english book education

Explore 18 of the best books to learn English, for beginner to advanced learners

Reading books is a great way to learn English . Whether you want to expand your vocabulary, enjoy a short story, or study English grammar or pronunciation, books will help improve many facets of your English language skills.

Here we will take you through 18 of the best books to learn English through self-study . You can choose to focus on one topic at a time or pick a comprehensive resource to take your English to the next level.

We will also look at how you can use ebooks and audiobooks to learn English .

In each section, we have book recommendations suitable for beginner, intermediate, and advanced English learners. So, we hope you find something here that piques your interest, whether you are browsing English learning books for yourself or as a gift for someone else.

The best English learning books

Let’s begin with some of the best books for English learners who want to take a comprehensive approach to learning English or improving their fluency. The following books cover all aspects of English in one place – from vocabulary and grammar to reading, writing, and more.

English for Everyone: Beginner Box Set

Level: Beginner (A1 – A2)

Focus: Straightforward and well-illustrated vocabulary, grammar, and sentence-building lessons for self-study.

Highlights: This box set of 2 course books and 2 practice books is ideal for beginners who want to give themselves a strong start in learning English. The full-color pages are engaging and easy to understand. Supplementary audio recordings are available on the DK website and app to enhance ESL learning, making this one of the best self-study English books for beginners .

English Made Easy: Volume One

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Focus: Learning English through pictures

Highlights: Written by experienced language teachers who wanted a completely new way to teach English visually, this book is full of illustrations and comic-style dialogue. Rather than directly teaching grammar, it lets English students learn by observing language patterns and building simple sentences.

Volume Two moves on to more complex sentences and grammar patterns.

Practical English Usage, 4th Edition

Level: Advanced

Focus: Common vocabulary and grammar questions from advanced English learners

Highlights: Divided into two parts covering grammar and vocabulary, this is one of the best books to learn more advanced aspects of English like the singular ‘they’, how to communicate politely, and differences between British English vs American English . The book is written by an English teacher with over 20 years’ experience, so he understands the questions that ESL learners often have.

English Short Stories for Beginners

Level: Beginner

Focus: Building English skills by reading stories (with comprehension exercises)

Highlights: Build up your English vocabulary by reading short stories in English for beginners, based on real-life situations. While reading, you will also naturally improve your English grammar skills through exposure to different sentence structures.

Stories are written in simple language suitable for beginners learning English . Each chapter has a glossary and a comprehension test to reinforce what you have learned.

If you like this style of English learning book, you may also want to purchase English Short Stories for Intermediate Learners .

The best books to learn English vocabulary

Next, we have some English books that focus on learning new vocabulary at different levels. Whether you want to learn words, phrases, idioms, or slang, the books in this list should help.

1001 English Expressions and Phrases

Level: Intermediate

Focus: Common expressions and phrases shown in natural English conversation dialogues

Highlights: An essential part of English language learning is not just learning individual words, but knowing how they fit together to form phrases. This book has over 1,000 expressions to help intermediate English learners get a better grasp of the language.

The author, Jackie Bolen, has been an ESL teacher for over 20 years. She has also published Advanced English Expressions, Idioms, Collocations, Slang, and Phrasal Verbs , which is an equally good resource for advanced learners mastering English.

English for Everyone English Idioms, Vocabulary Builder, Phrasal Verbs – 3 Book Box Set

Level: Beginner to advanced

Focus: General vocabulary, idioms, and phrasal verbs

Highlights: This set of 3 books for English learners teaches more than 5,000 words, expressions, and helpful phrases. Beginners will find it helpful for expanding their general vocabulary, while intermediate and advanced learners can dig into more complex phrasal verbs and idioms.

77 Real Life English Dialogues with 500 Most Common English Words

Focus: Learning how to use 500 common English words

Highlights: This book includes 77 English conversation dialogues for beginners, including free audio dialogues that you can play at slow or normal speed. They cover everyday topics such as ordering food and making plans, and you’ll even begin learning business English .

This English learning book is a good way for beginners to understand how to use 500 of the most common English words in writing and speaking.

The Big Book of Words You Should Know

Level: Advanced (and native)

Focus: Advanced and obscure vocabulary

Highlights: Reading this book will expand your vocabulary beyond a reasonable level and teach you some new words that most native speakers don’t even know. It’s certainly not an essential book for English learners, but is a real treat for those who like to have an above-average vocabulary.

English Collocations in Dialogue

Level:  Intermediate

Focus: See English collocations in use in conversation and learn what they mean

Highlights: Collocations are groups of two or more words that commonly go together, such as “make a mistake” or “take care”. They are an important linguistic element for anyone wanting to improve their vocabulary for TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams. This book lets you learn American English collocations by seeing how they are used in everyday conversations, with a definition provided for each one.

Fancy A Cuppa? The Hilarious Guide to British Slang

Level: Intermediate to advanced (and native)

Focus: A humorous guide to British slang, idioms, swear words, and more

Highlights: For those who want to learn British English in a way the textbooks don’t teach, Fancy A Cuppa? is packed full of authentic English colloquialisms. You’ll learn some classic British idioms , insults, and Cockney Rhyming Slang to make you feel more at home in the UK.

This book would also make a great novelty gift for a language lover who is unfamiliar with British slang terms – but be advised that some of the language used is not suitable for children.

Of course, another book that you’ll find invaluable for improving your vocabulary is an ESL dictionary . These are specially designed with English learners in mind and cover grammar points and confusing words, too.

The best books for learning English grammar rules

Our final selection has some books for English learners (and even native speakers) who want to learn English grammar properly or build on what they already know.

Grammar Daily: 365 Quick Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl

Focus: An assortment of 365 grammar tips to help you communicate more clearly (and correctly)

Highlights: New York Times  bestseller and successful podcaster Mignon Fogarty (AKA Grammar Girl) addresses common grammar questions – as well as some vocabulary and punctuation topics – in an approachable way. From the misused ‘supposably’ to the controversial ‘a myriad of’ and from prepositions to pronouns, each day you can take a step toward improving your use of English.

The English Grammar Workbook for Adults

Focus: Detailed explanation of essential grammar for everyday use

Highlights: Whether you are learning English as a second language or are a native speaker who needs to improve your grammar skills, this comprehensive guide to English grammar is an excellent resource. Look up a particular topic of interest or work through the book methodically, completing simple exercises on each topic you learn.

Word Order in English Sentences

Level: Intermediate to advanced

Focus: Word types and sentence structure

Highlights: If you’d prefer to tackle one topic at a time rather than buying an all-encompassing grammar guide, Phil Williams’ learning guides are great books to learn from. This one focuses specifically on how to build sentences and the flexibility that exists in English grammar. Exercises throughout the book put into practice what you are learning.

The English Tenses Practical Grammar Guide is another book by the same author that’s a good investment for anyone who needs help understanding verb tenses.

The Perfect English Grammar Workbook

Focus: A comprehensive grammar guide to American Standard English that’s easy to understand

Highlights: This self-study grammar workbook takes you through everything you need to know to keep your speaking and writing mistake-free. It’s a great reference tool for ESL students and teachers, and even editors. Each section contains quizzes and exercises to recap the topic.

This workbook is deliberately written to be easy to understand, without the academic explanations that make some grammar guides unapproachable for learners.

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation

Focus: A guide to grammar, punctuation, and other helpful topics – with quizzes

Highlights: This book is a straightforward guide to the basics of English grammar, as well as punctuation, capitalization , and commonly misused words. It doesn’t go as in-depth into grammar as some of the other resources mentioned here, but nevertheless, it’s a popular reference guide that’s now in its 12th edition.

