not to talk to strangers, adults are expected to say at least a few words in certain situations (see where). It is also common for people who are only acquaintances, often called a "friend of a friend", to use small talk. Other people who have short casual conversations are office employees who may not be good friends but work in the same department. Customer service representatives, waitresses, hairdressers and receptionists often make small talk with customers. If you happen to be outside when the mailman comes to your door you might make small talk with him too.
WHAT do people make small talk about?
There are certain "safe" topics that people usually make small talk about. The weather is probably the number one thing that people who do not know each other well discuss. Sometimes even friends and family members discuss the weather when they meet or start a conversation. Another topic that is generally safe is current events. As long as you are not discussing a controversial issue, such as a recent law concerning equal rights, it is usually safe to discuss the news. Sports news is a very common topic, especially if a local team or player is in a tournament or play-off or doing extremely well or badly. Entertainment news, such as a celebrity who is in town, is another good topic. If there is something that you and the other speaker has in common, that may also be acceptable to talk about. For example, if the bus is extremely full and there are no seats available you might talk about reasons why. Similarly, people in an office might casually discuss the new paint or furniture. There are also some subjects that are not considered acceptable when making small talk. Discussing personal information such as salaries or a recent divorce is not done between people who do not know each other well. Compliments on clothing or hair are acceptable; however, you should never say something (good or bad) about a person's body. Negative comments about another person not involved in the conversation are also not acceptable: when you do not know a person well you cannot be sure who their friends are. You do not talk about private issues either, because you do not know if you can trust the other person with your secrets or personal information. Also, it is not safe to discuss subjects that society deems controversial such as religion or politics. Lastly, it is not wise to continue talking about an issue that the other person does not seem comfortable with or interested in.
WHERE do people make small talk?
People make small talk just about anywhere, but there are certain places where it is very common. Most often, small talk occurs in places where people are waiting for something. For example, you might chat with another person who is waiting for the bus to arrive, or to the person beside you waiting to get on an aeroplane. People also make small talk in a doctor's or dentist's waiting room, or in queues at the grocery store. At the office, people make small talk in elevators or lunchrooms and even in restrooms, especially if there is a line-up. Some social events (such as a party) require small talk among guests who do not know each other very well. For example, you might talk to someone you do not know at the punch bowl, or at the poolside. It is called "mingling" when people walk around in a social setting and talk to a variety of people.
WHEN do people make small talk?
The most common time for small talk to occur is the first time you see or meet someone on a given day. For example, if you see a co-worker in the lounge you might say hello and discuss the sports or weather. However, the next time you see each other you might just smile and say nothing. If there is very little noise, that might be an indication that it is the right time to initiate a casual conversation. You should only spark up a conversation after someone smiles and acknowledges you. Do not interrupt two people in order to discuss something unimportant such as the weather. If someone is reading a book or writing a letter at the bus stop it is not appropriate to initiate a conversation either. Another good time to make small talk is during a break in a meeting or presentation when there is nothing important going on. Finally, it is important to recognize the cue when the other person wants the conversation to stop.
WHY do people make small talk?
There are a few different reasons why people use small talk. The first, and most obvious, is to break an uncomfortable silence. Another reason, however, is simply to fill time. That is why it is so common to make small talk when you are waiting for something. Some people make small talk in order to be polite. You may not feel like chatting with anyone at a party, but it is rude to just sit in a corner by yourself. After someone introduces you to another person, you do not know anything about them, so in order to show a polite interest in getting to know them better, you have to start with some small talk.

Small Talk

In most English-speaking countries, it is normal and necessary to make "small talk" in certain situations. Small talk is a casual form of conversation that "breaks the ice" or fills an awkward silence between people. Even though you may feel shy using your second language, it is sometimes considered rude to say nothing. Just as there are certain times when small talk is appropriate, there are also certain topics that people often discuss during these moments.
Read through the Who, What, Where, When, Why? page to gain a better understanding of small talk. The hardest part about making small talk is knowing how to start a conversation. Review the conversation starters and practise them with a friend. Finally, take the time to see how much you have learned about small talk by taking the Small Talk Quiz. And remember, in an English-speaking environment it is often better to make a few mistakes than to say nothing at all!

• Who, What, Where, When, Why?
  
  
• Conversation Starters
  
  

