good books for english a level coursework

A-Level English Literature Guide

In A-Level by Think Student Editor October 21, 2022 Leave a Comment

A-Level English Literature can be a niche or popular subject – sometimes classes have less than 10 people, sometimes classes are full. Whether you’ve picked it for A-Level or are sitting on the fence, it can be one of the hardest subjects to get right. Think you need some help? This guide is here to help answer all your questions.

In this guide I’ll be discussing whether you should take A-Level English Literature, what the course involves and what the benefits are to taking it. Keep reading to find out more!

Table of Contents

Should you take A-Level English Literature?

Personally, I feel that A-Level English Literature is one of the most creative A-Level subjects. If you enjoyed English Literature GCSE, the chances are you’ll also enjoy English Literature A-Level.

I’d only recommended taking English Literature A-Level if you are strongly passionate about it. The workload can be intense, so if you don’t enjoy the subject, you probably won’t enjoy the A-Level course.

Most schools will hold events for future sixth form students to learn more about each subject. From these you find out more about the course the school offers, or you can ask your teachers.

Alternatively, exam board websites usually post their specifications. For example, you can find the OCR specification here .

If you know what you want to pursue beyond A-Levels, you should also consider whether English Literature A-Level is necessary for future careers. This Think Student article has information on the most respected A-Level subjects.

Alternatively, read this Think Student article if you want to read more about A-Level combinations favoured by universities.

However, if you really want to take English Literature, you should choose what you’re interested in — it will make A-Levels in general more enjoyable.

Ultimately, whether you take English Literature A-Level or not is up to you. If you have a passion for the subject or think it could help you in the future, you should definitely consider choosing it.

How hard is A-Level English Literature?

Any A-Level English Literature student will tell you that it’s not an easy A-Level . In fact, this Think Student article has a list of the top 10 hardest A-Levels to take.

However, you shouldn’t let difficulty put you off. If you achieved the GCSE grades required to take the A-Level, you’re good enough to take the subject.

I would say that A-Level English Literature is moderately difficult. What many students, including myself, like about English is that there is technically no “wrong” answer. However, this also means your knowledge has to be on-point .

Still, don’t let difficulty get you down. Your school wouldn’t let you take A-Level English Literature if they thought you couldn’t handle it. Difficulty is also subjective; what other students find hard, you may find easy.

However , if you are a few weeks into the course and you decide it isn’t for you, there will still be time to switch subjects . If you have any concerns, this Think Student article offers advice on how to know if a course is right for you.

Now that we’ve established whether A-Level English Literature is right for you, let’s look at what the A-Level actually involves.

What do you do in A-Level English Literature?

The A-Level English Literature course is different depending on which exam board your sixth form uses. Even so, most of the courses have similar structures or modules.

As I mentioned earlier, if you enjoyed your GCSE English course, you’ll probably like the A-Level course too. Keep reading to find out more about the general structure of A-Level English Literature.

Exam boards provide a list of “set texts”. This means that your school has to choose a text to study from that specific list.

Exactly which texts are chosen is entirely up to your school. Meaning that you might study a different text to someone doing the same course.

What kind of work does A-Level English Literature involve?

The literature you study will cover poetry, prose and drama, and each exam board requires an NEA (non-exam assessment) project as part of the A-Level . Across the course, you’ll be analysing texts in response to questions on specific themes, ideas, characters or events.

The kinds of questions you get can vary . Sometimes, they’ll be a statement which you’ll be asked to agree or disagree with.

As well as this, you’ll be asked open-ended questions like discussing the presentation of a particular feature. This is one of the best things about A-Level English Literature: your opinion matters!

You’ll also have a lot of new and more complex terminology to learn, to help you analyse texts. This can definitely seem daunting when you first start. Although, if English is your favourite subject, then like me, you’ll learn to love it pretty quickly!

Does A-Level English Literature involve a lot of work?

I don’t think I need to tell you that A-Level English Literature is a very essay-based subject. However, this also means that you will have lots of writing to do and you will probably get set essays regularly . Your teachers may even set you an essay every week or two.