Can you learn English with ebooks?

Yes, studying English with ebooks (digital books) can be just as effective as using physical copies. The only slight inconvenience is that where there are questions to answer, you can’t write directly on the page. However, it’s much easier to carry books around with you on a Kindle or other e-reader than to take a physical copy wherever you go.

Most of the best books to learn English that we listed above are available on Amazon Kindle. If you are planning to read a lot as you study, consider a Kindle Unlimited subscription. This gives you access to up to 10 ebooks at a time for a fixed monthly fee, so you can mix some fiction books in with your English learning textbooks.

The best audiobooks for English learners

If you prefer to listen to audiobooks rather than read physical books to learn English, you will find that some of the books on this list are also available as audiobooks. This format works better with some (such as the short stories) than with others (such as grammar guides).

Probably the best way to learn English with audiobooks is to listen along while you read. Reading helps with comprehension while listening helps you pick up the correct pronunciation.

If you just want to be able to listen to audiobooks as part of learning English, we recommend using Audible . This program from Amazon gives access to thousands of audiobooks and you can try it free for 1 month .

Here are some of the top Audible audiobooks for learning English:

• Learn English for Adult Beginners: 3 Books in 1
• Talk English: The Secret to Speak English Like a Native in 6 Months for Busy People
• English Short Stories for Beginners and Intermediate Learners
• The Black Book of Speaking Fluent English: The Quickest Way to Improve Your Spoken English

You might also benefit from listening to podcasts to learn English . Many of these come with free transcripts and accompanying exercises so you can dig deeper into each topic.

Benefits of using books to learn English

Here are some great reasons to use books to help you learn English:

• Affordable: A book costs a lot less than a course of English lessons. Although it’s a different way of learning English , it can be just as valuable. There’s also the possibility of buying textbooks second-hand to make them even more affordable.
• Longevity: A physical book can last a lifetime and be passed on or sold to other people.
• Accessibility: You can take a book anywhere and read it any time; no internet connection or power source needed.
• Self-study: When you buy a book to learn English, you can work through it at your own pace; as fast or slow as you like. You can also dig deeper into any topics that particularly interest you, without the constraints of a course curriculum.

Tips for using books for English learning

As you learn English by reading , there are other things you can do to supplement your learning, giving you a better chance of retaining the knowledge and feeling confident using it yourself.

Firstly, we would recommend you keep a notebook handy at all times to write down the key points of what you are learning. You may want to keep a list of new vocabulary and topics you need to research in more detail, for example. Refer back to this regularly to review the vocabulary you have learned and to take action on any notes you made while reading.

Secondly, although books are a great self-study tool, you will probably learn English faster and more effectively if you take an online course or use a language-learning app to boost your learning in other areas at the same time.

Finally, one of the best ways to improve your speaking skills and become more fluent in English is to practice conversations in real life. Whether it’s with a group of other English language learners, with friends who are native English speakers, or via an online language exchange , this is where you will truly build confidence.

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School's out

A critical take on education and schooling

The 50 great books on education

Professor of Education, University of Derby

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I have often argued that I would not let any teacher into a school unless – as a minimum – they had read, carefully and well, the three great books on education: Plato’s Republic, Rousseau’s Émile and Dewey’s Democracy and Education. There would be no instrumental purpose in this, but the struggle to understand these books and the thinking involved in understanding them would change teachers and ultimately teaching.

These are the three great books because each is sociologically whole. They each present a description and arguments for an education for a particular and better society. You do not have to agree with these authors. Plato’s tripartite education for a just society ruled over by philosopher kings; Rousseau’s education through nature to establish the social contract and Dewey’s relevant, problem-solving democratic education for a democratic society can all be criticised. That is not the point. The point is to understand these great works. They constitute the intellectual background to any informed discussion of education.

What of more modern works? I used to recommend the “blistering indictment” of the flight from traditional liberal education that is Melanie Phillips’s All Must Have Prizes, to be read alongside Tom Bentley’s Learning Beyond the Classroom: Education for a Changing World, which is a defence of a wider view of learning for the “learning age”. These two books defined the debate in the 1990s between traditional education by authoritative teachers and its rejection in favour of a new learning in partnership with students.

Much time and money is spent on teacher training and continuing professional development and much of it is wasted. A cheaper and better way of giving student teachers and in-service teachers an understanding of education would be to get them to read the 50 great works on education.

The books I have identified, with the help of members of the Institute of Ideas’ Education Forum, teachers and colleagues at several universities, constitute an attempt at an education “canon”.

What are “out” of my list are textbooks and guides to classroom practice. What are also “out” are novels and plays. But there are some great literary works that should be read by every teacher: Charles Dicken’s Hard Times – for Gradgrind’s now much-needed celebration of facts; D. H. Lawrence’s The Rainbow – for Ursula Brangwen’s struggle against her early child-centred idealism in the reality of St Philips School; and Alan Bennett’s The History Boys – for Hector’s role as the subversive teacher committed to knowledge.

I hope I have produced a list of books, displayed here in alphabetical order, that are held to be important by today’s teachers. I make no apology for including the book I wrote with Kathryn Ecclestone, The Dangerous Rise of Therapeutic Education because it is an influential critical work that has produced considerable controversy. If you disagree with this, or any other of my choices, please add your alternative “canonical” books on education.

Michael W. Apple – Official Knowledge: Democratic Education in a Conservative Age (1993)

Hannah Arendt – Between Past and Future (1961), for the essay “The Crisis in Education” (1958)

Matthew Arnold – Culture and Anarchy (1867-9)

Robin Barrow – Giving Teaching Back to the Teachers (1984)

Tom Bentley – Learning Beyond The Classroom: Education for a Changing World (1998)

Allan Bloom – The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today’s Students (1987)

Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron – Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture (1977)

Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis – Schooling in Capitalist America: Educational Reform and the Contradictions of Economic Life (1976)

Jerome Bruner – The Process of Education (1960)

John Dewey – Democracy and Education (1916)

Margaret Donaldson – Children’s Minds (1978)

JWB Douglas – The Home and the School (1964)

Kathryn Ecclestone and Dennis Hayes – The Dangerous Rise of Therapeutic Education (2008)

Harold Entwistle – Antonio Gramsci: Conservative Schooling for Radical Politics (1979).

Paulo Freire – Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1968/1970)

Frank Furedi – Wasted: Why Education Isn’t Educating (2009)

Helene Guldberg – Reclaiming Childhood (2009)

ED Hirsch Jnr. – The Schools We Need And Why We Don’t Have Them (1999)

Paul H Hirst – Knowledge and the Curriculum (1974) For the essay which appears as Chapter 3 ‘Liberal Education and the Nature of Knowledge’ (1965)

John Holt – How Children Fail (1964)

Eric Hoyle – The Role of the Teacher (1969)

James Davison Hunter – The Death of Character: Moral Education in an Age without Good or Evil (2000)

Ivan Illich – Deschooling Society (1971)

Nell Keddie (Ed.) – Tinker, Taylor: The Myth of Cultural Deprivation (1973)

John Locke – Some Thoughts Concerning Education (1692)

John Stuart Mill – Autobiography (1873)

Sybil Marshall – An Experiment in Education (1963)

Alexander Sutherland Neil – Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing (1960)

John Henry Newman – The Idea of a University (1873)

Michael Oakeshott – The Voice of Liberal Learning (1989) In particular for the essay “Education: The Engagement and Its Frustration” (1972)

Anthony O’ Hear – Education, Society and Human Nature: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education (1981)

Richard Stanley Peters – Ethics and Education (1966)

Melanie Phillips – All Must Have Prizes (1996)

Plato – The Republic (366BC?)

