Reading books is one of the best ways to improve your English. Whether you’re preparing for an exam or just studying to improve your speaking and listening skills, reading is a fantastic way to gain new vocabulary, explore new structures, discover complex expressions, and really get a feel for the language. Sometimes it can be difficult to find the right kinds of stories for beginners. That’s why we’ve created this list of the best English novels for English Language Learners.

What are the best easy novels for English Language Learners to read?

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1.�� The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Mark Haddon

is a book about a young boy, Christopher, who has autism. Christopher goes to a special school and finds it very hard to understand and communicate with people from the outside world.�� He discovers that his neighbour’s dog has been murdered and decides to investigate the crime. This takes him on a terrifying and challenging journey that changes his life.

The story is told by Christopher, which means the language is simple and easy to understand. Its short length also makes this book easy to read, even for beginners!

2. Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl

A great tip when choosing books to improve your English is to read stories written for children. We chose , but we could have really chosen almost any book by the iconic writer Roald Dahl, who is arguably one of the greatest children’s authors of all time.

Fantastic Mr Fox is the story of three mean local farmers and a sly fox who steals their chickens, geese and apple cider to feed his family and friends. Boggis, Bunce and Bean (the horrible farmers) plan to capture the fox by digging into his home, but Fantastic Mr Fox has a plan of his own….

Another great thing about these books is the illustrations by Quentin Blake.�� Reading a book with pictures also helps you to better understand the story.

3.�� The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway

is a short novel about an epic battle between an old Cuban fisherman and a giant fish. Hemingway uses the simple story as a fable which explores the themes of challenge, courage, survival, defeat and personal triumph.

Hemingway is famous for his clean, minimalist style of writing, which is perfect for language learners.�� Using short sentences and getting straight to the point, every level of an English learner will find the language in his books accessible.

4.�� Lord of the Flies – William Golding

is a modern classic, and a popular one to read at school.�� It was once the set text for the Cambridge Advanced Exam, which makes it an even better choice when thinking about English books for beginners!�� Whether you’ve read it in your own language or not, it’s a good one to try in English.

Lord of the Flies begins with a plane crash which leaves a group of boys marooned on an island.�� Alone on the island, they elect a leader and create their own society.�� Things go horribly wrong and a war for leadership begins.�� The boys turn savage and form two rival tribes, resulting in panic, fear and death.

It will make you think about human nature. Will our cruelty and hunger for power end up destroying us?

5.�� Empty World – John Christopher

When Nick’s parents are killed in a car crash, he moves to live with his grandparents.�� Shortly after the move, a deadly virus spreads around the world and kills most of the population.�� Nick is left alone to survive in a lonely and empty world…..

The language in is simple because it was written for a teenage audience, but it is as dark, disturbing and thought-provoking as any adult book. Although it might be an easy read, it’s also one that will make you think!

6. To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee

is a classic American novel that many students in the UK and the US will study in secondary school.

The book is set in in the United States and follows the story of a crime in a small, rural town and its repercussions. Its told from the point of view of a child, so the language is never overly complex, making it a great novel for English language beginners.

7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling

So it may be an obvious choice, but the early books make for a great introduction to the English language for beginners. Written for children and Young Adults, the language is somewhat simple, making the books accessible for people with a low level of English. If that wasn’t enough, you’re probably already familiar with the storyline- which always makes reading in your second language a lot easier!

We hope you enjoyed reading about some popular novels for English Language Learners to read. Do you want to learn English with native speakers? Check out our English courses and improve your English today.

All images are used for educational purposes to illustrate a critical analysis of the novels. All image rights belong to the book’s publisher or cover artist. Inclusion in this English books for beginners list is not an endorsement of the expressed views of each author.

Other tips for language learners from the �鶹��Ƶ���� blog:

Best TV & Netflix Shows for Learning English

Best Songs for Learning English��

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So, you need to improve your English listening skills, but the idea of spending hours listening to BBC news fills you with horror. Don’t worry, we’ve come up with a great list of shows (in both British and American English) to help you improve your vocabulary and have fun at the same time! These 10 series are amazing TV shows for learning English, and can help you while you are taking an English course at �鶹��Ƶ����.

Best American TV shows for Learning English

1. Friends

Okay, so this is an obvious one, but you’ve probably watched Friends in your native language. When you start watching it in English, it’ll be much easier to follow because you already know the storyline.

Vocabulary to look out for: “We were on a break”
Meaning: This means to stop doing something for a while. When Ross and Rachel go “on a break”, it means when two people in a relationship are separated for a period of time.