Due to this, for English literature, the jump from GCSE to A-Level is pretty noticeable. Especially as you will generally have quite a lot of work to do. If you’re worried that you aren’t prepared enough for it, this Think Student article has tips you’ll find useful.

Like I said earlier, exactly what you do, including how much work, depends on which exam board your school has chosen. Read further to find out more about the different exam boards, and what they offer as part of A-Level English Literature.

What are the exam boards for A-Level English Literature?

All 4 English exam boards – AQA, OCR, Edexcel and Eduqas – offer A-Level English Literature as a subject. Earlier in the guide , I mentioned that each exam board offers different texts and modules.

While your specific texts will depend on your sixth form, the modules are the same for everyone under the exam board. Continue reading for more information.

What is AQA A-Level English Literature like?

AQA, unlike the other exam boards, actually offers 2 different specifications: A and B .

In specification A, there are 3 compulsory modules. These are “Love through the ages”, “Texts in shared contexts”, and “Independent critical study: Texts across time”.

In specification B, there are also 3 compulsory modules. These are “Literary genres”, “Texts and genres”, and “Theory and independence”.

The texts that are part of specification A include one Shakespeare play, one pre-1900 poetry anthology and one pre-1900 prose text in one module. As well as 3 texts (one prose, one poetry and one drama) with at least one text written post-2000 in another module.

The texts that are part of specification B include one Shakespeare play and two pre-1900 texts in one module. As well as one post-2000 prose, one poetry, and one pre-1900 text in another module. As you can see, both specifications feature similar content but divide them differently .

However, this guide can only offer you a brief overview of the A-Level course. You can find the specifications for AQA A-Level English Literature here (specification A) and here (specification B).

What is OCR A-Level English Literature like?

The OCR A-Level English Literature specification is divided into 3 sections. These are “Drama and poetry pre-1900”, “Comparative and contextual study”, and “Literature post-1900”.

The latter section is a coursework module. Some exam boards require coursework as part of A-Level English Literature, but some don’t.

In the first section, you’ll study one Shakespeare play, one pre-1900 drama and one pre-1900 poetry text. In the second section, you’ll choose one theme (from a list provided by the exam board) and two texts, with at least one text from the list provided by OCR.

The third section is a coursework module, which means you don’t sit an exam for it. Instead , you produce an essay over the course which determines a percentage of your final grade . You can find the full OCR A-Level English Literature specification here .

What is Edexcel A-Level English Literature like?

Pearson Edexcel offers 4 components as part of A-Level English Literature. These are “Drama”, “Prose”, “Poetry”, and a coursework module.

As with the components and modules of other exam boards, each module has its own exam (except for coursework). For Edexcel, the “Drama” and “Poetry” exams are 2 hours 15 minutes, and the “Prose” exam is 1 hour 15 minutes .

In “Drama”, students study one Shakespeare play and critical essays related to the play, and one other drama. In “Prose”, students study two prose texts with one text written pre-1900.

In “Poetry”, students study an anthology and a range of poetry from either a specific poet or specific period. The Pearson Edexcel specification is linked here .

What is Eduqas A-Level English Literature like?

The Eduqas English Literature A-Level specification also has 4 components. These are “Poetry”, “Drama”, “Unseen Texts”, and “Prose Study”.

The “Prose Study” component is a coursework module. All 3 Eduqas A-Level English Literature exams are 2 hours long.

In total, you’ll study two selections of poetry (pre-1900 and post-1900), a Shakespeare play, two non-Shakespeare plays (pre-1900 and post-1900), and two prose texts.

Unlike the other exam boards, Eduqas dedicates a whole module to unseen texts , so you can’t directly revise for that. If you want to read the complete specification, you can do so here .

How to do well in A-Level English Literature

Every student knows there’s no set way to do well. There are way too many changing factors to offer you a fool-proof guide to success!

However , there are definitely techniques and processes to help you secure those top grades . Continue reading for my personal advice on how to succeed in A-Level English Literature.

The best advice I received while studying A-Level English Literature is to include your work in your everyday life. This could be as simple as telling your friend about a character you liked. Alternatively, you could use a key quote in a conversation.