Plato – Protagoras (390BC?) and Meno (387BC?)

Neil Postman – The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School (1995)

Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner – Teaching as a Subversive Activity (1969)

Herbert Read – Education Through Art (1943)

Carl Rogers – Freedom to Learn: A View of What Education Might Become (1969)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Émile or “on education” (1762)

Bertrand Russell – On Education (1926)

Israel Scheffler – The Language of Education (1960)

Brian Simon – Does Education Matter? (1985) Particularly for the paper “Why No Pedagogy in England?” (1981)

JW Tibble (Ed.) – The Study of Education (1966)

Lev Vygotsky – Thought and Language (1934/1962)

Alfred North Whitehead – The Aims of Education and other essays (1929)

Paul E. Willis – Learning to Labour: How Working Class Kids Get Working Class Jobs (1977)

Alison Wolf – Does Education Matter? Myths about Education and Economic Growth (2002)

Michael FD Young (Ed) – Knowledge and Control: New Directions for the Sociology of Education (1971)

Michael FD Young – Bringing Knowledge Back In: From Social Constructivism to Social Realism in the Sociology of Education (2007)

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Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL: A Resource Book for Teaching K-12 English Learners 7th Edition

Note: This is the bound book only and does not include access to the Enhanced Pearson eText. To order the Enhanced Pearson eText packaged with a bound book, use ISBN 0134403398.

This book is the ideal source for teaching oral language, reading, writing, and the content areas in English to K-12 English learners. In an approach unlike most other books in the field, Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL looks at contemporary language acquisition theory as it relates to instruction and provides detailed suggestions and methods for motivating, involving, and teaching English language learners. Praised for its strong research base, engaging style, and inclusion of specific teaching ideas, the book offers thorough coverage of oral language, reading, writing, and academic content area instruction in English for K-12 English learners. Thoroughly updated throughout, the new edition includes a new chapter on using the Internet and other digital technologies to engage students and promote learning, many new teaching strategies, new and revised activities, and new writing samples. The Enhanced Pearson eText features embedded videos and assessments.

Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText* The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is:

• Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience.
• Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad® and Android® tablet.*
• Affordable. The Enhanced Pearson eText may be purchased stand-alone for 50-60% less than a print bound book.

* The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads.

*The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7” or 10” tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later.

• ISBN-10 9780134014548
• ISBN-13 978-0134014548
• Edition 7th
• Publisher Pearson
• Publication date January 6, 2016
• Language English
• Dimensions 8 x 1.1 x 10 inches
• Print length 528 pages
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

From the back cover.

A strong research base, engaging style, and numerous specific ideas combine to offer the ideal source for teaching oral language, reading, writing, and the content areas in English to K-12 English learners.

In an approach unlike most other books in the field, Reading, Writing, and Learning in ESL looks at contemporary language acquisition theory as it relates to instruction and provides detailed suggestions and methods for motivating, involving, and teaching English language learners. Praised for its strong research base, engaging style, and inclusion of specific teaching strategies, the book offers thorough coverage of oral language, reading, writing, and academic content area instruction in English for K-12 English learners.

Invigorate learning with the Enhanced Pearson eText The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content with the following multimedia features:

• Embedded videos. Students get opportunities to see into real classrooms and see examples of the concepts and ideas in action through the digitally integrated video clips supporting and illustrating key chapter ideas and concepts. Every chapter includes five to six of these new videos.
• End of Chapter Self-Check assessments. Multiple-choice format Chapter Quizzes with objective feedback help students gauge their understanding of the fundamental concepts covered in the chapter.

About the Author

Suzanne Peregoy is Professor Emerita of Education, San Francisco State University, where she coordinated the M.A. and Reading/Language Arts Specialist Credential programs while also teaching courses in language and literacy development. She earned an M.A. in Spanish literature and linguistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her Ph.D. in language and literacy from the University of California, Berkeley, focused on bilingual reading, second language acquisition, and language issues in American Indian education. Previously, Professor Peregoy taught ESL to adults. She also taught primary grades in a Spanish-English bilingual education program, and directed a multicultural preschool program. Dr. Peregoy was active in writing California’s guidelines for preparing in-service teachers to work with English language learners. She has published articles on bilingual and second language literacy in the Journal of the National Association for Bilingual Education, The Reading Teacher, Canadian Modern Language Review, Educational Issues of Language Minority Students, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, and Theory into Practice. Dr. Peregoy is fluent in Spanish.

Owen Boyle is Professor Emeritus of Education, San Jose State University, where he coordinated the Bilingual and ESL Program, chaired the Language and Literacy Department, and headed the Reading Specialist Credential and M.A. programs in literacy. At San Jose State Professor Boyle taught courses in second language literacy, language acquisition and reading, multicultural literature, and reading assessment. He received his doctorate at the University of California, where he was Coordinator of the Learning from Text Program and researched and taught students. As Assistant Director of the Bay Area Writing Project (National Writing Project), Owen worked with teachers from all over the world including those from Germany, Panama, Alaska, and California. He served on the California State Superintendent’s panel that developed guidelines for preparing teachers of reading and was instrumental in developing a reading instruction test required for a California multiple subject teaching credential. He has published articles and research in Journal of Educational Issues of Language Minority Students, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Bilingual Research Journal, Journal of the Association of Mexican-American Educators, Journal of College Reading and Learning, The Reading Teacher, and Reading Research and Instruction. He taught elementary and secondary school where he worked with second language learners for 12 years.

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0134014545
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pearson; 7th edition (January 6, 2016)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780134014548
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0134014548
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.96 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 1.1 x 10 inches
• #184 in Elementary Education
• #640 in Educational Certification & Development
• #1,970 in Education Theory (Books)

About the author

Suzanne f. peregoy.

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Daryl Fernandez

University of Toronto, Canada

Daryl came to Georgia in 2012 with the project ‘Teach and Learn with Georgia’. From 2012 to 2015 he taught English at Zanati public school, Abasha region. In 2015 he moved to Kutaisi to teach English at public school 10 for a year. At this time, he fell in love with Georgian culture, language, its history and he learned the language.  The time he spent in Georgia can be divided into two periods: First, teaching English with the project “Teach and Learn with Georgia” and second, teaching English in Tbilisi at “English Book Education” language school “Unique Learning “. Daryl thinks that televised lessons will play a big role in furthering the Education of Georgian students.

Alexander Baramidze-Sitwell

University of Durham, United Kingdom

Alexander was born in London, England. His big interest in literature arose while he was studying at Christ’s Hospital, a boarding school in Great Britain. Alexander shares the idea that the knowledge of literature enriches a person’s creative skill and gives him more life experience. Since he moved to Georgia, he has been teaching English at  “English Book Education” language school “Unique Learning “in Tbilisi, besides this, he has been travelling across the country and conducting “book club” sessions in both public and private schools to inspire a love of reading and literature  in his students. Alexander thinks that this joint project between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and Georgian TV Channel 2 will give the opportunity to students to see the importance of literature in the 21st century and pick up a love of reading. 