Weather Vocabulary

Word Part of speech		Meaning	Example Sentence
airconditioner/airconditioning noun		an appliance that cools down the air in a home or building	The airconditioner keeps the office nice and comfortable even when it's very hot outside.
avalanche noun		a dangerous slide of snow down a mountain	The skiers were warned about a possible avalanche.
below freezing preposition/adjective		temperature less than 0 degrees Celsius/(32F)	It's supposed to go below freezing before the weekend.
blizzard noun		a storm with lots of snow and wind	The airplane couldn't take-off because of the blizzard.
boiling hot adjective + noun		common expression for describing a very hot day	It was boiling hot, so we all jumped into the lake.
breeze noun		light wind	Don't bother with a hat. There is always a breeze near the ocean.
Celsius noun		measurement of temperature (0 degrees is freezing/100 is boiling)	In the summer, the average temperature here is 20 degrees Celsius.
chilly adjective		cold	It's a bit chilly today, so I think you should wear a coat.
clear adjective		when the sky is blue because no clouds are blocking the sun	On a clear night you can see a lot of stars.
cloud/cloudy noun/adjective		water in the sky that appears as a white or grey mass	It may look cloudy in the morning, but the sun always comes out by afternoon.
cold spell adjective + noun		a period of colder than average weather	They're calling for a cold spell, so we put off our camping trip.
cool adjective		temperature in between warm and cold	The days were boiling hot, but the nights were cool and comfortable for sleeping.
degrees noun		measurement for temperature	I don't feel the heat until it's about forty degrees Celsius outside.
drizzling continuous verb		raining slightly	I think I'll take the dog for a walk. It's only drizzling now.
drought noun		a long period with no rainfall	Forest fires are a serious danger during a drought.
Fahrenheit noun		measurement of temperature (32 degrees is freezing/212 is boiling)	It was 100 degrees Fahrenheit when we got to San Francisco.
flood noun		overflow of rain water	The flood was so bad, our basement was full of water.
flurries noun		very light snowfall	There are a few flurries but the snow isn't sticking to the roads.
fog/foggy noun/adjective		thick water vapor that blocks one's vision	We couldn't see the bridge because there was too much fog.
forecast noun/verb		the expected weather for the future	According to the 5 day forecast, it's going to rain on our wedding day.
freezing cold adjective + noun		common expression used to describe a very cold day	It was a freezing cold day for the Santa Claus parade.
frost noun		ice crystals on a frozen surface	Some flowers are so strong they can withstand frost.
frostbite noun		a skin condition caused by over exposure to the cold (typically reddish skin with white spots)	I lost my hat while I was skiing, and I ended up with frostbite on my ears.
hail noun		small pieces of ice that fall during a storm	There was so much hail that some of the trailer homes were destroyed.
heat stroke noun		a flu-like condition one can acquire after spending too long in the sun	Bring lots of water and wear a hat to avoid heat stroke in this weather.
heat-wave noun		extremely hot weather that is much higher than average--usually lasts a short time	During the heat-wave we cooled our beds down with ice packs.
humid/humidity adjective/noun		moisture in the air	It feels a lot hotter than it actually is because of the humidity.
hurricane noun		a tropical storm with very strong wind and rain (from Atlantic Ocean); from Pacific Ocean it is called a "typhoon"; from Indian Ocean it is called a "cyclone"	Half of the buildings on the island were flattened by the hurricane.
icy adjective		slippery because of ice	The roads are icy so please avoid driving down any hills.
lightning noun		electric flash caused by two clouds hitting	The outdoor pool always closes when the lifeguards suspect lightning.
mild adjective		temperature that is warmer than average(in a cold season)	It's quite mild out so I didn't bother with a hat or mittens.
meteorologist noun		a person who studies weather patterns	The meteorologist predicted that the cold spell would be over by now.
minus/negative adjective		indicates that a temperature is below zero	It was minus twenty degrees at the top of the skil hill.
overcast adjective		no sun is visible	The sky is overcast this morning, but the sun is supposed to come out by late afternoon.
partly cloudy adverb + adjective		term often used in a weather forecast to indicate that the skies are sunny and cloudy at the same time	Tomorrow's forecast is partly cloudy with clear skies by nightfall.
precipitation noun		rain or snow that falls on an area	There is very little precipitation in the desert.
puddle noun		collection of rain water	Children love to splash in puddles when they are wearing rubber boots.
rain/raining/rainy noun/continuous verb/adjective		water that falls to earth	My hair is all wet and messy from the rain.
raindrop noun		a single measurement of rain	I love catching raindrops on my tongue.
rainbow noun		a band of colours found in the sky after a rainfall	According to legend you can find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
raining cats and dogs idiom		raining heavily	They cancelled the football game because it was raining cats and dogs.
scorching/a scorcher adjective/noun		extremely hot temperature/a very hot day	It was a scorcher, so the whole family slept in the cool basement.
season noun		time of year characterized by certain weather Winter,Spring,Summer,Fall (or Autumn)	My favorite season is Fall, because I love to watch the leaves changing colours.
shower noun		quick/light rainstorm	They've been calling for showers all week, but so far it's been dry.
sleet(similar to hail) noun		rain that freezes as it falls	All-weather-tires are best if you have to drive in sleet.
slush/slushy noun/adjective		snow on the ground that has been rained on	The snow turned to slush as soon as it started to rain.
smog noun		heavy,dark cloud cover caused by pollution	You really notice the smog downtown in this type of humidity.
snow/snowy/snowing noun/adjective/ continuous verb		frozen water that warms slightly as it falls to earth	It is already snowing up in the mountains, so the ski season should be great this year.
snowstorm noun		large amounts of wind and snow	All of the schools were closed because of the snowstorm.
sun/sunshine/sunny noun/noun/adjective		the gassy star that warms the earth	We hope to have sunshine on the day of the beach picnic.
sunburn noun		painful red/pink skin caused by being in the sun too long	The bald man got a sunburn on his head.
sunglasses/shades noun		dark eyewear that protects you from the sun	I forgot my shades and I was driving right into the sun.
suntan/tanned noun(also verb)/adjective(also verb)		brown/golden skin caused by long periods of sun exposure	I got a suntan on the cruise, but it has already faded away.
sunscreen/suntan lotion noun		cream that protects your skin from sun damage	Don't forget to reapply your sunscreen when you get out of the lake.
temperature noun		how warm or cold the air is	Can you check the temperature before we get dressed for our walk?
thermometer noun		instrument for measuring the temperature of the air	When I checked the temperature this morning, the thermometer said it was already thirty degrees Celsius.
thunder/thunderstorm noun		the crashing of clouds (often followed by a strike of lightning and heavy rain)	Let's close all of the windows. It looks like a thunderstorm is coming.
tornado noun		violently spinning windstorm	The tornado picked up everything in its path, including animals and cars.
umbrella noun		held over one's head and body for rain protection	I always keep an umbrella in my car in case of rain.
UV (ultra violet) rays noun		the damaging rays from the sun	Ultra violet rays can cause skin cancer if you don't wear sunscreen.
wind/windy noun/adjective		blowing air outside	It's too windy to play golf today.
wind chill factor noun		when the wind makes the air feel colder than the actual temperature	It's minus two, but with the wind chill factor it's minus fifteen.