These things both count as revision, because it helps you remember important information. For more revision techniques, see this Think Student article.

in A-Level English Literature is to take advantage of peer review . You’ll definitely make mistakes in your work, no one is perfect!

Asking a partner, friend, or family member to read your essay is a great way to pick up on things you miss. This Think Student article has some useful advice for English literature essay writing!

How to write an English literature essay for A-Level?

Sometimes, the exam system can make it feel like you don’t have much self-expression. I know I’ve certainly felt that way.

One of the great things about essays, and English literature, is that you get to voice your own opinion in your own way . I’ll take you through some general tips on what makes a good essay.

The most important thing is to perfect your spelling and grammar as much as possible. One thing I was always told in school was that if your essay is coherent, you’re halfway to a good essay. Obviously, this is harder if English isn’t your first language, but practice makes perfect!

On top of spelling and grammar, you should make your argument as clear as possible. Teachers will often refer to this as “signposting”.

It lets examiners know exactly what you’re going to talk about. It’s also useful if you run out of time, as examiners can see what you were planning to talk about; it shows you had good ideas, you were just limited by time. For tips on how to structure an English essay, check out this Think Student article.

A third, more obvious tip is to keep your assessment objects in mind as much as possible . In your essays, it’s good to mentally check off what criteria you’ve followed. This way you can keep track of the marks you’ve achieved, and the ones you still need.

What can you do with an English literature A-Level?

Being a student who took A-Level English Literature myself, one of my biggest concerns was the pathways available to me afterwards .

English is often talked about as a subject with limited options – but don’t worry! A-Level English Literature is useful for degrees in fields like English, History, Law, Politics, Philosophy and more.

It might surprise you, but English is a subject that a lot of universities and employers like . You don’t have to want to be a writer to find English A-Level useful.

The writing skills you gain are desirable to universities and employers in a range of fields . However, if you’re still uncertain, I’d recommend researching what A-Levels you need to pursue your future degree/job.

For example, if you want to be a vet , midwife , counsellor , nurse , social worker , police officer , pilot or account , you can click on their respective links to see what A-Levels you will need.

Don’t let how useful A-Level English Literature is stop you from taking it if you really want to! The most important thing about A-Levels is that you choose the subjects you like.

From personal experience, I can tell you that if you don’t care about the subject, you won’t enjoy the A-Level. If you think A-Level English Literature is right for you, choose it!

A-level English Literature Reading List

A lot of teenagers who are interested in English Literature think there is a fixed list of books that they have to read. This is not the case but a reading list is very useful. While A Level English and English GSCE require teens to study certain texts, when it comes to UK university applications and UCAS the most important thing is to read a lot and to read widely. 

Here is a small selection of novels, plays and poems that will introduce teenagers to what the ages have to offer. Enjoy!

Ei ghteenth-century literature A-level reading list

The Eighteenth Century saw the dawn of the novel so it is a good idea to try at least one. Be warned: they can seem odd to begin with. However, the novels of Fielding, Swift and Sterne are incredibly zany and fun once you get a taste for them.  Gulliver’s Travels is a good place for A Level English students to start–it is fairly short with a fantastic plot and political punch. If you are an Austen fan,  Pride and Prejudice  also manages to squeeze into this category. 

Poetry-wise, it is a century of incredible variety. Sample the rhythmical, satirical verse of Alexander Pope (which rarely features on the school curriculum) as well as the sweeping poetry of the early Romantics, which students may have encountered in AQA GCSE English and Edexcel GCSE English. 

Novels 

Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded – Samuel Richardson

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman – Laurence Sterne

The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling – Henry Fielding 

Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

Gulliver ’ s Travels – Jonathan Swift 

Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe 

Poetry 

The Rape of the Lock – Alexander Pope 

Songs of Innocence and Experience – William Blake

“Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey”– William Wordsworth

Victorian literature A-level reading list

Teenagers are likely to be more familiar with Victorian novels as they usually pop up on the school syllabus at one point or another. ( Great Expectations  tends to be a favourite with GCSE English teachers). 