Nicole Aragona

University of Florida, USA, TESOL certified teacher of English

Nicole taught English to young learners in Kuwait from 2012 until 2019. She was a teacher trainer on STEM teaching methodologies and contributed to the adaptation of American curricula for private schools in Kuwait. She moved to Georgia in June 2019. Since moving to Georgia, Nicole has been teaching English, at  “English Book Education” language school “Unique Learning “in Tbilisi. Nicole is very excited to contribute to the Georgian educational system and she hopes that televised lessons will positively influence the development of the students in a large way.

Amanda Aragona Mitchell

Florida Atlantic University,USA

Amanda worked with young adults in implementing and developing of the extracurricular activities in theatre from 2014 to 2019. She arrived in Georgia in January 2020. Currently she teaches English at “English Book Education” language school “Unique Learning” and is learning Georgian herself. She is excited to use her theater background to bring English language lessons to Georgian students. Amanda hopes that televised lessons will play a great role to improve the quality of Georgian distance education.

​Samantha D'alessio

Johns hopkins university,usa.

Samantha moved to Georgia in September 2018 and joined the programme “Teach and Learn with Georgia”, Ministry of Education and Science. , and though she only planned to stay for one year, her heart was captured by Georgia and its people, so she extended her time in this wonderful country by another year. In her first year from 2018-2019, Samantha taught English at Matani Public School #1 in the Kakheti region. Now in her second year with “Teach and Learn with Georgia,” she teaches at Public School #150 in Tbilisi. She also currently teaches at “English Book Education” language centre “Unique Learning Centre” in Tbilisi. Samantha is excited to participate in the TV School project, which she thinks will greatly benefit Georgian students across the nation. 

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The 25 Best ESL Books

Great ESL books can be a wonderful asset to maximize class time.

They can help you brainstorm effective activities, set up games, create targeted lesson plans and give specialized assistance to different types of students.

This list contains some of the best ESL books to help you in your classroom.

Whether you’re teaching kids or adults, beginners or more advanced students, these books will let you make the most of class time.

Books for Teaching ESL to Children

Let’s go, oxford discover, oxford picture dictionary for kids, learning english with laughter, esl activities and mini-books for every classroom, assessment and esl: an alternative approach, esl teacher’s activities kit, tefl flashcard games for young learners, jazz chants, books for teaching esl to adults, oxford picture dictionary book, english the american way, cambridge face2face, american english file, new english file, market leader, compelling conversations, esl classroom activities for teens and adults, keep talking, practical english usage, learning another language through actions, the practice of english language teaching, easy tefl guide to teaching english as a foreign language, intermediate communication games, tips for choosing an esl textbook, is the book written by professionals or experts, how is this book specialized for children or for adults, is this book flexible, things to keep in mind for esl textbooks, the textbook doesn’t make the teacher, supplemental exercises are important.

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Author: Ritsuko Nakata, Karen Frazier, Barbara Hoskins & Carolyn Graham

The bright, engaging visuals and accompanying audio of this series makes learning especially fun for the K-6 group.

The book is for children who are just starting to learn English, and aims to have your students speaking and participating in conversations. Reading and writing exercises are formatted to promote students’ confidence.

The audio CD features read-alouds and songs. These can supplement your lessons or be stand-alone activities. You might find the recordings dated or too simple. You can easily pair the book with YouTube videos or music for a more modern option.

There are additional resources online for students to use. You can also find an online dictionary and downloadable extras like coloring pages, videos and more.

Highlights:

• Audio content. The audio works to encourage vocal use of the language. Songs, chants and drum tracks keep studies invigorating and allow for practice of pronunciation and intonation.

Author: Lesley Koustaff & Susan Rivers

This fun six-book series can certainly make English learning more compelling, particularly for the deep thinkers in your class.

Concepts are taught in a concise manner with plenty of varied exercises for practice. The text includes information concerning the world outside the classroom too, like the environment and modern technology. Critical thinking questions are provided to spur children’s natural curiosity.

The teacher’s pack includes a teaching guidebook, audio CDs and visual materials like posters.

There are tips and strategies for lesson plans, plus resources such as phonics worksheets and assessment charts. You’ll also get access to an electronic classroom presentation tool.

• Valuable resources. The teacher’s pack can make a big difference in your lessons. It will help you navigate through the book and track students’ progress.
• Promotes critical thinking. Included questions will have the gears turning in your students’ heads. They’re great icebreakers and conversation starters, allowing students to share their personal insights.

Author: Joan Ross Keyes

The “Oxford Picture Dictionary for Kids”   is the ultimate vocabulary building book.

A wide variety of pictures and scenarios help young learners discover over 700 words in a fun, easy way. The book is based on K-12 curriculum and aims to meet the needs of beginner to low-elementary level students.

There’s a range of materials available here. You’ll get a student workbook, teacher’s book, audio recordings and even a DVD.

The 60+ topics and multitude of teaching materials will save you time and help capture the attention of your students. Check which books from the series fit the needs of your unique classroom.

• Engaging design. The colorful, artistic photos and illustrations help capture the attention of young learners and keep them engaged with the lessons.

Author: Ms. Daisy A. Stocker M.Ed. & Dr. George A. Stocker D.D.S.

Laughter is a universal language. Here, the authors use a good laugh to help children learn.

Each set in this series consists of a student book, practice workbook and teacher’s guide. If you want just one, go with the student book or the workbook, but purchasing all three is recommended.

This text is designed for students under seven who have never been introduced to English before. Help your youngest students learn the basics of the English language through coloring activities, rhymes, mazes, puzzles and other fun learning experiences.

• Designed for small children. The letters are large to suit young learners. There are many tracing worksheets to help guide learners through writing their first English words.
• Fun worksheets included. The book comes with many entertaining worksheets that also help students with listening. For example, a coloring worksheet might have specific directions that the teacher should read aloud to tell students how to color the page.

Author: Kama Einhorn

This book is jam-packed with fun resources that teachers can use to liven up their classrooms, including mini-books and flashcards.

Whether you’re working with students who need to brush up their English skills or students who have never spoken the language before, there’s material to help you succeed. The book is also sensitive to various learning levels and potential cultural differences.

This text is great for information on teaching English to young children. It consists mostly of the mini-books and flashcards, which can be used as supplementary activities for your main lesson plan.

• Contains mini-books. Each chapter comes with small books to assist students in the early stages of literacy. The content of the booklets coincide with each chapter’s theme.
• Start the class on the right foot. There’s an extremely useful section with advice on the first week of class. It includes tips for making students feel welcome, and how to help them begin the English language learning process.

Author: Barbara Law

Assessments help teachers know where their students are in the learning process. Traditional test-taking may not always yield the most accurate results, however.

This book is for ESL teachers who want an alternative way of assessing progress. It contains example stories of students and their unique struggles to illustrate key points.

Friendly and engaging, this book will help you implement assessment strategies that are realistic, contextual and allow for errors—which, the authors maintain, are an important part of the learning process.

Author: Elizabeth Claire

This book is perfect for ESL teachers who are just starting out in the classroom. It includes simple, effective language activities that are engaging for kids of all ages.

You’ll get a set of Total Physical Response activities , which will get your students active and learning with their whole bodies.

The book follows a logical progression. It starts with the first vocabulary kids learn (like basic teacher commands and verbs around the classroom). Then, you’ll progress into games, activities and crafts.

There’s even social and cultural activities, English integrated into other content areas, and so much more—all with an emphasis on physical activity.

