1. Why learn English through literature?

If you want to become more fluent in English, you need to keep pushing yourself.
Reading original English books is a great way to do this! Even if you are an
intermediate English speaker, you can still use simple novels and books to make good
progress. Let’s take a look at how reading can help you improve:

 Real English: Modern novels show you real examples of how English is used
today. Textbooks do not always do this because they are written in a simpler
way for non-natives. Novels can also teach you how to show emotion, express
ideas or tell a story in English. You can also use literature to find examples of
realistic conversations between native speakers.

 Vocabulary: Even if you speak English well, there is always more you can
learn. A good novel will be simple and easy to understand, but it will also
introduce you to new words. Reading books gives you the chance to learn
vocabulary in the context of a story. This means you can see how words and
phrases are connected in everyday conversation. Reading modern British or
 American novels will teach you all sorts of weird and wacky English words
(like ‘wacky’, which means: ‘crazy’ or ‘eccentric’)!

If you cannot find a word or expression in a standard dictionary, then this

could mean it is a slang term. Try using UrbanDictionary.com to find out the
meaning.

 Accuracy: Great authors are masters of the English language. Their writing

uses perfect style and form. To improve your grammar and your written
English, there is no better teacher than a good book! When you read books
regularly, you begin to understand English more through passive learning.

 Interaction: By reading a novel in English, you are interacting with the

language. Many books have several layers of meaning and can be understood in
different ways. When you develop your own thoughts and opinions on a story,
you create a personal relationship with the language. Students often say that
they feel different when reading a book in English, even if it has been
translated from their own native language.

 Reward: Reading a novel might seem like a lot of work, but it can be one of
the most rewarding ways to improve your English. When you read a novel, you
are using English to achieve a goal. In other words, you are reading and
translating in order to understand and enjoy a story. When you use English as a
practical tool in this way, you are one step closer to fluency.

2. How to improve your English by reading simple

books
There are many different ways that you can use reading books in English to improve
your language skills. However, it is important to find the books and methods that
work best for you. Remember to choose novels that suit your level of English and
personal interests. Reading should be interesting and fun. If you find it boring or
difficult, then change the book! These 8 tips will help you get started:

1. Find a book that REALLY interests you There are millions of books out
there, and when you start reading English literature it is important to choose
one that you will really love. Openthebook.com is a website that suggests
books for you to read. All you have to do is enter your preferences or
keywords! You can also use Bookbrowse.com to read extracts (or samples)
from current books and then choose which you like best.

2. Make sure the level is right for you You need to find a book that is not too
difficult, but not too easy. First, try reading 2 or 3 pages. If there are more than
10 new words per page, then it may be best to choose a simpler book. Reading
should not become a boring ‘dictionary exercise’. If you can understand the
general meaning and just look up a few new words per page, then the book is
probably a good choice for you.
 3. Watch the movie! If reading an original novel in English feels a bit scary, try
watching the film first. Many popular books now have film versions. These will
give you a basic understanding of the story before you read the book itself.
Watching movies is great practice too!

Most novels are now also available as audiobooks. If you find that reading
takes too much time, then why not try listening to an audiobook as you drive
to work or relax on the sofa? You can find free audiobooks on LibriVox.

4. Try dual language books Dual language books have the original English text
on one page and the translation into your language on the other. This means
that you can quickly reference your own language if you do not understand all
of the English text. You can buy books of this kind in local shops or online, but
the choice is always limited. Alternatively, you can buy the same book in
English and in your language, and then compare the two. You can start with
these 5 free bilingual novels.

5. Analyse the language in the bookAlways pay attention to how the writer uses
words and constructions in English. Novels use both formal and informal
language and are often filled with everyday English expressions. As you read,
use a pencil to highlight any unfamiliar words and write them in a notebook.
When you are speaking English, try to use the words and phrases that you have
read in recent books. Remember to check words and phrases from older books
as they may sound old-fashioned today.

6. Learn new vocabulary in context Original English books will contain words

you do not know. Before you look them up in a dictionary, try to work out what
you think they mean based on the context of the story. In many cases, you will
be able to guess the meaning of the word without having to open your
dictionary. However, when writing down new vocabulary, it is a good idea to
double check.
7. Think about what you have read When you have finished your book, take a
moment to reflect on what you have read. Were there any new words from the
book that you especially liked? Have you written these down in your notebook?
If you really enjoyed the book, then would you like to try another by the same
writer or perhaps read about the author’s life on Wikipedia? Just because you
have finished one book does not mean you have reached the end of the road!
There is always more to discover…

8. Choose your next book!

When you have finished your first novel, it is time to choose the next one! If
you are feeling confident, you could try to find a more advanced book. Reading
books by the same author (or from the same genre) can make life easier.
Writers often use the same words and phrases in their books, and this can help
you learn vocabulary through repetition
Genre Meaning Examples

Science fiction Books about an ‘imagined future’. 1984 – George

(also called ‘sci-fi’) Often about space or other planets Orwell
War of the Worlds –
HG Wells

Fantasy Includes things that are not real. For Harry Potter – JK
example: magic, or mythical creatures Rowling
like dragons Lord of the Rings –
JRR Tolkien

Romance This has two meanings: King Arthur and His

– A story about a hero who is faced Knights of the Round
with challenges Table – Roger
– A book about love/relationships Lancelyn Green
Jane Eyre – Emma
Bronte
The Notebook –
Nicholas Sparks

Satire ‘Satire’ is a genre that uses humour to Animal Farm –

criticise the government or society George Orwell
A Clockwork
Orange – Anthony
Burgess

Horror A story that has been made to frighten Dracula – Bram

 you – a scary story! Stoker
The Shining –
Stephen King

Murder mystery ‘Murder mysteries’ are books about And Then There
(also called somebody who has been killed. The Were None – Agatha
‘whodunit’, novel is spent trying to work out who Christie
‘detective novels’ the killer is – this will normally be The Hound of the
or ‘crime fiction’ revealed at the end Baskervilles – Arthur
Conan Doyle

Thriller An action novel that aims to leave you The Girl on the
in suspense. It comes from the English Train – Paula
word “thrilling” – which means Hawkins
exciting The Da Vinci Code –
Dan Brown

Non-fiction A book that is factual and informative, Into the Wild – Jon
instead of telling an imaginary story. Karkauer
A non-fiction book can be about any A Brief History of
topic. For example, historical accounts Time – Stephen
and biographies are non-fiction Hawking
Steve Jobs – Walter
Isaacson