They do tend to be long but they have wonderful plots– particularly if you are keen on gothic fiction. If you are looking to start on something shorter, Henry James’ novella-turned-ghost story  The Turn of the Screw is second to none. 

Find below our A-level English literature reading list of Victorian novels.

Middlemarch – George Eliot 

Bleak House – Charles Dickens 

The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  – Robert Louis Stevenson 

Jane Eyre –  Charlotte Bronte 

The Turn of the Screw  –  Henry James 

The Portrait of a Lady – Henry James

North and South  – Elizabeth Gaskell

Far from the Madding Crowd  –  Thomas Hardy 

Browse through our A-level English literature reading list of Poetry.

Robert Browning’s dramatic monologues (“My Last Duchess”, “Soliloquy of a Spanish Cloister”, “Porphyria’s Lover”, “Toccata of Galuppi”)

In Memoriam  –  Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

“The Lady of Shalott” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

“Tithonus” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson 

“Dover Beach” – Matthew Arnold 

Modern literature  A-level reading list

It is somewhat disingenuous to group these books together under the title ‘modern literature’. There is too much variety in style and subject matter. However, here is a tiny selection of what the Twentieth Century has to offer. Virginia Woolf often appears on the A Level English syllabus but Edith Wharton and Ford Madox Ford are often under-represented. 

In terms of modernist poetry, T.S Eliot’s  The Waste Land  is a great place to start, as is his “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”. Modernist poetry is famously difficult, however, so might be best saved till upper-sixth. 

Find below our A-level English reading list of modern literature.

Portrait of a Young Man  – James Joyce

To the Lighthouse – Virginia Woolf

Mrs Dalloway  –  Virginia Woolf

The Good Soldier – Ford Madox Ford

The Age of Innocence –  Edith Wharton  

The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath 

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie – Muriel Spark 

Hotel du Lac  – Anita Brookner 

The Go-Between  – L.P Hartley 

The Waste Land  –  T.S Eliot

“Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” – T.S Eliot 

“The Snow Man” – Wallace Stevens

“This is Just to Say”- William Carlos Williams 

“Musee des Beaux Arts”- W.H Auden 

“In a Station of the Metro” – Ezra Pound. 

Last but not least – drama. Teenagers who are interested in acting should read two or three Shakespeare plays that they have not studied during GCSE English. Seeing plays at the theatre can really bring them to life so, if you can, book some seats. If not, there are some excellent film versions of Shakespeare plays as well. 

For something more modern, why not try some Tennessee Williams?  A Streetcar Named Desire  and The Glass Menagerie  are hard to beat. 

If teenagers particularly enjoy a certain author, or are drawn to a literary period, encourage them to write about it in their UCAS personal statement. Discussing specific texts will show they are thinking carefully about what they read and will enhance their university application. 

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AS and A-level English Literature A

• Specification
• Planning resources
• Teaching resources
• Assessment resources
• Introduction
• Specification at a glance
• 3.1 Love through the ages
• 4.1 Love through the ages
• 4.2 Texts in shared contexts

4.3 Independent critical study: texts across time

• Scheme of assessment
• Non-exam assessment administration (A-level only)
• General administration

In Texts across time, students write a comparative critical study of two texts.

This specification is committed to the notion of autonomous personal reading and Texts across time provides a challenging and wide-ranging opportunity for independent study. Possible themes for the comparison are indicated below, but this is not a set list and students are free to develop their own interests from their own wider and independent reading.

Texts chosen for study must maximise opportunities for writing about comparative similarity and difference and must allow access to a range of critical views and interpretations, including over time . Students should take an autonomous approach to the application and evaluation of a range of critical views.

The title 'Independent critical study' highlights the important idea that, within a literature course, students should have the opportunity to work independently. Although one common text could, if required, be taught to a whole cohort, at least one text should be studied independently by each student. Texts should always be chosen with your guidance and support. Students should also individually negotiate their own task.

In Texts across time, students write a comparative critical study of two texts on a theme of their choice. Possible themes include, but are not limited to:

• the struggle for identity
• crime and punishment
• minds under stress
• nostalgia and the past
• satire and dystopia
• war and conflict
• representations of race and ethnicity
• representations of sexuality
• representations of women
• representations of men
• representations of social class and culture.