• Thorough, with clear instruction. The book provides step-by-step guidance for each activity. Each one states the best-fit age group, items the teacher may need and the most appropriate learning level.
• Contains various activities. There’s a range of activities from worksheets to outside playground games. All can help shy students out of their comfort zones to begin speaking English!
• Additional tools and tips. This book comes with a checklist of grammar and language structures, plus tips on managing an ESL classroom.

Author: Chris Morton

This text is a perfect collection of flashcard games your young and enthusiastic students will love. If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your lesson plan, this is a great find.

The fun and exciting games in this book will help your students make connections visually. They’ll learn new vocabulary, pronunciation, visual recognition, and grammar. With some teacher enthusiasm, their eagerness will only grow!

There are several all-time flashcard game favorites in Morton’s book, but there’s also new and original games for young students that you’ve likely never heard of.

• Wide range. There are more than 100 unique activities, helpfully divided into 40 chapters.
• Included instructions. The text guides you on the set-up of each activity, as well as how to run it with your class.

Author: Carolyn Graham

The student books and audio recordings focus on American English speech and intonation. The text is intended for students up to an intermediate level of English, and this interesting spin on ESL can be enjoyable for you and your students for years to come.

Take a break from the grammar and textbooks and spice up your teaching while enjoying music and English with your students! “Jazz Chants” can give you freedom to develop some exceptional lesson plans that’ll make your students excited for “jazz time” in the classroom.

• Not just for kids. According to reviews of this book, children and adults alike find enjoyment with this text!

Author: Jamie Adelson-Goldstein & Norma Shapiro

This book is solely focused on vocabulary. It’s great to pair with a teacher workbook of lesson plans and teaching strategies so you can optimize the learning experience of your students.

There are two more books in this series. They cover high-elementary and low-intermediate vocabulary. All come paired with helpful audio CDs.

• Useful units. These cover scenarios in everyday life, from common language to food, health and community.

Author: Sheila MacKechnie Murtha M.A., Jane Airey O’Connor M.Ed.

This bestselling textbook is divided into units with chapter titles like “Taking a Drive” and “Dining in Style.” Units cover topics that Americans encounter every day and use these situations to teach English grammar.

For example, in the “Taking a Drive” chapter, students will learn vocabulary about cars, the DMV, police officers and driving. They’ll also learn the present simple tense, comparatives and superlatives.

The book contains dialogues and conversations, which can be played via audio recordings that accompany the book. Conversations are natural and realistic, providing students with excellent examples of what they might hear in real life.

• Uses authentic conversations. Teaches about slang, idioms and other useful phrases that Americans use on daily basis.
• Discusses etiquette. Students are taught what type of English language is appropriate for a variety of situations.

Author: Chris Redston & Gillie Cunningham

This series is a great choice if you want the whole package. The methodology behind “Cambridge face2face” is a systematic progression of English material building on previously taught sections.

Students will be able to develop grammar, vocabulary, reading and listening skills. As a teacher, you’ll have the resources you need to teach effectively and cover the key language your students need to communicate in English. 

While the books have a formal textbook feel, they offer a communicative component that focuses on all aspects of ESL learning. This is done through interactive features like classroom games, group discussions and activities. A DVD is included.

Available books range from elementary to advanced levels, so students can see their progress as they move from book to book. 

• Subtle grammar. Students will learn essential English grammar without even knowing it.
• Covers all skills. Again, this is a great all-in-one text that includes everything you could want to teach in an ESL class.

Author: Christina Latham-Koenig & Clive Oxenden

This six-book series covers a comprehensive English curriculum. The first book is for “starter” learners (roughly A1 level), and the final book is meant for advanced learners (roughly C1 level).

The books are well organized, and each chapter grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation lessons. Odd-numbered chapters also have “practical English” sections to show concepts in real-life situations. Even-numbered chapters have review sections.

Supporting illustrations and photographs make the book appealing to adult learners. The texts and blurbs detail information that’s relevant to students’ lives, like family or scientific statistics.

There’s also an online practice resource that can be included as homework. The website houses interactive exercises and review questions to reinforce the lessons in the text.

• Focuses on speaking. A primary goal is to “get students talking.” The lessons prepare students for speaking proficiency in class or elsewhere.
• Has a “modern” appearance. The texts are approachable for adult learners. The organized format and engaging content bolster students’ willingness to use the books extensively.

Publisher: Oxford University Press

The books in the “Clockwise” series are intended for small classes, and have short units around two to four pages long.

Each unit opens with a warm-up section and a vocabulary section. The “English in use” section features either a reading passage or listening practice. The speaking section at the end of the unit helps students practice talking about what was covered in the lesson.

There is no workbook, but there is an extra practice section at the back of each book. Also included are writing activities. The back-of-book material is good for homework if you have class more often than once a week.

• Speaking sections. No matter class size or time constraints, these sections are beneficial. They’re simple and get students’ minds working from the get-go. 
• Easy to vary assignments. For example, it’s easy to use the reading section as a popcorn-style activity for a large class. Or, it can be assigned as homework for smaller classes or individuals.

The “Headway” series is intended for bigger, longer classes. Units cover everything you could imagine teaching at any skill level.

Each unit has a section for grammar, vocabulary, everyday English, reading, speaking, listening and writing. They encourage independent student work and include games, puzzles and other fun exercises. There is also a student workbook.

These are great books to use if your class is big (more than 20 students) and long (at least two hours per class). There is plenty of material to get you through the lesson.

• Everyday English. These sections are are aptly named and benefit the students greatly. 
• Easy to assign homework. Listening can easily be skipped and used for homework. Many exercises can be done individually, so always make good homework assignments.

The well-rounded books in the “New English File” series are quite popular. The units cover a lot of ground and are usually 8-10 pages long.

Every unit of each text includes grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation sections, plus a mix of reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections. There is a revision section at the end of each unit for review.

The books come with a great selection of mini-activities (rather than only a few “normal-sized” activities). The back of the book includes communication activities, and there is also a workbook.

For more advanced classes, you might use each activity but only touch a little on pronunciation unless there seems to be some difficulty in the class. More beginner levels will benefit from all exercises.

• “Revise and check” sections. These are a smorgasbord of everything that was just covered. They’re usually two pages long and quite thorough.
• Helpful for listening practice. The lengthy listening sections are particularly useful if your students struggle with listening. If not, they make good homework or extra credit assignments!

Publisher: Pearson

The “Market Leader” series is the leading name in business English books and it shows.

Book units include warm-ups, vocabulary, discussion, reading, listening, and case studies, along with a review unit every three units. There are workbooks as well as extra writing material at the back of each book.

These books are less ideal for large classes and/or absolute beginners. The focus is to hone existing English skills and build on them with business-specific language.

Knowing your students’ work needs and career goals will help. If they make lots of conference calls, go through the listening sections together and assign reading and writing for homework. If they barely speak at work but must write lots of reports or emails, do the opposite.

• Easy to tailor focus. For groups, skills sections and pair work activities are great. For solo students, use the vocabulary, discussion and skills sections. Review sections work for both!
• Case studies. Pick and choose which ones your students will benefit from. Business is broad—there’s definitely relevant material in here!

Author: Eric H. Roth

Adults learning English need to do so well enough to converse effectively with other English-speaking adults. In this book, the author helps students to improve their fluency and conversation skills by learning to their own life experiences and reflections.

The primary focus is speaking for advanced ESL students, often through discussion of relevant topics, like personal experiences, proverbs and more.