2. Brooklyn 99

Brooklyn 99 is a fun twist on a regular American “cop show.” It’s a light-hearted sitcom series made up of short 30-minute episodes and adorable characters. The fast-paced comedy might be a little hard to understand at first, but after series one, you’ll be speaking like a real Brooklynite (person from Brooklyn, New York).

Vocabulary to look out for: “N�Ǿ�����”
Means:��‘Nice’ spoken with emphasis. It refers to something exceeding the limit of nice, i.e. something really, really nice.

3. Stranger Things

You’ve probably heard of the addictive SCI-FI series, Stranger Things, but have you thought about watching in its original English? Yes, some of the kids’ slang words might be a little bit hard to understand, but, in general, children speak a lot slower and clearer than adults, making their conversations and the series pretty easy to follow.

Vocabulary to look out for: “The Upside Down”
Refers to: ‘Upside down’ means something that is the wrong way – the top is where the bottom is supposed to be. This is the name 0f the parallel universe that is opened in the show.

4. Modern Family

Like with ‘Stranger Things’, the best thing about learning English with Modern Family is that most of the cast are children. With the kids speaking a lot slower and using simpler vocabulary, you’ll find it easy to learn English with this hilarious show. The cast also explains a lot of English phrases to Colombian Gloria (played by Sofia Vergara).

Vocabulary to look out for: “Male cheerleader”
�ѱ𲹲Ծ��Բ�:��Cheerleaders are performers at American Football games who are normally female. The joke in the show is that Phil was a male cheerleader in college.

5. The Good Place

Although the premise for the good place might be a little strange (it takes place in a fictional ‘Good Place’ that represents heaven) the Good Place is one of the best TV shows for learning English. As well as its fairly slow-moving plot, many of the stories are repeated – making it the perfect starting point for someone new to English TV.

Vocabulary to look out for: “Forked up”
Meaning:��You can’t swear in the ‘Good Place’, so common bad language is replaced by similar sounding words.��

Best British TV shows for Learning English

1. The Crown

What better way is there to learn ‘the Queen’s English’ than from the Queen herself? The series follows the life of Queen Elizabeth from coronation as she deals with the pressures of life in the royal family. Not only will you pick up an incredibly posh (meaning upper-class) British accent, but you’ll also learn lots about the history of the British monarchy.

Vocabulary to look out for: ��ٴDZ�����𾱲���”
Means: A supreme ruler.��

2. Downton Abbey

Much like the Crown, if you find ‘the Queen’s English’ easiest to understand then Downton Abbey is the perfect TV show for you. Despite being set in Yorkshire, all of the characters speak with posh British accents making it easy to follow the English conversations.

Vocabulary to look out for: ��ٱ�ܾ��ڴڲ�”
Meaning: An old-fashioned way of saying slightly drunk.��You can also check out these��

3. Sherlock

Get to know an iconic British literary character in a fun and modern format. Although Benedict Cumberbatch speaks quite quickly, the show is a great example of a British Television series that you’ll find too captivating to turn off.

Vocabulary to look out for: “Got my eye on”
�ѱ𲹲Ծ��Բ�:��When you have your eye on someone, you are paying close attention to them from a distance because you are interested in what they are doing. For a detective, this would usually be because they are suspicious that the person is going to do something bad.

4. Killing Eve

Killing Eve is an intense and addictive spy-drama that has won multiple awards at both the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes. But aside from this, with Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) speaking in a clear, Canadian accent and Jodie Comer speaking slowly with a Belgian twang, it’s also a great TV series to start improving your English vocabulary.

Vocabulary to look out for:��“You should never call a psychopath a psychopath”
�ѱ𲹲Ծ��Բ�:��A psychopath is someone suffering from a mental disorder, but saying this to them would upset them.��

5. The Great British Bake Off

The Great British Bake Off is an excellent example of British Television. Twelve amateur bakers compete for the title of Britain’s best baker. There’s drama, competition and a lot of laughs. Not only will you learn a lot about British food, but you’ll also learn a lot about British humour on the way!

Vocabulary to look out for:��“Soggy bottom”
�ѱ𲹲Ծ��Բ�:��This is a regular joke on the show with a double meaning. When the bottom of a cake isn’t cooked properly it goes ‘soggy,’ meaning too wet. But a ‘soggy bottom’ also means that your butt (or to use a more British term, ‘bum’!) is wet.