The spirit of this component is for independent study, with schools and colleges submitting work on a range of texts and tasks. Schools and colleges are encouraged to check the appropriateness of texts and tasks with their non-exam assessment adviser, especially where there may be some uncertainty on the approach being taken, either by the school or college as a whole or by individual students.

• The word count is 2,500 words.
• Tasks should be designed to ensure that students address all assessment objectives in their essay response.
• An appropriate academic bibliography (not included within the 2,500 word count) must be included.
• An appropriately academic form of referencing must be used.

The following conditions apply to the texts chosen:

• one text must have been written pre-1900
• two different authors must be studied
• set texts listed for the A-level exam components cannot be used for non-exam assessment, even if they will not be used in the exam
• the essay is comparative and connective so equal attention must be paid to both texts
• a poetry text could be either one longer narrative poem or a single authored collection of shorter poems. If using a collection of poetry, students must have studied the whole text and select at least two poems to write about in detail as examples of the wider collection
• single authored collections of short stories are permissible. If using a collection of short stories, students must have studied the whole text and select at least two stories to write about in detail as examples of the wider collection
• texts chosen for study may include texts in translation that have been influential and significant in the development of literature in English. The translated text should be treated as the original writer's own words for assessment purposes. Therefore, schools and colleges should ensure that they use a version recognised by academia as being a high quality translation which supports the original author's writing appropriately.

Recommended texts

Texts listed in the A-level core set text and comparative set text lists in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 cannot be studied for non-exam assessment. Texts chosen for study may include texts in translation that have been influential and significant in the development of literature in English.

Possible pre-1900 texts include, but are not limited to:

NEA prohibited texts

Students cannot use the following texts for non-exam assessment as they appear on the exam set text lists.

Examples of choices of non-exam assessment texts and possible connections

Compare and contrast the presentation of British attitudes to race and ethnicity in The Moonstone and in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth in the light of this view.

In what ways do you think the Gothic settings of these texts help the writers to shape their presentation of heroines in peril?

Compare and contrast the presentation of Sue Trinder in Fingersmith with Marian Halcombe in The Woman in White in the light of this view.

12 Most Unique, Best Books for A1-A2 English Levels

Updated: October 9, 2023

Reading time: 16 minutes

Are you B1, B2, C1, or C2? You can click here for Intermediate (B1-B2) level, and click here for Advanced (C1-C2).

You CAN read and learn more vocabulary as a beginner level student. English has many books. These are the 12 best and most interesting books for your level.

Reading has always been a hobby of mine, and I used to be a reading teacher. The thing I found most frustrating when teaching was finding appropriate and interesting books for the students.

You don’t have to feel miserable and struggle. The hard-work has already been done for you.

The list below has books for both A1 and A2 English proficiency level learners. There are different types of books—genres—listed below, so you will absolutely find something that you will enjoy.

Note: #1 on this list should be read last (A2). It is a great book, but may be more difficult if you are not A2 or above.

Disclaimer: I may receive compensation for any purchases made after clicking on any of the links below.

Beginner (A1-A2)

1. † 13 reasons why —jay asher.

†This book is a great “bridge” book. It is best for A2 English proficiency level students. Read this book when you are almost ready to move to the next level: B1. This book has been adapted to a T.V. series.

13 Reasons Why is terrific for beginners because it is mostly written in the simple past tense. Vocabulary isn’t too difficult, but it may be hard if you are not a high beginner level.

“THE #1  NEW YORK TIMES  AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

**THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL, NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES**

“Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.” — Chicago Tribune “A stealthy hit with staying power. . . . thriller-like pacing.” — The New York Times “ Thirteen Reasons Why  will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.” —Amber Gibson, NPR’s “All Things Considered” You can’t stop the future.  You can’t rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why. 

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

Need to talk? Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) anytime if you are in the United States. It’s free and confidential. Find more resources at 13reasonswhy.info.

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Click ‘subscribe’ to read the entire list and select excerpts.

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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

Although reading a book is an effective way to learn, 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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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…

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Cambridge international as & a level english language (9093).

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