The textbook boasts 500 vocabulary words, 250 American proverbs and idioms and 500 quotes to discuss. It also includes over 1350 questions to get the conversation going. Themed chapters may have the class exploring daily habits or pet peeves.

Best of all, this book functions as a workbook so students can interact and converse. There are instructions for interviewing classmates, working in groups and engaging in authentic discussions.

Author: Shelley Ann Vernon

Just like younger learners, teens and adults learn better and more effectively when they’re engaged, interested and having fun.

This book focuses on fluency and grammar. It contains 175 activities, games, quizzes and exercises that are perfectly organized and designed specifically for mature students.

Lessons will be fun for your students, and fun to teach, too! The text aims to imbue your lessons with energy and give students the motivation to speak (even the ones who are normally hesitant to engage!).

• Sensitive to different types of students. There’s detailed advice about accounting for students’ cultural backgrounds, personalities and learning styles, even in activities.
• Flexible options for advanced students. The creative writing prompts and games that it offers can be as challenging or simple as needed, depending on the student.

Author: Friederike Klippel

In this “old but gold” guidebook for English language teachers, Friederike Klippel offers strategies and advice to keep your students active in conversation.

The first part of the book contains speaking exercises, ranging from interviews to miming. Also included are notes and explanations of linguistic goals, targeted levels and the time and prep needed. The second part of the book provides worksheets to accompany these activities.

This text was first published in 1985, but remains a valuable resource for instructors. The activities are diverse and the content is well-organized and easy to navigate.

• Over 100 exercises. Activities are invigorating but not overly demanding. There’s a wide variety of them, as well as variations. Includes supplies like worksheets that can be copied and distributed to students.
• Includes helpful tips. Advice and explanations are provided about activities, what students should know and what you may expect from your students.

Author: Michael Swan

Grammar has a reputation of being dry and overly technical, and often causes confusion and struggle. This guide outlines grammatical issues your students are likely to encounter.

It will help you bolster your own confidence in English grammar knowledge, so that you can provide clear and concise lessons. Besides explaining grammar rules, the text also advises how to address common problems that students run into.

While the content can help learners of any level, you may want to reserve it for intermediate or advanced learners who can dive deep into grammar usage. The book was originally written with British English, but it includes differences between that and American English.

• Helps with grammar instruction. Grammar concepts are organized and explained well, giving you a stronger foundation to teach grammar lessons.
• Great for targeted practice. This book can help tackle specific weak points without impeding other teachings. It can also help to ready you and your students understand the instances in which English grammar seems to bend its own rules.

Author: James J. Asher

The methodology behind TPR is for students to recognize and process English faster by taking action after a specific command. This revolutionary method, designed back in the 1960s by Asher, is an exceptional way for you to get your students moving and shaking around class while learning.

With modern advancements in technology comes shorter student attention spans. Keeping your students eager and active will make your lesson a success. Students often greatly enjoy TPR lessons, and you may learn more about your teaching as well.

• Invaluable TPR resource. The methods are as useful and relevant as the day they were conceived—and here they’re taught to you by the creator of the method himself.

Author: Jeremy Harmer

Jeremy Harmer’s “The Practice of English Language Teaching” is a well-crafted collection of ESL topics. It also discusses related ideas like psychology in the ESL classroom.

Chapters are organized well and complement one another nicely, explaining the importance behind almost all aspects of ESL teaching. The first four chapters are “The World of English,” “Describing Language,” “Describing Learners” and “Describing Teachers,” and those alone are worth the purchase.

There are various example activities and lesson ideas throughout the book to assist you in developing your class syllabus, as well as developing individual lesson plans for your students. The book comes with a DVD containing classroom techniques, plus teacher interviews.

• Useful for all ESL teachers. While especially superb for new teachers, it’s also a great reference for veteran teachers.
• Lifetime reference material. It may be a bit high in cost, but the 450 pages of material will benefit you throughout your ESL teaching career.

Author: T.S. Seifert

This is another exceptional all-in-one ESL teaching book. It’s useful for both new and experienced ESL teachers as a reference book.

The book discusses many topics you will need to know in order to successfully teach reading, writing, pronunciation, listening and speaking. It also explains how to implement various ESL sub-skills within your lessons.

Some chapters discuss controlling your students, fitting material to the appropriate ESL level and giving feedback to your students during and after your lessons. 

• Well-rounded guide. Covers everything you need to know about teaching English as a foreign language. Plus, you’ll gather at least a few outside-the-box ideas.

Author: Jill Hadfield

Building communication into your lessons is an excellent approach for all ESL students, but is particularly essential for intermediate level students. This text is a perfect ESL teaching resource to fill that gap on your bookshelf.

The book includes a great list of communication games and activities that will fit into students’ communicative abilities. “Intermediate Communication Games” contains guidelines for each activity with teacher notes to assist you while you’re crafting your lesson (as well as during the lesson itself).

There are also worksheets available in the book to help students in each activity as they learn and build communication experience. The interactive knowledge will help them immensely in real world scenarios.

• Focuses on speaking practice. This book will challenge and lift your intermediate students to who are hungry for more communication practice and skills.

When I was choosing the best ESL textbook for the classroom to include in this list, I took a few factors into consideration.

I’m sure you don’t want to be limited to just my choices. And so, I’ll share the three most important questions to consider when you’re choosing a textbook in the future!

You want to look for ESL books that were written by a professional (or multiple professionals) who’s been in the English teaching business for a long time.

They know their stuff and have lots to offer. They know the needs of both new teachers who are just getting started, and well-seasoned teachers who are looking for a way to spice up their existing curriculum.

The list is broken down into two different categories: textbooks that were made with children in mind (or have characteristics that would work well with children), and textbooks that were designed to accommodate older and adult students.

The authors of these books understand that teaching to kids and teaching to adults have their unique challenges and therefore have created textbooks specializing in one group or the other.

In today’s classroom, flexibility is a must. Gone are the days of teaching out of a textbook for the entire class period. Gone are the days when it’s believed that every student is at the same learning level. We know that teaching and learning are more rounded experiences that must be filled with activity and variety in order to maximize learning.

With that in mind, each of these textbooks is extra-flexible and meant to be used and consulted when needed in different situations. It’s not necessary to do every single chapter in order for them to be used effectively!

These books are fantastic but they’re nothing without a good teacher. Make sure, as a teacher, that the textbook is only used as a reference for material and activities and isn’t too heavily depended on to teach the students. Remember: The textbook doesn’t know your students, you do!

Don’t be afraid to mix and match textbooks with other supplemental materials! Listening activities and activities using TV shows and movies  are   always great ways to keep students engaged and learning. Don’t hesitate to solicit the help of a good app! It’s the 21 st century!

Using authentic content with textbooks is especially important. The textbook teaches your students the concepts, while the native media shows them how they’re used in action.

So what is authentic content? Basically, any form of mass media that native speakers consume themselves. That could mean anything ranging from that brand new novel that just came out to a classic TV series and beyond.

Before using native-level material, you’ll have to prepare students for feeling overwhelmed or lost at times. It’ll also take more work on your part to tie in the content with additional exercises and your existing textbook materials, as well as to track who’s doing what and when they’re doing it.

If all that sounds too challenging, consider using a virtual immersion program. For example, FluentU lets you assign authentic English videos to your students and set a due date. This enables you to pick and choose which content would most complement your classroom studies.

You can also monitor how often your students are watching assigned videos, as well as their scores on the post-video review quizzes. The quizzes include speaking, multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.

Students themselves can choose to learn from additional videos that pique their interest, and the pop-up instant definitions from the interactive subtitles can address the frustration that comes from not understanding something.