Tips for learning English with TV series or Netflix shows

1. 1. Choose shows with shorter episodes so that you don’t get too overwhelmed with all the new vocabulary.
   2. Watch the TV shows with English subtitles NOT subtitles in your own language. Reading and listening to English at the same time is the best way to get your brain to absorb new vocabulary.
   3. Try not to pause and look up words you don’t understand, as this will stop you from enjoying the plot. Instead, try and work out the word’s meaning from the show’s context.

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When you’re learning English, watching TV shows and reading books can be a huge help – but another great way to learn is by exploring the best movies for learning English. Not only will watching movies get you familiar with different accents, you’ll also get an incredible insight into English-speaking culture from around the world.��

What are the best movies for learning English?

From immersing yourself in 19th Century Britain to experiencing life in suburban California, movies give you a chance to live the language as it’s spoken in real life. Here are 10 of the best movies for learning English.

1. Forrest Gump

Starring the incredible Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump tells the tale of a man with low IQ who has lived an extraordinary life. The whole film is narrated by Forrest, who speaks with a ‘Southern Drawl’ (accent from the South of the United States) that is slow, easy to understand and perfect for English beginners.

2. When Harry met Sally

When Harry Met Sally is a classic American rom-com that tells the story of two friends and their growing relationship. Although the 1989 storyline might be a little dated (old-fashioned) now, the film is full of catchphrases (well-known phrases) that have become iconic in modern American culture. The film begins with a long conversation between the two characters over a lengthy car journey, providing you with plenty of dialogue to practise your listening skills.

3. Four Weddings and a Funeral

Not sure whether you want a British or American accent? Four Weddings and a Funeral gives you the best of both! In a classic film set over the course of four weddings (and a funeral, obviously) Hugh Grant plays an awkward British wedding guest who falls for Andie McDowell, a beautiful American woman. Four Weddings gives you a chance to learn the best British slang and compare the two accents with this heartwarming movie.

4. Little Women

One of the most successful movies of 2019, Little Women is a great choice for language learners because of its clear dialogue and charming storyline. The film tells the story of four sisters living during the American Civil War and is of particular interest to fans of American history. Once you’re familiar with the film, you can also try reading

5. Great Gatsby

A modern interpretation of the classic American novel, Baz Luhrmann’s��Great Gatsby is perfect for English language learners who want to learn more about 1920s America. With slow and sombre dialogue as well as an incredible soundtrack, this movie will keep any English language learner interested.

6. The Social Network

The story behind Facebook is definitely one worth learning about! This captivating movie traces Mark Zuckerberg’s life from college student to entrepreneur and is perfect for practising legal and technical vocabulary.

7. Juno

Hilarious, endearing and easy to understand, Juno is the perfect film for students who prefer independent films to big Hollywood blockbusters (commercially successful films). This movie also makes a great talking point for conversation class. Try watching it in a group and asking each other: ‘What would you do if you were in Juno’s situation?’�ę

8. The Imitation Game

The moving story of an English war-hero who ended up being persecuted for his sexuality, the Imitation Game gives learners the chance to discover an untold story in British history. The language spoken in the film is a perfect example of the ‘Queen’s English’ with clear pronunciation and easy to understand dialogue.

9. Frozen

The delightful story of a girl searching for her sister, Frozen is an immensely popular Disney movie that’s super simple to understand. Yes it may be a kid’s movie, but if you’re new to learning English then watching children’s films is the perfect starting point. With simple dialogue and catchy theme songs, kids’ films are a great introduction to English movies.

10. The King’s Speech

What a great idea for learning English – watching a film where the main character – a historic British figure – is learning to speak! King George VI struggles to communicate due to a speech impediment, which means pronunciation is a very big focus in this movie.

Tips for Learning English with Movies

1. The shorter the better

Choose shorter films so you don’t become overwhelmed with new vocabulary and feel tempted to stop watching halfway through.

2. Use English subtitles

Watching the movie with English subtitles, rather than subtitles in your own language means you’ll be reading and listening to new vocabulary at the same time. This makes it much easier for you to understand new words and get to know the plot of the film.

3. Avoid pausing the movie to look up words

Try not to pause and look up words you don’t understand, as this will stop you from enjoying the plot. Instead, try and work out the word’s meaning from context- you might find you learn more than you think!

Want to improve your English with native speakers? Check out our English courses and get the skills you need to succeed.

You might also like:

• Best TV shows for learning English
• Best novels for learning English
• Best songs for learning English

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