Recommended Reading Skills Resources

Easy True Stories (series)

Sandra Heyer, Longman Publishers, 1994-2009

Easy True Stories, by Sandra Heyer, presents 20 new stories in the True Stories tradition: human interest stories adapted from newspapers and magazines. Most stories are less than half-page long, and they are written almost exclusively in the present tense. Nine pre-reading drawings introduce each unit visually and ease students into reading.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Quest. Reading & Writing in the Academic World (series)

Pamela Hartmann, McGraw-Hill, 2007

Quest is a three level reading and writing series that prepares ESOL students for the rigors of college academic coursework. This series differs from other content-based ESOL series in that it incorporates material typically covered in college-level general education courses and contains a variety of academic areas including biology, business and U.S. History.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Lori Howard, Oxford University Press, 2000

Read All About It offers high-interest readings based on authentic materials.  Read All About It 2 themes correspond to The Oxford Picture Dictionary.  The Word Lists in the readers provide page references to the respective Dictionary.  Develops reading skills, vocabulary, and critical thinking through a wide variety of pre-reading, reading and, post-reading activities.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Jill & Charles Hadfield, Longman Publishers, 1995

This text uses a wide variety of authentic reading texts from newspapers, magazines, notes, maps etc. Includes lead-in and follow-up activity ideas & provides extra reading practice linked to communication.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Sandra Heyer, Longman Publishers, 2007

True Stories in the News, Second Edition, consists of 22 readings based on human-interest stories adapted from newspapers and magazines -- including new, updated, and improved material.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Sandra Heyer, Longman Publishers, 1998

Selected from newspapers and magazines, and adapted for the beginning student, the stories are told as simply as possible -- exclusively in the present tense. Very Easy True Stories is an ideal first text for students with little or no experience with English.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Weaving it Together (series)

Milada Broukal, Heinle & Heinle Publishers, 2003

A favorite over a decade, Weaving it Together connects high-interest readings with clear writing activities to help students be more confident in their ability to understand and express ideas in English. Robust activities, structured lessons, and plenty of writing practice help students develop their ideas clearly and with confidence.  Available at Amazon.

 

 

Pete Sharma, Thomson Publishers, 2006

With Reading the News, students gain practice that will help prepare them for TOEFL®, TOEIC®, and IELTS® exams. Reading the News is an ideal way to encourage students to read English outside the classroom. Available at Amazon.

 

 

Liz Driscoll, Cambridge University Press, 2004

Reading Extra is an excellent photocopiable resource book for instructors who teach multi-level classes comprised of adult learners. Liz Driscoll makes use of factual authentic materials such as newspaper articles, everyday signs, emails and diary entries to help students practice such skills as reading for gist, skimming and summarizing. Available at Amazon.

 

 

Lorraine Smith & Nancy Mare, Thomson Heinle Publishers, 2004

These best-selling, academic skills texts systematically develop students' reading and vocabulary skills through engaging themes and intensive practice. Students learn successful reading strategies and are further prompted to build proficiency in their writing, listening, and speaking skills.  Available at Amazon.