Additionally, students can click on a word for a more detailed definition, along with contextual examples in both text and video form. This same feature is also available by typing a word into the search bar.

Other than the website, the program is available on both iOS and Android .

As you can see, an app like FluentU combined with a good textbook can be a particularly effective combination.

Textbooks don’t have to be the bane of excitement within the classroom!

The right ESL textbook, paired with your steadfastness and creativity, can make English lessons both fun and comfortable for both you and your students.

Best of luck on your English teaching adventure!

For fiction books your students can read regardless of their level, check out this post: 

Books for English language learners (ELLs) should be engaging, culturally relevant and appropriate for the level you’re teaching. Check out these 18 excellent ELL books…

Related posts:

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12 Best Books to Learn English for Beginners to Advanced Learners

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If you’re looking to improve your English skills and step up your communication game, I can assure you that using books to learn English is an excellent way to achieve this goal.

Regardless of your level, the vast collection of English learning books on the web can be overwhelming. That’s a good kind of problem, though.

So in this post, I’ve compiled a list of the top books to learn English, including grammar, vocabulary, and storybooks.

Why use books to learn English

While learning English can be challenging, books can make your journey a whole lot easier. As a foreign learner, using books to learn English can be an amazing way to improve your skills and take your language abilities to the next level.

Books are wonderful because they offer a variety of opportunities for learning. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner, there is a book out there that will suit your level and help you achieve your goals. 

From storybooks to grammar guides , dictionaries, workbooks , and audiobooks, books will help you build your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and develop your comprehension and communication skills.

What’s more, books are a flexible and affordable learning tool. They are widely available, easy to use, and can be accessed in a variety of formats, from old-school print to e-books to audiobooks. 

Finally, books can be incredibly inspirational. Reading stories and listening to audiobooks can be a exciting and engaging way to improve your language skills and gain new perspectives on the world. 

As you progress, you’ll realize you can read more complex pieces, and your vocabulary and understanding will keep on growing.

English books for beginners

1. english for everyone : level 1 practice book by dk.

• DK (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 176 Pages – 06/28/2016 (Publication Date) – DK (Publisher)

This book is a great way to start your English language learning journey. With its fun and easy-to-follow exercises, you’ll be speaking and writing in English in no time. 

English for Everyone covers all the basics of English grammar and vocabulary, and the accompanying audio ensures that you’ll learn the correct pronunciation. Whether you’re a beginner or just need to brush up on your skills, this book is an excellent resource.

This book is available on BetterWorldBooks.

What I like about this book:

• It provides a comprehensive overview of basic grammar and vocabulary
• The variety of exercises and activities to reinforce learning
• Fitting for both self-study and classroom use

2. Basic Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy

• Murphy, Raymond (Author)
• 318 Pages – 09/21/2017 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

If you want to master English grammar, this book is a must-have. Basic Grammar in Use will help you take your English to the next level.

With its in-depth explanations and easy-to-understand examples, you’ll quickly learn the basics of English grammar. The book is suitable for self-study, and the accompanying exercises will help you practice what you’ve learned.

• It thoroughly explains fundamental grammar concepts
• The ample practice exercises to strengthen your skills
• Its user-friendly layout and structure

3. Oxford Picture Dictionary by Jayme Adelson-Goldstein and Norma Shapiro

• Amazon Kindle Edition
• Adelson-Goldstein, Jayme (Author)
• 285 Pages – 08/03/2015 (Publication Date) – Oxford University Press (Publisher)

This colorful and engaging dictionary is recommended for visual learners. The Oxford Picture Dictionary features more than 4,000 words and phrases illustrated with clear and detailed pictures, making it easy to learn and remember new vocabulary. 

It covers a wide range of topics, from food and clothing to transportation and technology. With its user-friendly layout and helpful pronunciation guide, it is a superb resource for anyone learning English.

• It offers a visual approach to language learning through illustrated vocabulary
• It includes 4,000+ words and phrases in a real-life context
• The accompanying audio material for listening and pronunciation practice

4. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

• Dr. Seuss (Author)
• 61 Pages – 09/24/2013 (Publication Date) – Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)

The Cat in the Hat is a classic children’s book that has been entertaining and educating young readers for generations. With its simple yet witty rhymes and colorful illustrations, this story of a mischievous cat and his two companions is a unique way for beginners to learn English as well. 

The book is full of useful vocabulary and grammar structures that are perfect for language learners who are just starting out. On top of that, its playful tone and engrossing story make it an enjoyable read for learners of all ages.

• A popular read for children and adults alike
• The simple language and whimsical illustrations make it easy to understand and pleasant to read
• It’s ideal for beginners learning English due to its rhymes and repetition

Books for English learners who have mastered the basics

5. practical english usage by michael swan.

• Michael Swan (Author)
• 635 Pages – 09/26/2024 (Publication Date) – Oxford University Press (Publisher)

If you’re after a comprehensive guide to English grammar, this is the book for you. Practical English Usage covers all aspects of English grammar, from the basics to the more advanced topics. 

The book is easy to use and features clear explanations and helpful examples. Whether you’re a native speaker or an English learner, this book is an essential reference tool.

• The in-depth explanations of English grammar rules and usage
• It goes over a wide range of topics from basic to advanced level
• The numerous examples and practical tips for effective communication

6. Focus on Grammar 4 by Marjorie Fuchs and Margaret Bonner

• Focus on grammar
• Focus on grammar 4
• marjorie fuchs
• margaret bonner
• Fuchs, Marjorie (Author)

This book is ideal for intermediate English learners seeking to improve their grammar skills. It’s divided into manageable units, making it easy to focus on specific areas of grammar. 

Focus on Grammar 4 is also filled with plenty of exercises and activities to help you practice what you’ve learned. 

Thanks to its user-friendly layout and engaging content, it is a fabulous tool for anyone who needs to improve their English skills and one of the books for English learners on the market.

• It presents grammar concepts in a straightforward manner
• The variety of interactive activities and exercises
• It includes real-life examples and contextualized practice

7. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary by Merriam-Webster

• Binding: Hardcover
• Language(s): English
• Number of Pages [Nom]: 1664
• Post-Consumer Recycled Content Percent [Nom]: 0 %
• Pre-Consumer Recycled Content Percent [Nom]: 0 %

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is the ultimate tool for anyone who’s interested in expanding their vocabulary. With over 200,000 definitions and pronunciations, this dictionary offers to-the-point and concise explanations of even the most complex words.

The book is organized in an easy-to-use format, making it a go-to resource for students, writers, and language enthusiasts alike. 

Other than that, the dictionary is updated regularly with new words and meanings, keeping readers up-to-date on the latest additions to the English language. 

Whether you want to improve your writing or simply impress your friends with your linguistic prowess, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is an essential addition to your library.

• A comprehensive reference for English vocabulary
• The clear definitions and usage examples
• It comes with a guide to pronunciation and word origin

8. Learn English Through Stories by Donald Wells

• Wells, Donald (Author)
• 88 Pages – 02/14/2021 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

This book allows for an engaging way to learn English. It features a collection of short stories designed to help you improve your reading , listening, and comprehension skills. 

Each story is accompanied by exercises and activities to help you practice what you’ve learned. With its entertaining content and user-friendly format, Learn English Through Stories is an extraordinary resource for anyone looking to bridge the gap between basic and intermediate English.

