Finding High-Interest Low-Vocabulary
for English Students
Books for Reluctant Readers
The key to motivating English students to read
more is to give them
high-interest, low-vocabulary books, also called books for reluctant
Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses
As an English teacher, you know that a love for reading opens
doors to worlds of knowledge and imagination.
And every language
teacher knows that the best way to learn a language is to read as much
Reading teaches not only vocabulary
but also sentence
, and spelling
as well as culture, customs, and
Not all students are reluctant readers.
- Sometimes students want to read
but can't find anything that interests them that is written at the
- Sometimes the language level is perfect but the subject
matter doesn't interest them.
- Other students become frustrated because
they want to learn more about a subject but can't understand what
High-interest low-vocabulary books solve these
Finding What Interests Your Students
The key to motivating your students to read is to find books about
subjects they're interested in that aren't too easy or too difficult.
If your students say they can't find any books they want to read, find
out what they love.
It would seem obvious that the easiest way to find
out is to ask them, but some students are reluctant to admit their
In these cases, there are other ways to find out.
ask their parents and friends, observe them on the playground, and find
out what after-school activities they're involved in.
Some of the more popular interests for English learners are sports such
, performing arts such as singing
Older students may be interested in politics
You can look for low-vocabulary non-fiction and fiction books. These may be "how-to" books,
history or statistics books, or player and celebrity profiles.
Where to Find High-Interest Low-Vocabulary Books
There are several places to find books that fit your students' reading
The least expensive is the public library
Many libraries have
special sections of books especially written for English learners.
you have a school
librarian, he or she will undoubtedly have a selection of these special
books. If not, ask if your school can start one.
you can't find what you need in the library, or would like your own
materials you can search for high-interest low-vocabulary books in stores
, online and off.
Another great option is to find printable eBooks
An eBook is a book that is displayed on a computer screen or other electronic device, rather than being printed on paper.
- The downside
about eBooks is that you have to print them yourself (either at your
office or school, or at the local print shop). Another option is to use
them on-screen with your students.
, on the other hand, are very significant:
- No shipping is required. Usually you will be able to download your new eBook immediately after purchase.
can print as many copies as you need for all your
students! (Depending on the type of eBook and the license you get
upon purchasing, of course)
- And let's not forget – eBooks can be a lot cheaper.
Where can you find printable eBooks for your students?
You can search for ESL eBooks online, and you can also check the Really Learn English selection of eBooks for beginners
eBooks you choose to purchase, make sure you are buying them from
established and trust-worthy sites, and that they provide a 100% money
back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Reading teaches not only vocabulary but also sentence structure,
grammar, and spelling as well as culture, customs, and traditions.
order for students to excel in school and in life, they need to learn
how to read well. Being able to read well is the foundation for all
Change your reluctant readers to enthusiastic students
and encourage a love of reading in them by offering a selection of
high-interest low-vocabulary books.