• An exciting and effective way to improve language skills
• The range of stories suits different levels and interests
• It includes exercises and comprehension questions for reinforcement

Books to learn English for advanced students

9. 100 phrasal verbs to learn for life by luiz otávio barros.

• Barros, Luiz Otávio (Author)
• 258 Pages – 10/19/2021 (Publication Date) – Luiz Otávio Barros (Publisher)

If you’re seeking to improve your English conversation skills, this book is a tremendous resource. It covers 100 common phrasal verbs with clear definitions and examples.

100 Phrasal Verbs to Learn for Life is also filled with exercises and quizzes to help you practice what you’ve learned. Thanks to its practical approach and easy-to-follow explanations, it is an essential resource for English learners.

• It helps students understand and use phrasal verbs in context
• Precise explanations and examples of recurring phrasal verbs
• It is complemented by practice exercises

10. Advanced Vocabulary in Context by Donald Watson

• Donald Watson (Author)
• 144 Pages – 03/01/1997 (Publication Date) – Georgian Press (Jersey) Ltd (Publisher)

Advanced Vocabulary in Context by Donald Watson is a grade-A resource for anyone looking to achieve fluency in English. It boasts an extensive list of advanced words and phrases that are regularly used in both formal and informal settings. 

What sets this book apart is that it doesn’t just provide a list of words, but includes examples of how to use them in context too, making it easy to understand and apply them in your own writing and conversations. 

With Advanced Vocabulary in Context , you’ll get to impress your friends, colleagues, and even your English teacher with your newfound vocabulary.

• It’s a practical and effective way to improve advanced vocabulary
• The examples of vocabulary used in real-life contexts
• It’s jam-packed with exercises to help in your journey

11. Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary by Colin McIntosh (Editor)

• Used Book in Good Condition
• 1856 Pages – 08/06/2013 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

If you’re serious about mastering English, this dictionary is a must-have! With detailed definitions and helpful examples, you’ll quickly build your vocabulary and improve your comprehension.

Whether you’re studying for an exam or just want to enhance your language skills, this thorough resource has everything you need. Plus, with its user-friendly layout and extensive range of words and phrases, you’ll never be lost for words again!

• A comprehensive reference for advanced vocabulary and usage
• It’s distinguished by clear definitions, usage examples, and pronunciation keys
• The interactive features such as grammar and vocabulary exercises

12. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Author)
• 110 Pages – 04/27/2021 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)

The Great Gatsby is a literary masterpiece that offers advanced learners an opportunity to explore the intricacies of the English language. 

Set in the roaring twenties, this novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in an attempt to win back the love of his life. 

With its complex characters, sophisticated language, and layered themes, The Great Gatsby is a challenging but rewarding read for advanced learners. 

It uses a rich vocabulary and a glimpse into American culture during the Jazz Age, making it a fantastic resource for those looking to deepen their understanding of the English language and literature.

• A classic novel that has stood the test of time
• The rich vocabulary and complex sentence structures make it a marvelous resource for advanced English learners
• The themes of love, wealth, and the American Dream provide a glimpse into American culture and society in the 1920s

Final thoughts

With my book recommendations, you’ll be able to enhance your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills , and make significant progress in your English learning journey.

Whether you’re teaching yourself English or helping someone else (like your own kids ) master the language, you should rely on the best books to learn English on the market to get there as fast as possible.

For a well-rounded approach to this language, you can also explore English learning apps like Babbel , Pimsleur , and Rocket English . Listening to English podcasts helps too!

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Which books are in the GCSE English literature reading list this year - full guide

Education writer

• English literature is a compulsory GCSE for many, if not most students in England.
• Secondary school pupils will have to read and analyse several books and plays picked out by their teacher.
• These come from set lists decided by each individual exam board.
• But these lists often change year on year, with some texts disappearing from the curriculum - and new ones being added.

Secondary schools pupils across England are back in class for the new school year, with a brand new cohort now studying towards the first major exams of their academic career - their GCSEs.

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There are only a few GCSEs that are compulsory; maths, at least two science subjects, and English language or literature - both, in many schools. English literature involves studying a range of books and plays in depth, with final exams consisting of sections on 19th Century novels, Shakespeare, modern plays and novels, and poetry.

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Teachers usually pick which texts their classes will study, but each exam board - AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel or WJEC Eduqas for most students in England - has a set list of approved books and plays for them to choose from. These tend to be reviewed every few years.

Sometimes books are removed by one or multiple exam boards, with the most recent examples including Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (dropped by AQA and Eduqas as of this year); The History Boys by Alan Bennett (dropped by AQA as of this year); A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney (dropped by Eduqas as of this year); and Shakespeare’s Henry V - which is no longer being taught by any exam board.

Books are also sometimes added to the reading list, and there has been a push in recent years spearheaded by the Lit in Colour campaign to diversify the books studied at school, so that more children can “see themselves and their lives reflected in the literature they are tasked to read”.

All of the stories on the list are selected to help young people expand their worldview - learning to critically analyse literature, while picking out underlying themes in a search for deeper meaning. Here are the books on the English literature GCSE reading list for the 2024/25 school year:

19th Century novels

Students will usually study one novel, chosen from their exam board’s list of set texts. These include:

• The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Great Expectations, Charles Dickens (AQA, OCR, Pearson)
• Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Frankenstein, Mary Shelley (AQA, Pearson)
• Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• The Sign of Four, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (AQA)
• The War of the Worlds, H. G. Wells (OCR, Eduqas)
• Silas Marner, George Eliot (Pearson, Eduqas)

Shakespeare

GCSE students usually study one play from the list of set texts. These include:

• Macbeth (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Romeo and Juliet (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• The Tempest (AQA, Pearson)
• The Merchant of Venice (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Much Ado About Nothing (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Julius Caesar (AQA)
• Twelfth Night (Pearson, Eduqas)
• Othello (Eduqas)

Modern prose

Students will also study one or more recent plays and novels from a set list, all published after 1914. This year these will include:

• Lord of the Flies, William Golding (AQA, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Animal Farm, George Orwell (AQA, OCR, Pearson)
• Anita and Me, Meera Syal (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Pigeon English, Stephen Kelman (AQA)
• My Name is Leon, Kit de Waal (AQA)
• Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro (OCR)
• Telling Tales (an anthology of short stories compiled by AQA)
• The Woman in Black, Susan Hill (Pearson, Eduqas)
• Coram Boy, Jamila Gavin (Pearson)
• Boys Don't Cry, Malorie Blackman (Pearson, Eduqas)
• Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit , Jeanette Winterson (Eduqas)

Modern drama

• An Inspector Calls, JB Priestley (AQA, OCR, Pearson, Eduqas)
• Blood Brothers (musical version), Willy Russell (AQA, Pearson, Eduqas)
• DNA, Dennis Kelly (AQA, OCR)
• A Taste of Honey, Shelagh Delaney (AQA)
• Princess & The Hustler, Chinonyerem Odimba (AQA)
• Leave Taking, Winsome Pinnock (AQA, OCR, Eduqas)
• Hobson’s Choice, Harold Brighouse (Pearson)
• Journey’s End, R.C. Sheriff (Pearson)
• The Empress, Tanika Gupta (Pearson)
• Refugee Boy (adapted for stage), Benjamin Zephaniah (Pearson)
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (adapted for stage), Mark Haddon/Simon Stephens (Eduqas)
• The History Boys, Alan Bennett (Eduqas)

What do you think about the books and plays being studied by GCSE students? Have your say and make your voice heard by leaving a comment below.

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